Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s period, SSW swell with 74 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 0.4m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. I’ll level with you: the surf forecast for the next couple of weeks is a total bummer. We’re looking at a long run of tiny, junky waves and onshore slop. You might as well dust off the fishing rod or catch up on some sleep.
Our only spot on the map is Red Strand (Dirk Bay). The water's a warm 66°F, which is a solid 5°F above normal for this time of year. The ocean is cooking, so a shorty or even a rash guard is plenty.
Right now, it’s flat and ugly. Monday morning has a weak, chopped-up 3ft of west swell with a short 7-second period. The cross-shore wind is ruining any chance of it being rideable. The energy is weak at 142, and it’s just not worth paddling out for. From Monday afternoon through the 24th of August, we’re talking ankle-biters at 0.7ft to 1ft. That’s a nine-day dry spell with absolutely nothing on offer.
Later in the month, the swell tries to fill in a little. On the 25th, we see a bump to 5ft, but the period is a dismal 5 seconds. The energy jumps to 199, but it’s just a stormy, wind-blown mess, closing out all over the place. Forget the surfboard; this looks more like a day for the kite.
The 27th and 28th have the most size, with 4ft to 5ft of short-period swell. But the wind is onshore and cross-onshore, making everything lumpy and bumpy. Even with the energy reading up to 245, the quality is still poor. It’s a fight, not a surf.
So, is there any light? Honestly, not really. The cleanest days are around the 20th and 21st with offshore winds, but the swell is a pathetic 0.7ft to 1ft. You’d be on a log, hoping for a ripple. Even that long-period 17-second groundswell on the 31st is only showing 0.7ft. It's all tease and no reward.
Bottom line: there are no good surf options in this entire 16-day window. The waves are either flat or a complete mess. This spot isn't seeing the swell it needs. It’s a frustrating stretch, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. We'll keep our fingers crossed that the first week of September brings in some proper groundswell. For now, it’s a hard pass.
Stay thirsty.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Mon morning, strong winds from the W by Wed morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Thu morning, light winds from the NNW by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | WSW 4 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 107 | 31 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 59 | 26 | 50 | 47 | 42 | 41 | 40 | 26 | 50 | 50 | 72 | 42 | 74 | 65 | 68 | 69 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | on | off | off | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 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 | 2:45PM2.44m | 3:18AM2.46m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:30AM1.15m | 9:11PM1.08m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | ENE 5 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 3 | 31 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 59 | 26 | 50 | 14 | 42 | 41 | 40 | 17 | 5 | 50 | 72 | 42 | 74 | 65 | 68 | 69 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | S 11 | S 11 | — | — | — | S 11 | — | SSW 15 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 10 | W 10 | ENE 5 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 |
| kJ | 30 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 47 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 26 | 50 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | W 10 | S 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | WNW 8 | W 8 | SSW 13 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | SSW 12 | — | NE 4 | — | W 8 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 14 | 1 | 17 | 10 | 9 | 14 | — | 1 | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | WSW 3 | WSW 5 | W 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WNW 3 | NNW 3 | NW 3 | N 3 | NNE 4 | N 3 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | — | NNE 3 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 107 | 9 | 15 | 4 | 12 | 7 | 18 | 34 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 8 | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 113 | 304 | 467 | 334 | 816 | 434 | 434 | 470 | 278 | 129 | 24 | 7 | 24 | 7 | 24 | 7 | 37 | 7 | 7 | 98 | 5 |
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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