Delft Island
Weather :
Tags : Island
Timings : All Day
Time Required : March to September
Entry Fee : Free
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Delft Island, Jaffna Overview
Delft Island, locally known as Neduntheevu and situated in northern Sri Lanka, is roughly an hour-long ferry ride away from the mainland. From the remnants of a colonial fort to numerous wild ponies roaming about— an amalgamation of nature and history awaits you on a trip to this quaint little island. Add to that the coral walls surrounding the houses—and you’ll feel like you stepped into a strange yet beautiful dream.
Named after Delft, a city in the Netherlands, Delft Island has a varied array of attractions, each of them more distinctive than the other. A tuk-tuk ride across the island takes tourists to all the attractions on the island in a short period.
The ruins of the famous Delft Island Fort and the Queen’s Tower offer a peek into this island’s history. The beach with its white sands and clear waters is the perfect spot to laze a bit amid a day of intensive sightseeing.
Delft Island exudes an old-world charm that is hard to come across nowadays but must be treasured when you happen to chance upon it.
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Attractions On Delft Island
1. Delft Island Fort
One of the most popular and sought-after attractions on the island is the ruins of the Delft Island Fort. Often, the fort has been credited to Mikaman, a Karaiyar king. The fort was a two-storied building constructed entirely out of coral and limestone. Initially built by the Portuguese, the Dutch later occupied it. The Dutch also built a barracks about a quarter-mile away.
2. Baobab Tree and Banyan Tree
The baobab tree in Delft Island is one of the oldest and most majestic trees in the nation. A species native to Ethiopia in Africa, it is believed to have been brought to the island by Arabs traders in the 16th century. The tree trunk is of enormous girth and can accommodate several people inside it at once. Another such unique tree at Delft Island is a banyan tree that is more than 250 years old; it is near a small Hindu temple at the eastern end of the island.
3. The Giant Footprint
The Giant Footprint is a depression in the rock that is around a metre long and resembles a, you guessed it, footstep; its origins are often attributed to legends and myths. Locals adore this site as the footprint of Lord Hanuman.
4. Queen’s Tower
Queen’s Tower, also known as Quindah Tower, is located on the southern coast of the island. Around 55 feet tall and tapering at the top, this Tower was used as a light navigation point; the guiding light at the top was derived from a fire burning at the bottom. It is believed that the Tower was enveloped by a reflective surface, which is not seen today.
5. Growing Stone
A unique attraction on Delft Island is the growing stone. It is a mass of coral near a Hindu temple which the locals worship. The secret behind its growth is believed to be a result of the coral is being alive for many years or of seismic shifts.
6. Pigeon Cote
A remarkable structure on Delft Island is the Pigeon Cote. This building was used to house messenger pigeons used for communication during the times of the Dutch. There are around seventy pigeonholes on the building. Interestingly, the structure has mostly remained intact until today.
7. Feral Horses and Stables
The island is home to numerous wild horses, striking and ethereal in their appearance. Around 500 of these animals were introduced in the 17th century by the Portuguese; in 2014, 450 wild horses were noted. It is forbidden by law to transport these ponies away from the island.
The remains of an 800-metre long stable for the horses, which was used by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British, can still be seen today.
8. Cholan Ruins
The Cholan Ruins offer another insight into the history of this island. The remnants of three Buddhist stupas, built in the Cholan style of architecture, lie on the western coast of the island. A few years ago, inscriptions in Tamil and the Brahmi script were found here.
One of the most popular and sought-after attractions on the island is the ruins of the Delft Island Fort. Often, the fort has been credited to Mikaman, a Karaiyar king. The fort was a two-storied building constructed entirely out of coral and limestone. Initially built by the Portuguese, the Dutch later occupied it. The Dutch also built a barracks about a quarter-mile away.
2. Baobab Tree and Banyan Tree
The baobab tree in Delft Island is one of the oldest and most majestic trees in the nation. A species native to Ethiopia in Africa, it is believed to have been brought to the island by Arabs traders in the 16th century. The tree trunk is of enormous girth and can accommodate several people inside it at once. Another such unique tree at Delft Island is a banyan tree that is more than 250 years old; it is near a small Hindu temple at the eastern end of the island.
