Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, S swell with 1,564 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:
The surf forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 1.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Dondra (Sri Lanka). Gotta be straight with you – it’s a frustrating start. This spot is a reef break that’s painfully inconsistent, and for the first few days, the conditions are just not cooperating. There’s a gap of poor-to-marginal surf from now until about the 20th of July.
Let’s talk about what’s on offer. The real action starts to build around the 20th of July. A solid SSW groundswell rolls in, with the energy jumping up high (1551) on the Monday morning. The swell is a long-period 18 seconds, which is proper groundswell, and it’s pushing 4ft. The wind is a cross-off from the W at 15 mph, which keeps the surface clean. This is a reef, so that long period should wrap in nicely. But the tide or something is making it "marginal" – it’s not a total washout, but it’s not a standout either.
The real standout I’m watching is the 1st of August. The charts are showing a powerful SSW swell, kicking up to 8ft with a very long period of 19 seconds. The combined energy is massive (3678), and the wind is still a clean cross-off from the W at 15 mph. This is the sort of day that gets the heart pumping. At 8ft, it’s heading into expert territory – this is not for the beginners. The water temp is about 82°F, which is bang on average for the time of year, so no worries about a cold suit.
The week leading up to that, from the 21st of July to the 25th, the swell backs off a bit, but there’s still some waist-to-chest high waves around. The wind stays mostly cross-off, so it’s ridable, but it’s nothing to get too excited about. The 27th of July sees another spike of energy (1719) with a 20-second period SSW swell, but again, it’s "marginal."
The 1st of August is the one to circle on the calendar. It’s a long way out, so I’m cautious, but if it holds, Dondra is going to be firing. The reef handles the direction well, and with that cross-off wind, it’ll be a clean, heavy line-up. But remember, this spot is inconsistent, so a run of good days like this is a blessing. It’s a bit of a wait, but the promise is there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 10 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 431 | 347 | 328 | 277 | 277 | 242 | 285 | 303 | 881 | 1564 | 858 | 1108 | 951 | 715 | 498 | 345 | 285 | 177 | 128 | 216 |
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 | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 4:09PM0.52m | 4:54AM0.49m | 4:39PM0.49m | 5:28AM0.48m | 5:07PM0.46m | 6:01AM0.46m | 5:35PM0.41m | 6:36AM0.43m | 6:04PM0.37m | 7:16AM0.40m | 6:36PM0.32m | 8:19AM0.37m | 7:42PM0.27m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:33PM0.01m | 10:46AM0.12m | 11:02PM0.02m | 11:21AM0.15m | 11:30PM0.05m | 11:56AM0.18m | 11:58PM0.09m | 12:35PM0.21m | 00:25AM0.13m | 1:30PM0.24m | 00:55AM0.18m | 3:41PM0.26m | 1:50AM0.23m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 10 | S 10 |
| kJ | 431 | 347 | 328 | 277 | 277 | 242 | 285 | 303 | 555 | 1564 | 858 | 1108 | 951 | 715 | 498 | 345 | 285 | 177 | 128 | 216 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 18 | SE 8 | S 12 | SE 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | S 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 98 | 81 | 78 | 57 | 38 | 34 | 35 | 83 | 881 | 24 | 333 | 16 | 83 | 79 | 55 | 54 | 35 | 59 | 77 | 160 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | WNW 11 | S 21 | W 10 | W 10 | — | W 10 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 8 | SE 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 |
| kJ | 2 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 24 | 80 | 92 | 115 | — | 122 | — | 16 | 22 | 16 | 32 | 16 | 41 | 40 | 37 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 9 | W 6 | W 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 4 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 5 | WSW 5 |
| kJ | 106 | 88 | 97 | 100 | 113 | 149 | 175 | 94 | 78 | 139 | 53 | 210 | 50 | 27 | 29 | 36 | 45 | 38 | 45 | 36 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 787 | 175 | 390 | 174 | 175 | 174 | 787 | 175 | 174 | 787 | 175 | 746 | 788 | 0 | 787 | 788 | 41 | 746 | 788 | 765 |
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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