Elisha
The remotest of Sri Lanka’s inhabited islands, Delft Island lies off the coast of Jaffna in far northern Sri Lanka. This peaceful little island remains off the tourist radar, and yet it’s one of the most intriguing places to visit. The ferry ride out to Delft can be torturous and long, but if you want to get off the beaten path in Sri Lanka, this is the place to do it.
Tony from my guesthouse in Jaffna told me about visiting Delft Island. While you can certainly visit on a long day trip, I decided to take the time to spend the night on the island instead. He gave me the contact for Tommy, who runs one of the only accommodation places on the island and so, I planned my trip.
Although it was a bit of a wild experience, it has stuck with me as one of the most unique places I’ve visited. It might not “wow” you with beauty, but it does have a laidback vibe, swaying palm trees, wild horses, colonial ruins, and a pure, rustic charm. Here’s how you can visit Delft Island for the night and explore an unusual side to Sri Lanka.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means I get a commission if you buy a product through my link at no extra cost to you. By doing so, I can keep this blog going and continue to create helpful guides for you. Read more: Privacy Policy
What is Delft Island?
Delft Island or otherwise known locally as Neduntheevu or Nedunthivu (which translates to “long island” or “large island”) lies in the Palk Strait off northern Sri Lanka. The island was named after the Dutch city of Delft by Rijckloff van Goens, Governor of Dutch Ceylon, in 1660s.
The island is approximately 35km from the mainland of Sri Lanka and is relatively small at 11km long and 6km wide. It’s surrounded by shallow, blue waters filled with coral and white sand. It is home to a small population of Tamil people, who have lived on the island for many generations.
The history of the island dates back to the Chola Dynasty with some ruins believed to have been built in the 10th or 11th century. It was later used as a port and horse breeding ground by the Dutch, Portuguese and British colonial powers. During the Sri Lankan civil war, it was known for being the site of a sea battle between the Sri Lanka Navy and Tamil Tiger separatists in 2008.
Today, it’s a sleepy island that offers visitors a step back in time and a chance to get completely off the beaten track in Sri Lanka. Tourism is still in its infancy on the island, but there are more and more Sri Lankans making the trip from the cities, with foreigners still few and far between.
Read more: 10 Best Things to Do in Jaffna
How to Get to Delft Island from Jaffna
Despite it being the most remote island off the coast of Jaffna, it’s still relatively accessible. You’ll have to use a combination of bus and ferry to reach Delft Island from Jaffna. Here’s how you can travel to Delft Island:
Bus from Jaffna to Kurikadduwan
Take bus 776 from behind the main bus stand in Jaffna to the ferry terminal, Kurikadduwan Jetty. It will take about an hour and cost 200LKR (less than a dollar).
There are some buses that leave from the main bus stand, but these are less common. You’ll find more frequent departures if you walk to the back of the bus station and out to the road, where there are additional buses waiting. Just ask people, and they’ll help you.
Ferry to Delft Island
Stay on the bus until the last stop, which is Kurikadduwan Harbour. There is an indoor waiting room there at the jetty, if you’re early. People will undoubtedly ask where you’re planning on going, and they’ll help you get on the right boat.
Ferries leave from Kurikadduwan to other islands like Nainativu as well. The ferry to Delft Island only leaves 3 times per day and returns from Delft 3 times per day. The ferry ride takes about 1 hour and is free!
If you want to visit Delft Island on a day trip, then I recommend catching the 8am ferry and then returning on the 3pm ferry to give you enough time to explore the island. Because I was staying the night, I chose to take the 2.30pm ferry and returned on the 3pm ferry the following day.
Ferry Schedule
From Kurikattuwan to Delft: 8am, 2.30pm, and 4pm
From Delft back to Kurikattuwan: 7am, 11.30am, and 3pm
Things to Keep in Mind
A note on the ferry ride. The Palk Strait can get pretty wild, especially with strong winds. This means that the boat ride can be a little rough and it’s not recommended if you’re severely sensitive to seasickness.
The ferry is also restricted to 100 passengers, and they will give priority to locals. I certainly didn’t have any problems, and it’s rare to miss out, except for during important festival or holiday periods.
I’ll also say that there were two different ferries operating when I was there in 2023. The Sri Lanka Navy operates a bigger, sturdier ferry, which is much smoother and is usually used for the 8am trip over to the island, and leaves Delft at 3pm to return (pictured above). The 2.30pm ferry I took from Kurikattuwan was only a wooden boat, and I have to say it was an incredibly perilous 90 minute journey, that I almost thought we wouldn’t make it (pictured below). Be prepared!
Things to Do on Delft Island
Delft Island isn’t bursting with incredible things to do. BUT, for its size, I’d say it still boasts several impressive historical sites, beautiful beaches, and fun activities. Most of the sights are spread around the island, although a few are within walking distance of the main village/Delft Jetty.
If you choose to stay the night on the island like I did, you’ll have the benefit of having Tommy offer his advice, lend you a bicycle, and even provide a nice map to follow as you take yourself on a self-guided tour around the island. The other option is to arrange a tuk tuk to get you around, which would be much quicker.
All of these places can be found on Google Maps, to make things easy to find.
Portuguese/Dutch Fort
One of the most important landmarks on the island, the old ruined fort is just back from Delft Beach and next to other sights, including the Old Dutch Hospital and Pigeon Nest. The Portuguese Fort or sometimes referred to as Meekaman Fort, was originally built by the Portuguese and then expanded by the Dutch.
