Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, SSW swell with 298 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Red Strand (Dirk Bay) in the next 16 days are 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. I’ve had a good look over the next 16 days for Red Strand (Dirk Bay), and I gotta be straight with you—it’s a tough run. This is a sheltered south-west facing reef, more of a beginner-friendly setup, but the swell just doesn’t line up properly for a proper surf. There are some moments with clean conditions, but the wave heights stay tiny and the energy is weak across the board. The water temp is sitting at 63°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least it won’t be a shock when you’re sitting out there waiting for nothing.
Tuesday 8th September afternoon kicks off with a 1ft SW swell at 8 seconds, but a 35 km/h NW cross-off wind makes it feel messy despite the “clean” label—combined energy is only 23 (weak). Yeah, poor surf conditions.
Wednesday 9th September morning is flat: 1ft SW, 8 seconds, with a light 5 km/h WNW cross-off and glassy water, but still tiny and weak (21 combined energy). Afternoon gets a 20 km/h WSW cross-on, bumping it up.
Thursday 10th September morning bumps up to 6ft from the SSW at a short 7 seconds, but the wind is a fresh 35 km/h cross-on from the SSW, creating lumpy, poor surf. Combined energy jumps to 298 (moderate), but it’s blown out. That’s the biggest swell of the whole period, but totally wasted with that onshore wind.
Friday 11th September morning is your one real glimmer: glassy, 5 km/h NW, 2ft S swell at 6 seconds. It’s weak (43 combined energy), but glassy conditions at a sheltered reef are about as good as it gets here this run. Still, that’s a tiny wave for a beginner spot.
From there it’s a long, dreary stretch. Saturday 12th September has a lumpy 5ft SW swell but fresh cross-onshore winds ruin it. Sunday 13th September morning is glassy again but only 1.0ft—you’d be scratching for a ride. Monday 14th through to the end of the third week of September stays tiny: most days show 0.7ft to 2ft, with some bigger periods (14-16 seconds) later on, but with onshore or cross-onshore winds and combined energy mostly under 50 (weak).
Honestly, there’s no standout session here. The only time worth even paddling out would be Friday 11th morning for a glassy, clean, tiny wave—if you’re desperate for a float. Otherwise, this break is too sheltered and the swell never really hits with the right wind. If it stays like this, you might be better off kite surfing if the wind picks up, but for paddle surfing, it’s a long wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Wed night, calm by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Fri night, calm by Sat night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 7 | SW 4 | SSW 7 | S 6 | SW 8 | S 6 | S 6 | WNW 15 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 9 | WSW 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 4 | SW 5 | SSW 3 | SW 4 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 18 | 29 | 14 | 19 | 16 | 298 | 75 | 69 | 25 | 17 | 42 | 162 | 88 | 194 | 10 | 17 | 7 | 20 | 8 | 17 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:14AM3.10m | 4:39PM3.31m | 5:02AM3.33m | 5:24PM3.50m | 5:45AM3.50m | 6:06PM3.61m | 6:25AM3.59m | 6:45PM3.63m | 7:03AM3.59m | 7:23PM3.55m | 7:40AM3.50m | 7:59PM3.40m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:18PM0.48m | 10:39AM0.38m | 11:07PM0.27m | 11:25AM0.18m | 11:49PM0.12m | 12:06PM0.05m | 00:27AM0.05m | 12:44PM0.02m | 1:03AM0.06m | 1:20PM0.06m | 1:37AM0.15m | 1:55PM0.18m | 2:10AM0.30m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | | | | |  | | |  | | | |  | | | |
 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — |
 | 8:07 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | S 11 | S 10 | — | S 6 | SW 8 | S 6 | S 6 | S 16 | S 15 | W 10 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | WSW 7 | S 13 | SSW 4 | SW 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 18 | 29 | 14 | 2 | 2 | — | 75 | 69 | 25 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 27 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 3 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 11 | S 11 | — | — | — | SSW 8 | S 6 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WNW 15 | SSW 15 | S 15 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | W 8 | W 10 |
| kJ | 5 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | 41 | 24 | 13 | 12 | 42 | 21 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 11 | S 11 | — | — | WSW 9 | W 10 | SSW 7 | S 16 | S 16 | — | — | W 10 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | — | W 8 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | — | 32 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | — | — | 2 | 7 | 17 | — | 1 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | NW 3 | — | SW 7 | SW 4 | SSW 7 | WSW 3 | WNW 2 | — | — | SSW 4 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 9 | — | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | SW 5 | SSW 3 | SW 4 |
| kJ | 8 | 1 | — | 19 | 16 | 298 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 16 | 162 | 88 | 194 | — | 7 | 7 | 20 | 8 | 17 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 467 | 391 | 24 | 122 | 144 | 111 | 477 | 71 | 5 | 112 | 276 | 103 | 304 | 103 | 7 | 111 | 113 | 113 | 103 | 90 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cork | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Red Strand (Dirk Bay) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Red Strand (Dirk Bay) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Red Strand (Dirk Bay)) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in Cork? If you are looking for accommodation near Red Strand (Dirk Bay), camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Cork, consider staying in Kinsale which is 34 km (21 miles) away. Other places in and around Cork where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Bantry which is 39 km (24 miles) away, Cork, Cobh and Youghal.
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