Dondra Surf Break

Lat Long: 5.92° N 80.60° E

Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 03 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Dondra sea temperature is
28.2° C
0.7° 

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


Dondra surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 18s period, S swell with 2,192 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 1.9m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (+0530) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 5PM (Sun 9th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Dondra.

Look, I’ll be straight with you – this 16-day window is a real mixed bag. We’ve got a constant, solid swell running, but the wind is a persistent problem. It’s a classic case of plenty of ocean energy but not the clean conditions we’d want for a proper session. The water temp is sitting at 83°, which is just about bang on average for this time of year, nothing weird going on there.

The first real chance to get wet won’t be until Monday the 3rd of August. Even then, it’s a tough call. The surf is there, but it’s coming with a risk of thunderstorms and a solid 19 mph westerly wind. That wind is cross-off, which isn’t terrible, but it makes things tricky. We’re looking at a 7 ft swell from the west with a period of 11 seconds, which is a decent mix of size and power. The combined swell energy is strong, reading 1578 (moderate to strong wave energy). It’s not the cleanest, but it’s surfable.

The pattern really settles in from Tuesday the 4th through to the 9th. The swell drops a touch – averaging around 4 ft to 6 ft – but it shifts to a consistent SSW direction. The period gets long, between 15 and 19 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, which means better shaped waves and more energy, but it can make a beach break a bit straight. For a reef like Dondra, that long period is a positive. The wind stays a consistent cross-off from the WNW or W, blowing at 16 to 19 mph. The combined energy stays high, often in the 1500 to 2000 range (strong wave energy). The catch? The forecast is screaming “marginal” due to the wind and risk of storms. It’s not going to be a glassy, perfect day, but there’s definitely waves to be had.

Now, if you’re looking for a real standout, you have to look at the afternoon of Sunday the 9th of August. The swell jumps to 6 ft from the south, with a very long period of 18 seconds. The combined energy hits 2568 (very strong wave energy). That’s a lot of juice. The wind is still a moderate 16 mph westerly, cross-off. For Dondra, a reef break, that long-period south swell with cross-off wind is about as good as this forecast gets. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best on offer.

After that, the second week gets a bit messy. From the 10th onward, the swell size drops and the period fluctuates. We get a pulse of 7 ft from the west on the 12th, but the period drops to a shocking 7 seconds. That’s short-period wind chop, not a proper groundswell, and the combined energy drops too (994). The 13th and 15th see similar size but still that short, weak period. The wind stays moderate, but the quality just isn’t there for a standout session. The 16th offers a glimmer with a 3 ft, 18-second SSW swell, but it’s small.

Honestly, Dondra is an inconsistent spot, and this forecast reflects that. The best bet is to pin your hopes on that Sunday the 9th of August afternoon. Before that, it’s a grind against the wind. After that, the swell loses its soul. Keep an eye on it, because forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a one-day wonder in a long window.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 28°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Mon morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
2
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
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)
2
W
11
1.1
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
17
1.4
SSW
16
1.4
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
15
1.1
SSW
19
1.8
SSW
18
1.6
SSW
17
1.7
SSW
16
1.6
S
16
1.6
S
14
1.6
S
14
1.3
S
17
1.9
S
16
1.8
S
15
1.9
S
16
1.6
S
14
1.9
S
18
1.2
S
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
900
544
1003
998
974
736
736
959
1929
1450
1531
1248
1057
1042
957
1855
1511
1750
988
2192
752
Wind (km/h)
30
W
30
W
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
W
30
WNW
30
W
25
W
30
W
25
W
30
W
30
W
25
W
25
W
25
W
30
W
25
W
25
W
25
W
25
W
Wind State
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
cross-off
High Tide
4:47PM0.48m
5:25AM0.51m
5:14PM0.44m
5:59AM0.48m
5:40PM0.38m
6:40AM0.45m
6:07PM0.33m
7:44AM0.41m
6:31PM0.27m
10:23AM0.39m
00:37AM0.27m
12:23PM0.42m
1:23AM0.33m
Low Tide
10:55AM0.10m
11:01PM0.03m
11:29AM0.13m
11:25PM0.06m
12:08PM0.17m
11:52PM0.10m
12:59PM0.21m
00:21AM0.15m
3:03PM0.26m
1:06AM0.20m
7:02PM0.21m
5:11AM0.23m
7:28PM0.15m
light rain
thunderstorm
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
mod rain
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
cloud
<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
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:23
6:23
6:23
6:23
6:22
6:22
6:22
 mm
3
1
1
2
2
5
2
3
8
4
5
9
4
2
Temp °C
26
26
26
27
27
27
28
28
26
28
28
26
27
27
26
27
27
26
27
27
26
Feels °C
25
24
25
26
26
28
27
27
26
27
27
26
27
26
26
27
27
26
27
27
26
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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