Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period, SSW swell with 104 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 7s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s talk about Red Strand (Dirk Bay). This is a sheltered little reef, real beginner-friendly, but the whole 16-day window is looking like a long, flat spell. There’s nothing to get fired up about.
Water temp is about average for the time of year, sitting at 61°, no surprises.
Starting Sunday 12th July, we’ve got a tiny 0.7ft SSW swell with a very long 16-second period, but it’s getting blown out by a 30 km/h cross-offshore wind. The combined energy is a weak 34, and it’s just poor surf. That’s the theme. Monday 13th to Wednesday 15th keeps the same tiny 1ft to 1ft swell, with moderate to fresh winds. The energy maxes out at 114 on Tuesday 14th morning, but it’s still feeble. The wind keeps it clean, but there’s no power.
Thursday 16th and Friday 17th are much the same. Saturday 18th July sees a moment of calm with a glassy 5 km/h wind in the afternoon, but it’s only a 0.7ft SSW swell. It’s glassy, but it’s tiny.
Sunday 19th and Monday 20th offer a gentle offshore from the N/NNW, with a 0.3ft south swell at a very long 19 seconds. The energy is pitiful – 11 and 16. It’s clean, but it’s a lake.
There’s a slight bump around Tuesday 21st July, with a 2ft west swell, but the period is a shocking 3 seconds – that’s windswell, not real surf. The energy is 14. Wednesday 22nd morning is the best of the lot: a 1.1m (4ft) west swell, period of 4 seconds, with glassy winds. The energy is 41. It’s knee-high, weak, but at least it’s glassy. For a beginner, it might be something to paddle around on, but it’s not a standout.
From 23rd July onward, it’s back to tiny, weak, and cross-shore winds. The energy drops to single digits for the last few days. There’s a dead stretch from about 24th July to 27th July where it’s practically flat.
So, if you’re keen for a glassy paddle, the Wednesday 22nd morning is your best bet, but don’t expect waves. For a sheltered beginner reef, sometimes it just goes quiet. It’s a blank run, and forecasts can change, but right now, leave the board at home.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun night, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Mon morning, light winds from the NNE by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Wed morning, calm by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 21 | SSW 15 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | S 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 25 | 45 | 22 | 74 | 74 | 32 | 104 | 61 | 3 | 50 | 51 | 49 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 34 | 33 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 5 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | on | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:02PM3.17m | 4:32AM3.20m | 4:59PM3.37m | 5:26AM3.36m | 5:52PM3.53m | 6:17AM3.47m | 6:42PM3.63m | 7:05AM3.52m | 7:29PM3.64m | 7:52AM3.50m | 8:16PM3.57m | 8:37AM3.41m | 9:02PM3.42m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:28PM0.42m | 10:54AM0.36m | 11:25PM0.26m | 11:48AM0.20m | 00:18AM0.14m | 12:39PM0.10m | 1:08AM0.08m | 1:27PM0.06m | 1:56AM0.10m | 2:14PM0.09m | 2:42AM0.19m | 3:00PM0.20m | 3:27AM0.34m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | |  |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:50 | — | — | 9:49 | — | — | 9:47 | — | — | 9:46 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:44 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Temp °C | 19 | 22 | 23 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 15 | 18 | 20 | 11 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | SSW 21 | SSW 15 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | ESE 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | ESE 5 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | E 5 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | S 5 | — |
| kJ | 4 | 45 | 22 | 74 | 74 | 203 | 104 | 61 | 27 | 50 | 51 | 7 | 28 | 37 | 35 | 32 | 19 | 11 | 6 | 2 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 21 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SE 6 | S 7 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 25 | 24 | 9 | 21 | 21 | 32 | 8 | 18 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 34 | 33 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 21 | SSW 16 | S 21 | W 14 | W 12 | S 14 | W 11 | S 7 | S 6 | ESE 5 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | E 4 | — | W 8 | W 8 | S 16 | S 16 | — | S 21 | W 6 |
| kJ | 9 | 24 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 49 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | — | 9 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 7 | E 8 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | — | E 5 | E 5 | — | — | — | W 4 | — | WSW 3 | WSW 2 | — | — | N 2 |
| kJ | 42 | 65 | 170 | 364 | 518 | 204 | 162 | 148 | — | 27 | 34 | — | — | — | 10 | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 102 | 111 | 646 | 102 | 98 | 58 | 88 | 93 | 24 | 5 | 95 | 5 | 5 | 58 | 5 | 5 | 122 | 24 | 102 | 765 | 98 |
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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