Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, WSW swell with 880 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 2.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let's have a look at what we've got for the next couple of weeks. I've got to be straight with you, the outlook for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over this 16-day run is a bit of a tough one. It's a sheltered reef break, and it's a beginner-friendly spot, but we're looking at a whole lot of nothing for the best part of two weeks. The water's sitting at 61°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Honestly, from now until the 20th of September, it's a write-off. There is no surf worth paddling out for. We've got days and days of small, weak, messy swell with cross-onshore winds. The energy is just pathetic, mostly double-digit numbers in the combined swell energy (41 to 89), and that's not going to get anyone out of bed. There are a few sessions around the 15th and 16th where the wind goes clean and cross-offshore, but the swell is just too tiny, like 0.7 ft to 2 ft. It's a skip.
Now, the 20th of September (Sunday) is the one bright spot, and it's a long way off, so keep that in mind. The morning is the pick. We get a solid jump in size to 8 ft from the SSW, and the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the WNW. The combined swell energy jumps right up to 938, which is serious, strong energy. But, that's over 8 ft, so this is strictly for the experienced crew. Beginners, give this one a miss – it'll be a washing machine. That afternoon the wind goes cross-shore and it gets lumpy, so get your session in early. After that, it drops off a cliff again, back to tiny dribble for the rest of the run.
So, the one standout is that Sunday the 20th morning for the experts. For everyone else, it's a waiting game. The reef here is fairly consistent, so it tends not to stay poor for long, but this gap is a proper dry spell from now until that Sunday. Keep an eye on it, but don't hold your breath.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sat night, fresh winds from the SW by Mon afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Tue night, fresh winds from the W by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | SSW 6 | WSW 10 | SSW 6 | WSW 10 | SW 5 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SW 8 | WSW 10 | W 10 | S 13 | WSW 4 | SW 6 | W 3 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 4 | SSW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 155 | 103 | 763 | 25 | 18 | 28 | 22 | 55 | 30 | 24 | 32 | 41 | 8 | 4 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 19 | 199 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 6:45PM3.63m | 7:03AM3.59m | 7:23PM3.55m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:44PM0.02m | 1:03AM0.06m | 1:20PM0.06m | 1:37AM0.15m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:03 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — |
 | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:44 | — |
mm | 3 | 1 | 6 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | W 10 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | WSW 10 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | SW 12 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SW 8 | WSW 10 | WSW 7 | W 10 | S 13 | SW 6 | W 10 | SW 6 | S 18 | S 18 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 4 | 8 | 37 | 25 | 18 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 30 | 24 | 32 | 41 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 8 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 25 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | S 15 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 7 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | W 10 | S 11 | S 10 | W 10 | S 14 | W 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 8 | 4 | 19 | 9 | 17 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | — | W 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | W 10 | W 10 | — | S 11 | S 13 | — | S 14 | S 19 | S 13 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 12 |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | 7 | 17 | — | 4 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 4 | — | 4 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | WSW 10 | — | SSW 5 | SW 5 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | WSW 6 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | NW 2 | WSW 2 | WSW 4 | WNW 3 | W 3 | WNW 3 | SW 6 | SW 4 | SSW 7 |
| kJ | 155 | 103 | 763 | — | 15 | 28 | 22 | 55 | 24 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 10 | 19 | 199 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 103 | 103 | 103 | 24 | 111 | 113 | 113 | 113 | 71 | 278 | 467 | 337 | 295 | 304 | 630 | 631 | 467 | 467 | 103 | 491 | 873 |
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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