Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 1 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, SSW swell with 122 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 1.3m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, listen up. Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Red Strand (Dirk Bay)… and, well, it’s a tough one.
The 16-day outlook is basically a big, fat blank. There’s not a single surfable day in the whole window. Every single reading comes back as “poor surf conditions”, so I’m not even going to try and find a hidden gem. This stretch is a total write-off for waves.
Now, for the context. This is a sheltered reef break, fairly consistent for a beginner spot, and it’s just not catching any decent energy. The swell is tiny, barely a ripple, with the combined energy of all swells rarely climbing above 61 (weak). The wind is a mess too – mostly cross-onshore or onshore, with a few clean moments but no swell to back them up. You’ll get the odd glassy morning, like on the 6th of August, but with a swell of just 0.7 ft, you’d be floating on a lilo, not a surfboard.
The water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there. But honestly, that’s all the good news I’ve got.
For a beginner-friendly spot, this is a real bummer. But for this area, a blank run like this happens. It’s a waiting game. The forecasts can change, and we’re likely to see some energy pop up eventually. For now, the setup looks more interesting for a kiteboarder than a paddle surfer, but even that’s a stretch.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | S 12 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SE 4 | S 6 | SSW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 38 | 58 | 45 | 43 | 42 | 102 | 51 | 122 | 63 | 32 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 38 | 46 | 69 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 7:34AM3.24m | 7:53PM3.29m | 8:09AM3.24m | 8:28PM3.26m | 8:46AM3.20m | 9:06PM3.19m | 9:26AM3.12m | 9:49PM3.08m | 10:11AM3.00m | 10:37PM2.94m | 11:05AM2.87m | 11:37PM2.79m | 12:10PM2.77m | 00:49AM2.71m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:50PM0.34m | 2:09AM0.38m | 2:24PM0.37m | 2:44AM0.43m | 3:00PM0.44m | 3:20AM0.50m | 3:40PM0.53m | 4:02AM0.61m | 4:26PM0.66m | 4:53AM0.74m | 5:25PM0.78m | 5:58AM0.85m | 6:39PM0.86m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | |  | | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:23 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | S 6 | S 15 | S 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | S 6 | S 5 | SSW 6 | S 5 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSW 7 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 38 | 58 | 45 | 43 | 42 | 51 | 4 | 47 | 63 | 32 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 46 | 69 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 10 | — | SW 10 | — | S 11 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | W 9 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | — | 2 | — | 4 | — | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 17 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 5 | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | W 11 | — | S 18 | S 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 16 | W 9 | S 14 | S 14 | W 9 |
| kJ | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 6 | 6 | 17 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 2 | — | SE 2 | SE 3 | ESE 4 | E 4 | E 4 | ESE 3 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | — | WSW 3 | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | ESE 4 | E 4 |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | 1 | 6 | 7 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 102 | 51 | 122 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 38 | 22 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 111 | 122 | 111 | 93 | 93 | 90 | 93 | 93 | 58 | 71 | 371 | 402 | 129 | 334 | 278 | 24 | 313 | 297 | 111 | 95 | 5 |
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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