Surf Forecasts:
Red Strand (Dirk Bay) surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 5s period, SW swell with 11 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 0.5m 5s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) 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 0.4m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (IST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Strand (Dirk Bay) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, I've had a good look at the charts for Red Strand (Dirk Bay), and I gotta be straight with you—it's a tough stretch ahead. This is a sheltered little reef setup, and it's just not getting the love it needs from the ocean. We're looking at a pretty bleak run of poor surf conditions right through the entire 16-day window, from the 27th of July right through to the 11th of August.
The water is sitting at 66°—that's a good 5° warmer than usual for this time of year, which is pretty notable. Feels like a warm bath, but that's about the only thing going for it.
The swell energy is all over the shop, but it's almost always weak, with values like (11) and (14) early on, barely tickling the 3 ft mark. The best we see is a combined energy of (72) on the 5th of August, but that's still just a whisper of weak energy. The swell direction is mostly from the S and SW, which is the optimum direction for this spot, but it's just too small and short-period to do anything with. The odd longer period shows up, like 13 seconds on the 27th July morning, but with a wave height of 0.3 ft, it's just a ghost.
The winds are a mixed bag, but mostly cross or cross-onshore, giving us a choppy, messy surface. There are a few clean windows, like the 30th of July morning with a light WNW cross-off breeze, and the morning of the 6th of August with a moderate N offshore wind, but again, the swell is flat. The standout moment for conditions is the morning of the 5th of August, with glassy conditions and a 13-second period, but the swell is a pathetic 0.7 ft. It's a recipe for a very still, flat ocean, not a wave to ride.
Honestly, there's not a single session in this whole 16-day forecast that I'd recommend paddling out for. It's a total flat spell. For a spot like this, a blank run like this can happen—it's a sheltered reef that needs a specific push. The only way this setup looks interesting is if you're into kite surfing, because the wind is occasionally there, but for a surfer? Forget it. Stick the board in the shed and wait for the next system.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Thu afternoon, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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 3 | S 15 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 13 | SW 3 | SW 5 | S 13 | W 3 | W 3 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | S 12 | WSW 7 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:52PM2.84m | 5:12AM2.86m | 5:32PM2.99m | 5:50AM3.00m | 6:09PM3.12m | 6:25AM3.11m | 6:44PM3.22m | 7:00AM3.19m | 7:18PM3.28m | 7:34AM3.24m | 7:53PM3.29m | 8:09AM3.24m | 8:28PM3.26m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:45AM0.79m | 11:10PM0.73m | 11:27AM0.65m | 11:50PM0.60m | 12:06PM0.52m | 00:27AM0.49m | 12:42PM0.42m | 1:02AM0.41m | 1:16PM0.36m | 1:36AM0.38m | 1:50PM0.34m | 2:09AM0.38m | 2:24PM0.37m | 2:44AM0.43m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | |  | | |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:31 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:29 | — | — | 9:28 | — | — | 9:25 | — | — | 9:23 | — | — | 9:22 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 16 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 14 | S 13 | S 7 | S 6 | SSE 6 | S 5 | S 11 | SW 5 | S 12 | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 |
| kJ | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 15 | W 8 | — | W 10 | W 10 | S 11 | — | S 13 | S 13 | — | S 12 | W 8 | W 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | W 7 | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | W 9 | W 8 | S 14 | — | S 10 | S 8 | S 13 | S 13 | W 10 | — | — | W 9 | — | S 12 | S 10 | S 12 | WSW 7 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | SW 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 3 | SW 3 | SW 5 | SW 2 | W 3 | W 3 | — | WSW 3 | — | — | SW 2 | N 2 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 7 | 4 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 103 | 103 | 113 | 113 | 276 | 111 | 111 | 122 | 113 | 409 | 409 | 503 | 295 | 815 | 122 | 487 | 652 | 274 | 111 | 111 | 111 |
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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