Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, W swell with 293 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) this week:
The surf forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Red Strand (Dirk Bay) in the next 16 days are 1.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, looking at the same picture but in feet and miles per hour for you. It’s a grim outlook for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) for the next 16 days, so don’t get your hopes up.
From Friday the 24th through the end of July, it’s all "poor surf conditions." The swell is tiny, barely a ripple at 0.7 ft to 2 ft, and the wind is all over the shop – side, side-on, and even onshore. There’s a bit of a long period groundswell on the 24th morning (13 seconds), but with only 0.7 ft of height and weak energy (17), it’s a total non-event. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing special.
We get a bit of a bump on the 31st of July, with the swell trying to push up to 4 ft from the south with a short period (6 seconds), and the combined energy climbs to 225 (moderate). But it’s still a mess – fresh side-shore winds and a lumpy chop mean the quality is still poor. The same story continues into the first of August: 4 ft of swell, but the wind is side and it’s lumpy. Not happening.
Now, the 2nd of August is the biggest swell we see in the whole period. We’re talking 7 ft from the southwest, with a period of 8 seconds and strong energy readings of 602 and 651. That’s a lot of water moving around. But here’s the kicker – the wind is a fresh side-shore at 19 mph, which is going to rip the face off it. At that size, over 8 ft, this is expert territory, but with that wind, it’s just gonna be a messy, lumpy beast. Honestly, for a sheltered reef break like this, the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Not a day for a standard board.
After that, from the 3rd of August onwards, the swell drops right back down to 2 ft and smaller, and the wind stays messy. The 3rd morning has a brief moment of clean conditions with a side-offshore breeze, but the swell is only 2 ft, so it’s not worth a trip. The last few days (5th to 8th) are pure dribble, with tiny 0.7 ft swell and weak energy.
To be clear, there are no standouts here. No "best on offer." The entire 16-day forecast is a blank run. The only bit of size is on the 2nd of August, but the wind kills it. It’s just one of those periods for this area – a long stretch of poor surf. Keep your gear in the car and watch the charts; it tends not to stay this flat forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the W by Sat morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 18 | W 3 | SW 6 | W 3 | W 9 | S 13 | SW 3 | S 15 | S 12 | S 15 | S 14 | SW 4 | S 13 | S 11 | S 13 | S 4 | S 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 293 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 34 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross |
High Tide | 2:08PM2.52m | 2:41AM2.48m | 3:12PM2.58m | 3:40AM2.57m | 4:06PM2.70m | 4:30AM2.71m | 4:52PM2.84m | 5:12AM2.86m | 5:32PM2.99m | 5:50AM3.00m | 6:09PM3.12m | 6:25AM3.11m | 6:44PM3.22m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:55AM1.06m | 8:33PM1.05m | 9:00AM1.03m | 9:34PM0.98m | 9:57AM0.93m | 10:26PM0.86m | 10:45AM0.79m | 11:10PM0.73m | 11:27AM0.65m | 11:50PM0.60m | 12:06PM0.52m | 00:27AM0.49m | 12:42PM0.42m | 1:02AM0.41m | |||||||
 | |  |  | | | | |  | | |  | | | | |  |  |  | | | |
 | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:36 | — | — | 9:35 | — | — | 9:34 | — | — | 9:31 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:29 | — | — | 9:28 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 18 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 6 | S 16 | WSW 6 | S 11 | S 16 | S 15 | S 12 | S 12 | S 14 | S 13 | S 11 | — | S 13 | S 13 | S 11 |
| kJ | 1 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | — | — | — | S 18 | SE 7 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | S 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 15 | W 8 | W 10 | S 13 | SW 5 | S 13 | S 13 | W 12 |
| kJ | 17 | — | — | — | 6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 | SW 12 | W 9 | — | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | — | W 11 | W 8 | S 13 | S 11 | SW 13 | W 8 | S 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 6 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 4 | — | — | W 3 | W 3 | W 3 | WNW 3 | W 3 | W 9 | WSW 5 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 3 | — | S 3 | S 4 | S 5 |
| kJ | 3 | — | — | 2 | 5 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 293 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | — | 3 | 8 | 34 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 122 | 924 | 113 | 930 | 103 | 321 | 652 | 492 | 0 | 103 | 103 | 103 | 103 | 103 | 111 | 111 | 111 | 93 | 111 | 302 | 710 |
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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