Today, it lies in ruins and requires a bit of imagination to think about what it might have looked like in its prime. You’re free to simply roam around the ruins that lead right up to the sand on the beach.
Pigeon Nest
Right next to the Old Dutch Hospital and the Old Courts, the Pigeon Nest is one of the best preserved structures in the complex. The pillar was used to house messenger pigeons during the Dutch reign, when pigeons would often carry messages between Delft Island and Jaffna.
Old Dutch Hospital
This old hospital was built by the Dutch and converted into an administrative centre in the early 1900’s. It’s within the grounds of ‘The Courts’, where a British Emblem inscribed on the wall gives you an insight into the long-lasting reach of the British Empire.
Delft Beach
Stretching along the northern coast of the island between the jetty and the western edge of the main town, Delft Beach is a pretty spot with white sand and clear, calm water. It’s the most accessible beach to town and is a nice spot for a sunset stroll.
You’ll mostly find fishermen and their boats and nets sprawled along the beach. There’s also plenty of beach stray dogs and cows, but they were pretty harmless.
Baobab Tree
Another interesting addition to the island from colonial days, a huge baobab tree stands isolated a few kilometres south of Delft Jetty. There are two theories as to how and why the tree wound up on Delft Island. The first is that it was planted by Arab merchants in the 16th century and the second is that the Portuguese planted the tree from Africa because it wasnbelieved to cure horse illnesses.
Either way the native tree of tropical Africa is a weird remnant from the colonial period and continues to stand the test of time. It’s an easy cycle from the main town on Delft.
Large Banyan Tree
If you keep cycling a little further from the baobab tree, you’ll come across another remarkable natural landmark: a large banyan tree. This ancient tree is found on mainland of Sri Lanka too, but its sprawling branches and expansive canopy is still fascinating to see.
Wild Horses
Delft’s wild horses are undoubtedly the most intriguing part of the island. The horses were originally brought to Delft by the Portuguese in the 16th century from Arabia. Later, they were also kept by the Dutch, for exporting to mainland India and Sri Lanka.
They have since been left to live in the wild on the island, although many of them are claimed to be privately owned. The population of Delft horses is estimated to be about 500, but they seem to be diminishing due to lack of water and feed, especially during the dry season.
The horses generally congregate in the south and southwest parts of the island. You can ask a local or Tommy to take you out there on a tuk tuk or motorbike. When I was there after a long dry season, Tommy told me that a local fundraiser had been set up to raise money to feed the horses and truck-in fresh water. We actually saw the troughs being filled with clean water and hay being fed from a tractor – so at least the money seems to be going to the horses.
Where to Stay on Delft Island: Delft Village Stay
There aren’t really any hotels on the island and accommodation is almost non-existent. But a local entrepreneur, Tommy, has transformed his family’s property into a “glamping style” homestay, called Delft Village Stay.
It’s very rustic, but it totally suits the island’s overall vibe and I really enjoyed my stay there. It’s not too far from Delft Ferry Terminal and you can get around to some of the main sights on foot.
He has constructed a handful of canvas tents, almost safari style tents, with traditional thatch roofs to protect them from the weather. The tents have a double bed mattress inside and a fan (charging points available too).
The bathroom is shared, with a proper flushing toilet and an awesome outdoor shower (that is still private enough). Tommy’s family provides dinner and breakfast to guests, which was delicious home cooked food. There are no restaurants on the island, so this is really necessary.
They also have several bicycles for guests to get around on, with detailed maps to follow sent to your WhatsApp. Tommy can also arrange a pick up and drop off at the Delft Jetty upon request.
For a night’s stay in a glamping tent, with dinner, breakfast, bicycle rental, a ride on his motorbike out to see the wild horses, and a drop off at the ferry terminal on the island, Tommy charged 6000 LKR (US$20) in total.
Day Trip to Delft Island vs Overnight Stay: How Long to Stay on the Island
It’s been common in the past for most visitors to opt for a day trip to Delft Island. This makes sense if you’re short on time or not keen on the basic accommodation. However, I highly recommend spending the night on the island. Considering the lengthy journey to get out there, it’s worth relaxing and taking in the peaceful island without rushing around.
If you take the morning ferry from Jaffna and then return on the afternoon ferry the next day, it’ll give you ample time to get around to the different corners of the island. Relaxing in a hammock at Tommy’s Village Stay and walking on the beach are also not bad ways to fill in your time.
Read next: Essential 10 Day North Sri Lanka Itinerary
More Sri Lanka Travel Guides
- Jaffna: 10 Best Things to Do in Jaffna
- Sigiriya: Ultimate Guide to Sigiriya: Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle
- Ella: 10 Best Things to Do in Ella: An Essential Guide
- Kandy: 10 Best Things to Do in Kandy: An Essential Guide
- Trincomalee: Trincomalee Travel Guide: Underrated Beach Destination in Sri Lanka
- Colombo: Best Things to Do in Colombo in 24 Hours
- Galle: 2 Days in Galle Fort: Best Things to Do in Galle
- Hiriketiya: Hiriketiya Beach: A Guide to Sri Lanka’s Little Coastal Paradise
- Weligama: Layback Surf Camp Review in Weligama
- Digital Nomad Travel: Digital Nomad in Sri Lanka: A Guide for Remote Workers
Pin this post
[…] feel almost otherworldly. Thus the island qualifies on the list of must-visit destinations on the Beyond Wild Places blog – calling all travelers to the wilder side of […]