A mysterious, isolated and unique island lies just an hour away from the mainland of Jaffna, and it is all you dream of and more! Delft Island, known amongst the locals as Nedunthivu, remains vast and largely uninhabited, with the exception of wild horses that roam freely. Visit Delft to engulf in a rich history that dates back to the Chola Dynasty, and has traces of Portguese, Dutch and English colonizations as the island raises its head from the ashes of a 30 year old civil war. Let the soft sea breeze and the gentle wind of the palm trees caress you as you explore quaint villages, ancient remnants, and a mysterious Baobab Tree.
Getting to and around Delft:
Delft Island is in the middle of Park Strait, with equal distance from Sri Lanka and India, 30km away from Jaffna. The entire island is just 8km long, and 6km wide, because all good things come in small sizes! To get to Delft, you have to take the ferry from the Kurikadduwan harbour, in the morning. It is important to get there 30mins before departure, as the ferry can only carry about 100 passengers at once. You can take the ferry back in the evening, after you explore the island, to your heart’s content.
The sun in the north will bite at your skin, so organise a tuk ride as soon as you get to Delft. It’s comfortable, convenient and has a charm of its own.
Delft Island Baobab Tree:
That’s right, there’s a Baobab Tree in Delft Island, which should be enough reason to visit the island! Transport yourself to the deepest darkest forests of Africa, when you stare at this gigantic tree which is said to have been brought to the islands in the 16th century, by Arab merchants. You could easily fit a group of people inside the hollowed out trunk of the tree. Stop by at this strange attraction to enjoy its cool shade.
Delft Island Fort:
Once described as a “very strongly fortified fort” by Ralph Henry Bassett in his book, “Romantic Ceylon: Its History, