Explore the Natural Heaven in Jaffna's Islands : The Ultimate travel guide for Delft Island Sri Lanka

 I had traveled up north to experience Jaffna, a place that remained out of bounds for tourists for a very long time. I often search for those places which are not on regular tourist brochure or tourist itinerary but these are amazing places will sure make you feel wow. Some of these places not only makes you rich in experience but help you grow as human being. Day by day we enjoy and love being at most amazing, untouched and yet not touristy places like Jaffna  it felt quite intimidating as a single woman traveler. Jaffna’s islands are beautiful, quirky and a delight to discover. There’s no real specific sight to see  rather, the attraction here is the journey and the islands themselves, which have a real end-of-the-world feeling. However Delft Island was quite the opposite It remains one of my favorite places in Sri Lanka. 

This little-known island is a paradise for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. With its untouched landscapes, unique wildlife, and intriguing cultural heritage, it is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Sri Lanka.

Delft Island

Delft Island is archeologically important heritage , which  is called as  (Neduntheevu in Tamil, or Neduntivu in Sinhala).  Dutch named it as Delft Island which is known for its unique landscapes, wild horses, and historical sites like the Baobab tree and one of our favorite things to do in Jaffna. It is a magnificent island with rich history with references of Chola Dynasty, Portuguese , dutch and the british. Its Located about 30kms from Jaffna city and its and outlying coral and limestone island since the period of  British Colonial .

It was also the first time I really noticed the effects of climate change - the whole Island was covered in water with the water table very high due to rising sea levels and recent unusual flooding. Scary. Getting to Delft is no easy feat, but if you want to feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, this is your place.  Read more .

Map of the Delft Island

 

How to get there 

To get here, take 766 bus from Jaffna bus station at 6:30am (90r per person) or hire a tuk tuk to the pier for (1000rs) for the jetty to take the ferry called Kurikkaduwan and there are frequent buses from Jaffna bus stand to Kurikkaduwan.

Road to island is itself fascinating , It goes through some of most marvelous straights with both aside of a sea,where many fishermen do  using  nets and hooks and sightseeing of 100s of birds including Flamingo, Kingfisher and many more This place is surely bird watcher’s paradise too.

From Jaffna, take a ferry from Kurikadduwan (KKD) harbor its an hour away on Punkudutivu Island

Bus
Kurrikaduwan - Delft Island : There are frequent buses commuting on this route.	Jaffna - Kurrikaduwan bus timings: ·         6:30 am ·         8:30 am ·         9 am ·         10 am
Ferry
Delft Island to Kurrikaduwan:
Morning ferry: 6:30/7 am (Depature)	Afternoon ferry: 2:30 pm (Return)

 

Ferry is operated by the Sri Lankan Navy and leaves sharp on time.For Local  100LKR- Foreign 500Rs ($3) per person) one way. Ferry can only accommodate 100pax , so this ferry is pretty crowded, so don’t expect comfort and it's important to get there 30mins before departure. The journey takes one hour to get to the ferry at KKD.  During the journey you see many island on right side -  one Hindu Kovil built, as soon all islands are left behind and once ship enters to the rougher sea. Heat on your head is nullified by cool breeze and excitement..For returning home, I recommend catching the 14:30 ferry in.Kurikadduwan harbour best.                                                                            

TIP - At the time of arrival its advisable to confirm the return ferry timings with Navy officials available at the Delft island jetty .

How to get around the Delft Island |Upon arrival on the island, you can hire a tuk-tuk to take you around to all the major sights Because Walking in the heat may not be the good option so better to hire a tuk tuk and help the local community.

Cost  1500 - 2500rs or Bicycles can be rented at the jetty for around 200-300 LKR ($1-2) per hour and drivers offering island tour package for 1500 - 2000 LKR (3-4 hours of tour).

