
Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with 958 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 1.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 11PM. 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 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Dondra, mate.
Water temp is a warm 83°F, which is dead average for the season. The wind is gonna be a constant cross-off from the West, blowing 15 to 19 mph, keeping the surface smooth but it’s a steady breeze. The wave energy builds through the period, starting off moderate and then getting real strong.
From Monday the 27th through Friday the 31st, it’s small stuff – waist high at best. Swell is from the SSE and SSW, with periods from 10 to 18 seconds. That longer period is good for shape on the reef. But the reports are calling it "marginal," so don’t expect fireworks. The wind is cross-off, which is a plus, but you’ll be dealing with some storm clouds.
The first session to look at is the afternoon of Friday the 31st of July. You’ll see a 4ft swell from the SSW, with a 18-second period and a combined energy reading of 1317. That’s the best of the early stuff. Crowds are listed as "sometimes," so you might have a few mates out, but nothing too packed.
Things get weird on Sunday the 2nd of August. The swell pumps up to 8ft, but it’s a short-period, 7-second windswell from the West. That’s gonna be a rough, choppy mess. The combined energy is high, over 1100, but it’s all junk. Skip it.
Now, the real standout is the weekend of August 8th and 9th. Saturday the 8th brings a 6ft to 7ft swell from the South, with a period of 19 to 20 seconds. That’s a long, powerful groundswell. The combined energy is massive – 3696 in the morning and 4320 in the afternoon. That’s serious wave energy. The wind is still cross-off from the West at 19 mph, so the surface will be clean. Sunday the 9th is similar, with a 7ft South swell, 16-second period, and energy still in the 3000s. This is the best of the whole 16 days. For a reef break like Dondra, that long-period South swell will be a dream. It’s big enough to get your blood pumping, but not too big for a solid intermediate. After that, it backs off a bit, but it’s still good into the 11th.
So, the first week is a bit of a slow burn. The best early call is the afternoon of the 31st of July. The real gold is the weekend of the 8th and 9th of August – that’s the one to get excited about.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 29°C on Mon afternoon, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 26°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 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) | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
251 | 196 | 196 | 291 | 277 | 400 | 346 | 376 | 497 | 395 | 452 | 447 | 854 | 817 | 788 | 778 | 537 | 562 | 557 | 491 | |
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 | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:21AM0.39m | 2:11PM0.50m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:19PM0.10m | 7:57AM0.14m | 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 | |||||||
— | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | |
mm | 2 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
Temp °C | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 14 | SE 10 | SSW 13 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 |
251 | 196 | 196 | 192 | 163 | 400 | 163 | 253 | 156 | 153 | 452 | 447 | 854 | 817 | 788 | 778 | 537 | 515 | 431 | 330 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SE 10 | SSW 14 | SE 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 13 |
136 | 131 | 121 | 291 | 277 | 163 | 293 | 138 | 497 | 395 | 147 | 173 | 150 | 141 | 94 | 90 | 53 | 45 | 63 | 178 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 11 | W 10 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 11 | SSW 20 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SE 9 | S 18 | S 8 |
169 | 164 | 142 | 69 | 90 | 302 | 346 | 376 | 195 | 183 | 84 | 221 | 51 | 50 | 47 | 31 | 2 | 29 | 226 | 55 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WSW 6 | W 9 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 7 | WSW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 |
94 | 132 | 177 | 151 | 106 | 383 | 178 | 200 | 203 | 210 | 284 | 286 | 262 | 245 | 276 | 349 | 445 | 562 | 557 | 491 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 895 | 793 | 174 | 788 | 676 | 174 | 895 | 746 | 676 | 1905 | 765 | 171 | 167 | 174 | 395 | 175 | 175 | 390 | 125 | 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.










