Dondra Surf Break

Lat Long: 5.92° N 80.60° E

Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 02 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Dondra sea temperature is
28.2° C
0.7° 

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


Dondra surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 17s period, S swell with 2,142 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (+0530) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful11PM (Fri 7th 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 on offer for Dondra over the next 16 days.

Right off the bat, I’ve got to be straight with you – this is a tough run of surf. The whole forecast period is filled with marginal conditions and the scores are low. We’re looking at a solid 16-day stretch, but the first real surf on the books starts on Monday the 3rd of August. The consistent theme here is a persistent cross-offshore wind from the W and WNW, blowing at 25 to 35 km/h. That’s a fresh breeze, and while it keeps the surf looking clean, it’s going to be bumpy and challenging.

The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The standout – and I use that word carefully – is probably the combination of swell and wind on the morning of Saturday the 8th of August. We’ve got a 7ft S swell with a period of 16 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, and at Dondra, a reef break, that’s a good thing. The energy is strong (2438), but the wind is still a fresh 30 km/h cross-off from the W. It’s clean, but that wind is a fight. For a confident intermediate, this is the best window. The optimum swell direction here is SW, and this S swell is close enough to do the job.

The other moment to watch is the afternoon of the 5th of August. We’ve got a 4ft SSW swell, but the period hits 19 seconds – that’s very long. The energy is high (2014), but again, that wind is blowing. For a reef break like Dondra, that long period will wrap in nicely, but the sets will be few and far between. It’s a spot that’s inconsistent anyway, so be patient.

After the 10th of August, the swell drops off and the period gets shorter. By the 12th, we’re seeing a 6ft swell from the WSW with a period of only 7 seconds – that’s short-period windswell, and it’s not going to be great. The energy drops to 900 by then. Things get a bit messy from the 14th, with cross-shore winds and chop. The 18th of August shows a tiny 3ft SSW swell with a 20-second period, but the energy is low (761) and the wind is still up.

Honestly, if you’re not an experienced surfer, this whole period is a miss. The 7ft days are too big for beginners, and the wind is relentless. If you’re a kiter, the consistent cross-off wind and clean faces might look more interesting than it does for a paddle surfer.

To sum it up: the best on offer is the morning of the 8th of August, with that 7ft S groundswell and clean but windy conditions. After that, it’s a waiting game. The forecast can always change, and it’s a run of poor surf, but it won’t last forever.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 29°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 39mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
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)
2.3
WSW
7
2
W
11
1.1
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
17
1.4
SSW
16
1.4
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
15
1.1
SSW
19
1.8
SSW
18
1.6
SSW
17
1.7
S
16
1.4
SSW
16
1.6
S
14
1.6
S
14
1.3
S
17
2
S
16
1.7
S
15
2
S
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
489
907
544
1003
998
974
736
736
959
1929
1450
1496
871
1057
1042
969
2063
1275
1978
Wind (km/h)
25
WSW
30
W
35
WNW
25
WNW
30
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
30
W
25
W
25
W
30
W
30
W
30
W
30
W
30
W
25
W
30
W
30
W
25
W
Wind State
cross
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
4:55AM0.52m
4:47PM0.48m
5:25AM0.51m
5:14PM0.44m
5:59AM0.48m
5:40PM0.38m
6:40AM0.45m
6:07PM0.33m
7:44AM0.41m
6:31PM0.27m
10:23AM0.39m
00:37AM0.27m
Low Tide
10:37PM0.01m
10:55AM0.10m
11:01PM0.03m
11:29AM0.13m
11:25PM0.06m
12:08PM0.17m
11:52PM0.10m
12:59PM0.21m
00:21AM0.15m
3:03PM0.26m
1:06AM0.20m
7:02PM0.21m
5:11AM0.23m
mod rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
mod rain
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
mod rain
<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>
6:23
6:23
6:23
6:23
6:22
6:22
 mm
8
6
4
1
2
5
2
3
4
4
4
9
4
4
8
Temp °C
27
25
25
25
27
28
27
28
29
27
28
28
26
27
27
26
27
27
26
Feels °C
27
24
24
22
25
27
26
27
28
27
28
28
26
27
27
26
27
27
26
  • 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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