Eco Toursim and sustanbility

One way to achieve sustainability on Delft Island is through the promotion of eco-tourism, could minimize the environmental impact while generating benefits for the local communities. By adopting eco-tourism principles, tour operators and visitors can contribute to the island's conservation and development. Several eco-tourism initiatives have already been implemented on Delft Island. For instance, local communities have established nature trails and bird-watching spots to showcase the island's diverse flora and fauna. These initiatives encourage visitors to appreciate the natural beauty of the island while minimizing disturbance to the wildlife and vegetation.

Another aspect of sustainable tourism on Delft Island is the preservation of its cultural heritage. The island is home to historical and archaeological sites, such as the ancient Baobab tree and horse stables from the Dutch colonial era. It is crucial to ensure that these sites are protected and preserved for future generations.

Where to Eat and Drink on island?

Only handful of local shops available on the island. Food can be hard to come by on the Islands; there's one small  restaurant "Island Hut' just the Jetty which serves vegetable roti and fried wade, otherwise a few small markets sell the odd snack. is also a canteen available just behind Fr. Xavier statue.

 Tip | Carry your own water, snacks, and sunscreen as amenities may be limited.Food can be hard to come by on the Islands; there's one restaurant at the Jetty which serves vegetable roti and fried wade, otherwise a few small markets sell the odd snack. We definitely recommend you, Bring all the food and water at least 2L of water you’ll need and reconsider visiting in the hotter months (April and May enough for the day. )

Life on Delft Island:

Landing on Delft and you are greeted by Sri Lankan Navy officers, few local tuk tuk drivers, fishermen and fishing vessels, shows it's predominantly fishing community stays here. This island is about  8km long and 6km wide with a population of approximately 4,500 people, still its been underdeveloped .

Since I were  not big tuk tuk ride fan I decided to walk much to amusement of few locals who gave us snare and explore some nearby sites. Yes, it's possible to walk around due to presence of good no of trees and cool breeze. Later we hired a local guide with tuk tuk for 500LKR for half a day tour.

Where to stay ?

Guest House Pradeshiya Sabha - Budget 

I was planning to stay at Guest House Pradeshiya Sabha, as it was recommended by my tuktuk driver but the people just wouldn’t lift the phone call and no one showed up at the reception during my 1 hour wait time there.

Phone number: 021-2225210     Price: Non A/C room – SLR 2000, A/C room – SLR 3500

Delft Samudra - Luxiouers

I eventually stayed at Delft Samudra.I loved my stay there. It was my birthday next day so it was nice to have a bit of niceties. The staff was nice enough to get me dinner when it got dark and I was too tired from all the walking. Prices and availibility

What to see/do in Delft Island?

1.      Coral fence and walls:

    This island is full of corals, You will be able to see how its beautifully designed and madeup and how the villagers had searched the  exact shape to fit one above another using coral stones. Read More

2. Ruins of Dutch, Portuguese fort and hospital

This fort is smaller in size compared to the Galle fort or Jaffna fort. It is made up with corals and limestone. The fort was probably located here due to the favorable mooring facilities offered by the bay for old vessels and its  easy for landing facilities.Read More

3.       Dovecote or pigeon Nest  

A unique structure used to house messenger pigeons to other areas during the Dutch reign  There was only  one dovecote, dutch used it as home to many pigeons. During Signage of Colonial era , Dutch used to send messages across islands through these pigeons. Click here

4. Giant Footprint: 

There is a giant footprint, less evidence to prove so not sure it's man-made or a natural formation. Some call it  as Adam's , Lord Hanumuns footprint, some locals believes its a foot of Lord Shiva. There are many mythological stories.Read More

5.      Baobab tree| 

     

    It’s a huge fabulous  native tropical tree from Africa, also grown in other warm regions and  planted during the 7th century by Arab sailors in  (34 locations across northern province) of Sri Lanka during the Portuguese rule.The trees can store large quantities of water in their trunk and shed leaves during the dry season. The flowers can grow up to 7 inches wide. I learned that the fruits of Baobab tree is known to be one of the most nutrient-rich fruits in the world. There is a large hollow within its trunk and there's space enough for 2- 3 people. left by Arab merchants Read More.

