Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, E swell with 138 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 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 7s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Tue 14th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
Alright, I’m looking at the next 16 days here for Red Strand in Dirk Bay. And mate, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough one. This is a sheltered reef setup, and for the vast majority of this window, we’re basically looking at flat, tiny dribble. From now, right through until the 24th of July, it’s a real struggle. The swell is mostly under 1ft, the energy is weak (with readings like 8, 43, and 93 in the first week), and the wind is either cross or cross-off from the east and north-east – not the worst for this spot, but there’s just nothing to push it.
The water temp is sitting at 61°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a thicker suit than usual.
You’ll notice a little bounce on the 14th of July Tuesday morning where the energy hits 116, but it’s still only 1ft – that’s not enough to get excited about. It’s going to be a long, flat spell right through to the 24th.
Then, finally, on Friday the 24th of July morning, we get a pulse. A 4ft swell from the WSW, with a short period of 8 seconds. The energy is moderate at 183, but the wind is cross-on from the SW, so it’s going to be a bit messy. That afternoon it drops to 4ft and the period goes even shorter to 4 seconds, which is just wind chop. It’s the only window with any size, but the quality is poor. For a beginner-friendly reef, 4ft is usually fine, but with that short period and cross-on wind, it’s not going to be the clean, peelers you want. It looks more like a windy, bumpy mess than a decent surf.
Honestly, the standout option here is a tough call. There isn't one. The best on offer is that Friday the 24th morning, but it comes with a big caveat. A 4ft, 8-second swell from the WSW isn’t going to hold its shape well on a reef with that wind. If you’re desperate for a paddle, that’s the only time you’ll get something under you, but don’t expect much.
For the rest of it, keep the board in the car and wait for the next system. Forecasts do change, but for now, this is a quiet blank run that’s pretty normal for a sheltered spot like this.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Sat afternoon, strong winds from the ENE by Mon morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 21°C on Tue night, min 17°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Tue morning, calm by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 17 | E 6 | S 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 21 | SE 9 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SE 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 6 | 35 | 5 | 25 | 45 | 40 | 74 | 74 | 75 | 104 | 61 | 18 | 50 | 51 | 49 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 34 | 17 | 17 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off |
High Tide | 2:59PM2.98m | 3:32AM3.02m | 4:02PM3.17m | 4:32AM3.20m | 4:59PM3.37m | 5:26AM3.36m | 5:52PM3.53m | 6:17AM3.47m | 6:42PM3.63m | 7:05AM3.52m | 7:29PM3.64m | 7:52AM3.50m | 8:16PM3.57m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:25PM0.59m | 9:54AM0.53m | 10:28PM0.42m | 10:54AM0.36m | 11:25PM0.26m | 11:48AM0.20m | 00:18AM0.14m | 12:39PM0.10m | 1:08AM0.08m | 1:27PM0.06m | 1:56AM0.10m | 2:14PM0.09m | 2:42AM0.19m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | |  |  | | | |  | | | |
 | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:50 | — | — | 9:50 | — | — | 9:49 | — | — | 9:47 | — | — | 9:46 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:45 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 8 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 24 | 24 | 18 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 21 |
Feels °C | 21 | 22 | 23 | 14 | 21 | 21 | 10 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | SE 5 | E 5 | SSW 16 | SSW 21 | SE 9 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | E 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | E 5 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 5 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 18 | 25 | 45 | 40 | 74 | 74 | 127 | 104 | 61 | 27 | 16 | 15 | 7 | 41 | 11 | 18 | 10 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 17 | SE 7 | S 21 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SE 8 | S 7 | S 6 | SE 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WSW 5 |
| kJ | 6 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 75 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 50 | 51 | 49 | 5 | 41 | 41 | 34 | 17 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | S 16 | — | SSW 16 | S 21 | W 14 | W 12 | SSW 18 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SE 5 | ESE 4 | — | S 18 | SW 12 | — | — | S 16 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 5 | — | 24 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 32 | 8 | 18 | 18 | 4 | 4 | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | 5 | 17 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 4 | E 6 | ENE 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 4 | W 4 | WSW 4 | — |
| kJ | 6 | 35 | 37 | 71 | 103 | 220 | 400 | 459 | 210 | 108 | 128 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | 6 | 1 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 93 | 122 | 102 | 102 | 88 | 646 | 88 | 122 | 5 | 88 | 95 | 24 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 95 | 24 | 5 | 102 | 88 |
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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