
Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 17s period, S swell with 1,929 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 1.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, this is Rusty. Let’s break down what’s coming for the next couple of weeks.
We’ve only got one spot to talk about: Dondra. It’s a reef break that’s inconsistent, so don’t count on a steady lineup. The water is sitting at 82°F, which is about average for the time of year, so nothing strange there. We start on Friday, August 7th, with some decent size – around 5 ft from the south – but that cross-off wind keeps things a bit messy. The combined swell energy is pumping at 1964, so there’s plenty of power, but with a 14-second period, it’s a long-period groundswell that can make this reef a little straight. Not a standout day.
Saturday the 8th brings similar size, about 6 ft, with an even longer 16-second period, and again that cross-off wind. The energy is strong at 2055 in the morning, but those “marginal” vibes linger.
Sunday the 9th drops a bit in the morning to 3 ft, but the afternoon picks back up to 6 ft with a 17-second period and strong energy (2234). Still, the wind stays cross-off. It’s clean, but the inconsistency and long period make it a trickier session.
Monday the 10th through to Thursday the 13th is a slow patch, with waves mostly between 3 ft and 5 ft. Energy drops off hard – down to 626 and 648 by Thursday. Winds stay cross-off, but Wednesday the 12th gets a cross wind with some cross-chop, which isn’t ideal. Thursday the 13th’s early session is a real dud.
From Friday the 14th to Monday the 17th, it’s a grind. Swell heights bounce from 3 ft to 5 ft, with the lowest on Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th. Energy gets as weak as 494. Not your time.
Now, things get interesting. Tuesday the 18th of August shows a jump to 7 ft from the SSW, an 18-second period, and massive energy (3632). Winds are cross-off but steady. This is the first real sign of something, and by Wednesday the 19th of August, it peaks: 8 ft from the SSW, an 18-second period, and huge energy (6293). That’s a serious groundswell, clean, but that size is expert territory – not for beginners. This Wednesday morning looks like the best on offer, a true standout if you’ve got the skills.
Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st taper off a bit, with 8 ft to 6 ft swell and solid energy, but wind stays cross-off. By Saturday the 22nd, we’re back to smaller, weaker surf.
So, bottom line: the first week and a half is average, with that inconsistent, long-period swell making things tough. The standout is Wednesday the 19th of August morning – a big, clean 8 ft SSW groundswell with massive energy, but only for the experts. Keep an eye on that one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Fri afternoon, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 14 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 16 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 20 | S 19 | S 18 | S 18 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1042 | 946 | 1855 | 1632 | 1571 | 425 | 1929 | 620 | 636 | 1143 | 567 | 1255 | 921 | 871 | 535 | 388 | 407 | 446 | 373 | 497 | |
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 | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:31PM0.27m | 10:23AM0.39m | 00:37AM0.27m | 12:23PM0.42m | 1:23AM0.33m | 1:15PM0.47m | 1:56AM0.40m | 1:52PM0.51m | 2:27AM0.46m | 2:24PM0.53m | 2:58AM0.50m | 2:53PM0.54m | 3:27AM0.54m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:03PM0.26m | 1:06AM0.20m | 7:02PM0.21m | 5:11AM0.23m | 7:28PM0.15m | 6:48AM0.18m | 7:54PM0.10m | 7:38AM0.13m | 8:20PM0.05m | 8:17AM0.09m | 8:46PM0.01m | 8:52AM0.07m | 9:12PM-0.02m | |||||||
— | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | — | 2 | 5 | 2 | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 26 |
Feels °C | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 13 | S 16 | S 15 | S 16 | S 11 | S 17 | S 12 | S 11 | S 14 | S 10 | S 13 | S 18 | S 18 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 |
1042 | 633 | 1855 | 1632 | 1571 | 275 | 1929 | 449 | 375 | 1143 | 302 | 810 | 921 | 871 | 535 | 388 | 407 | 446 | 373 | 497 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 17 | — | S 18 | S 19 | SSW 14 | SSW 26 | S 16 | S 15 | SSW 22 | S 13 | S 19 | S 12 | SSE 11 | S 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 6 | SSW 15 | S 20 |
635 | 946 | — | 224 | 179 | 425 | 66 | 620 | 636 | 526 | 440 | 1255 | 371 | 249 | 412 | 226 | 144 | 38 | 144 | 276 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 14 | — | S 18 | — | S 18 | SSW 26 | SSW 24 | SSW 23 | SSE 23 | SSW 20 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | SSW 16 | S 16 | SW 12 | SSW 15 | SSE 20 | SW 17 |
— | 4 | — | 224 | — | 398 | 66 | 187 | 301 | 107 | 567 | 229 | 268 | 199 | 326 | 239 | 36 | 142 | 131 | 77 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | 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 10 | W 10 | WSW 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 |
287 | 272 | 200 | 170 | 193 | 176 | 173 | 151 | 86 | 123 | 99 | 95 | 78 | 50 | 233 | 260 | 111 | 69 | 127 | 156 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 167 | 175 | 167 | 174 | 175 | 174 | 167 | 175 | 174 | 395 | 175 | 676 | 395 | 390 | 676 | 395 | 175 | 167 | 174 | 176 |
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.











