
Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period, W swell with 1,013 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 1.9m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, let’s talk surf for Dondra. Water temp is 28°, right where it should be for this time of year. Nice and warm. But here’s the kicker: Dondra’s a reef break, and it’s inconsistent and rarely breaks. Over the next 16 days, there’s a long patch where the surf is just… okay at best. Big gap at the start with very little worth paddling for.
Friday the 3rd and Saturday the 4th – small and weak. Swell is 3 ft to 6 ft, but on Saturday the 4th it’s a short-period 7-second west swell – that’s gonna be crumbly and weak. Wind is cross-off at 15 mph, keeps it a bit clean, but the energy is moderate at best (800-861). Not your day.
Sunday the 5th is a tick better. 6 ft of west swell, period up to 10 seconds, clean with a cross-off breeze. Energy hits 1007 (moderate). You might find a few, but it’s still marginal. Early might be your best shot.
Monday the 6th drops – 5 ft, 10-second period, same cross-off wind, energy down to 814. Just flat-ish.
Now, the standout. Tuesday the 8th into Wednesday the 9th – Tuesday afternoon we get 6 ft of west swell with an 11-second period (long period groundswell), energy jumps to 1334 (solid moderate). Wind is cross-off at 15 mph, clean. This is your best window. It’s getting over 5 ft, so beginners might struggle, but intermediates and up will have fun. That 11-second period might make it a bit straight on the reef, so pick your spot.
Wednesday the 9th has thunderstorm risk, but Thursday the 10th is the real gem – 6 ft from the west, 12-second period, energy of 1828 (strong). Wind stays cross-off at 12-15 mph, clean. That’s expert territory in size. If you’re experienced, that’s the session.
After that, swell holds around 6 ft to 6 ft with 11-second periods through the 11th and 12th, energy 1300-1500. Wind still cross-off. Consistent but still very marginal. Crowds at Dondra are “sometimes” – not a zoo.
Second week, things fade. By the 14th, swell drops to 3 ft to 3 ft with a very long 16-second period from the SSW. That’s gonna break straight – not great on a reef. Energy drops to 400-513 (weak). Wind turns cross-shore, adding chop. Not worth it.
The 17th and 18th see a pulse of 5 ft to 6 ft SSW swell with 16-18 second periods and strong energy (1500-1943), but the wind is cross-shore with a cross-chop. That’s a lot of energy but messy – better for kite surfing than paddling.
Bottom line: Dondra is inconsistent, and this forecast is mostly marginal. The clear standout is Thursday the 10th of July – 6 ft west swell, 12-second period, strong energy, clean cross-off winds. That’s your one good call. Before that, the 5th to the 8th might have a few fun ones if you’re keen. After the 10th, it’s a wait-and-see. Keep an eye on the charts; things can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 26°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | SSW 14 | W 11 | SSW 16 | W 11 | W 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
468 | 449 | 347 | 297 | 333 | 299 | 544 | 484 | 494 | 426 | 426 | 220 | 397 | 637 | 639 | 658 | 701 | 670 | 849 | 914 | 963 | |
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 | 4:12PM0.52m | 4:52AM0.44m | 4:42PM0.50m | 5:27AM0.44m | 5:13PM0.47m | 6:05AM0.44m | 5:48PM0.42m | 6:49AM0.44m | 6:27PM0.37m | 7:46AM0.43m | 7:21PM0.32m | 9:05AM0.43m | 9:02PM0.28m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:02AM0.12m | 10:42PM0.04m | 10:37AM0.13m | 11:10PM0.05m | 11:15AM0.15m | 11:40PM0.07m | 11:58AM0.17m | 00:12AM0.09m | 12:53PM0.20m | 00:49AM0.12m | 2:12PM0.22m | 1:39AM0.15m | 4:15PM0.23m | 3:00AM0.18m | |||||||
5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
— | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 6 | 6 | 3 | 5 |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 16 | SSE 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 |
468 | 449 | 347 | 261 | 152 | 143 | 143 | 140 | 173 | 143 | 140 | 133 | 397 | 121 | 272 | 459 | 701 | 497 | 849 | 730 | 660 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSW 14 | WNW 10 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSE 10 | WNW 11 | SSW 15 | S 16 | S 15 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 |
153 | 105 | 128 | 125 | 264 | 115 | 200 | 211 | 173 | 245 | 226 | 135 | 164 | 279 | 334 | 205 | 105 | 151 | 110 | 108 | 75 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 21 | SW 21 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | — | WNW 12 | SW 15 | SSE 9 | S 17 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SW 18 | S 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
— | 18 | 18 | 117 | 112 | 211 | 120 | 84 | 88 | — | 30 | 220 | 124 | 297 | 96 | 98 | 50 | 355 | 91 | 76 | 33 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 6 | W 7 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 12 |
187 | 218 | 254 | 297 | 333 | 299 | 544 | 484 | 494 | 426 | 426 | 124 | 152 | 637 | 639 | 658 | 658 | 670 | 792 | 914 | 963 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 174 | 174 | 175 | 167 | 174 | 175 | 167 | 174 | 175 | 167 | 174 | 175 | 174 | 174 | 175 | 171 | 174 | 174 | 167 | 174 | 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.