3. The Giant Footprint
The Giant Footprint is a depression in the rock that is around a metre long and resembles a, you guessed it, footstep; its origins are often attributed to legends and myths. Locals adore this site as the footprint of Lord Hanuman.
4. Queen’s Tower
Queen’s Tower, also known as Quindah Tower, is located on the southern coast of the island. Around 55 feet tall and tapering at the top, this Tower was used as a light navigation point; the guiding light at the top was derived from a fire burning at the bottom. It is believed that the Tower was enveloped by a reflective surface, which is not seen today.
5. Growing Stone
A unique attraction on Delft Island is the growing stone. It is a mass of coral near a Hindu temple which the locals worship. The secret behind its growth is believed to be a result of the coral is being alive for many years or of seismic shifts.
6. Pigeon Cote
A remarkable structure on Delft Island is the Pigeon Cote. This building was used to house messenger pigeons used for communication during the times of the Dutch. There are around seventy pigeonholes on the building. Interestingly, the structure has mostly remained intact until today.
7. Feral Horses and Stables
The island is home to numerous wild horses, striking and ethereal in their appearance. Around 500 of these animals were introduced in the 17th century by the Portuguese; in 2014, 450 wild horses were noted. It is forbidden by law to transport these ponies away from the island.
The remains of an 800-metre long stable for the horses, which was used by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British, can still be seen today.
8. Cholan Ruins
The Cholan Ruins offer another insight into the history of this island. The remnants of three Buddhist stupas, built in the Cholan style of architecture, lie on the western coast of the island. A few years ago, inscriptions in Tamil and the Brahmi script were found here.
Ferries To and From Delft Island
Delft Island is reachable by boat from the Kurikadduwan harbour; the harbour is an hour away from Jaffna. The ship leaves the port typically at 8 or 9 AM, and these rides are known to be somewhat bumpy. Commuting within the island is usually by tuk-tuk since a few of the attractions are too far to reach by walk within a short period. The outgoing ferry leaves at around 2:30 PM.
Things To Do At Delft Island
1. Sightseeing
With a host of attractions scattered across the island, there is plenty of travel to do here. The best way to visit all the attractions in the small amount of time available is to hire a tuk-tuk, which costs an average of LKR 1500. If you would instead explore the island at your own pace, you can rent bicycles or walk towards the attractions.
2. Swim At The Beach
Silky white sands, palmyrah trees and azure waters are enough to tempt anyone to a visit to the beach. And what’s even better is that the water is calm and transparent, making it perfect for a light swim.
With a host of attractions scattered across the island, there is plenty of travel to do here. The best way to visit all the attractions in the small amount of time available is to hire a tuk-tuk, which costs an average of LKR 1500. If you would instead explore the island at your own pace, you can rent bicycles or walk towards the attractions.
2. Swim At The Beach
Silky white sands, palmyrah trees and azure waters are enough to tempt anyone to a visit to the beach. And what’s even better is that the water is calm and transparent, making it perfect for a light swim.
Restaurants and Local Food in Delft Island
Although a tourist attraction, Delft Island has an unusually small number of restaurants. The main eatery is The Island Hut, which serves seafood, curries and rice. There are a few stores scattered along the streets that sell snacks and canned foods. Tourists generally bring their food and water for a trip to the island.
Best Time To Visit Delft Island
The best time to visit Delft Island is in March to September, when the island receives relatively lower rainfall.
Tips For Visiting Delft Island
1. It is relatively common to become seasick onboard the ferry, so carry a sick bag.
2. Bring an additional change of clothes if you are planning to swim at the beach.
3. Arrive half an hour early before the scheduled timings of the ferry as it becomes crowded very soon.
2. Bring an additional change of clothes if you are planning to swim at the beach.
3. Arrive half an hour early before the scheduled timings of the ferry as it becomes crowded very soon.
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