Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, S swell with 259 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 1.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here.
Alright, I’m not gonna beat around the bush – this stretch is a real test of patience. We’ve got a full 16-day window here, and for the most part, it’s a whole lot of nothing. There’s a big gap right at the start, with no surf worth mentioning for over a week. You’ll be watching the tide come and go without a single decent wave in sight.
The only time things even get interesting is way late in the run, on Thursday the 3rd of September. That morning, Red Strand at Dirk Bay (a sheltered reef setup) will see a solid 10ft swell from the WSW. The combined energy is a massive 2932 (very strong), and with a period of 11 seconds, it’s got some proper groundswell grunt. But – and it’s a big but – the wind is gonna be a moderate cross-shore, so it won’t be glassy. That size is well over 8ft, so this is strictly for the experienced crew only; beginners stay well clear. The reef bottom here is a good match for that direction, but the crowds are sometimes a factor, so you might have some company.
The rest of the outlook is a write-off. You’ll see a pulse on Tuesday the 1st of September with 10ft on the charts, but it’s directly onshore with a nasty wind, and the energy is all wrong – just a messy, choppy wall of water. Wouldn’t touch it with a 10-foot paddle. After Thursday the 3rd, it drops right back to tiny ankle-snappers for the remaining days. Not a single standout quality session in the whole outlook, just one day that’s marginally better than the rest.
In short: save your energy. Mark Thursday the 3rd of September in the calendar if you’re an expert and can handle a bit of chop, but otherwise, this is a blank run. It won’t stay this poor forever, but for now, the surf is flat or ugly.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the E by Mon morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Tue afternoon, calm by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SE 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 7 | SSE 6 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 72 | 42 | 74 | 64 | 79 | 69 | 40 | 204 | 34 | 17 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 27 | 29 | 88 | 30 | 20 | 21 | 7 | 196 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:26PM2.38m | 2:08AM2.33m | 2:45PM2.44m | 3:18AM2.46m | 3:45PM2.61m | 4:09AM2.65m | 4:31PM2.81m | 4:50AM2.86m | 5:09PM3.01m | 5:26AM3.05m | 5:44PM3.19m | 6:00AM3.22m | 6:17PM3.34m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:09AM1.19m | 7:58PM1.18m | 8:30AM1.15m | 9:11PM1.08m | 9:35AM1.01m | 10:06PM0.91m | 10:25AM0.82m | 10:49PM0.72m | 11:05AM0.62m | 11:26PM0.54m | 11:41AM0.44m | 00:01AM0.38m | 12:15PM0.30m | 00:34AM0.27m | |||||||
 | |  | | |  |  |  |  | |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:31 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SE 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | ESE 5 | SSW 8 | S 7 | SSE 6 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 10 |
| kJ | 72 | 42 | 74 | 64 | 79 | 69 | 40 | 36 | 211 | 17 | 23 | 33 | 19 | 27 | 29 | 88 | 30 | 20 | 21 | 7 | 196 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SSW 12 | E 4 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | S 6 | SE 4 | W 7 | S 12 | SW 12 | SSE 7 | SW 12 | SW 11 | ESE 6 |
| kJ | 6 | 14 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 34 | 7 | 17 | 20 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 11 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | SW 8 | W 10 | W 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | — | S 12 | S 6 | S 7 | W 11 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | — | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 4 | E 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 6 | SE 7 | — | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | ESE 5 | — | WNW 3 | W 2 | WSW 4 | — | — | W 3 | WNW 3 |
| kJ | 5 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 10 | 107 | 204 | — | 123 | 123 | — | 9 | — | 3 | 1 | 11 | — | — | 4 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 95 | 5 | 5 | 280 | 5 | 93 | 111 | 93 | 88 | 93 | 24 | 24 | 122 | 5 | 7 | 129 | 71 | 132 | 640 | 7 |
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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