Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, SE swell with 228 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 1.6m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you—this stretch of coastline is going through a real flat spell. The next two weeks are looking very quiet, with barely a ripple worth paddling out for. Most of the time, the swell is tiny, the wind is messy, or both. There's a long gap of poor conditions from now until early September, so don't get your hopes up for anything decent in the near term.
The only spot we've got to work with is Red Strand (Dirk Bay). It's a sheltered reef break that's beginner-friendly, but it's also fairly inconsistent and rarely gets a proper push. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.
The first real sign of life shows up on Saturday, 5th September in the morning. We finally see a bit of energy—combined swell energy of 184 (moderate)—with a 4ft swell coming from the south, but the period is short at 6 seconds, so it's gonna be a bit weak and disorganised. The wind is light and clean, though, which is a bonus. Still, it's only "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions," so don't expect anything special. After that, it's back to nothing.
Honestly, this is a tough run. The break is inconsistent at the best of times, and there's just no strong swell on the horizon. If you're desperate for a paddle, the 5th September morning is your best—and only—shot, but keep the expectations low.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Tue morning, calm by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SE 5 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 25 | 50 | 84 | 72 | 72 | 74 | 64 | 79 | 69 | 40 | 89 | 228 | 34 | 34 | 16 | 27 | 66 | 177 | 98 | 89 | 43 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:05PM2.46m | 00:44AM2.34m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:52AM1.10m | 6:36PM1.16m | 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 | |||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:28 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 16 | 3 | 6 | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | E 5 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | SE 5 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 7 |
| kJ | 25 | 50 | 84 | 72 | 14 | 74 | 64 | 79 | 69 | 40 | 36 | 34 | 34 | 294 | 80 | 27 | 66 | 177 | 98 | 89 | 43 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 10 | SW 12 | SSW 15 | E 4 | ESE 4 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SE 7 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SE 5 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 17 | 17 | 2 | 6 | 72 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 34 | 12 | 19 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | W 10 | WSW 10 | W 10 | SSW 12 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | ESE 4 | SW 9 | W 8 | — | W 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | S 9 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 6 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 2 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | — | — | ESE 5 | — | ESE 4 | SE 6 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | SSW 5 | WSW 3 | — | — | — | WSW 4 |
| kJ | — | 1 | 8 | 7 | 22 | — | — | 2 | — | 15 | 89 | 228 | 236 | — | — | 21 | 3 | — | — | — | 6 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 24 | 7 | 24 | 5 | 95 | 5 | 5 | 276 | 5 | 111 | 111 | 93 | 109 | 111 | 88 | 5 | 109 | 93 | 111 | 93 | 93 |
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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