Dondra Surf Break

Lat Long: 5.92° N 80.60° E

Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 16 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Dondra sea temperature is
27.2° C
0.4° 

Dondra surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Dondra surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 19s period, SSW swell with 3,961 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 1.6m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (+0530) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful11AM (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. We’ve got a solid run of surf on the cards at Dondra, stretching right across the next couple of weeks, but the pattern is pretty consistent rather than delivering any true days of magic. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual there. You’ll want to keep an eye on your tides though, because the forecast keeps flagging marginal conditions due to tide issues.

The action starts Monday the 17th of August with a small but promising SSW swell pushing in at 2ft early, with a very long 22-second period. The wind is a cross-shore at 16 mph though, so the morning will have a bit of a chop on it. The afternoon cleans up nicely as the wind turns cross-offshore, the swell bumps to a clean 3ft, and the energy jumps to moderate (1149). A decent intro to the week.

Tuesday the 18th is when things start to get a bit more serious. You’re looking at a solid 8ft SSW swell with that same cross-off wind holding all day. Wave energy is strong at over 4000, and the long period of 19 seconds means proper groundswell energy. This is borderline too big for beginners, but for anyone with a bit of experience, the wave quality will be clean and powerful. Wind stays 16 mph from the west, keeping those faces tidy.

Wednesday the 19th is still solid with 7ft in the morning easing to 6ft by afternoon, same clean conditions. Energy remains very strong, dropping from 3586 to 3376. The period drops a touch to 16-17 seconds, still plenty of grunt.

Thursday the 20th holds at 8ft in the morning and 7ft in the afternoon. Still across the 6ft mark, so again, not for the grommets. Cross-off wind, clean conditions, strong energy (2713 in the morning). But the scores are middling, and the tide call is still questionable. You’ll need to pick your banks.

From Friday the 21st, the swell eases a little. 5ft morning, 5ft afternoon, swinging more southerly. Energy drops to moderate (1396), but the wind is still cross-off and clean. Saturday the 22nd looks similar: 6ft to 6ft, southerly, 15-second period, wave energy around 1600. Again, clean but nothing stand-out.

Sunday the 23rd through Monday the 24th sees the swell back to 5ft down to 3ft. The period on Monday morning jumps to 18 seconds, but with only 3ft of swell, it’s a bit of a tease. Energy sits at moderate (1026). Still clean, still that consistent west cross-off wind.

The second week settles into a repetitive pattern. Tuesday 25th to Wednesday 26th: 4ft to 5ft, SSW, clean, moderate energy. Thursday 27th sees a small lift to 6ft in the morning, but the risk of thunderstorms returns. Friday 28th is the smallest of the run, dropping to 3ft to 3ft, though the afternoon of the 28th has a very long 20-second period which could offer a few lined-up runners on the right bank.

Saturday 29th picks back up to 6ft to 6ft, with a shift to SW in the afternoon, energy around 1900. Sunday 30th holds at 5ft, and Monday 1st September finishes the run with a 6ft SSW swell in the morning but the wind turns cross-shore and brings a bit of cross-chop.

The standout period is Tuesday 18th to Thursday 20th of August. That’s the strongest, cleanest, most powerful swell of the window with combined energy in the strong range (2713 to 4281). For experienced surfers, those days are your best bet. Even then, keep in mind that Dondra is an inconsistent reef break and can get crowded sometimes, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.

For everyone else, there’s pretty much surf every day from the 17th onward, but nothing that screams “drop everything and go.” The consistency is there, and forecasts can change, so keep an eye on the wind and tide.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
3
3
3
4
4
3
4
4
2
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SSE
11
0.7
SSW
22
1
SSW
22
1.2
SSW
21
2.3
SSW
19
2.3
SSW
19
2.4
SSW
18
2.1
SSW
17
1.6
S
18
2.5
SSW
16
2.3
SSW
16
2.1
SSW
16
1.8
SSW
15
1.6
SSW
14
1.5
S
14
1.2
S
17
1.7
S
15
1.8
S
15
1.6
S
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
256
415
887
1311
3961
3757
3393
2296
1761
3228
2523
2054
1460
1121
938
839
1297
1466
1014
Wind (km/h)
20
WSW
25
WSW
20
W
20
W
25
W
25
W
20
W
25
W
25
W
20
W
25
W
25
W
20
W
25
W
25
W
20
W
25
W
20
W
20
W
Wind State
cross
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
High Tide
4:46AM0.53m
4:35PM0.47m
5:09AM0.50m
4:57PM0.43m
5:32AM0.47m
5:16PM0.39m
5:55AM0.42m
5:27PM0.34m
6:21AM0.38m
5:00PM0.29m
7:24AM0.33m
2:42AM0.29m
Low Tide
10:24PM-0.00m
10:47AM0.10m
10:46PM0.03m
11:12AM0.13m
11:06PM0.08m
11:37AM0.17m
11:22PM0.13m
12:04PM0.21m
11:31PM0.17m
12:41PM0.26m
11:06PM0.22m
8:17PM0.22m
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:01
6:01
6:01
6:01
6:01
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:20
6:20
6:20
6:19
6:19
6:17
 mm
1
11
1
6
3
2
8
1
Temp °C
26
28
28
26
28
29
27
29
29
27
29
29
26
28
28
26
28
29
26
Feels °C
27
28
28
28
28
29
29
29
29
29
29
29
27
28
28
28
28
29
28
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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