Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 17s period, S swell with 2,097 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 5AM. 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 20) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for Dondra.
Right off the bat, we've got a solid run of surf coming through, but it's a bit of a mixed bag. The water is sitting at 28°, which is pretty much spot on average for this time of year, so no wetsuit worries.
The action kicks off on Thursday afternoon the 20th of August with a solid 7ft SSW groundswell, carrying a very long 16-second period. The combined energy is pumping at a strong 2297, so there's serious power out there. The wind is a moderate cross-off from the WSW at 15 mph, keeping things reasonably clean. This is a reef break, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely, but it's inconsistent, so you'll have to be patient. It's intermediate-level territory with that size.
Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd see a slight drop in swell size to the 5ft to 6ft range, still from the S and SSW, with periods between 14 and 15 seconds. The cross-off wind sticks around, keeping the surface tidy. The energy is still strong, sitting between 1343 and 1723. These are solid, surfable days.
Sunday the 23rd is a cracker. Clear skies, clean 5ft surf from the S with a 14-second period, and a gentle cross-off breeze. The energy is still strong at 1275. This is a great day to be out.
Then we hit a bit of a lull. Monday the 24th drops to 3ft in the morning, though the period jumps to 17 seconds, giving it some push. The energy is moderate at 945. The swell sticks around 4ft to 5ft through till Wednesday the 26th, but the energy drops a bit. The true standout in this stretch is Tuesday the 25th morning, with a 5ft S swell and a 15-second period, but the wind goes cross-shore, creating a bit of a chop, so it's less appealing.
The next highlight is Thursday the 27th of August, with a 6ft SSW groundswell and a massive 18-second period. The combined energy is a very strong 1917. The wind is a clean cross-off. This is a diamond in the rough, but it's inconsistent.
We then have a long stretch of average to poor conditions right through to the end of the month. The swell drops to 3ft to 4ft, and the energy slumps into the moderate range. The best of this poor run is Sunday the 30th afternoon, with a clean 4ft SSW swell, but the period is a staggering 20 seconds, giving it plenty of punch. The energy is strong at 1810. This is a promising, but very inconsistent, long-range option.
The real standout of the entire forecast window is Monday the 31st of August. Both morning and afternoon see a solid 8ft SSW groundswell with an 18-second period. The combined energy is huge at 3657 and 3547. The wind is clean and cross-off. This is a big, powerful swell, so it's strictly for experienced surfers, but it's shaping up to be the best day on offer. Do note, this is a long-range call, so keep an eye on it.
After that, the swell fades again through the first few days of September, with increasing cross-shore winds and dropping energy. The run ends on Friday the 4th of September with a clean 3ft SSW groundswell and a 20-second period, but the energy is moderate at 1075.
Bottom line: the best window is from the 20th to the 23rd of August, with consistent, clean surf. The absolute standout is Monday the 31st of August, with a big, powerful, clean swell for the experts.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 17 | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
2252 | 1460 | 1257 | 1063 | 809 | 1246 | 1428 | 694 | 843 | 782 | 563 | 499 | 778 | 1037 | 1108 | 549 | 232 | 1051 | 620 | 773 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:27PM0.34m | 6:21AM0.38m | 5:00PM0.29m | 7:24AM0.33m | 2:42AM0.29m | 12:37PM0.37m | 1:47AM0.33m | 1:07PM0.42m | 1:52AM0.38m | 1:32PM0.47m | 2:07AM0.42m | 1:56PM0.50m | 2:26AM0.47m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:31PM0.17m | 12:41PM0.26m | 11:06PM0.22m | 8:17PM0.22m | 6:15AM0.27m | 7:39PM0.17m | 6:58AM0.22m | 7:46PM0.13m | 7:25AM0.17m | 8:01PM0.08m | 7:50AM0.13m | 8:19PM0.04m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
6:19 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | |
mm | 5 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
2252 | 1460 | 1257 | 1063 | 764 | 1246 | 1428 | 694 | 843 | 782 | 563 | 416 | 778 | 1037 | 1108 | 549 | 232 | 1051 | 620 | 773 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | S 19 | S 17 | S 17 | S 26 | S 10 | S 21 | S 20 | S 18 | SSW 17 | S 12 | W 11 | W 10 | S 9 | S 9 | W 9 | SSE 8 | SSW 19 |
45 | 51 | 50 | 247 | 809 | 376 | 13 | 228 | 323 | 373 | 404 | 499 | 344 | 59 | 78 | 130 | 101 | 61 | 73 | 651 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 24 | S 22 | W 10 | W 9 | S 26 | — | S 24 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | WNW 10 | — | — | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | S 24 | SSW 12 | WNW 10 |
— | 11 | 36 | 47 | 40 | 13 | — | 173 | 15 | 14 | 49 | 30 | — | — | 86 | 73 | 70 | 11 | 113 | 20 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | WSW 5 | W 6 | W 6 | WSW 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 |
109 | 94 | 80 | 61 | 64 | 88 | 91 | 76 | 94 | 74 | 62 | 60 | 69 | 56 | 49 | 49 | 48 | 59 | 59 | 73 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1905 | 895 | 746 | 395 | 176 | 176 | 395 | 175 | 175 | 787 | 175 | 174 | 803 | 395 | 174 | 1088 | 175 | 174 | 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.











