Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period, SW swell with 61 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 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's have a look-see at what's cooking over at Red Strand (Dirk Bay). Gotta be honest with ya, reading the tea leaves for the next two and a bit weeks... it’s looking pretty flat and quiet. We’ve got a solid 16-day window here, but the swell is just not showing up. Tiny waves and tricky winds are the story.
Right from the get-go, Tuesday the 11th, we’re looking at tiny 0.3ft to 0.7ft of swell. Not enough to get excited about, and with a cross-onshore breeze kicking up some chop, it's not worth paddling out. Wednesday the 12th is much the same – a little bump at 1ft to 2ft from the SW, but the wind is on it, and the wave energy is weak (52). It’s a reef break that’s sheltered from a lot of swell, so days like this are expected.
Thursday the 13th brings a bit more of the same. The swell is still a dribble at 1ft to 2ft, with a short, weak period. The wind keeps messing with the surface. Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th are the only real glimmers of hope. Friday morning looks *clean* with light offshore winds, and Saturday morning has a gentle offshore breeze, giving us some clean, tiny 0.7ft to 1ft waves. It's barely surfable, but if you're desperate for a glide on a longboard, it's the best you’ll get. Wave energy is still low (21 and 11).
After that, it’s a long, quiet stretch. From Sunday the 16th right through to Wednesday the 26th of August, we’re seeing constant poor surf conditions. The swell never gets above 1ft. The wind switches around, often coming onshore or cross-shore, making things choppy. There are a few clean moments, like Sunday the 16th afternoon when it goes glassy, but with only 0.3ft on the cards, it’s flat. Wave energy for the whole period is low, ranging from single digits up to 72, which is barely a pulse. For this area, a blank run like this is more normal than surprising. The swell just isn’t making it in.
Honestly, there’s no standout session here. The best advice I can give is to leave the board at home for a while. The setup with the wind and tiny surf looks more interesting for a kite than a paddle. Sorry mate, but this one's a dud.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | WSW 11 | SSW 5 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 4 | SW 6 | SW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | S 12 | S 20 | S 19 | S 19 | S 18 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3 | 12 | 26 | 20 | 38 | 55 | 36 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 31 | 26 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:23AM3.11m | 4:50PM3.32m | 5:16AM3.33m | 5:40PM3.52m | 6:03AM3.49m | 6:26PM3.65m | 6:47AM3.58m | 7:10PM3.67m | 7:29AM3.58m | 7:51PM3.60m | 8:10AM3.49m | 8:32PM3.44m | 8:50AM3.33m | 9:12PM3.22m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:49AM0.40m | 11:19PM0.28m | 11:40AM0.19m | 00:07AM0.12m | 12:26PM0.05m | 00:51AM0.04m | 1:09PM-0.00m | 1:32AM0.05m | 1:49PM0.04m | 2:11AM0.14m | 2:29PM0.15m | 2:49AM0.29m | 3:08PM0.34m | 3:27AM0.49m | |||||||
 | |  |  |  | | | | |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:54 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | WSW 11 | SSW 5 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 11 | SW 10 | S 11 | SW 6 | SW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 7 | S 19 | S 18 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | E 4 |
| kJ | 2 | 12 | 9 | 20 | 38 | 55 | 36 | 2 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 31 | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 11 | WSW 10 | SSW 12 | ESE 3 | SE 5 | SE 5 | — | WSW 8 | S 11 | S 11 | S 13 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 7 |
| kJ | 3 | 2 | 20 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 6 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 15 | S 11 | S 13 | S 13 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 20 | S 19 | S 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 1 | 12 | 6 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 26 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 3 | S 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | — | — | SW 4 | WNW 2 | — | W 3 | N 2 | — | — | NNE 2 | — | — | W 3 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 7 | 26 | 7 | — | — | — | 10 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 95 | 113 | 93 | 93 | 111 | 90 | 113 | 122 | 7 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 122 | 295 | 102 | 109 | 111 | 93 | 58 | 93 | 88 |
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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