Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 17s period, SSW swell with 3,467 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 2.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 2PM. 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 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day surfers, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer at Dondra (Sri Lanka). The water is sitting at a warm 83°F, which is about average for this time of year – no big anomaly to report.
We kick things off on Thursday afternoon, 27 August, but honestly, the surf is pretty average. Waves around 5ft from the SSW, with a solid 17-second groundswell – that long period means it’ll be better at a reef setup like Dondra, but it also brings that wait between sets. Wind is a cross-off from the W at 12 mph, keeping things looking clean. The combined energy is moderate (1970), but the forecast warns of “marginal” conditions, so don’t expect perfection.
Friday 28 August is a mixed bag. The morning has a cross-shore chop with 16 mph WSW wind, making it a bit lumpy – not ideal. Swell holds at 5-5ft from the SSW, with periods dropping to 14-15 seconds. Afternoon clears up nicely: cross-off wind returns, and it’s clean again, but still “marginal.”
Saturday 29 August sees the swell drop a touch to 4-4ft, still from the SSW, with a 13-second period. Winds stay cross-off at 16 mph, but energy is weaker (649-767), and the surf quality is rated low.
Through Sunday 30 August and Monday 31 August, we’ve got a bit of a build. On Monday morning, the swell pushes up to 8ft from the SSW with a long 18-second period. That’s a solid groundswell – energy jumps to 3300 – but at this size and period, it’s getting into expert territory. Wind is clean cross-off from the W at 16 mph, so the reef should handle it nicely, but be aware: this spot is “inconsistent” and “sometimes” crowded, so you might have to wait for sets, and you’ll have some company.
The Monday afternoon holds at 7ft. This looks like the standout window – the biggest, most powerful swell of the whole stretch, with clean winds. If you’re experienced, aim for Monday.
From Tuesday 1 September into the first week of September, the swell slowly backs off from 7ft down to 5ft, with periods shortening from 16 seconds to 13-14 seconds. Winds remain cross-off or cross, mostly from the W or WSW at 12-16 mph. Surf quality stays “marginal” on the best days, with some mornings sporting a cross-chop.
By Friday 4 September, the swell is down around 5ft from the S with a short 11-second period. Energy is dropping (654-808). Not much to get excited about.
The second week, from 5 September onward, gets weaker. Swell sizes drop under 4ft through to 3ft by 6 September, period down to 10 seconds. Winds are cross-off or cross, but the energy is low (429-540). 7 September picks up a little to 5ft from the S, but still not firing.
8-9 September is the worst of it – swell down to 1-3ft from the SSE/SW, with periods all over the place. The 9th has a 2ft swell with a 20-second period, but that’s barely a bump.
We do see a late uptick on 10-11 September: swell climbs back to 5-6ft from the SSW with 16-18-second period, and clean cross-off winds at 16 mph. Energy hits 1160-1620 – moderate but promising. This is the second standout: Thursday 10 and Friday 11 September offer the best clean, long-period groundswell after the Monday peak.
A couple of notes: Dondra is a reef break that sometimes has crowds, and it’s “inconsistent” – so don’t expect endless waves. The best recommendation for this whole period is Monday 31 August for the biggest swell (8ft-7ft, SSW, long period, clean winds) and then Thursday 10 / Friday 11 September for a solid, well-shaped runner-up with good energy.
Stay sharp, and don’t sleep on that Monday session – but bring your A-game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 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 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1346 | 1551 | 983 | 1016 | 649 | 547 | 468 | 932 | 1288 | 1670 | 2325 | 3286 | 2800 | 2781 | 2128 | 1671 | 1257 | 1001 | 1038 | 1171 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 4:18PM0.48m | 4:48AM0.54m | 4:41PM0.44m | 5:16AM0.50m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:29AM0.06m | 10:23PM0.02m | 10:58AM0.10m | 10:45PM0.06m | |||||||
— | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | |
6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | |
mm | 4 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | 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 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
1346 | 1551 | 983 | 1016 | 649 | 547 | 468 | 932 | 1288 | 1670 | 2325 | 3286 | 2800 | 2781 | 2128 | 1671 | 1257 | 1001 | 1038 | 1171 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | S 8 | SW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 |
404 | 17 | 83 | 15 | 34 | 102 | 272 | 312 | 210 | 206 | 121 | 17 | 77 | 79 | 32 | 56 | 85 | 55 | 53 | 36 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 8 | — | W 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 12 | S 13 | SSW 11 | — | SSE 10 | SE 8 | W 9 | SSE 5 | — | W 9 |
— | — | 15 | — | 39 | 20 | 27 | 49 | 63 | 59 | 71 | 14 | 47 | — | 31 | 25 | 39 | 3 | — | 40 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | W 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | W 10 | W 5 | W 5 |
220 | 138 | 220 | 77 | 73 | 109 | 114 | 110 | 124 | 124 | 92 | 69 | 55 | 59 | 57 | 69 | 49 | 259 | 63 | 45 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 895 | 485 | 676 | 895 | 895 | 174 | 395 | 175 | 171 | 895 | 395 | 174 | 390 | 175 | 175 | 895 | 175 | 746 | 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.











