Delft island

A Wind-Swept Island with Colonial History

Delft Island (known locally as Neduntivu in Tamil) lies about 35 kilometres off the northern tip of Sri Lanka in the Palk Strait. At roughly 50 square kilometres, it's the largest island in the Jaffna peninsula's scattered archipelago. The Dutch named it after their hometown of Delft in the Netherlands, and the island retains traces of Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial presence.

Wild Ponies and the Baobab Tree

Delft's most famous residents are its wild ponies — small, hardy horses believed to be descended from steeds brought by the Portuguese in the 1500s. Herds roam freely across the island's flat terrain. The other icon is a massive baobab tree estimated to be over 600 years old, thought to have been planted by Arab traders who visited the island centuries ago. This is one of very few baobab trees in South Asia.

Ruins and Heritage

The island has several colonial-era ruins including a Dutch fort (largely in ruins), a Portuguese church, and remnants of a Dutch governor's residence. An ancient Buddhist stupa near the island's centre dates from much earlier, suggesting the island was once part of a broader Buddhist kingdom. Coral-stone walls built by the Dutch crisscross the island, originally designed to contain livestock.

Getting There

A government ferry departs from Kurikadduwan jetty (about 25 kilometres from Jaffna town) several times daily. The crossing takes approximately one hour. There is limited accommodation on the island — most visitors make it a day trip from Jaffna. Bring water, food, and sun protection, as facilities are extremely basic. The island is flat and can be explored by bicycle or on foot. The ferry schedule varies — check locally before travelling.