
Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, S swell with 1,347 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 1.6m 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 1.6m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m looking at what’s on offer for the Dondra region over the next couple of weeks.
First off, I gotta be straight with you – the first week is a bit of a grind. We’ve got a consistent cross-off wind from the West, blowing at 15 to 19 mph, which keeps the surface clean, but the swell is just not doing us any favours. For the first several days, from Tuesday the 14th right through to Sunday the 19th, we’re looking at small, weak swell. The wave energy is low, sitting between 474 and 1022 (moderate energy at best), with heights barely scraping 3 ft to 4 ft. The period is long, 14 to 18 seconds, which is a proper groundswell, but the size just isn’t there to make it worthwhile. The wind is cross-off, which is clean, but the whole setup is marginal. It’s a reef break that’s inconsistent, and with these numbers, it’s a tough sell. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing wild.
Now, there is a glimmer. The standout window looks to be around Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st. We see a bump in the combined energy, hitting 1531 on Monday morning and staying strong through Tuesday. Swell heights push up to 5 ft on Tuesday morning, coming from the S with a period of 15 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, and the direction is right in the sweet spot for Dondra, which likes it from the SW. The wind stays cross-off from the West, so the surface will be clean. This is the best on offer. The wave energy is strong (1371 to 1531), and while the break is inconsistent, when it turns on, it’ll be worth it. Keep in mind, with the swell around 5 ft, it’s getting into intermediate territory, not for beginners.
After that, the swell backs off again into the second week. There’s a pulse around Saturday the 25th with 4 ft from the SSW and a 16-second period, but the energy is still moderate to strong (1352). The wind stays cross-off, so it’s clean, but the quality is still just marginal. The rest of the second week is more of the same – small, clean, but not really firing. The break is inconsistent, so you’ve got to pick your moments.
Overall, the standout is Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st. That’s your best bet. The rest is a waiting game. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Tue morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Mon 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | 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 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
464 | 438 | 427 | 402 | 398 | 393 | 425 | 482 | 482 | 482 | 437 | 362 | 347 | 328 | 225 | 225 | 242 | 294 | 480 | 881 | 901 | |
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 | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:27AM0.41m | 2:31PM0.54m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:11AM0.10m | 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 | ||||||||
— | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | |
— | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 15 | S 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 18 | S 16 |
464 | 408 | 292 | 287 | 235 | 393 | 227 | 482 | 482 | 482 | 437 | 362 | 347 | 328 | 73 | 107 | 99 | 294 | 312 | 881 | 901 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 11 | SSW 16 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 8 | S 19 | S 13 | S 12 |
377 | 438 | 427 | 402 | 398 | 191 | 425 | 208 | 170 | 131 | 98 | 98 | 81 | 57 | 225 | 225 | 242 | 99 | 480 | 345 | 314 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | — | SSE 13 | 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 | W 9 | S 21 | SSW 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
10 | — | 33 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 18 | 35 | 51 | 70 | 70 | 64 | 142 | 55 | 25 | 18 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 9 | W 6 |
156 | 176 | 193 | 151 | 151 | 144 | 112 | 116 | 89 | 86 | 91 | 87 | 122 | 167 | 106 | 94 | 105 | 134 | 85 | 280 | 121 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 175 | 676 | 803 | 175 | 676 | 895 | 175 | 174 | 788 | 175 | 174 | 895 | 175 | 174 | 174 | 175 | 174 | 174 | 175 | 174 | 174 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Sri Lanka | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Sri Lanka | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











