
Surf Forecasts:
Dondra surf forecast from 6 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SSW swell with 906 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 1.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 2PM. 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 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dondra over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get into this.
So, the main call for this region is Dondra. Water’s sitting at about 83°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year – nothing unusual there.
The first surf shows up on the morning of Monday, July 6th. We’re looking at a clean 5ft swell out of the west with a 10-second period. That combined energy is at 862 (moderate energy). There’s a 15 mph cross-off wind coming out of the west, keeping things tidy. Not a massive start, but it’s rideable. The morning of Tuesday the 7th picks up a bit with a 5ft swell, an 11-second period, and energy jumping to 1128 – that’s more like it.
The standout session in this first run looks like the afternoon of Wednesday, July 8th. The swell drops a little to 5ft, but it turns to the SSW and the period stretches to 14 seconds. The wave energy reads a solid 1332. That’s a proper groundswell for Dondra’s reef, and with that 15 mph cross-off wind, it’s going to be clean. Not huge, but quality.
After that, things get quiet through the middle of July. From the 13th onward, we’re looking at tiny 2ft to 3ft swells with very long periods up to 21 seconds – classic groundswell, but just not enough size.
Then, around the 18th and 19th of July, the surf wakes back up. The morning of Saturday the 18th shows a 5ft SSW swell with an 18-second period and 1206 energy (strong). But the real gem is Saturday afternoon: a 5ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and a combined energy of 1547. The wind drops to a gentle 9 mph cross-off breeze out of the west. That’s glassy conditions, and it should be smooth, lined-up waves for the intermediates. Sunday the 19th morning is also solid with a 6ft swell and that same clean breeze, though the period drops to 15 seconds.
Remember, Dondra is a reef break that’s inconsistent, so don’t expect a constant barrage. But when that long-period SSW lights up with light wind, it’s the pick of the pack. You might have some company, but it’s worth it.
After the 20th, it fades again, with some risk of thunderstorms. The overall window has a couple of real high points with some quiet in between.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
474 | 417 | 443 | 566 | 646 | 556 | 505 | 711 | 505 | 565 | 894 | 784 | 778 | 778 | 721 | 676 | 651 | 580 | 472 | 459 | 429 | |
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 | 5:48PM0.42m | 6:49AM0.44m | 6:27PM0.37m | 7:46AM0.43m | 7:21PM0.32m | 9:05AM0.43m | 9:02PM0.28m | 10:42AM0.44m | 11:27PM0.28m | 12:05PM0.46m | 00:51AM0.32m | 1:04PM0.50m | 1:44AM0.37m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:58AM0.17m | 00:12AM0.09m | 12:53PM0.20m | 00:49AM0.12m | 2:12PM0.22m | 1:39AM0.15m | 4:15PM0.23m | 3:00AM0.18m | 6:09PM0.19m | 4:52AM0.18m | 7:10PM0.15m | 6:19AM0.16m | 7:52PM0.11m | ||||||||
5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
— | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 30 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 11 | SSW 16 | W 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
143 | 140 | 135 | 392 | 279 | 279 | 465 | 711 | 497 | 565 | 894 | 675 | 778 | 778 | 572 | 444 | 367 | 417 | 304 | 319 | 371 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 16 | S 15 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSW 13 | SSE 9 | SSW 15 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
245 | 226 | 220 | 124 | 88 | 330 | 205 | 68 | 158 | 361 | 96 | 784 | 48 | 48 | 52 | 36 | 35 | 41 | 41 | 29 | 28 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 12 | S 18 | S 16 | S 17 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | S 17 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSE 9 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 24 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 20 |
— | 58 | 58 | 46 | 220 | 66 | 66 | 12 | 351 | 432 | 33 | 68 | 31 | 49 | 47 | 81 | 75 | 11 | 54 | 33 | 81 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 |
474 | 417 | 443 | 566 | 646 | 556 | 505 | 541 | 505 | 403 | 565 | 485 | 773 | 773 | 721 | 676 | 651 | 580 | 472 | 459 | 429 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 41 | 895 | 175 | 167 | 167 | 174 | 125 | 149 | 125 | 788 | 174 | 175 | 174 | 395 | 175 | 174 | 788 | 175 | 174 | 395 | 175 |
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.










