Dondra Surf Break

Lat Long: 5.92° N 80.60° E

Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 31 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Dondra sea temperature is
28.2°C
0.5° 

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


Dondra surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with 2,475 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period with S swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:

The surf forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 2.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) 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 1.3m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (+0530) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Fri 4th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 13s
Best Surf 5AM (Fri 4th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 13s
Most Powerful 5AM (Tue 1st Sep)7ft (2.2m) 16s

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.

We’ve got a solid run of swell on the way, but the wind is going to be a bit of a personality. It’s not a total washout, but we’ll have to be smart about timing. The best of the action is right at the start, with the biggest combo of swell and workable wind.

We kick off on Tuesday, 1st September. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best we’ll see. Dondra is the standout. We’re looking at a clean, 7ft swell from the SSW with a long 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell, packing a lot of energy (2325). The wind is a cross-offshore from the W at 15 mph, which will keep the faces reasonably tidy. This is a reef break, so that long period will wrap in nicely. The water temp is about average for this time of year. The swell is a bit solid for beginners, but for intermediates and up, Tuesday morning is the call. It’s a spot that’s inconsistent, so when it’s on, you want to be there. Crowds are possible.

The afternoon drops slightly to 6ft, but still clean and solid. Wednesday the 2nd sees the swell dip a little to 5ft, but the wind swings more cross-shore, which will put a bit of a chop on it. Thursday is similar, with a bit of a cross-off breeze improving the afternoon. By Friday the 4th, the swell is dropping to 5ft, and the energy is fading (734). The wind is still a cross-off in the afternoon, keeping it cleaner than the mornings.

The weekend turns poor. Saturday the 5th is small and weak, with the swell dropping to 4ft and the period getting short. Sunday the 6th is a write-off – 3ft or less, messy wind, and poor conditions. Monday the 7th is the same. We’ve got a gap of a few days with no real recommendations from the 6th through the 7th.

Things pick up slightly on Tuesday the 8th, but it’s small. The real interest comes back on Thursday the 10th. The swell builds again to 4ft but with a very long 19-second period (1142 energy). The wind is a clean cross-offshore, but it’s a fresh 19 mph. The waves will be clean and lined up for the reef, but the wind will be stiff. Friday the 11th looks better, with the swell up to 5ft, again from the SSW with a 16-second period. The cross-off wind is a bit lighter at 15 mph, making for cleaner conditions. This is a solid second option for the period.

The second week sees a slow decline. Saturday the 12th holds at 5ft, Sunday the 13th at 5ft, and then it fades through Monday and Tuesday the 14th and 15th. By Wednesday the 16th, we’re back to small, weak swell (3ft) with a long 16-second period, but the energy is just too low to get excited about.

Bottom line: Tuesday the 1st is your best bet. Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th are worth a look if you’re keen, but the wind will be a factor. The rest is a bit of a gamble.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 29°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
3
2
2
3
2
3
2
1
2
2
1
1
2
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SSW
16
2.1
SSW
16
1.8
SSW
16
1.6
SSW
16
1.6
SSW
15
1.7
SSW
15
1.7
SSW
14
1.6
SSW
14
1.7
S
13
1.6
S
13
1.4
SSW
13
1.3
S
12
1.2
S
11
1.2
S
10
1.2
S
10
1.1
S
10
1
SSE
10
0.6
SSW
15
1
SSE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2748
2128
1671
1241
1110
1145
1223
1032
1034
862
669
472
329
320
302
240
197
176
214
Wind (km/h)
20
W
25
W
25
W
20
W
25
WSW
20
WSW
15
W
25
WSW
20
W
15
W
25
WSW
20
W
15
W
25
WSW
20
W
15
W
20
WSW
20
WSW
15
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
4:21AM0.57m
4:18PM0.48m
4:48AM0.54m
4:41PM0.44m
5:16AM0.50m
5:02PM0.38m
5:48AM0.45m
5:15PM0.33m
6:32AM0.38m
3:53PM0.27m
11:28AM0.35m
1:19AM0.31m
Low Tide
10:01PM-0.01m
10:29AM0.06m
10:23PM0.02m
10:58AM0.10m
10:45PM0.06m
11:29AM0.15m
11:06PM0.11m
12:05PM0.21m
11:21PM0.17m
1:47PM0.27m
10:31PM0.23m
7:11PM0.20m
clear
clear
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
thunderstorm
part cloud
clear
thunderstorm
part cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:14
6:14
6:13
6:13
6:12
6:12
 mm
3
2
1
1
1
1
2
Temp °C
27
29
29
27
28
28
26
29
29
26
29
29
27
29
29
27
29
29
27
Feels °C
29
29
28
29
28
28
28
30
29
28
29
29
30
29
29
30
30
29
30
  • 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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