
Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 2,404 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 9s. 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 2.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) 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 1.2m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down Dondra. This reef don’t break too often, so when it’s on, it’s worth a look. Water’s sitting at about 84°, which is a degree or so warmer than usual for this time – nothing crazy, just a touch balmy.
We’re starting on Wednesday, 9th September. Slow start. The afternoon has a clean cross-off breeze from the W at 25 km/h, but the swell’s only 3 ft from the SSW, with a long 14-second period. Energy is middling (566). A marginal paddle if you’re keen.
Thursday morning picks up. Swell goes to 5 ft from the SSW, with a very long period of 18 seconds, energy up to 1333. Winds are cross-off from the WSW at 20 km/h, keeping it clean. That’s a proper groundswell – real push. By the afternoon, the swell nudges to 5 ft, period 17 seconds, energy 1485. Same clean wind. This is the start of the run.
Friday morning, the swell holds at 5 ft with a 15-second period, but the wind goes more cross-shore at 25 km/h, ruffling the surface. Not great. Same story Friday arvo.
Saturday the 12th, the swell builds to 7 ft from the SSW, period 17 seconds. Energy hits 2510. But the wind stays cross-shore, messy. That’s too big for beginners, and the chop keeps it for the experienced only.
Sunday the 13th, the swell drops to 6 ft in the morning, but still cross-shore wind. The afternoon cleans up – cross-off wind at 20 km/h, swell 5 ft, period 15 seconds, energy 1557. That’s a nice window.
Monday the 14th morning is clean again, cross-off breeze, swell 4 ft but very long 18-second period – energy 1462. Sneaky good if the tide works. The afternoon gets cross-shore again.
Tuesday the 15th is a full day of clean fun. Both morning and afternoon have clean cross-off winds from the W at 25 km/h, swell 5 ft from the SSW, periods 15 and 14 seconds. Energy between 1502 and 1788. That’s a great day in the water.
Wednesday the 16th is clean, but the swell drops to 3 ft in the morning with a very long 18-second period – low energy. The afternoon gives you 4 ft, same period, still clean. For the patient surfer.
Thursday the 17th goes cross-shore again on a 5 ft swell – messy. Friday the 18th is back clean, swell around 4 to 4 ft, energy dropping.
Now, the best days by far are Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September. Solid 6 ft SSW swell, clean cross-off winds, periods of 14-16 seconds. Energy is pumping – 1711 to 2056. That’s a weekend of quality reef waves. Too much for beginners, but perfect for intermediates and above.
Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd see the swell shift to the S, dropping to 4-5 ft, period shortening to 12-14 seconds. Still clean, but the magic fades.
Then Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th, the swell jumps back up to 6 ft, but the period drops to just 7 seconds – that’s short-period windswell, weak and sloppy. Energy down to 509-833. Clean wind can’t fix that. This setup is more for kite-surfing than paddling.
No real gaps without surf, just a couple of days that aren’t worth it. The standouts? Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September – 6 ft, clean, cross-off, stacked with energy. Don’t miss it. Tuesday the 15th and Sunday the 13th afternoon are your next best bets.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Sun morning, min 24°C on Tue afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
283 | 1165 | 1284 | 1150 | 996 | 845 | 1719 | 2404 | 2377 | 2097 | 1415 | 1125 | 857 | 790 | 847 | 1305 | 1163 | 911 | 886 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | 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 |
High Tide | 2:09AM0.51m | 2:05PM0.52m | 2:34AM0.55m | 2:31PM0.53m | 2:58AM0.58m | 2:56PM0.53m | 3:21AM0.59m | 3:20PM0.52m | 3:43AM0.58m | 3:43PM0.50m | 4:04AM0.56m | 4:04PM0.47m | 4:24AM0.52m | ||||||
Low Tide | 8:08AM0.08m | 8:18PM-0.00m | 8:36AM0.05m | 8:40PM-0.02m | 9:02AM0.03m | 9:03PM-0.03m | 9:27AM0.03m | 9:25PM-0.02m | 9:50AM0.04m | 9:46PM0.01m | 10:13AM0.06m | 10:05PM0.04m | |||||||
— | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 15 | 5 |
Temp °C | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 |
Feels °C | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 24 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
232 | 1165 | 1284 | 1150 | 996 | 845 | 1199 | 2404 | 2377 | 2097 | 1415 | 1125 | 857 | 553 | 847 | 1305 | 1163 | 911 | 886 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SW 21 | SE 9 | SSW 19 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 |
183 | 139 | 162 | 141 | 898 | 112 | 1719 | 106 | 103 | 101 | 90 | 78 | 65 | 790 | 561 | 18 | 20 | 45 | 336 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 19 | ESE 9 | SSE 14 | SW 24 | SSE 9 | SSW 21 | SSE 9 | — | W 10 | — | — | S 20 | S 18 | SE 9 | SE 8 | S 24 | SSW 22 | SE 9 | SE 8 |
283 | 53 | 39 | 273 | 121 | 573 | 113 | — | 8 | — | — | 68 | 246 | 36 | 34 | 11 | 45 | 12 | 11 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 4 | W 6 | W 4 | W 4 | WSW 4 | W 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | SW 7 | SW 7 |
55 | 33 | 44 | 22 | 24 | 31 | 64 | 80 | 101 | 165 | 493 | 361 | 215 | 175 | 232 | 325 | 429 | 330 | 312 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 175 | 676 | 895 | 175 | 986 | 814 | 175 | 174 | 1177 | 0 | 676 | 1479 | 125 | 676 | 125 | 167 | 175 | 175 | 125 |
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.










