Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 18s period, SSW swell with 3,547 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 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 1.3m 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) | 8ft (2.4m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s talk Dondra in feet and knots.
Water’s a comfy 82°, right on the money for this time of year.
The run starts Saturday, 29th August, and goes through to Sunday, 13th September – no long dry spell at the start.
Saturday morning and afternoon have waves around 4ft from the SSW with a 13-second period. Wind’s blowing 16 mph from the west, cross-offshore, so the surface should be clean enough. Energy is moderate (686 to 767).
Sunday the 30th is the real eye-opener. Swell jumps to 4ft with a super long 19-second period in the morning, and the energy reads 1561 – that’s strong. Afternoon bumps to 6ft with 18 seconds and energy at 2121. That’s the best wave of the forecast. The wind stays clean and cross-offshore. Just keep in mind, with that long period, it’s a groundswell that works best on a reef like Dondra.
Monday the 31st goes even bigger: 8ft in the morning from the SSW, 18 seconds, and energy of 3561. That’s expert territory – well over 8ft is no joke. Afternoon slightly drops to 7ft, still with good period. Wind is cross-off and clean. Monday morning is the big one for the brave.
Tuesday (1st Sep) through Thursday (3rd Sep) sees swell around 5ft to 7ft, periods 14–16 seconds, energy staying strong. Some cross-shore wind on Wednesday and Thursday mornings might put a little texture on it, but afternoons clean up.
Friday the 4th to Saturday the 5th, the swell drops to 4ft–4ft and period shortens to 10–13 seconds. Energy goes moderate. Still fun, but not the big stuff.
Sunday the 6th through Tuesday the 8th is poor – 3ft or less from the SSE, short period, and weak energy. Tuesday is particularly bad.
Wednesday the 9th, a new long-period pulse shows up at 18 seconds, but only 3ft to 4ft. Energy picks up but the size is lacking.
Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th get back to solid 5ft–6ft, 15–16 seconds, strong energy, and clean cross-off wind. Good days.
Saturday the 12th holds at 5ft, 16 seconds – still solid. Sunday the 13th fades to 4ft–4ft with 14 seconds.
The standout sessions are Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st of August – that big, long-period groundswell with clean wind is what we live for at this reef. Dondra doesn’t fire often, so when it does, get in the water. Crowds are possible, so be ready to share.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 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 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 547 | 468 | 932 | 1288 | 1856 | 2299 | 3547 | 2800 | 2637 | 2033 | 1671 | 1241 | 1110 | 1038 | 1223 | 1154 | 867 | 703 | 581 | 449 | 272 |
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 | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 5:02PM0.38m | 5:48AM0.45m | 5:15PM0.33m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:29AM0.15m | 11:06PM0.11m | 12:05PM0.21m | 11:21PM0.17m | |||||||
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — |
 | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — |
mm | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | 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 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 11 |
| kJ | 547 | 468 | 932 | 1288 | 1856 | 2299 | 3547 | 2800 | 2637 | 2033 | 1671 | 1241 | 1110 | 1038 | 1223 | 1154 | 867 | 703 | 581 | 449 | 272 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | SSW 20 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | W 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 37 | 272 | 312 | 210 | 206 | 121 | 14 | 121 | 86 | 32 | 34 | 56 | 71 | 39 | 54 | 34 | 35 | 58 | 77 | 72 | 57 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | SE 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 12 | — | SW 11 | — | S 10 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | WNW 10 | W 10 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 102 | 27 | 49 | 63 | 59 | 69 | — | 31 | — | 29 | 32 | 37 | 32 | 48 | 35 | 33 | — | 43 | 40 | 37 | 83 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 10 | W 5 | W 4 | W 4 | W 5 |
| kJ | 94 | 99 | 106 | 101 | 92 | 74 | 80 | 76 | 132 | 188 | 181 | 112 | 92 | 91 | 50 | 69 | 188 | 29 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 174 | 895 | 175 | 174 | 814 | 175 | 174 | 895 | 175 | 175 | 788 | 175 | 678 | 788 | 175 | 174 | 787 | 4 | 175 | 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.
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