
Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, WSW swell with 2,047 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 11AM. 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.
First off, the water at Dondra is sitting at about 83°, which is pretty much bang on average for the time of year – nothing to write home about on the temperature front.
The pattern shaping up is a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got a steady stream of swell, but it’s not going to be a classic. The wind is a persistent cross-off from the west, which helps keep the faces clean, but it’s got some grunt – 15 to 19 mph at times. That’s a moderate breeze, and it’s not going to be glassy, but it’s workable.
The real standout window looks like the end of July and the very start of August. The combined energy kicks up, with readings hitting 1085 and 1289 for the mornings of Friday the 31st of July and Saturday the 1st of August, and the swell holds around 4ft to 4ft from the SSW. That’s moderate wave energy, and with a period of 16 to 18 seconds, this is proper groundswell. Long period stuff like that will wrap around the reef better, giving you some grunt and shape. The wind, while still cross-off, is a touch lighter on the Friday afternoon, and the break is a reef, so those long-period lines will have a good shape. Keep in mind Dondra is an inconsistent spot, and the crowds are sometimes a factor, so you might have to share it.
Now, the first week of August brings a big spike. On Sunday the 2nd of August, it jumps to 12ft from the WSW, but the period drops to 9 seconds, and the energy is strong (2632). That’s a lot of water moving around, but it’s short-period stuff, and at that size, it’s really only for the experts. The same goes for the 3rd of August, with 8ft to 7ft from the west and a short 8-second period. Given the reef setup and the strong wind, that’s more of a beast than a treat.
After that, from the 4th of August onwards, things settle back into the 3ft to 5ft range, with the swell mostly from the SSW and periods hanging around 15 to 17 seconds, which is a good sign. The energy stays moderate to strong (in the 1000s to 1600s), so there’s plenty of push. The wind, however, stays a bit punchy, and it’s always that cross-off westerly, so it’s never truly glassy. The best bet in that second week is probably the morning of the 6th of August, with 6ft and a 17-second period – that’s a solid, long-period groundswell that will have some real power.
Overall, the best surf on offer is the Friday the 31st of July and Saturday the 1st of August. That’s your window for clean, long-period swell with manageable size. The rest of the time is either too big and short-period, or just a bit underpowered with persistent wind.
Signing off, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
284 | 251 | 226 | 196 | 291 | 277 | 400 | 346 | 376 | 497 | 395 | 452 | 447 | 854 | 817 | 788 | 778 | 537 | 2047 | 1499 | 1021 | |
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 | 1:42PM0.47m | 2:21AM0.39m | 2:11PM0.50m | 2:46AM0.42m | 2:38PM0.53m | 3:11AM0.45m | 3:04PM0.54m | 3:36AM0.48m | 3:29PM0.55m | 4:02AM0.50m | 3:55PM0.54m | 4:28AM0.51m | 4:21PM0.52m | 4:55AM0.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:19PM0.10m | 7:57AM0.14m | 8:42PM0.06m | 8:27AM0.12m | 9:05PM0.04m | 8:56AM0.09m | 9:28PM0.01m | 9:24AM0.08m | 9:51PM0.00m | 9:53AM0.08m | 10:14PM0.00m | 10:23AM0.08m | 10:37PM0.01m | ||||||||
6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | |
mm | 2 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | — | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 4 | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 14 | SE 10 | SSW 13 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 9 |
284 | 251 | 226 | 196 | 192 | 163 | 400 | 160 | 253 | 150 | 156 | 452 | 447 | 854 | 817 | 788 | 778 | 537 | 437 | 431 | 197 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 | WNW 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SE 10 | SSW 14 | SE 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | S 20 | S 18 | SSW 16 |
265 | 136 | 164 | 120 | 291 | 277 | 188 | 293 | 138 | 497 | 395 | 170 | 177 | 177 | 141 | 136 | 90 | 79 | 119 | 229 | 480 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | SSW 12 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 | WNW 9 | W 10 | WNW 9 | SSW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 11 | SSW 20 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 13 |
139 | 169 | 102 | 121 | 92 | 90 | 92 | 346 | 376 | 192 | 183 | 84 | 221 | 51 | 53 | 49 | 66 | 27 | 29 | 21 | 114 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WSW 7 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | W 9 |
64 | 94 | 160 | 130 | 109 | 98 | 110 | 170 | 202 | 220 | 203 | 233 | 240 | 207 | 219 | 213 | 284 | 373 | 2047 | 1499 | 1021 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 174 | 895 | 787 | 174 | 798 | 175 | 174 | 895 | 676 | 174 | 1775 | 175 | 167 | 41 | 41 | 746 | 174 | 125 | 167 | 174 | 125 |
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.










