Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period, SW swell with 72 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 0.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 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 0.2m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Rusty here again. Lookin’ over the same stretch, but in feet and knots.
Honestly, mate, it’s a grim run. Right through the whole 16-day window, there’s just nothing worth paddling out for. Every single session gets the red light – poor surf conditions, flat or near-flat waves, and the wind is almost always working against us. We’re looking at a solid stretch of tiny, blown-out dribble, with no real standouts at all.
The only wave of any size pops up around Saturday the 16th of August morning, with a 3ft SW swell, but the period is a short, weak 6 seconds. That’s a pretty weak 80 combined energy, and with a moderate cross-shore chop, it’s gonna be a messy, closeout shorebreak. Not worth the drive.
We do get some glassy moments – like Monday the 10th of August morning, with a 0.3ft S swell at 13 seconds, dead calm wind, but the wave height is a puddle. Or Friday the 14th of August morning, glassy again but only 1.0ft SW. Clean as a whistle, but you’d be floating.
The water temp on the first day, Wednesday the 5th of August afternoon, is sitting at 66°F, which is 4°F warmer than usual – noticeably toasty for the time of year, but no use without waves.
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) is a sheltered spot, so it needs a good push from the SW to work, and we just don’t get it. It’s been consistently poor, and the pattern doesn’t look like changing. For the local crew, this is just one of those blank runs – sometimes it goes quiet and stays quiet.
If you’re dead keen, hold out for a surprise. Otherwise, save your wax.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | SW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 15 | 15 | 14 | 21 | 14 | 14 | 26 | 51 | 56 | 33 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 37 | 54 | 58 | 68 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 11:05AM2.87m | 11:37PM2.79m | 12:10PM2.77m | 00:49AM2.71m | 1:28PM2.75m | 2:09AM2.74m | 2:46PM2.87m | 3:22AM2.90m | 3:53PM3.09m | 4:23AM3.11m | 4:50PM3.32m | 5:16AM3.33m | 5:40PM3.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:53AM0.74m | 5:25PM0.78m | 5:58AM0.85m | 6:39PM0.86m | 7:17AM0.88m | 8:03PM0.83m | 8:39AM0.80m | 9:20PM0.69m | 9:49AM0.62m | 10:25PM0.48m | 10:49AM0.40m | 11:19PM0.28m | 11:40AM0.19m | 00:07AM0.12m | |||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:05 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 11 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | S 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 8 | SW 12 | SW 10 |
| kJ | 15 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 5 | 32 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 37 | 54 | 6 | 68 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | S 16 | S 5 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SW 8 | S 11 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 11 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 6 | S 11 | SW 12 | S 5 | SW 11 | S 12 |
| kJ | 1 | 5 | 1 | 21 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | W 10 | — | SW 5 | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 13 | SW 11 | W 9 | S 15 | S 15 | — | S 13 | S 11 | S 11 | — | SSW 11 | — | SSW 12 | — | S 10 |
| kJ | 5 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | 12 | — | 14 | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 2 | WSW 2 | W 5 | SW 2 | — | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SW 6 | WSW 2 | — | — | — | — | SSE 2 | S 4 | S 4 | — | SSW 8 | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | — | 26 | 51 | 56 | 33 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | 14 | — | 58 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 304 | 122 | 122 | 111 | 111 | 111 | 93 | 113 | 122 | 109 | 93 | 285 | 95 | 93 | 111 | 111 | 111 | 113 | 93 | 111 | 111 |
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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