Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period, W swell with 107 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 1.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 10AM. 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 3s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. We’re looking at a flat spell for Red Strand (Dirk Bay). Let’s be straight, there’s nothing worth paddling out for in the next two and a half weeks.
The only spot on the radar is Red Strand (Dirk Bay), a sheltered beginner reef break. Right now, and for the entire 16-day window, every single reading flags poor surf conditions. For Sunday the 16th, we’ve got a tiny 0.3 ft of swell from the S with a very long period of 19 seconds, combined energy is weak at 11. That’s not a wave, that’s a ripple. Winds are cross and 12 to 16 mph, messy.
Monday the 17th sees a bump to 3 ft from the W in the morning, period a short 7 seconds (windswell), with light cross breeze. Energy hits moderate at 146, but still considered poor surf. Afternoon drops right off again.
The rest of the run is just more of the same: tiny swell from the SSW or SW, mostly under 2 ft, with periods all over the place. There are a few clean-ish windows with offshore winds—Friday the 21st morning has gentle 9 mph offshore from the NNW and clean conditions on 0.7 ft SSW swell, and Saturday the 22nd morning has a moderate 16 mph offshore from the NNE with 1 ft. But the waves just aren’t there. Energy barely cracks 80 on the best of those days.
From the 26th onward, we get a bit more size—2 ft to 3 ft from the SSE and S on the 27th and 28th, but with onshore or cross-onshore winds and short, weak periods of 5-7 seconds. Energy peaks around 75. It’s not surfable.
The water temp on Sunday morning is 66°, which is 5° warmer than normal for the time of year—that’s much warmer than usual, so at least it’s pleasant to sit on the beach.
Bottom line: there are no good options in this 16-day window. For an area like this, a blank run like this is pretty normal. It won’t stay poor forever—forecasts can shift.
Stay tuned, but for now, leave the board at home.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Wed afternoon, light winds from the NNW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 19 | S 19 | S 18 | W 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 7 | 7 | 6 | 107 | 31 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 59 | 26 | 50 | 47 | 42 | 41 | 40 | 26 | 50 | 84 | 72 | 43 | 74 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | off | off | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 8:32PM3.44m | 8:50AM3.33m | 9:12PM3.22m | 9:31AM3.12m | 9:53PM2.96m | 10:14AM2.88m | 10:38PM2.71m | 11:03AM2.64m | 11:32PM2.48m | 12:05PM2.46m | 00:44AM2.34m | 1:26PM2.38m | 2:08AM2.33m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:29PM0.15m | 2:49AM0.29m | 3:08PM0.34m | 3:27AM0.49m | 3:48PM0.56m | 4:07AM0.71m | 4:32PM0.80m | 4:53AM0.92m | 5:26PM1.01m | 5:52AM1.10m | 6:36PM1.16m | 7:09AM1.19m | 7:58PM1.18m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 |
Feels °C | 14 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 19 | SW 4 | SW 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 5 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 3 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 31 | 26 | 5 | 28 | 59 | 26 | 50 | 47 | 12 | 41 | 40 | 17 | 50 | 84 | 72 | 43 | 74 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | S 13 | S 18 | SSW 18 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 17 | — | WSW 6 | S 11 | — | — | SSW 15 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | — | SW 12 | SSW 12 | W 10 |
| kJ | 1 | 3 | 6 | 30 | 2 | 3 | 28 | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | 42 | 3 | 4 | 26 | 17 | — | 6 | 15 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | W 11 | W 7 | S 11 | W 10 | S 20 | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 8 | SW 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | 7 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 3 | — | W 7 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WNW 3 | W 3 | WNW 3 | W 3 | WSW 4 | W 4 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | — | — | NNE 3 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | NE 3 |
| kJ | — | 4 | — | 107 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 11 | 24 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 3 | 8 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 113 | 111 | 132 | 24 | 122 | 492 | 24 | 983 | 434 | 467 | 581 | 434 | 471 | 470 | 93 | 24 | 157 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cork | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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