Dondra Surf Break

Lat Long: 5.92° N 80.60° E

Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 28 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Dondra sea temperature is
28.1° C
0.5° 

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


Dondra surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SSW swell with 998 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 1.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) 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 1.7m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (+0530) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful11AM (Tue 4th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for the Dondra region over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a solid run of surf on the horizon, but it’s not going to be perfect. The overall pattern is a persistent cross-offshore wind from the west, which is actually a good look for this reef setup. The swell direction is hanging in the SSW corner, which is what the spot wants to see. The first few days are small but clean, and there’s a real build-up of energy as we head into the first week of August.

Starting off Tuesday the 28th, we’ve got a small 3ft SSW swell, but with a 15-second period and a cross-offshore breeze, the wave quality is decent. The combined swell energy is sitting at 552 (moderate), and the water temp is a very warm 83°, which is about average for this time of year. It’s a bit marginal though, so don’t expect fireworks.

Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th keep the same vibe: waist to chest-high waves from the SSW, with that clean cross-off wind. The period holds strong at 14 to 18 seconds, so there’s some proper groundswell in the water. The energy jumps up to 840 and then 1340 on Thursday morning, which is solid moderate energy. Still, the scores are low, so it’s more of a fun, uncrowded session than a standout.

Now, the real action starts to kick in around Saturday the 1st of August. The swell picks up to 4ft from the SSW, with a 16-second period and a fresh 19 mph cross-offshore wind. Wave energy is hitting 1339 (moderate to strong). This is the first time we’re seeing a bit more push, and the conditions are clean. This is a good window for intermediate surfers.

Sunday the 2nd of August throws a bit of a curveball. We get a 8ft swell from the west, but the period drops right off to 8 seconds – that’s short-period wind swell. The energy is still high at 1355, but the shape is going to be a lot messier. At 8ft, this is only for the experts. The wind is also fresh and cross-off, but that short period means it’s going to be a bumpy, choppy ride. For the average punter, this is more of a look-and-see day.

The following week from Monday the 3rd through to the 9th of August is where we see the best consistency. Swell heights hover between 3ft and 6ft, mostly from the SSW, with periods from 14 to 20 seconds. The wind stays solidly cross-offshore at 16 to 19 mph, keeping the faces clean. The combined energy is strong, regularly hitting 1268 to 2883, so there’s plenty of power. The standout window here is the 5th and 6th of August, with a 3ft to 5ft SSW groundswell (20 and 17-second periods) and clean conditions. The energy is very strong (1853 and 1736), and with the swell direction lined up perfectly with the optimum SW direction, Dondra is going to be at its best. These are the days to call in sick.

The 8th of August (Saturday) has a nice 6ft to 6ft SSW swell, with the energy maxing out at 2883. That’s a lot of juice. The wind is still good, but the crowd factor is worth noting – Dondra can get busy, so get there early.

The second week, from the 10th to the 12th of August, we see the swell start to taper off. The 10th has a 6ft S swell, but the period drops to 15 seconds. The energy is still strong (1735), but it’s a bit more inconsistent. By the 11th and 12th, we’re back to 3ft to 4ft from the SSW, with the energy dropping to 837 and 637. It’s still surfable, but the magic is gone.

The best on offer: Without a doubt, the 5th and 6th of August (Wednesday and Thursday) are the pick of the fortnight. You’ve got a clean 3ft to 5ft groundswell, hitting that magic SSW direction, with a very long period and moderate cross-offshore winds. The energy is pumping, and the wave quality should be excellent. The 8th of August (Saturday) is a close second with the biggest swell, but the period is a bit shorter.

So, to sum it up: small and clean to start, a bit of a wind-swell mess on the 2nd, then a solid week of excellent groundswell from the 3rd to the 9th. The best waves are mid-week. Get on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Sun afternoon). Mainly fresh winds.

Tue
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
3
2
2
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
16
1
SSW
14
0.7
SW
20
0.7
SW
19
0.9
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
18
1.2
SSW
18
1.3
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
16
2.5
W
8
2.5
W
8
2.1
W
9
2.1
W
8
1.2
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
291
277
400
400
376
497
486
452
447
514
817
788
674
804
866
702
569
715
544
980
Wind (km/h)
25
W
25
W
25
W
25
W
20
W
25
WSW
25
W
20
W
25
W
20
WNW
25
W
30
W
30
W
25
W
30
W
35
WNW
25
WNW
30
W
25
W
25
W
Wind State
cross-off
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
2:46AM0.42m
2:38PM0.53m
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
Low Tide
8:42PM0.06m
8:27AM0.12m
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
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
<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>
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:23
 mm
2
5
2
3
6
4
3
10
5
4
4
1
3
6
1
1
14
Temp °C
29
27
28
28
26
28
28
27
28
27
26
29
29
27
26
26
26
28
28
27
Feels °C
29
29
28
28
28
28
28
29
29
28
28
28
28
27
26
25
25
27
27
27
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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