Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, SW swell with 95 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 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sat 19th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer.
Honestly, mate, the next couple of weeks are pretty grim for Red Strand (Dirk Bay). We’re looking at a real dry spell for any kind of decent surf. The first real pulse of energy doesn’t show up until the very end of the period, but even that comes with a whole lot of baggage.
From now through to late September, it’s mostly small, weak, and messy. The water temp is sitting at about 61°, which is pretty much bang on for this time of year, so no surprises there. The wind is a constant problem – mostly cross or cross-on from the WSW, and often fresh to strong. That’s a recipe for lumpy, choppy, and generally poor conditions. The swell is tiny, mostly under 3ft, and the energy is weak. There are a few cleaner windows with offshore or cross-off winds on the 15th, 17th, and 22nd, but the swell is just too small to get excited about – we’re talking 0.7ft to 3ft. Not worth paddling out for.
We then hit a period of nothing much until the 26th of September. That Saturday morning sees a jump in the swell height to about 6ft from the SE. That’s solid, but the problem is the wind – a strong 25 mph cross-shore from the ESE. It’s going to be a mess, with lumpy cross-chop. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The period is short at 8 seconds, so it’s not going to have any real shape. This continues into the 27th with 5ft and cross winds, still not clean.
The last few days of the period on the 28th drop right back down to tiny again.
So, the truth is, there’s no standout here. No day you’d circle on the calendar. The only bump of size is on the 26th and 27th, but the wind ruins it. It’s a two-week blank run for Red Strand.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Sun night, fresh winds from the W by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed night, min 13°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 8 | WSW 10 | W 10 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | SW 6 | SW 4 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 15 | 80 | 40 | 27 | 32 | 42 | 8 | 5 | 29 | 11 | 23 | 11 | 14 | 80 | 43 | 82 | 95 | 38 | 21 | 20 | 17 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:40AM3.50m | 7:59PM3.40m | 8:17AM3.34m | 8:36PM3.18m | 8:54AM3.13m | 9:13PM2.94m | 9:33AM2.88m | 9:54PM2.68m | 10:18AM2.64m | 10:44PM2.44m | 11:17AM2.42m | 11:55PM2.28m | 12:40PM2.32m | 1:28AM2.26m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:55PM0.18m | 2:10AM0.30m | 2:29PM0.36m | 2:44AM0.49m | 3:05PM0.58m | 3:20AM0.71m | 3:46PM0.82m | 4:03AM0.93m | 4:37PM1.05m | 5:02AM1.14m | 5:50PM1.21m | 6:27AM1.25m | 7:22PM1.24m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | |  | |  |  | |  | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — |
 | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:39 | — |
mm | 1 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | SW 12 | S 6 | SW 6 | SW 8 | WSW 10 | SW 6 | W 10 | S 13 | W 10 | S 14 | W 10 | S 18 | S 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 15 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 6 |
| kJ | 7 | 6 | 22 | 27 | 32 | 42 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 25 | 25 | 5 | 38 | 16 | 9 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | WSW 10 | S 11 | W 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 14 | S 19 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 6 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 20 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 17 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | — | W 11 | W 10 | S 11 | — | S 11 | S 13 | — | — | S 19 | S 18 | W 10 | S 15 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | S 11 | S 11 | W 17 |
| kJ | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 4 | — | — | 7 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 6 | W 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 2 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | SW 6 | SW 4 | SW 6 | SW 6 | WNW 2 | — | — | S 3 |
| kJ | 15 | 80 | 40 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 29 | 11 | 23 | 11 | 14 | 80 | 43 | 82 | 95 | 1 | — | — | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 111 | 93 | 113 | 71 | 467 | 467 | 337 | 293 | 304 | 630 | 467 | 467 | 467 | 103 | 103 | 103 | 477 | 92 | 5 | 112 | 112 |
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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