Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 19 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 0.6m 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 1.3m 5s 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, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Dondra over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow start. Sunday the 19th is pretty ordinary with a messy cross-chop and weak 3ft swell. The energy is low (337), and the winds are not helping. It picks up a little from Monday the 20th, but it’s still only marginal. The real standout window, and the best bet across the whole forecast, kicks off on Monday the 20th and runs through Tuesday the 21st. The swell jumps up to 4ft–6ft from the S, with a very long period of 16–18 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, with strong wave energy (1659–1933). The wind is cross-offshore from the W, keeping things clean. This is a reef break, so that long-period stuff will wrap in nicely. Dondra is inconsistent, so to have more than a day of solid, clean swell is a real treat. The water sits at 82°F, which is right about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
The rest of the week (Wednesday 22nd through Saturday 25th) drops off into smaller, cruder swell with cross-shore winds and lower energy. You’ll find a few rideable moments, but nothing to rush for. Then from Sunday the 26th into the following week, it’s more of a mixed bag with small, clean waves but not much punch.
Further out, there’s a promising stretch from Wednesday the 29th of July into the start of August. Swell builds again, hitting 5ft–6ft from the SSW with very long periods of 17–18 seconds by the 31st and into the 3rd of August. The energy is strong (over 2000 on the 31st morning). Winds stay cross-offshore from the W. This is a decent run of waves, but it’s far out, so keep an eye on it. Given the consistency of this spot, it’s a good sign the forecasts are showing a pattern.
The water is warm, the wind is often clean, and when the swell lines up, Dondra does its thing. It’s not a break that pumps every day, but when it’s on, it’s worth the wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 30°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSE 10 | S 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSE 10 | SSW 16 | SSE 10 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 242 | 285 | 303 | 881 | 1564 | 858 | 978 | 834 | 465 | 437 | 490 | 344 | 147 | 120 | 223 | 217 | 214 | 240 | 387 | 302 | 394 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 10:33AM0.36m | 00:35AM0.28m | 12:16PM0.39m | 1:26AM0.32m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 6:49PM0.22m | 5:10AM0.24m | 7:26PM0.18m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 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 | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 9 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 |
| kJ | 242 | 285 | 303 | 473 | 1564 | 858 | 978 | 834 | 465 | 437 | 490 | 344 | 147 | 120 | 223 | 175 | 154 | 240 | 308 | 302 | 304 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | S 18 | SE 8 | S 12 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 9 | W 9 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SW 13 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 61 | 92 | 120 | 881 | 18 | 276 | 16 | 10 | 53 | 78 | 16 | 16 | 86 | 61 | 164 | 217 | 214 | 229 | 387 | 132 | 394 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | W 10 | — | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 10 | SSW 12 | W 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | WNW 10 | W 10 | SSW 16 | WNW 10 |
| kJ | 34 | 49 | 70 | 17 | 16 | 122 | — | — | 23 | 17 | 10 | 41 | 65 | 53 | 54 | 38 | 51 | 21 | 50 | 140 | 38 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | W 10 | W 10 | W 5 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | W 5 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 |
| kJ | 78 | 91 | 69 | 305 | 369 | 54 | 244 | 235 | 155 | 148 | 119 | 156 | 24 | 35 | 18 | 69 | 66 | 37 | 57 | 64 | 72 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 174 | 787 | 395 | 174 | 174 | 167 | 167 | 787 | 0 | 788 | 788 | 0 | 746 | 788 | 4 | 175 | 788 | 4 | 174 | 787 | 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.
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