Dondra Surf Break

Lat Long: 5.92° N 80.60° E

Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 15 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Dondra sea temperature is
28.0° C
0.2° 

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


Dondra surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, S swell with 1,515 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.2m and 10s 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 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (+0530) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 20th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s
Best Surf 8PM (Mon 20th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s
Most Powerful 8PM (Mon 20th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Dondra. This is a reef break that’s exposed to the swell, but it’s inconsistent, meaning it’s picky about when it turns on. Straight up, the next week and a bit is a bit of a grind. We’ve got a long gap with no real shouters, so you’ll be waiting a while for anything worth getting excited about.

The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual there.

Thursday 16th and Friday 17th are both pretty average. We’re looking at a 3ft to 4ft SW swell with a solid 14-second period, which is a nice groundswell. The wind is a cross-offshore breeze out of the west at 15 mph, which will keep the surface clean. But the energy is only moderate (817 and 537), and the tide or conditions are just off. It’s surfable, but not a standout.

The weekend drops off even more. Saturday 18th is a write-off with 3ft and poor conditions. Sunday 19th sees a bump in size to 4ft to 5ft, but the period drops to 9-10 seconds, and the wind is still cross-off. The energy is still moderate (608 and 782), but it’s a bit of a messy mix.

Monday 20th is where things get interesting, but there’s a catch. The swell jumps to 4ft in the morning and 5ft in the afternoon, coming from the south with a very long 18-second period. That’s proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy is strong (1499 and 1701). The problem is the wind swings to a cross-shore, creating a cross-chop. For a reef, that long-period swell is a dream, but the chop will ruin the surface. It’s for the experts only, and even then, it’s a battle.

Tuesday 21st is the best of the early week. The swell holds at 5ft to 5ft from the south, with a 14-15 second period. The wind goes back to a cross-offshore breeze in the afternoon, giving us clean waves. The energy is still strong (1284 to 1138). This is the best session of the first week, but with the break being inconsistent, you’ll need to be on it.

After that, it drops off again. Wednesday 22nd through Saturday 25th sees the swell fade to 2ft to 4ft, with periods dropping. The wind is mostly cross or cross-off, but the energy is weak to moderate. It’s not really worth the paddle. Sunday 26th is a slight blip with 3ft from the SSW, but it’s still only marginal.

Now, the real standout is in the second week, and it’s a long-range call so keep that in mind. Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th look promising. On the 29th, we’ve got a 3ft SSW swell with an 18-second period, clean cross-off winds, and moderate energy (1167 to 1062). It’s small but lined up. Then on Thursday 30th, the afternoon session sees a 4ft SSW swell with a ridiculous 24-second period. The combined energy jumps to 2450 – that’s strong, very strong. The wind is still cross-off. For a reef, that is a dream. The sets will be long and clean, but the wave will be powerful. That is the pick of the entire forecast, but it’s a long way off, so don’t book your flights yet.

Friday 31st continues the theme with a 5ft SSW swell, 20-second period, and energy of 2822. Again, cross-off wind. The size is getting up there, so it’s for the experienced crew.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is a grind with only Tuesday 21st afternoon offering a decent, clean window. The best on offer is the Thursday 30th afternoon session with the massive 24-second period, and Wednesday 29th is a solid backup. The inconsistency of Dondra means you have to be patient, but when it does line up, it’s worth it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

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

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 26°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wed
22
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
4
2
3
2
1
1
Swell
Height Map
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
16
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1
SSW
14
1
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
13
1.4
W
10
0.9
SSW
13
1.2
S
18
1.6
S
16
1.7
S
16
1.6
S
15
1.5
S
14
1.4
SSW
13
1.2
S
13
1.1
S
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
425
482
482
482
437
431
347
294
277
277
264
354
307
881
1398
1477
1108
951
722
498
414
Wind (km/h)
20
W
25
W
25
W
20
W
25
W
25
W
25
W
25
W
25
W
20
W
25
W
25
W
20
W
20
WSW
20
WSW
15
W
20
WSW
20
W
15
W
20
WSW
20
W
Wind State
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
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
3:43AM0.48m
3:39PM0.53m
4:19AM0.49m
4:09PM0.52m
4:54AM0.49m
4:39PM0.49m
5:28AM0.48m
5:07PM0.46m
6:01AM0.46m
5:35PM0.41m
6:36AM0.43m
6:04PM0.37m
7:16AM0.40m
6:36PM0.32m
Low Tide
9:33PM0.02m
9:34AM0.09m
10:04PM0.01m
10:11AM0.10m
10:33PM0.01m
10:46AM0.12m
11:02PM0.02m
11:21AM0.15m
11:30PM0.05m
11:56AM0.18m
11:58PM0.09m
12:35PM0.21m
00:25AM0.13m
1:30PM0.24m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:00
6:00
6:00
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
1
1
2
2
2
Temp °C
27
29
29
27
28
29
26
29
29
27
28
29
27
29
29
27
29
29
27
29
29
Feels °C
29
29
29
29
28
28
27
29
28
28
27
28
29
29
29
30
30
29
30
30
29
  • Map Icons:
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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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