Dondra Surf Break

Lat Long: 5.92° N 80.60° E

Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Dondra sea temperature is
27.9°C
0.3° 

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


Dondra surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 18s period, SSW swell with 3,037 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 2.2m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) 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 1.4m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (+0530) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 8AM (Mon 31st Aug)7ft (2.2m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s see what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but there’s a window to get wet if you play it smart.

The overall picture is a long stretch of swell that’s constantly fighting with the conditions. It’s not flat, but it’s not clean, and that wind is the main pain for a lot of this. The water temp is 28°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The only break on the menu is Dondra, a reef that’s known for being inconsistent. Even when there’s swell, the quality is a real struggle. We kick off on Tuesday the 25th with some chest-to-head-high waves (5ft) coming from the south with a long period of 15 seconds. The energy is strong (1397), so there’s plenty of push, but a moderate cross-shore breeze from the WSW at 12 mph is going to chop it up. It’s not gonna be a beauty. The afternoon is more of the same.

Wednesday the 26th sees a drop in size (4ft), but the wind turns more cross-offshore from the west. The period stretches to 16 seconds, which is a proper groundswell. The energy is still moderate (992). The faces will be cleaner, but it’s still a marginal session. Thursday the 27th is the real standout of the first week. The swell jumps to a solid 6ft from the SSW, with a very long period of 17 seconds and a massive energy reading of 3070. The wind is cross-offshore. This is the pick of the whole forecast. Expect powerful, lined-up waves at this reef. That long period means the sets will be spaced out, but the quality when they arrive is undeniable. It’s getting a bit heavy for beginners, but for the rest, this is the morning to be out there.

From Friday the 28th into the weekend, the swell holds in the 4ft to 5ft range, but the wind stays moderate. The energy drops back to moderate levels. The surf stays marginal, and it feels like something to do rather than something you’d chase.

After that good Thursday, we hit a bit of a lull. The energy drops significantly through the end of August and into the first days of September. The swell size bounces between 4ft and 7ft, but the wind is persistently cross-offshore and moderate. The quality is always flagged as “marginal.” If you’re keen, Monday the 31st of August has a 7ft swell with a 17-second period and strong energy (2907), but the wind is up and the forecast isn’t confident on the quality.

We roll into the first week of September. The size stays in the 5ft to 6ft range, with the energy slowly dropping. The wind holds from the west. It’s paddleable, but nothing to get excited about.

By Friday the 4th of September, the period drops to 11 seconds and the energy falls off a cliff. It’s a weekend of weak, short-period slop. The 5th of September is a total washout with poor surf conditions and very low energy (391). After that, the 6th to the 9th of September is a graveyard of very small swell, with periods barely scraping 10 seconds and energy under 600. The 8th and 9th have a little hope with 18 and 19-second periods on tiny 2ft to 3ft waves, but it’s a tease. The power is long, but the height just isn’t there for a proper ride.

So, the bottom line: Thursday the 27th of August is the one. That 6ft, 17-second SSW groundswell with cross-offshore wind is the standout session. The rest is a waiting game.

Stay salty,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 28°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
2
3
2
1
2
3
2
2
3
2
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
S
15
1.5
S
14
0.8
SSW
13
1.2
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
15
1.8
SSW
17
1.5
SSW
17
1.9
SSW
16
1.5
SSW
15
1.6
SSW
14
1.4
SSW
14
1.3
SSW
13
1.2
SSW
13
1.1
SSW
20
1.3
SSW
19
1.7
SSW
18
1.8
SSW
18
2.1
SSW
18
2.1
SSW
17
2.1
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1108
918
232
715
620
644
1821
1346
1718
983
1016
711
547
468
932
1288
1877
2094
2768
2491
2431
Wind (km/h)
20
WSW
20
WSW
20
W
25
W
20
W
20
W
25
WSW
25
W
20
W
25
WSW
25
W
20
W
25
W
25
W
20
W
25
W
25
W
20
W
25
W
25
W
25
W
Wind State
cross
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
cross-off
High Tide
1:32PM0.47m
2:07AM0.42m
1:56PM0.50m
2:26AM0.47m
2:19PM0.53m
2:47AM0.51m
2:43PM0.55m
3:09AM0.54m
3:06PM0.55m
3:32AM0.57m
3:30PM0.54m
3:56AM0.58m
3:55PM0.51m
4:21AM0.57m
Low Tide
8:01PM0.08m
7:50AM0.13m
8:19PM0.04m
8:15AM0.09m
8:37PM0.01m
8:41AM0.06m
8:57PM-0.01m
9:07AM0.04m
9:18PM-0.02m
9:34AM0.03m
9:39PM-0.02m
10:01AM0.04m
10:01PM-0.01m
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
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>
6:16
6:16
6:15
6:15
6:15
6:15
6:15
 mm
5
5
4
1
4
2
3
5
3
4
6
2
3
4
1
Temp °C
27
27
25
28
28
26
28
28
26
27
28
26
28
28
26
28
29
26
29
29
27
Feels °C
28
28
27
28
28
27
29
28
28
27
28
27
28
28
27
28
29
27
29
28
29
  • 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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