Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, SW swell with 75 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 0.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) 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 0.6m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, look. Rusty here. I’m not gonna sugarcoat it: the surf outlook for the next couple of weeks is a total dud. We're looking at a proper flat spell, so don't get your hopes up.
Starting Tuesday the 4th, there's a tiny 2ft swell from the south, but the west wind has it all chopped up. The wave energy is weak, sitting at 40, and it's just not worth it. The water's at 65°F, which is 4°F warmer than usual for this time of year—that's a big deal, so the water's feeling nice and warm.
Then we've got a long stretch of nothing. From Wednesday through the following Thursday, it's basically flat. There are some clean, glassy mornings on Friday the 7th and Monday the 10th, but there's no swell to ride. It's like having a perfect, empty line-up but no waves. The energy readings are pathetic, mostly in the single digits or low twenties.
The first blip of anything happens on Friday the 14th. Still small, but the morning is glassy with a 3ft southwest swell. The energy ticks up a bit to 83, but it's still weak and pretty average. The period is a short 6 seconds, so it'll be soft. Not a standout, but at least you can get wet.
The week after that, there's a slight glimmer. The morning of Monday the 17th sees the swell jump to 4ft from the southwest with a period of 8 seconds. The energy is moderate now, reading 273. But the wind is light cross-shore, so it could be a bit bumpy. It's still classed as poor surf, but it's the biggest we've seen. Still, it's not enough to get excited about.
The long-range stuff around Wednesday the 19th shows a long-period swell (16 seconds) but it's tiny, only 0.7ft. All that energy, but it's going nowhere. The whole stretch is a write-off. If you're a beginner, there's nothing to worry about, and if you're an expert, there's nothing to get excited about either. It's just one of those flat, quiet spells. The forecasts can change, but right now, I'd say keep the board in the car and enjoy the sun.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | S 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 5 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | W 9 | SSW 7 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 12 | S 11 | S 13 | S 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 21 | 14 | 15 | 48 | 56 | 75 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:49PM3.08m | 10:11AM3.00m | 10:37PM2.94m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:02AM0.61m | 4:26PM0.66m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:08 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SSW 13 | WSW 5 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 11 | SSW 7 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | S 13 |
| kJ | 22 | 20 | 3 | 17 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 5 | 30 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | S 14 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSW 13 | SW 5 | S 16 | — | SSW 14 | S 14 | SW 8 | S 11 | S 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 11 | S 13 | S 11 |
| kJ | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 1 | 5 | — | 21 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | W 11 | SSW 13 | SW 6 | SW 6 | S 16 | W 10 | S 5 | SW 5 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 11 | W 8 | — | SE 5 | — | — | S 11 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 4 | 2 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | W 3 | WNW 3 | W 5 | SW 2 | — | — | SSW 2 | SSW 3 | SSW 7 | SW 7 | SW 7 | NNE 3 | WSW 2 | — | — | — | S 6 |
| kJ | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 18 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 48 | 56 | 75 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 492 | 398 | 777 | 467 | 503 | 467 | 536 | 111 | 109 | 103 | 93 | 113 | 122 | 122 | 113 | 122 | 113 | 102 | 122 | 102 |
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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