
Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, S swell with 1,515 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 1.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mates, Rusty here again – this time in feet and knots. Dondra’s forecast for the next couple of weeks is consistent but nothing massive. It’s a reef break that’s exposed to the south-west, and it’s inconsistent, so you’ve got to be picky. Water temp is 82°, bang on average for this time of year.
First few days, from Tuesday 14th to Sunday 19th, we’re looking at 3 to 4 ft, clean cross-off breeze from the west at 13–16 knots. Swell periods are long – 13 to 18 seconds – so real groundswell, but just too small to get stoked on. Wave energy is moderate (465 to 1030 units). You could cruise on a longboard, but I wouldn’t drive far.
The first proper standout is Monday 20th July. A south swell hits 4 ft at an extra long 18 seconds. Combined energy jumps to 1537 – that’s proper power. Wind stays cross-off from the west at 13 knots, so the face will be clean. This reef likes that long period – it’ll wrap in and line up. Tuesday 21st afternoon also looks good: 5 ft south swell, 14 seconds, cross-off, energy around 1032. That’s the pick of the first week.
After that, the swell backs off a bit from the 22nd to 24th, with 3–4 ft and periods dropping to 10–13 seconds. Still clean but less exciting. The 24th afternoon sees a bump back to 15 seconds and 921 energy – a little better.
Then from Saturday 25th onward, we get a sustained run of quality. Saturday 25th has 4 ft south-southwest swell at 15 seconds, cross-off, energy 1195. Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th both show 3–5 ft, 16-second swells, with energy over 1150. Those late-month days are the real prize – especially Wednesday 29th morning: 5 ft, 16 seconds, clean cross-off. If that holds, it’ll be the best session of the outlook. Don’t forget Dondra can get a few locals out when it’s good, but that’s part of the charm.
Best bets: Monday 20th and Wednesday 29th July. Everything else is small and clean but more of a longboard or funboard day.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
438 | 427 | 402 | 398 | 468 | 425 | 482 | 482 | 482 | 367 | 362 | 347 | 239 | 277 | 225 | 242 | 303 | 312 | 881 | 781 | 858 | |
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 | 2:31PM0.54m | 3:06AM0.45m | 3:06PM0.54m | 3:43AM0.48m | 3:39PM0.53m | 4:19AM0.49m | 4:09PM0.52m | 4:54AM0.49m | 4:39PM0.49m | 5:28AM0.48m | 5:07PM0.46m | 6:01AM0.46m | 5:35PM0.41m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:01PM0.04m | 8:54AM0.09m | 9:33PM0.02m | 9:34AM0.09m | 10:04PM0.01m | 10:11AM0.10m | 10:33PM0.01m | 10:46AM0.12m | 11:02PM0.02m | 11:21AM0.15m | 11:30PM0.05m | 11:56AM0.18m | 11:58PM0.09m | ||||||||
6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 8 | SSW 13 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 |
408 | 292 | 287 | 235 | 468 | 425 | 482 | 482 | 482 | 367 | 362 | 347 | 239 | 277 | 225 | 242 | 117 | 312 | 881 | 781 | 858 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | W 10 | W 9 | SSW 13 | S 8 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 12 |
438 | 427 | 402 | 398 | 191 | 227 | 202 | 170 | 131 | 98 | 98 | 61 | 57 | 29 | 67 | 83 | 303 | 84 | 242 | 402 | 347 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 13 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | WNW 10 | ESE 9 | SE 7 | ESE 9 | WNW 10 | W 10 | S 8 | ESE 8 | S 21 | W 10 | S 7 | W 10 | SE 8 |
— | 33 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 35 | 49 | 50 | 7 | 80 | 92 | 67 | 94 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 6 | W 6 | WSW 6 | W 10 | W 6 | W 10 |
184 | 179 | 127 | 126 | 113 | 122 | 105 | 96 | 74 | 85 | 99 | 154 | 182 | 182 | 188 | 220 | 154 | 117 | 347 | 72 | 223 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 676 | 895 | 175 | 746 | 174 | 175 | 174 | 788 | 175 | 676 | 791 | 175 | 174 | 395 | 175 | 174 | 174 | 175 | 174 | 788 | 175 |
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.










