Delft Island Day Trip
A full-day trip from Jaffna to Delft Island (Neduntheevu), reached by a 1-hour ferry. See wild Delft ponies, coral-stone walls, a giant baobab tree and Dutch-era ruins on one of Sri Lanka's most remote islands.
- Location: Jaffna
- Duration: Full Day
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best time: February to September has the calmest seas and driest weather. Avoid the October to December northern monsoon, when ferries may be cancelled. Start early to catch the morning ferry.
About this experience
The Delft Island Day Trip is a full-day excursion from Jaffna to Delft, known locally as Neduntheevu, a flat, windswept island in the Palk Strait off Sri Lanka's northern tip. Few travellers make it here, which gives the island a quiet, end-of-the-world feeling. The trip suits curious travellers, photographers and history lovers. How do you get to Delft Island? Drive about 1 hour from Jaffna across causeways to Kurikadduwan jetty on Punkudutivu island, then take a public or chartered ferry of about 1 hour to Delft. Ferry times are limited, so the day is planned around the return boat. What will you see on Delft? 1. Wild Delft ponies – descendants of horses brought by colonial traders, roaming the open grassland. 2. Coral-stone walls – fields and homes edged with walls made from white coral. 3. The giant baobab tree – an ancient African baobab, believed to have been planted by Arab traders. 4. Dutch-era ruins, including the old fort and Queen's Tower. 5. The "growing stone", a rock locals say is slowly getting bigger, and a footprint-like mark on rock linked to local legend. 6. Quiet beaches and island village life. How do you get around on the island? By local van or tractor-trailer with a driver, or by hired bike for the adventurous. Is there food on Delft? Options are very basic. A packed lunch from Jaffna is recommended. Why book with Figo Holidays? Figo Holidays is a Colombo-based destination management company running private tours across Sri Lanka and the Maldives. We arrange private transport, licensed guides and timings that avoid the heat and crowds, and build this experience into a tailor-made itinerary.Highlights
- Ferry ride across the Palk Strait
- Wild Delft ponies
- Coral-stone walls
- Ancient baobab tree
- Dutch fort ruins and Queen's Tower
- Remote island village life
- Quiet
- rarely visited island
Travel tips
Check ferry times the day before and be at the jetty early. Bring a packed lunch, water, sunscreen and a hat, as there is little shade. Keep a distance from the wild ponies. Carry cash; there are no card facilities.