Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 14s period, SSW swell with 21 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 0.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 1PM. 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 0.5ft (0.2m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next 16 days in the Red Strand (Dirk Bay) area. I’ll be straight with you – it’s gonna be a long wait for any real action.
The whole forecast period pretty much starts with a flat spell that just won’t quit. For the first two weeks, from Thursday the 23rd of July all the way through to Wednesday the 5th of August, the surf is tiny, weak, and messy. You’re looking at waves barely 0.7 ft to 2 ft, and the combined swell energy is weak, sitting mostly between 4 and 25 (so no real power). The wind is often cross-on or cross-off, but it’s just not enough swell to bother with. Even the water temperature is a standout – at 66°F with a 4°F anomaly, it’s much warmer than normal for this time of year, which is a weird comfort while you’re waiting for waves.
The only real blip of hope, and I mean the only one, arrives on Thursday the 6th of August. The morning session shows some life. The swell builds to 6 ft from the SE, with a 7-second period. The combined energy jumps up to 405 [moderate-strong], and the wind is light offshore from the ENE at 6 mph, keeping it clean. That’s a solid combo for a reef break like Red Strand. The swell direction is coming from the SE, which is not the optimum SW direction, but it’s still enough to get the waves standing up. The morning is genuinely promising for a surfer who knows the spot – but it’s a Thursday, so if you can get out of work, this is your call. The afternoon turns choppy as the wind swings onshore, so the window is tight.
Now, that 6 ft Tuesday morning swell is borderline for beginners – it’s not massive, but it’s got some punch, so if you’re new, maybe sit this one out or bring a bigger board. That break is fairly consistent, but crowds are sometimes a thing, so expect a few locals out.
For the rest of the period, from Friday the 7th of August onwards, it’s back to poor conditions with small, weak swell and onshore winds. Nothing to write home about.
So, the standout is Thursday the 6th of August morning. That’s the best on offer. Mark it in your calendar. For the rest? Bring a towel, enjoy the warm water, and wait for the next forecast.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Fri morning, fresh winds from the W by Sat morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Sun afternoon, calm by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 18 | W 3 | SW 6 | S 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | WSW 3 | SW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 21 | 4 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 12:59PM2.55m | 1:33AM2.48m | 2:08PM2.52m | 2:41AM2.48m | 3:12PM2.58m | 3:40AM2.57m | 4:06PM2.70m | 4:30AM2.71m | 4:52PM2.84m | 5:12AM2.86m | 5:32PM2.99m | 5:50AM3.00m | 6:09PM3.12m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:26PM1.04m | 7:55AM1.06m | 8:33PM1.05m | 9:00AM1.03m | 9:34PM0.98m | 9:57AM0.93m | 10:26PM0.86m | 10:45AM0.79m | 11:10PM0.73m | 11:27AM0.65m | 11:50PM0.60m | 12:06PM0.52m | 00:27AM0.49m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | |
 | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:37 | — | — | 9:36 | — | — | 9:35 | — | — | 9:34 | — | — | 9:31 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:29 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | E 4 | E 5 | E 4 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 5 | S 16 | — | S 12 | — | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 5 |
| kJ | 21 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | — | 3 | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | — | — | — | S 6 | — | S 12 | S 16 | S 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 | — | W 10 | S 11 | SE 5 |
| kJ | 1 | 3 | 17 | 17 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | S 14 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | S 18 | — | S 16 | S 12 | W 8 | S 13 | W 9 | S 11 | W 8 | S 15 | S 10 | — | W 10 | S 11 |
| kJ | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 6 | — | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | 2 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | — | — | NE 4 | — | — | W 3 | W 3 | W 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | — | — | SW 3 | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | SSW 2 | SW 4 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | WNW 2 |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 4 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 5 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 280 | 911 | 296 | 122 | 1549 | 122 | 103 | 103 | 334 | 579 | 923 | 337 | 103 | 103 | 111 | 111 | 280 | 111 | 111 | 111 | 113 |
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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