6.      Growing rock:

     It's similar to a Hindu shrine and there was no backstory to this except the claims of locals who say they have seen the rock grows few inches every year. It's not coral, unlike nearly everything else on the island.This was validated by my tuktuk driver who came across as an honest person.Read More

    Tip - Remove your shoes/slippers before you enter the premises.

7.      White Sand Beaches:

It’s a beautiful  clean pristine sea with gentle waves. Entire beach on your own without anyone or disturbance. What I liked about this place was walking around it. It’s by the coast (of course), and the beach there was incredible beautiful. It was not ideal for swimming for sharp rocks and violent waves but to watch the emerald green waters hit the rocks was beautiful.

8.      wild horses: 

Actually I haven’t seen wild horses  yet in my life. This is most amazing site to see those.. These horses were introduced by the dutch (some say Portuguese) and they continue to flourish on the island. It’s said to be home of more than 500 horses and so fascinating to see most domesticated animal enjoying, running at free will.

    9. Dutch Horse Stables | Crumbling horse stables built during the Dutch occupation, housing horses from all over the world Read More    

    

10.  Canal : It was monsoon which meant the canal was overflowing and our tuktuk couldn’t cross this section but I’m glad we went nevertheless because it was very beautiful. By the time we reached the canal was already soaking wet so I just embraced the rain

11.  Banyan trees 

     

    There was a banyan tree that my tuktuk driver took me to see and the fun part was, no one can tell which is the original trunk anymore. It’s so wide and spread out – multiple parts have established strong roots.Read More

12.   Queen’s Tower

    

    This 55-foot tower used as a light house to navigate ships in the dark. Instead of Light  fire will lit at the base would be reflected up the spire of this tower Read More

13.  Walk around 

       Once I decided to stay back in the island (even though I was packed for a day trip), I had my tea and walked as much as I could before the night fall. It was incredibly beautiful to walk the empty lanes of this island lined with beautiful traditional Tamil houses with corals making for boundary walls. The coastline wherever I went was absolutely stunning.The one thing that left me awestruck was just how clean the island was. The general sense of cleanliness in Sri Lanka including the remote parts is praiseworthy.

14. Camping

   Delft island is also a great ideal place for camping.

Click  here to Read More about the more places to visit in deflt island

Conclusion

Overall, Delta Island has significant potential to promote eco-tourism and attract tourists. By leveraging its unique biodiversity, pristine landscapes, and commitment to sustainability, the island can position itself as a popular destination for nature enthusiasts. Implementing strategies such as preserving natural resources, offering educational programs and guided tours, establishing partnerships, utilizing digital marketing, and incorporating cultural experiences can help Delta Island become a popular spot for eco-tourism. With careful planning and investment in infrastructure and marketing efforts, Delta Island can attract a growing number of tourists seeking authentic and environmentally responsible travel experiences.

-------Hope you enjoyed reading my blog------

References

NBC News. (2018, April 24). Sri Lanka's 'forgotten' island of Delft. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/sri-lanka-s-forgotten-island-delft-n868701

The Peninsula. (2019, December10). A Pioneering Eco-Tourism Project. Retrieved fromhttps://www.peninsula.com/en/discover/activities/hot-moments-eco-tourism-getty-mauritius#.XxelKBB7lPY

Travel Triangle. (n.d.). DelftIsland In Jaffna: An Unexplored Charmer Amid The Indian Ocean. Retrieved fromhttps://traveltriangle.com/blog/delft-island-in-jaffna/

Lonely Planet. (n.d.). Delft:Discovering the Island. Retrieved from https://www.lonelyplanet.com/sri-lanka/delft-island-neduntheevu

Ragupathy, P. (1987). Early settlements in Jaffna, An archaeological survey. Thilimalar Ragupathy. Madras. p. 17-22.

 Dayananda, T. A. (2022). Delft doopathe Stupa maluve eth akshara: Abhilekhana Sangrahaya-3 (in Sinhala). Department of Archaeology. p. 151-157. ISBN 978-624-5840-16-8

   Devendra, D. T. (1969). "A Ruined Dagaba in Delft". The Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland. 13: i–iii. ISSN 0304-2235. JSTOR 43483470.