Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 18s period, SSW swell with 3,135 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, my imperial-minded brothers and sisters. Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the numbers. It’s a long-range forecast that’s got potential, but it’s not going to hand you perfection on a plate. The main culprit is that constant cross-off breeze from the west. It’ll keep the waves from being glassy, but it’s not straight onshore, so it’s rideable. We have a long run of surf, but you’ve got to be picky.
Kicking off on Wednesday the 26th of August, Dondra is showing a clean little 4ft SSW groundswell with a very long period of 16 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 992. It’s a small, bumpy session. Not the one to get excited about.
Things get more interesting Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th. Swell builds to 5ft to 6ft from the SSW, with periods of 14 to 17 seconds. The energy jumps to a strong 2542, but Thursday morning is messy. The afternoons clean up nicely with energy around 1637 and 1016. This is the best early action, but that steady 15 mph wind keeps it from being a gold star.
Now, the real standout, the one that’s got my heart rate up, is Monday the 31st of August. Both the morning and afternoon sessions at Dondra are pumping. We’re talking 7ft to 8ft of SSW groundswell with a meaty 17 to 18 second period. The combined wave energy is strong, hitting 3163 and 2763. The wind is still a cross-off, but it’s clean. At this size, over 7ft, this is for experts only. Paddling out will be a mission, but the sets will have proper power. This is the best on offer, no question. It’s a reef break and it’s inconsistent, so there’s time between sets, but the quality will be there. Expect some company.
The first week of September holds some overhead waves, with 6ft to 7ft on the 1st and 3rd, but the wind is the same old story. After the 4th of September, the window closes fast. The week of the 5th to the 9th is mostly weak and messy, with energy dropping below 1000 and shorter periods. There’s a weird one on the 7th of September with a 20-second period but only 3ft of swell – a cruel tease. The 9th of September afternoon has a 4ft, 19-second groundswell that could be fun, but it’s in the second week and we’re starting to squint at the forecast.
So, for the imperial folk, the call is clear. Circle Monday the 31st of August. Dondra is the spot. Big, powerful, long-period south-southwest swell. Not for the faint of heart, but it’s the best wave on the board. The rest is a waiting game with that westerly wind. The second week looks lean, so make the most of that Monday.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 28°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 232 | 715 | 620 | 644 | 1800 | 1346 | 1551 | 983 | 1016 | 711 | 547 | 468 | 932 | 1288 | 1670 | 2094 | 3135 | 2521 | 2431 |
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 | 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 | 2:07AM0.42m | 1:56PM0.50m | 2:26AM0.47m | 2:19PM0.53m | 2:47AM0.51m | 2:43PM0.55m | 3:09AM0.54m | 3:06PM0.55m | 3:32AM0.57m | 3:30PM0.54m | 3:56AM0.58m | 3:55PM0.51m | 4:21AM0.57m | ||||||
Low Tide | 7:50AM0.13m | 8:19PM0.04m | 8:15AM0.09m | 8:37PM0.01m | 8:41AM0.06m | 8:57PM-0.01m | 9:07AM0.04m | 9:18PM-0.02m | 9:34AM0.03m | 9:39PM-0.02m | 10:01AM0.04m | 10:01PM-0.01m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | |  |  | | |  | |
 | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — |
mm | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 2 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 160 | 715 | 620 | 610 | 1800 | 1346 | 1551 | 983 | 1016 | 711 | 547 | 468 | 932 | 1288 | 1670 | 2094 | 3135 | 2521 | 2431 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 19 | SSW 20 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | S 11 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 232 | 111 | 86 | 644 | 507 | 99 | 15 | 83 | 15 | 15 | 102 | 272 | 257 | 210 | 294 | 136 | 14 | 195 | 68 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | S 24 | SSW 12 | SSE 8 | — | SSW 13 | SE 8 | W 9 | — | SW 22 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 10 | S 9 | SE 8 | SSW 12 | S 13 | SSW 11 | S 10 |
| kJ | 176 | 11 | 117 | 42 | — | 192 | 15 | 56 | — | 18 | 20 | 27 | 67 | 57 | 17 | 94 | 14 | 47 | 51 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 |
| kJ | 166 | 155 | 152 | 202 | 235 | 78 | 92 | 75 | 90 | 105 | 105 | 129 | 96 | 86 | 70 | 61 | 74 | 80 | 67 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 174 | 174 | 175 | 174 | 895 | 390 | 174 | 798 | 175 | 174 | 395 | 175 | 174 | 788 | 175 | 174 | 895 | 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.
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