Dondra Surf Break

Lat Long: 5.92° N 80.60° E

Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 21 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Dondra sea temperature is
27.7° C
0.1° 

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


Dondra surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 17s period, S swell with 2,097 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 1.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (+0530) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 5AM (Sat 22nd Aug)6ft (1.9m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, the first thing to say is that the surf is pretty marginal across the whole 16-day window. There’s no true standout, no day that screams “get in the water now.” The waves are there, but they’re a bit of a faff – think modest swell, onshore-cross winds a lot of the time, and the constant threat of thunderstorms. It’s one of those periods where you’ll be checking the sky as much as the ocean.

We’re starting off with Dondra, a reef break that’s more for the intermediate crew. The water is sitting at 82°, which is bang on average for the time of year, so no worries about a chilly session. The first real action kicks off on Friday the 21st of August. We’ve got a 6 ft swell from the SSW, with a period of 14 seconds, and the wind is a cross-off from the W at 16 mph. The combined energy is moderate (1343). It’s clean, but the forecast says “marginal.” The same goes for Saturday the 22nd – a touch bigger at 6 ft, a 15-second period, still cross-off W wind, but it’s a bit of a tease. The energy is a bit stronger (1741), but it’s still just a “2” or “3” kind of session.

We hit a bit of a lull on Sunday the 23rd. The swell drops to 5 ft from the S, period shortens to 13-14 seconds, and the wind swings WSW, giving us a messy cross-shore chop. Not great. Monday the 24th is smaller again, 3 ft to 4 ft, but the cross-off wind cleans it up. The energy is weak to moderate (939). It’s rideable but unremarkable.

The second half of the week into the weekend stays in this same pattern. Tuesday the 25th has a bit of size (5 ft) but the cross-shore wind messes it up. Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th see a bit more pulse – 6 ft from the SSW with a long 17-second period, and the energy jumps to strong (2921) on Thursday morning. The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean. Could be a decent session if you’re keen, but the forecast still calls it marginal. The long period (17 seconds) is a double-edged sword at a reef break like Dondra – it’ll mean more energy but also longer waits between sets.

We then get a drop in energy over the weekend of the 29th and 30th, with the swell fading to 4 ft and the energy dropping to moderate (530). It’s a bit of a snooze.

Now, the real interesting part comes at the turn of the month. Monday the 31st of August has a solid 6 ft swell from the SSW, but it’s the 8 ft that follows on Tuesday the 1st of September that catches the eye. That’s a serious 8 ft swell from the SSW, with a 17-second period, and the combined energy is very strong (4155). The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean. This is for the experienced crew only – 8 ft is big, especially for a reef. Wednesday the 2nd of September holds similar size (8 ft) but the wind goes cross-shore, adding some chop. Thursday the 3rd drops back to 5 ft from the S, with a shorter 12-second period and cross-shore wind.

After that, from the 4th of September, the swell fades away. Friday the 4th is 5 ft from the SSE, period drops to 11 seconds, and the energy is moderate (702). By Saturday the 5th, the energy is weak (436) and the forecast calls it “poor.” It’s a real tail-off. The 16-day window ends with a whimper.

So, if you’re asking me for the best session, I’d say keep your eyes on Monday the 31st of August and Tuesday the 1st of September. That’s where the size and power are. But be warned – the 1st of September has a big swell (8 ft) and a long period, and the wind is clean. It’s a proper groundswell event. The rest of the time is a bit of a grind. Good luck, and don't forget to check the storms.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
2
3
3
2
2
3
2
3
3
1
2
1
2
2
3
2
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
SSW
14
1.6
S
14
1.2
S
17
1.7
S
15
1.8
S
15
1.6
S
14
1.5
S
14
1.5
S
13
1.3
S
13
0.9
SSW
17
1.2
SSW
16
1.6
S
15
1.6
S
15
1.2
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
13
1.2
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
15
1.8
SSW
17
1.4
SSW
17
1.9
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1257
1063
809
1225
1428
1014
843
782
573
499
778
1200
1108
549
232
724
525
644
1929
1108
1644
Wind (km/h)
25
W
25
W
20
W
25
W
20
W
20
W
25
WSW
20
WSW
20
W
25
W
20
W
20
W
25
WSW
20
W
20
W
25
WSW
20
W
20
W
25
WSW
20
W
20
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
5:00PM0.29m
7:24AM0.33m
2:42AM0.29m
12:37PM0.37m
1:47AM0.33m
1:07PM0.42m
1:52AM0.38m
1:32PM0.47m
2:07AM0.42m
1:56PM0.50m
2:26AM0.47m
2:19PM0.53m
2:47AM0.51m
Low Tide
12:41PM0.26m
11:06PM0.22m
8:17PM0.22m
6:15AM0.27m
7:39PM0.17m
6:58AM0.22m
7:46PM0.13m
7:25AM0.17m
8:01PM0.08m
7:50AM0.13m
8:19PM0.04m
8:15AM0.09m
8:37PM0.01m
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
<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
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:19
6:17
6:17
6:17
6:16
6:16
6:15
 mm
5
3
3
3
2
2
4
1
4
3
3
5
Temp °C
28
28
26
29
29
26
28
28
26
29
29
26
27
27
25
28
28
26
27
28
26
Feels °C
29
28
27
29
29
28
28
28
28
30
29
28
28
27
27
28
28
28
29
29
28
  • 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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