
Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 19s period, SSW swell with 3,920 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 2.3m 19s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up at Dondra over the next couple of weeks.
First off, the water’s at 80°, which is just a bit cooler than the long-term average for this time of year—nothing wild, just worth noting.
Right now, it’s a slow start. The first half of this week is pretty average—swells around 3ft to 5ft from the S and SSE, with cross to cross-off winds from the W. It’s clean but the energy is weak (combined swell energy in the 700 to 1000 range), and the periods are 10 to 11 seconds. Honestly, it’s marginal—only worth a look if you’re keen and the tide plays nice.
Thursday the 15th and Friday the 16th of August stay similar: 3ft to 4ft swells, still clean but nothing to get excited about. Saturday the 17th sees a shift. The early morning is small at 2ft from SSW, but that afternoon brings a jump—4ft from the SSW with a serious 21-second period. That’s proper groundswell, and the energy climbs to 1291—moderate now, not weak. This is where it gets interesting.
But the standout is Tuesday the 18th of August. Morning and afternoon both pump 8ft from the SSW with a 19-second period. The energy is massive—4378 in the morning, 4099 in the arvo—strong to very strong wave energy. Winds are cross-off from the W, keeping it clean. Now, 8ft is over the 5ft mark, so this is not for beginners—this is for experienced surfers only. And with that long period (over 15 seconds), the waves will have serious punch and shape, though at a beach break they can be a bit straight. Dondra is a reef, so that’s actually a good thing—those long-period swells love a reef. The direction is SSW, which matches the optimum SW swell direction nicely. Crowds can be a factor here sometimes, so don’t expect an empty lineup.
Wednesday the 19th of August keeps the goods rolling: 7ft to 6ft from the SSW, periods still long at 16 to 17 seconds, energy strong (3357 to 3453), and clean offshore winds. Still expert territory.
Things ease a bit from Thursday the 20th. Swell drops to 8ft in the morning but goes a bit cross-shore with chop—still big but messier. The 21st and 22nd stay at 5ft to 7ft from the SSW and S, clean enough, but the energy is fading through the moderate range.
The second week—from the 23rd of August onward—sees the swell drop to 3ft to 5ft from the S and SSW, with periods still decent around 12 to 14 seconds. Winds stay cross-off and clean, but the energy is back below 1000 most days. There’s a little blip on the 25th (Tuesday) afternoon with a 3ft but a 17-second period—could give a few fun, clean rides for the patient surfer.
Bottom line: the clear standout is the 18th and 19th of August. Tuesday the 18th is the pick of the bunch: big, powerful, clean, and that SSW direction is exactly what Dondra wants. If you’re an experienced surfer, those are the days to circle on the calendar.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 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) | S 16 | SSW 16 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SW 16 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | W 10 | W 9 | SSE 11 | W 10 | SSW 22 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
412 | 246 | 250 | 466 | 337 | 260 | 263 | 303 | 297 | 227 | 180 | 245 | 280 | 295 | 240 | 415 | 1032 | 2961 | 3920 | 3717 | 3393 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | 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 | 2:24PM0.53m | 2:58AM0.50m | 2:53PM0.54m | 3:27AM0.54m | 3:20PM0.54m | 3:54AM0.55m | 3:47PM0.53m | 4:21AM0.55m | 4:11PM0.51m | 4:46AM0.53m | 4:35PM0.47m | 5:09AM0.50m | 4:57PM0.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:46PM0.01m | 8:52AM0.07m | 9:12PM-0.02m | 9:23AM0.06m | 9:37PM-0.03m | 9:53AM0.06m | 10:01PM-0.02m | 10:20AM0.08m | 10:24PM-0.00m | 10:47AM0.10m | 10:46PM0.03m | 11:12AM0.13m | 11:06PM0.08m | ||||||||
6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | |
mm | 4 | 4 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 |
Feels °C | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | W 9 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 |
194 | 246 | 185 | 466 | 337 | 260 | 263 | 303 | 297 | 227 | 180 | 245 | 245 | 265 | 240 | 222 | 1032 | 2961 | 3920 | 3717 | 3393 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | SSW 16 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 21 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 7 | SW 6 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 22 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 |
412 | 226 | 250 | 142 | 144 | 133 | 261 | 261 | 148 | 146 | 52 | 34 | 138 | 100 | 87 | 415 | 157 | 140 | 109 | 105 | 66 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 16 | SSE 10 | S 20 | S 13 | S 13 | S 19 | S 18 | S 17 | SSW 7 | SW 6 | SW 14 | WNW 11 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 12 | — | W 10 |
220 | 239 | 127 | 67 | 56 | 55 | 188 | 173 | 154 | 17 | 39 | 102 | 24 | 22 | 87 | 85 | 102 | 142 | 38 | — | 90 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | WSW 6 | SSW 6 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 5 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 |
176 | 219 | 49 | 181 | 210 | 169 | 112 | 128 | 146 | 213 | 138 | 226 | 280 | 295 | 228 | 159 | 99 | 277 | 311 | 277 | 223 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 174 | 919 | 395 | 746 | 895 | 175 | 167 | 167 | 167 | 676 | 41 | 125 | 171 | 174 | 16 | 174 | 41 | 4 | 171 | 41 | 4 |
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.











