Dondra Surf Break

Lat Long: 5.92° N 80.60° E

Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 12 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Dondra sea temperature is
27.0° C
0.6° 

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


Dondra surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 21s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 19s period, SSW swell with 3,961 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period with SSE 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 10s. 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 2.3m 19s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) 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 1.4m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (+0530) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sun 16th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 11s
Best Surf 2AM (Tue 18th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 21s
Most Powerful11AM (Tue 18th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Dondra. This one’s a slow burner, but once it fires, it’s got some serious grunt. Dondra is a reef break, and it’s inconsistent, so when it turns on, it’s a proper treat. The water temp is sitting around 81°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first few days are a bit of a write-off. We’ve got a risk of t-storms on Wednesday the 12th and a sloppy cross-shore wind, with swell around 3 ft from the south—period is a long 16 seconds, but the energy is only moderate (962). It’s just not clean enough. Thursday and Friday are cleaner with cross-off winds, but the swell stays small, around 3 ft to 4 ft, and the energy is still moderate. You could get a few if you’re desperate, but it’s not worth the paddle.

Then we hit the weekend of the 16th and 17th. Sunday the 16th afternoon sees a shift, with the swell coming from the west at 4 ft, period 10 seconds, and the energy is moderate (692). Still not magic. But look at Monday the 17th afternoon—the swell jumps to 4 ft from the SSW, but the period is a massive 21 seconds, and the energy is strong (1324). That’s a proper groundswell, and it’s clean with cross-off wind. The reef at Dondra should handle that long period beautifully.

Now, the standout. Tuesday the 18th. This is the one. Both morning and afternoon, we’re looking at 8 ft from the SSW, period 19 seconds, and the energy is very strong (4352 and 4187). That’s a lot of water moving. The wind is clean cross-off from the west. This is a big session, but it’s over 8 ft, so this is for experienced surfers only. The swell direction is matching the optimum SW direction, so Dondra will be lined up. Wednesday the 19th holds similar size and energy, also a strong call.

After that, it slowly drops off. Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st still have decent size—7 ft and 6 ft—but the wind gets a bit cross on the mornings, making it choppy. The afternoons clean up. The energy stays strong through to the 24th, but the quality dips. The 24th has a 7 ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, clean wind, and strong energy (2533), which is a solid backup.

The very end of the window, the 26th and 27th, sees a return of long-period SSW groundswell (20-21 seconds) with clean cross-off winds, but size is only 4 ft to 5 ft. Still fun, but not the highlight.

So, clear best: Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th. Big, clean, and powerful. If you’re an expert, that’s your window. The reef will be doing its thing, and with that long period, expect proper, grinding lines. Just remember, it’s inconsistent overall, so don’t sleep on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 28°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
5
4
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
S
16
0.7
SSW
16
1
S
11
1.2
SSE
11
1.2
SSE
11
1.1
SSE
10
0.7
SW
16
1.1
SSE
11
1.1
SSE
11
1.1
SSE
10
1.1
SSE
10
1
SSE
11
1.1
SSE
11
1.3
W
10
1.1
W
10
0.7
SSW
22
1.1
SSW
21
1.9
SSW
21
2.3
SSW
19
2.3
SSW
19
2.4
SSW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
412
246
250
356
337
260
263
303
303
276
265
245
292
305
230
412
1042
2961
3961
3717
3393
Wind (km/h)
25
WSW
20
W
20
WSW
20
W
20
W
20
W
25
W
25
WNW
20
W
25
W
25
W
20
W
25
W
20
W
20
WNW
25
W
20
W
15
W
25
W
25
W
15
W
Wind State
cross
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-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
2:24PM0.53m
2:58AM0.50m
2:53PM0.54m
3:27AM0.54m
3:20PM0.54m
3:54AM0.55m
3:47PM0.53m
4:21AM0.55m
4:11PM0.51m
4:46AM0.53m
4:35PM0.47m
5:09AM0.50m
4:57PM0.43m
Low Tide
8:46PM0.01m
8:52AM0.07m
9:12PM-0.02m
9:23AM0.06m
9:37PM-0.03m
9:53AM0.06m
10:01PM-0.02m
10:20AM0.08m
10:24PM-0.00m
10:47AM0.10m
10:46PM0.03m
11:12AM0.13m
11:06PM0.08m
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
mod rain
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part 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>
6:22
6:22
6:21
6:21
6:21
6:20
6:20
 mm
4
3
9
5
1
2
2
1
Temp °C
27
26
26
26
27
26
27
28
26
28
29
26
29
28
26
29
29
26
29
29
26
Feels °C
29
27
28
28
28
28
27
27
27
28
29
27
29
28
28
29
29
28
29
29
28
  • 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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