
Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 21s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 17s period, S swell with 2,149 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 21s 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 21s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 11s is also forecast. Another secondary swell of 1.1m 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 1.9m 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 1.2m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 21s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a long stretch of so-so conditions at Dondra. This is a reef break that’s inconsistent, so when it’s not working, it’s a real waiting game. The water temp is sitting at 82°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first week is honestly a bit of a grind. Starting Sunday morning, August 9th, we’ve got a 5ft swell from the south with a period of 11 seconds, but the wind is a cross-shore from the WSW at 16 mph, kicking up a bit of chop. The combined energy is moderate (1402), but the surf is marginal. Through the week, the swell stays small, mostly between 3ft and 5ft, with those south and south-southeast swells. The afternoons do clean up a bit with a cross-offshore wind from the west around 12 mph, which is nice, but the size just isn’t there to get the heart pumping. Tuesday the 11th afternoon sees a 4ft south swell with a very long period of 18 seconds, but it’s just too small to make the most of that groundswell energy. For a reef break, that long period would be a dream if the size was there.
There’s a real gap in quality here. Nothing really stands out until we get into the second week. The wind stays mostly cross-offshore from the west, which is a good sign, but the swell just doesn’t have the juice.
Now, hold onto your board, because things start to get interesting around Monday the 17th. The afternoon brings a 3ft swell from the SSW, but the period jumps to 21 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell. The energy is moderate (1350), but it’s a promising sign.
The real standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, hits on Tuesday the 18th. We’ve got a solid 7ft to 8ft swell from the SSW, with a period of 18-19 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, and the combined energy is strong (3842). The wind is clean cross-offshore from the west at 16 mph. This is expert territory at over 8ft on the 21st, but for the 18th and 19th, it’s a big, powerful, clean swell. Being a reef break, this long-period SSW groundswell is going to line up beautifully. The 19th holds similar size and energy, with the 20th still seeing 7ft to 7ft. The 21st Friday morning bumps up to 8ft, and the afternoon hits 8ft from the south with a 17-second period and strong energy (3805). That Friday afternoon is the absolute peak – big, clean, and powerful. After that, it slowly drops back down through the 22nd and 23rd.
So, the best of the lot is the stretch from the 18th through the 21st. The 18th and 19th are your best bets for a solid, powerful, clean swell. The 21st afternoon is the biggest, but it’s for experts only. Crowds are a possibility at Dondra, so get out there early.
That’s the long and short of it. The first week is a write-off, but that second week fires up proper. Stay stoked.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 11 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 20 | S 19 | S 18 | S 18 | S 16 | SSW 16 | S 10 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
432 | 2149 | 620 | 636 | 1285 | 567 | 1255 | 921 | 871 | 412 | 246 | 245 | 449 | 286 | 376 | 308 | 297 | 356 | 313 | 308 | 313 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 3:20PM0.54m | 3:54AM0.55m | 3:47PM0.53m | 4:21AM0.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:23AM0.06m | 9:37PM-0.03m | 9:53AM0.06m | 10:01PM-0.02m | ||||||||
6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 26 |
Feels °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 17 | S 12 | S 11 | S 14 | S 11 | S 19 | S 11 | S 18 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 |
432 | 2149 | 520 | 382 | 1285 | 396 | 1255 | 410 | 871 | 260 | 246 | 245 | 449 | 286 | 376 | 308 | 297 | 356 | 313 | 308 | 313 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 26 | S 16 | S 15 | SSW 22 | S 13 | S 11 | S 18 | S 11 | S 12 | W 10 | W 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSE 21 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | W 10 |
425 | 66 | 620 | 636 | 526 | 440 | 351 | 921 | 291 | 220 | 188 | 168 | 142 | 144 | 141 | 261 | 226 | 196 | 146 | 146 | 68 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | SSW 26 | SSW 24 | SSW 23 | SSE 23 | SSW 20 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 16 | SSW 16 | S 11 | WSW 10 | SSW 5 | SW 17 | S 19 | S 18 | S 17 | SSE 16 | — | SW 14 |
398 | 66 | 187 | 301 | 107 | 567 | 408 | 252 | 157 | 412 | 226 | 163 | 33 | 16 | 75 | 190 | 174 | 153 | 86 | — | 100 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 6 | W 9 | W 10 | W 5 | W 6 | W 10 | SSW 6 | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 7 |
147 | 157 | 136 | 153 | 116 | 207 | 216 | 47 | 38 | 277 | 49 | — | 160 | 230 | 184 | 236 | 222 | 202 | 233 | 282 | 128 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 167 | 174 | 175 | 174 | 395 | 4 | 175 | 395 | 175 | 676 | 787 | 0 | 175 | 895 | 175 | 167 | 174 | 125 | 171 | 895 | 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.











