
Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 19s period, SSW swell with 2,052 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 19s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) 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 1.7m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it's Rusty here, and we're looking at a pretty tough stretch for Dondra. We've got a solid 16-day window on the cards, but honestly, the surf quality is keeping things real. Let's be straight up – there's nothing here that’s going to blow your socks off. The whole forecast is littered with "marginal" tags, so we're working with what we've got.
The pattern for the entire period is pretty monotonous with that same old story: a steady cross-off breeze out of the West, mostly around 15 mph to 19 mph. That wind direction is consistent, so the surface should stay clean, but the lack of any proper offshore flow is holding things back.
We kick things off on Thursday the 30th of July. Dondra is an exposed reef break, and we're seeing a 3 ft SSW groundswell with an 18-second period. That long period offers some good energy – the combined swell energy is at 1255 (moderate). But the wind is cross-off from the West at 15 mph, so the shape will be there but it’s not going to be glassy perfection. It's a short window of small, lined-up waves for the crew who just need a paddle.
Moving into Friday the 31st of July, it's more of the same. A little 3 ft SSW swell with a 16-second period keeps the long lines, but again, that 15 mph westerly cross-off wind and risk of thunderstorms. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild.
The first standout, and I mean *standout* in a relative sense, comes in later on. Look at the 13th of August, Thursday afternoon. The swell builds to 4 ft from the South with a very long 20-second period. The combined energy jumps right up to 2490 (strong). That's some proper groundswell pushing through. The wind stays cross-off from the West at 15 mph, keeping it clean. For a reef break like Dondra, that long period groundswell will wrap in nicely, offering some proper, power-packed waves. It's a long way out, so you’ve got to keep an eye on it, but it's the best on offer in this forecast.
The following morning, Friday the 14th of August, also has a pulse of 6 ft S groundswell with a 16-second period and combined energy hitting 3080 (very strong). That's a lot of water moving, but keep in mind it's pushing over 5 ft so it starts to get more serious. The wind is still that same 15 mph cross-off, so it'll be bowling but demanding.
Don't get too excited by the numbers on Saturday the 1st or Sunday the 2nd of August. That 8 ft swell from the West has a pathetic 8-second period. The energy is high, around 1600 (strong), but with that short period, it’s going to be a churning, bumpy mess. That's windswell, not groundswell, and with strong cross-off wind at 19 to 22 mph, it’s going to be tough paddling and the waves won't have any shape. Honestly, that setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
So, to sum it up: the first week is small and average. The real window of interest doesn't open up until the second week, particularly around the 13th and 14th of August. That S groundswell with the long period is the one to keep an eye on if you're willing to gamble on the long-range forecast. For now, Dondra (Sri Lanka) is offering consistent, clean waves, but the quality is just not there for a proper standout. Stick with it, keep an eye on that big energy spike in the second week.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 41mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 26°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 68mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | W 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
400 | 497 | 486 | 452 | 532 | 514 | 817 | 788 | 825 | 1122 | 1034 | 1010 | 771 | 522 | 544 | 1003 | 998 | 974 | 736 | |
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 |
High Tide | 3:11AM0.45m | 3:04PM0.54m | 3:36AM0.48m | 3:29PM0.55m | 4:02AM0.50m | 3:55PM0.54m | 4:28AM0.51m | 4:21PM0.52m | 4:55AM0.52m | 4:47PM0.48m | 5:25AM0.51m | 5:14PM0.44m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:05PM0.04m | 8:56AM0.09m | 9:28PM0.01m | 9:24AM0.08m | 9:51PM0.00m | 9:53AM0.08m | 10:14PM0.00m | 10:23AM0.08m | 10:37PM0.01m | 10:55AM0.10m | 11:01PM0.03m | 11:29AM0.13m | 11:25PM0.06m | ||||||
— | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:23 | — | |
mm | 9 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 44 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 |
Temp °C | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SE 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
163 | 180 | 177 | 452 | 532 | 170 | 817 | 788 | 674 | 537 | 515 | 325 | 604 | 247 | 194 | 1003 | 998 | 974 | 736 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 18 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | S 8 | S 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 7 |
312 | 497 | 486 | 173 | 170 | 514 | 141 | 117 | 92 | 52 | 22 | 227 | 380 | 367 | 544 | 116 | 55 | 40 | 24 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SW 15 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SE 9 | SW 10 | SSE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 19 | WNW 12 | S 26 | S 24 | SSW 22 |
376 | 195 | 183 | 115 | 55 | 226 | 72 | 47 | 48 | 30 | 29 | 49 | 24 | 181 | 207 | 50 | 13 | 44 | 156 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 9 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 10 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 |
400 | 383 | 171 | 210 | 196 | 181 | 302 | 399 | 825 | 1122 | 1034 | 1010 | 771 | 522 | 338 | 431 | 175 | 219 | 175 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 676 | 895 | 895 | 175 | 174 | 174 | 175 | 390 | 1205 | 175 | 125 | 174 | 125 | 125 | 125 | 390 | 125 | 174 | 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.










