Dondra Surf Break

Lat Long: 5.92° N 80.60° E

Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Dondra sea temperature is
27.9° 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 20 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, S swell with 1,265 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. 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 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) 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 1.2m 5s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (+0530) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 22nd Jul)4ft (1.2m) 13s
Best Surf 5AM (Wed 22nd Jul)4ft (1.2m) 13s
Most Powerful 5AM (Tue 21st Jul)5ft (1.6m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next couple of weeks at Dondra are a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got a solid run of swell, but the conditions are always ‘marginal’ with that cross-off wind, and the scores are pretty average. The best of the lot is kicking off the period, and there’s a couple of bigger pulses later on that look promising, but it’s never going to be perfect.

The first real standout is Monday the 20th of July. We’ve got a 6ft south swell with a 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell, lots of energy in the water. The combined energy is a solid 1708, so you’ll feel the push. The wind is cross-off from the west at 12 mph, and the water is a warm 82°, which is pretty much average for the time of year. For a reef break like Dondra, that long period should wrap in nicely, but it’s inconsistent here, so don’t expect a set every minute. The crowds are sometimes a thing, so you might have a few friends out. This is the best on offer early on.

Tuesday the 21st is still okay, with a 5ft south swell (15-second period, 1234 energy) in the morning, dropping to 5ft from the SSW (14-second period, 1069 energy) in the afternoon. The wind stays cross-off from the west, so it’s rideable, but nothing special.

Then things taper off. Wednesday the 22nd sees the swell drop to 4ft, and the wind turns cross-shore, bringing a bit of chop. Thursday and Friday are smaller, with heights under 3ft and periods dropping, so the energy is weak (321 and 289). Not worth paddling out for.

The weekend of the 25th and 26th has a small bump back to 3ft from the SSW, but the period is good (15-16 seconds), so there’s some shape. Still, the energy is moderate (836 and 994), and with that cross-off wind, it’s clean but small.

Now, look ahead to the end of the month and into August. The 29th of July has a 3ft SSW swell with a 20-second period – that’s a very long period groundswell. The energy picks up to 1304, and it’s clean with cross-off wind. For a reef break, that long period could be a dream, but it’s inconsistent, and the swell height is small. Not a standout, but an interesting one.

The big pulse comes on the 31st of July and into the 1st of August. On the 31st morning, we’ve got a 6ft SSW swell (16-second period, 2067 energy), and the combined energy is strong. The wind is a fresh breeze from the west, so it’s a bit stronger but still cross-off. By the 1st of August morning, it’s 7ft from the SSW (16-second period, 2530 energy). That’s getting into the range where it’s only for experienced surfers – over 8ft and it’s expert-only, but this is just under. The energy is very strong (2530). The wind is fresh again, but cross-off, so it’ll be clean. This is the second standout – a proper, powerful swell for those who know what they’re doing.

After that, it slowly drops off through the 2nd and 3rd of August, with heights around 4ft to 5ft, and then on the 4th of August, another pulse hits: 6ft from the SSW (18-second period, 2747 energy). That’s a very strong energy level, and the wind is back to a moderate breeze cross-off. This is a third promising window, but it’s far out, so keep an eye on it.

The biggest issue across the whole period is that every session is marked as ‘marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions.’ The wind is never truly offshore, just cross-off or cross-shore, so it’s never glassy. The best you’ll get is clean, but not perfect. If you’re waiting for a classic day, you might be disappointed, but there’s enough swell to get wet if you’re keen.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
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
3
2
1
2
1
0
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
3
1
2
2
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
S
16
1.3
S
16
1.5
S
15
1.4
SSW
14
1.3
S
14
1.2
S
13
1.2
S
13
1.1
S
12
0.7
SSW
12
0.9
S
10
0.6
SSW
16
0.7
SW
15
0.7
SW
14
1.1
SSE
10
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
1.5
SSE
11
1.5
SSE
11
1.3
SE
11
1.2
SE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1564
858
978
834
618
498
490
344
145
151
164
220
214
235
382
372
533
533
368
296
Wind (km/h)
20
W
20
W
25
W
25
W
15
W
25
WSW
20
WSW
15
W
25
WSW
20
W
15
W
20
WSW
20
W
15
W
25
WSW
20
W
20
W
25
W
25
W
20
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
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
1:06PM0.43m
1:55AM0.35m
Low Tide
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
6:39AM0.21m
7:54PM0.14m
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
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
<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
1
1
1
Temp °C
28
26
29
30
27
29
30
27
29
29
27
29
30
27
29
29
27
29
29
27
Feels °C
28
28
29
30
29
29
30
29
30
29
30
30
30
30
29
29
29
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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