
Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, S swell with 1,515 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 1.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 8PM. 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
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. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there’s some promise brewing for the second week.
The overall pattern is a bit of a waiting game. The first few days are pretty small and marginal, nothing to get excited about. The wind is mostly cross-off from the west, which is nice, but the swell is just too weak to make it worth paddling out. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing weird there.
The first bit of hope shows up on Monday the 20th. The swell starts to build, hitting 4 feet from the south with a solid 18-second period. That’s a proper groundswell starting to show its teeth. The combined energy is strong. The wind stays cross-off from the west, keeping things clean. Monday afternoon looks even better, with the swell pushing 5 feet from the south and a 16-second period, with even more energy. This is the standout period for the first week. The cross-off wind will keep the face smooth, and that long period means the waves will have some real punch, though it might be a bit tricky for the beginners at 5 feet. The WS wind is pretty close to the optimum SW direction, so it should line up nicely on the reef.
Things drop off a bit after that, but we get another pulse on Monday the 27th. The morning shows 4 feet from the SSW with a 19-second period, and the energy is strong again. That’s a very long period swell, which is a beautiful thing for a reef like Dondra—it’ll wrap in and give you some proper lines. The wind is cross-off again, making it glassy. The afternoon holds similar energy, just a bit shorter period. This is your second standout call, but it’s a week and a half out, so while it looks promising, don’t book the plane ticket just yet.
Between those two pulses, there are a few days with smaller, cleaner waves for the more patient surfer, but the real quality is in those brief windows. From the 22nd to the 26th, it’s mostly small and marginal, with some poor conditions mixed in. The 26th of July does show a sneaky 24-second period from the SSW, but it’s only 2 feet and the wind is cross, making it a bit choppy. That’s just a tease of the energy that arrives on the 27th.
So, the best bet is clear: Monday the 20th through the afternoon is the first solid call, with clean, 4 foot to 5 foot south swell. Then, if you can wait, Monday the 27th offers a similar setup with that long-period SSW groundswell. Dondra is an inconsistent spot, so when it turns on, you’ve got to be ready. Crowds are possible, but with the quality on offer, it’ll be worth sharing the lineup.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tue 21 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 19 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
402 | 398 | 468 | 425 | 482 | 482 | 482 | 437 | 362 | 347 | 328 | 277 | 277 | 242 | 289 | 369 | 881 | 1415 | 858 | 1108 | 622 | |
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 | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:06AM0.45m | 3:06PM0.54m | 3:43AM0.48m | 3:39PM0.53m | 4:19AM0.49m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:01PM0.04m | 8:54AM0.09m | 9:33PM0.02m | 9:34AM0.09m | 10:04PM0.01m | 10:11AM0.10m | 10:33PM0.01m | 10:46AM0.12m | 11:02PM0.02m | 11:21AM0.15m | 11:30PM0.05m | 11:56AM0.18m | 11:58PM0.09m | 12:35PM0.21m | |||||||
— | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | |
— | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 |
Feels °C | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 15 | S 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | SSW 14 |
287 | 235 | 468 | 227 | 482 | 482 | 482 | 437 | 362 | 347 | 328 | 277 | 277 | 242 | 289 | 307 | 881 | 1415 | 858 | 1108 | 622 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 11 | SSW 16 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 19 | S 13 | SE 8 | S 10 | SE 8 | S 10 |
402 | 398 | 235 | 425 | 202 | 204 | 131 | 100 | 98 | 61 | 99 | 60 | 47 | 33 | 33 | 369 | 345 | 18 | 123 | 16 | 149 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 11 | S 21 | S 8 | SSE 9 | — | SSW 12 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
6 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 50 | 70 | 65 | 38 | 80 | 45 | 43 | — | 125 | 17 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 |
140 | 143 | 126 | 91 | 94 | 92 | 70 | 106 | 126 | 121 | 92 | 92 | 108 | 182 | 207 | 134 | 220 | 325 | 271 | 210 | 201 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 175 | 676 | 174 | 175 | 174 | 788 | 175 | 676 | 395 | 175 | 174 | 395 | 175 | 174 | 174 | 175 | 174 | 787 | 175 | 676 | 788 |
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.











