Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 5s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 6s period, SSE swell with 237 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 5s period with SSE 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 Saturday (Aug 01) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Red Strand (Dirk Bay) in the next 16 days are 1.8m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Alright, let’s be real – the next couple weeks are a tough watch. We’re staring down a long stretch of flat days and poor wind, so don’t rush to wax up.
From now through to Wednesday, August 5th, it’s basically a write-off. The swell is tiny – most of it well under 2 ft – with a messy mix of cross and onshore breezes that’ll leave the surface all chopped up. Wave energy is almost non-existent, readings in the single digits or low teens (like 11 to 23). Water temp is a balmy 66°, sitting nearly 5° warmer than usual, which is weird, but it doesn’t help the waves.
The one bright spot shows up on Thursday, August 6th. We get a pulse from the southwest pushing about 5 ft, with a short period of 6–8 seconds – not groundswell, just a wind swell, so don’t expect perfection. But the wind goes light and cross-offshore from the northwest in the morning, so Red Strand (Dirk Bay) should be clean and rideable. The swell energy jumps to 165, a solid moderate punch. It’s not pushing into expert territory (still under 8 ft), so it’s fine for most, with crowds sometimes hanging around.
That Thursday morning is your best bet. It’s the only time in the whole 16-day window where the stars kinda align. By afternoon, the energy hits 304 but with rain showers rolling in, it gets sloppier. Friday, August 7th, the wind roars up to 45 miles per hour from the west-southwest, turning it into a wind sport kind of day – kite gear would be more fun than a paddle board.
After that, it’s straight back to flatness. So if you’ve got a window, hit that Thursday morning. Otherwise, take a break.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Sun morning, calm by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed night, light winds from the NW by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | S 13 | WSW 3 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | SW 3 | SW 4 | W 6 | WSW 3 | WSW 6 | SW 5 | WSW 3 | SW 4 | S 10 | SSE 4 | SSE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 10 | 10 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 20 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 25 | 237 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 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 | 7:00AM3.19m | 7:18PM3.28m | 7:34AM3.24m | 7:53PM3.29m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 1:16PM0.36m | 1:36AM0.38m | 1:50PM0.34m | 2:09AM0.38m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | |
 | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:34 | — | — | 9:31 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:29 | — | — | 9:28 | — | — | 9:25 | — | — | 9:23 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | SW 6 | S 13 | S 13 | S 16 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 3 | — | S 7 | SSE 6 | SSW 5 | SSE 5 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | S 12 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | — | SW 9 |
| kJ | 10 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | 4 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | 164 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 16 | S 16 | S 11 | S 11 | S 15 | S 10 | S 15 | S 14 | SW 4 | S 11 | S 13 | SSE 6 | S 13 | WSW 6 | S 12 | W 11 | S 12 | S 10 | — | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | 13 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 12 | — | S 13 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | — | S 14 | S 13 | — | S 11 | S 13 | W 9 | S 5 | W 9 | — | S 12 | — | S 10 | — |
| kJ | 5 | 3 | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | 3 | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 3 | — | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | WSW 6 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 3 | — | — | SW 3 | SW 4 | W 6 | WSW 3 | WNW 3 | — | WSW 3 | SW 4 | — | SSE 4 | SSE 6 |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 4 | — | — | 4 | 20 | 12 | 6 | 1 | — | 5 | 5 | — | 25 | 237 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 746 | 973 | 103 | 103 | 103 | 103 | 113 | 122 | 111 | 111 | 113 | 630 | 467 | 467 | 297 | 285 | 470 | 113 | 98 | 111 | 59 |
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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