Dondra Surf Break

Lat Long: 5.92° N 80.60° E

Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Dondra sea temperature is
28.0° 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 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, S swell with 1,564 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period with SSW 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 1.2m 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 1.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (+0530) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 21st Jul)4ft (1.2m) 14s
Best Surf11PM (Tue 21st Jul)4ft (1.2m) 14s
Most Powerful 5PM (Mon 20th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s in store for Dondra over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag on the cards. The first week or so is looking pretty average, nothing to get too excited about. The real standout, the one that’s got my attention, is that pulse of energy arriving right at the end of the forecast window. For now, we’re looking at a long run of marginal conditions, with a few days of weak, short-period slop in the middle that isn’t worth paddling for.

The first real surfable window kicks off on Sunday, July 19th. Dondra is a reef break, and it’s been inconsistent, so we’ll need a bit of luck. The swell is coming from the SSW at 3 ft with a 13-second period, and the combined energy is moderate (461). The wind is a cross-offshore breeze from the W at 12 mph, which should keep the surface clean. Water temp is a warm 82°, which is about 0.5° above normal, so pretty average for the time of year. It’s not a total loss, but the forecast calls it marginal, and I’m leaning that way.

Moving into Monday, July 20th, the swell builds to 4 ft from the S with a longer 18-second period, and the energy jumps up to 1481 (moderate). Cross-off wind again. The afternoon sees the swell push to 5.6 ft from the S with a 16-second period, and energy ramps up to 1904. This is a legitimate groundswell, but it’s still being called marginal. The wind stays clean, but the quality might be off.

Tuesday, July 21st holds around 5 ft from the S with a 15-second period, energy at 1222. The wind is clean and cross-off. It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about.

From Wednesday, July 22nd through to Saturday, July 25th, things get a bit choppy. The swell drops back to 3 ft – 3.6 ft, and the wind turns more cross-shore. The energy drops into the low hundreds, with cross-chop showing up. The scores are bottoming out. This is a real dry spell, and honestly, this stretch is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Sunday, July 26th shows a small improvement. Swell is 4.3 ft – 4.6 ft from the SE with an 11-second period, and the energy is up around 900 (moderate). The wind is cross-off again, keeping it clean. Still marginal, but a better call than the midweek slop.

Things get a bit more interesting starting Monday, July 27th through Thursday, July 30th. Swell is mostly 2.6 ft – 3.6 ft from the SSW, with periods stretching from 12 to 18 seconds. The energy is moderate, topping out at 1117 on the afternoon of the 30th. The wind is cross-off and clean. It’s still marginal, but the longer period suggests deeper, more powerful lines for Dondra’s reef. Crowds are possible here, as it’s sometimes busy.

Now, the real standout. Friday, July 31st, the swell starts to kick. We’re looking at 4.6 ft from the SSW with a 16-second period in the morning, energy at 1526. The afternoon holds 4.3 ft from the SSW with a 15-second period, and the energy jumps to 1747. Wind is a clean 16 mph cross-off. This is the best call of the first week.

Then, rolling into Saturday, August 1st, the energy really gets cooking. Swell is 3.6 ft from the SSW with an 18-second period, and the combined energy is a strong 2113. The afternoon swell jumps to 5.2 ft from the SSW with a 15-second period, energy at 1982. Clean cross-off wind. This is a solid, long-period groundswell aimed right at the optimum direction for Dondra. The reef will handle this well, and the long period will mean long, clean lines with less paddle battle between sets. This is your best bet.

Finally, Sunday, August 2nd and Monday, August 3rd bring the biggest swell of the whole run. We’re seeing 8.2 ft – 9.8 ft from the W with a short 9-second period. The energy is very strong (over 2000), but the period is short. At 9.8 ft, this is for experts only. The short period will make these waves fat and dumpy, and less likely to peel nicely on the reef. It’s a big, powerful, messy wall of water. The wind is cross-off, so it’ll be clean, but the quality is likely to be poor. This one is for the big wave chargers, not the casual surfer.

So, to sum it up: the best window is Saturday, August 1st at Dondra. The swell direction is spot on, the period is long, the energy is strong, and the wind is offshore. It’s a long way out, so take it with a pinch of salt, but that’s the one to circle on the calendar. The earlier days are rideable, but nothing compared to that late-July, early-Aug

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 29°C on Wed afternoon, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
3
3
3
3
2
1
2
2
0
0
1
0
1
2
0
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
13
1.2
S
18
1.7
S
16
1.3
S
16
1.5
S
15
1.4
SSW
14
1.1
SSW
14
1.2
S
13
1.2
S
13
1.1
S
12
0.9
S
10
0.9
SSE
10
0.6
SSW
16
0.7
SW
15
1.1
SSE
9
1.1
SSE
10
0.9
SSW
16
1.3
SSE
10
1
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
285
303
881
1564
858
978
834
465
498
490
344
151
160
164
220
214
235
382
314
389
Wind (km/h)
20
W
20
W
25
W
20
W
20
W
20
W
25
W
15
W
20
WSW
20
W
15
W
20
WSW
20
WSW
15
WSW
20
WSW
20
WSW
15
W
25
WSW
20
W
15
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
High Tide
5:07PM0.46m
6:01AM0.46m
5:35PM0.41m
6:36AM0.43m
6:04PM0.37m
7:16AM0.40m
6:36PM0.32m
8:19AM0.37m
7:42PM0.27m
10:33AM0.36m
00:35AM0.28m
12:16PM0.39m
1:26AM0.32m
Low Tide
11:30PM0.05m
11:56AM0.18m
11:58PM0.09m
12:35PM0.21m
00:25AM0.13m
1:30PM0.24m
00:55AM0.18m
3:41PM0.26m
1:50AM0.23m
6:49PM0.22m
5:10AM0.24m
7:26PM0.18m
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<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
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:25
6:25
6:25
6:25
6:25
6:25
6:25
 mm
2
4
2
1
2
1
1
Temp °C
29
26
28
28
26
29
30
27
30
29
27
29
29
26
29
29
27
29
29
27
Feels °C
29
28
28
28
28
29
30
30
31
29
30
30
29
29
30
29
30
29
28
29
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  • 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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