
Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s period, SW swell with 509 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 1.1m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) 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 1.7m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Dondra. This is a tricky stretch ahead, so let’s break it down straight.
The next few days are pretty flat and uninspiring for Dondra. We’re looking at a long gap of nothing special. The water temp is sitting right around 82° which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Right now, through the first week, it’s a real struggle. The swell is small, mostly around 3ft to 4ft, and the wind is a steady cross-off from the west, but it’s fresh to moderate. The energy is low, with combined swell energy readings between 331 and 916 (moderate to weak). The period is all over the place, but mostly short to medium. Nothing is really lighting up the reef. Dondra is a reef break that’s inconsistent, and it’s showing. The first real pulse of interest doesn’t arrive until Sunday the 20th of July. That afternoon, we see a bump in swell to 6ft from the south with a long period of 17 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 2041 (strong energy). The wind is still cross-off from the west at 12 mph, which is okay but not glassy. This is about the best on offer in the whole run, but the wind isn’t offshore, so it’s not going to be perfect. The crowd can be around sometimes, so expect company.
The following Monday morning on the 21st of July still has some leftover energy at 5ft from the south, but the wind picks up a touch. After that, we slide back into a more marginal zone. The swell sticks around the 3ft to 5ft range, but the wind stays cross-off and the quality is just average. The long period swells (over 15 seconds) on the 20th, 21st, and 23rd are better suited to reefs and points, so Dondra as a reef should handle them alright, but the lack of truly offshore wind holds it back.
For the very end of the run, around the 24th and 26th of July, there’s a couple of 5ft to 5ft pulses from the west, but with short periods around 10 seconds. The energy is still moderate, and the wind is the same cross-off story. It’s not a total washout, but nothing is screaming “paddle out now.”
If you’re looking for the standout, it’s the afternoon of Sunday, 20th July. That’s the biggest pulse of the whole forecast, with the best energy. It’s not perfect, but it’s your best shot at a decent wave. Otherwise, it’s a lot of waiting and watching the horizon.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sun 19 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | S 11 | 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 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
365 | 237 | 371 | 464 | 438 | 427 | 402 | 398 | 393 | 506 | 482 | 482 | 482 | 437 | 362 | 347 | 239 | 277 | 222 | 242 | 242 | |
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 | 1:44AM0.37m | 1:51PM0.52m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:21AM0.13m | 8:28PM0.07m | 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 | ||||||||
— | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | |
— | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 7 | SSW 13 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 |
365 | 237 | 371 | 464 | 408 | 292 | 289 | 235 | 235 | 506 | 482 | 482 | 482 | 437 | 362 | 347 | 79 | 277 | 117 | 127 | 108 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | S 12 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | SSW 14 | S 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
28 | 108 | 295 | 377 | 438 | 427 | 402 | 398 | 393 | 181 | 170 | 170 | 131 | 100 | 98 | 59 | 239 | 71 | 222 | 242 | 242 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 20 | SSW 21 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | SSE 13 | SSW 12 | SE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | SE 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 11 | S 21 |
77 | 151 | 24 | 10 | — | 33 | 30 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 17 | 2 | 21 | 22 | 48 | 65 | 38 | 36 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 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 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 |
184 | 237 | 240 | 178 | 178 | 196 | 173 | 130 | 148 | 146 | 124 | 108 | 85 | 94 | 135 | 188 | 182 | 151 | 116 | 111 | 108 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 395 | 175 | 174 | 174 | 175 | 676 | 895 | 175 | 174 | 174 | 175 | 174 | 788 | 175 | 171 | 395 | 175 | 174 | 174 | 175 | 167 |
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.











