Lying 30 kilometers off the southwestern tip of the Jaffna Peninsula in the windswept waters of the Palk Strait, Delft Island (known in Tamil as Neduntheevu) is one of Sri Lanka’s most extraordinary, off-the-beaten-path travel adventures.
Measuring just 50 square kilometers, this flat, limestone island feels like a lost colonial outpost frozen in time: arid plains, wind-bent palmyra palms, miles of hand-stacked coral-stone fences, and herds of wild feral horses roaming free across the scrub.
1. The Rough Ferry Crossing
Reaching Delft is an adventure in itself:
- Take a scenic causeway drive from Jaffna through Kayts and Punkudutheevu to Kurikadduwan Jetty (KKD).
- Board the public passenger ferry operated by the Sri Lanka Navy for a 45-minute crossing across the choppy turquoise waters of the strait.
2. Key Curiosities of Delft
Upon arrival at the tiny harbor, hop aboard a local open-sided truck or modified tractor to explore the island’s unique curiosities:
- The Wild Feral Horses: In the 17th century, the Portuguese and Dutch colonial governors established an equestrian breeding station on Delft to supply cavalry mounts. Today, approximately 500 wild feral ponies—direct descendants of these colonial warhorses—roam the windswept eastern grasslands.
- The Giant Baobab Tree: A colossal, hollow-trunked African baobab (Adansonia digitata) planted by Arab traders over 700 years ago. Its immense trunk measures over 15 meters in circumference, with a natural hollow large enough for three adults to stand inside.
- The Dutch Fort & Dovecote: The atmospheric ruins of a two-story coral-stone fort built in the 1600s, alongside an intact limestone pigeon tower (dovecote) that once housed carrier pigeons used for naval communications between the islands.
- Coral Walls & The Growing Rock: Every residential lane is bordered by neat walls constructed entirely from hand-chiseled brain coral blocks without mortar. Visit the local Hindu shrine housing the "Growing Rock"—a sacred smooth limestone monolith believed by locals to naturally increase in height each year.
3. Practical Travel Advice
- Start Early: The main navy ferry departs KKD Jetty at 8:00 AM and the return ferry leaves Delft around 2:30 PM. Miss the afternoon boat and you will be spending the night on the island!
- Sun Protection: Delft has virtually no tree shade; bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, plenty of water, and sun cream.
- Simple Island Fare: Enjoy a humble lunch of fresh fried crab or fish with village rice at a local island home.
“Delft Island is rugged, salty, and wonderfully desolate. It feels unlike anywhere else in Sri Lanka—almost like an abandoned frontier island at the edge of the world. It is an unforgettable day trip for adventurous souls.”
Thejitha
