Dondra Surf Break

Lat Long: 5.92° N 80.60° E

Dondra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 01 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 1 Aug 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 18s period, S swell with 2,765 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dondra this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Dondra in the next 16 days are 2.1m 18s 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)7ft (2.1m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Dondra.

Straight up, the next two weeks are a bit of a mixed bag. The wind is gonna be a constant headache. It’s mostly coming from the west to west-northwest, which is a cross-offshore breeze here, and it’s blowing fresh, like 15 to 22 mph. That’s going to put a ruffle on the surface, but it won’t be completely blown out. The plus side is the water is warm, sitting at 83°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year.

We kick off on Saturday, August 1st, with a solid 10ft swell from the west. The energy is pumping through the roof, reading 2129 (combined energy), but with that wind and the risk of thunderstorms, it’s far from perfect. The period is 9 seconds, so it’s a bit of a junky wind swell, not the cleanest lines. It stays big through Sunday and Monday, tapering off a touch, but still over 7ft.

Around Tuesday, August 4th, the swell drops to a more manageable 5ft, and we get a nice shift in direction to the SSW. The period jumps to 16 seconds, which is proper groundswell. This is a glimmer of hope. The energy is still substantial (1645), but the wind is still a moderate to fresh cross-off. For a reef break like Dondra, that long period swell is a dream, but the wind will keep it from being completely glassy. The consistency is inconsistent here, so don’t expect non-stop sets, but when they come, they’ll be solid.

The period gets even longer later in the week. Check out Wednesday, August 5th, afternoon: 4ft from the SSW with a 19-second period. That’s a very long period groundswell. The energy is still high (2025). The problem is the wind is still cross-off, and we’ve got the risk of a thunderstorm. It’s a worthwhile check for a dedicated surfer who knows the reef, but it’s not a beginner-friendly day at 4ft, even though it’s not huge, the long period can make the sets sweep through.

The end of the first week and into the second week sees a consistent, but messy, pattern. The swell hangs around 5ft to 7ft, direction moves from SSW to S, and the period stays solidly long, between 14 and 17 seconds. The wind is relentless, though. Every day is a cross-off breeze at 15-19 mph. The combined energy is often in the high 1000s to 2000s, meaning there’s definitely power in the water.

The standout call? It’s a tough one. If I had to pick, the morning of Tuesday, August 11th, looks promising. The swell is 5ft from the south, with a 20-second period. That’s incredibly long period energy. The combined energy reading is 3084, which is massive. It’s a promise of deep, powerful waves. The wind is still 19 mph cross-off, which is a bummer, but for a reef break, that long period is the key. It’s going to be for experts only, as the power and the reef won’t forgive mistakes. The crowds are “sometimes” here, so you might have a few out, but with that wind, it might keep the numbers down.

Beyond that, into the second week, the swell fades. By Saturday, August 15th, it’s down to 2ft to 2ft with very low energy (759-822). The period is still long (16-20 seconds), but there’s just not enough height to make it worthwhile. The 16th gives a little bump back to 3ft, but it’s still a waiting game.

Honestly, if you’re a kite surfer, this whole forecast looks more interesting. That constant cross-off wind and healthy swell energy would be a dream. For a paddle surfer, it’s a case of picking the windows with the best period and accepting the wind. The long period swells are the story here, but they are best suited to a surfer who knows Dondra’s reef. It’s not a blank run, but it’s not a classic one either.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 47mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 23°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 28°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Tue morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
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)
3
W
9
3
W
10
3
W
9
2.5
W
9
2.1
W
10
1.9
W
10
2.1
W
10
2.2
W
10
1.3
SSW
17
1.4
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
16
1.4
SSW
15
1.4
SSW
15
1.1
SSW
19
1.7
SSW
18
1.6
SSW
17
1.7
SSW
16
1.7
S
16
1.6
S
14
1.6
S
14
1.4
S
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1232
1504
1232
955
890
789
918
986
1003
998
848
845
845
959
1874
1450
1531
1404
1057
1042
659
Wind (km/h)
35
WNW
30
WNW
35
WNW
30
WNW
25
WNW
25
W
30
W
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
30
WNW
30
WNW
25
W
25
W
30
W
25
W
30
W
25
W
25
W
25
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-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
3:55PM0.54m
4:28AM0.51m
4:21PM0.52m
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
Low Tide
9:53AM0.08m
10:14PM0.00m
10:23AM0.08m
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
thunderstorm
light rain
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
light rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
mod rain
thunderstorm
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>
6:24
6:24
6:23
6:23
6:23
6:23
6:22
 mm
11
3
2
25
4
2
1
3
1
1
6
2
2
2
2
2
7
Temp °C
25
25
26
28
28
27
25
25
26
27
27
26
28
28
26
27
27
26
27
27
26
Feels °C
25
24
25
27
27
28
24
25
25
27
26
25
27
27
26
27
27
26
27
27
27
  • 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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