
Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 6 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SSW swell with 906 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 1.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Hey, it’s Rusty. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks at Dondra.
Starting now, from Tuesday the 7th through to Friday the 11th, we’ve got a solid run of 5ft to 5ft (1.4m to 1.6m) swell coming from the W and SSW. The combined energy is pumping – readings between 1128 and 1621 (moderate to strong). Wind is cross-off from the W at 12-15 mph, keeping the surface clean. But every session in this stretch is flagged as marginal with questionable tide, and the internal scores are low. Dondra is a reef break that’s inconsistent and best for intermediates, with an optimum swell direction of SW. We’re getting some SW, but a lot of it is W or SSW, so the alignment isn’t perfect. Crowds are possible. The standout here is Thursday 9th afternoon: 5ft (1.4m) from SSW, with a long 16-second period (groundswell) and energy at 1585 – that’s the best of the first week. The long period will give good shape and power for the reef, but keep tide in mind.
From Saturday the 11th afternoon, it drops off. Sunday the 12th has 5ft (1.6m) but the period shortens to 9-10 seconds, and energy falls to 822-875 (moderate). Monday 13th is tiny at 2ft (0.6m) to 3ft (0.8m), but with a very long 20-21 second period – groundswell with moderate energy (1020-1146). Clean and glassy, but very small.
From Tuesday 14th through Wednesday 22nd, it’s all over the place: 2ft (0.7m) to 5ft (1.4m) from SSW or S, periods between 11 and 19 seconds. Combined energy ranges from weak to strong (467 to 1701). Wind stays cross-off from the W at 12-18 mph. The best in the second week is Wednesday morning 22nd July: 4ft (1.2m) from SSW with an 18-second period and energy at 1701 (strong). That’s a proper groundswell for the reef, and with clean wind, it’s worth watching. But it’s eight days out, so don’t book your flights yet.
Water temp is average for the season.
Bottom line: there’s surf most days, but nothing epic. Go for Thursday 9th afternoon or keep an eye on Wednesday 22nd July morning. It’s not flat, but it’s not pumping either.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Mon 13 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 11 | SSW 13 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | SSW 20 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
443 | 566 | 573 | 633 | 505 | 711 | 497 | 565 | 894 | 784 | 778 | 778 | 721 | 372 | 566 | 512 | 472 | 434 | 417 | 349 | 432 | |
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-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:49AM0.44m | 6:27PM0.37m | 7:46AM0.43m | 7:21PM0.32m | 9:05AM0.43m | 9:02PM0.28m | 10:42AM0.44m | 11:27PM0.28m | 12:05PM0.46m | 00:51AM0.32m | 1:04PM0.50m | 1:44AM0.37m | 1:51PM0.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 00:12AM0.09m | 12:53PM0.20m | 00:49AM0.12m | 2:12PM0.22m | 1:39AM0.15m | 4:15PM0.23m | 3:00AM0.18m | 6:09PM0.19m | 4:52AM0.18m | 7:10PM0.15m | 6:19AM0.16m | 7:52PM0.11m | 7:21AM0.13m | 8:28PM0.07m | |||||||
— | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
— | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | W 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 11 | SSW 13 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 |
135 | 392 | 279 | 279 | 459 | 711 | 475 | 356 | 894 | 565 | 778 | 778 | 572 | 303 | 367 | 417 | 304 | 314 | 341 | 240 | 335 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 16 | S 15 | SSE 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSE 9 | SSW 15 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 9 | SSW 13 | SE 8 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 |
220 | 124 | 96 | 330 | 205 | 73 | 497 | 432 | 103 | 784 | 46 | 47 | 38 | 372 | 35 | 55 | 45 | 41 | 29 | 349 | 432 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 16 | S 17 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SW 18 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SW 15 | SSE 9 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | S 15 | S 24 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 20 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
58 | 46 | 220 | 66 | 75 | 50 | 158 | 148 | 33 | 67 | 31 | 49 | 52 | 35 | 74 | 11 | 54 | 33 | 78 | 86 | 89 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 6 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 |
443 | 566 | 573 | 633 | 505 | 424 | 313 | 565 | 555 | 396 | 651 | 747 | 721 | 102 | 566 | 512 | 472 | 434 | 417 | 345 | 290 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 175 | 167 | 167 | 125 | 139 | 167 | 125 | 167 | 174 | 175 | 175 | 788 | 390 | 174 | 788 | 175 | 174 | 175 | 175 | 174 | 895 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Sri Lanka | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Sri Lanka | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Dondra Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Dondra provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Dondra can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Dondra 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 (Dondra) 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 Dondra 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.
Dondra is 8 km (5 miles) from Matara. If you plan a holiday in West Sri Lanka, look for hotels and other accommodation in Matara. Matara has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











