Dondra Surf Break

Lat Long: 5.92° N 80.60° E

Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 09 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Dondra sea temperature is
27.4° C
0.2° 

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


Dondra surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 15s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s period, S swell with 1,285 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 15s period with S swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:

The surf forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 1.8m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 5PM. 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 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (+0530) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Wed 12th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 15s
Best Surf 8PM (Wed 12th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 15s
Most Powerful 5PM (Mon 10th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s talk about Dondra. This is a reef setup that’s inconsistent, so when it’s on, it’s on, but it’s not a spot you can just rock up to any day. It’s exposed to the south, and the water temp is hovering around 81°, which is about normal for this time of year.

The first week and a half is a bit of a grind, to be honest. It’s not flat, but it’s not really doing much either. We’ve got a lot of days with wave heights hanging around the 3ft mark, with periods mostly in the 10-11 second range. The energy is weak to moderate, nothing that’s going to get your heart racing. The wind is mostly cross-off from the west, which keeps things clean, but the swell just isn’t there. Monday the 11th has a little bump in period, hitting 19 seconds, but the height is only 4ft, so it’s a lot of hoped-up energy with not much push behind it. It’s one of those days where you’ll be scratching your head wondering why it feels so much smaller than it looks on paper.

Then we get to the middle of next week. The wind stays cross-off from the west, which is a good sign. The swell starts to fill in properly on Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th. We’re looking at consistent 6-7ft plus surf, with the period holding in that nice 16-17 second range. The energy is strong, climbing into the 3000s. This is the standout window. The swell direction is from the SSW, which is right in that optimum SW zone for Dondra. This is when the reef gets properly working. It’s a solid, powerful swell, so it’s not for the faint of heart. This is for the crew who know the lineup and can handle a proper reef wave. The winds are light to moderate, keeping it clean.

After that little pulse, it backs off a bit towards the end of the week. The 21st and 22nd still have some fun, head-high waves, but the energy is dropping and periods are shortening. It’s still surfable, but the magic of the mid-week pulse is gone.

So, the short version: the first week and a bit is a waiting game. Don’t get too excited. But the 18th and 19th of August are the ones to circle on the calendar. That’s the real deal. It’s a long-range call, so it’s not set in stone, but it’s looking promising. After that, it’s still okay, just not as good.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
3
2
3
3
2
3
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
2
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
S
16
1.2
S
15
1.8
S
14
0.9
SSW
20
1.3
S
19
1.2
S
18
1.2
S
18
0.9
S
16
1.2
SSE
10
1
W
9
1.2
SSE
11
1.1
SSE
10
1.1
SSE
10
1.3
SSE
11
1.2
SSE
11
1.1
SSE
10
1.1
SSE
11
1.1
SSE
11
1.2
SSE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
620
636
1285
567
1255
921
871
412
318
164
343
281
227
380
343
260
306
297
308
Wind (km/h)
15
W
20
WSW
20
W
15
W
20
WSW
20
WSW
15
W
20
WSW
20
W
15
W
20
W
20
W
20
W
25
W
25
W
20
WNW
25
W
25
W
20
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
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
High Tide
1:23AM0.33m
1:15PM0.47m
1:56AM0.40m
1:52PM0.51m
2:27AM0.46m
2:24PM0.53m
2:58AM0.50m
2:53PM0.54m
3:27AM0.54m
3:20PM0.54m
3:54AM0.55m
3:47PM0.53m
4:21AM0.55m
Low Tide
6:48AM0.18m
7:54PM0.10m
7:38AM0.13m
8:20PM0.05m
8:17AM0.09m
8:46PM0.01m
8:52AM0.07m
9:12PM-0.02m
9:23AM0.06m
9:37PM-0.03m
9:53AM0.06m
10:01PM-0.02m
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
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>
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:21
6:21
 mm
3
1
1
3
7
3
1
4
1
1
Temp °C
26
28
28
26
28
28
26
28
28
26
28
27
26
28
29
26
29
29
26
Feels °C
29
29
28
28
28
28
28
29
28
29
29
28
29
28
28
28
29
28
27
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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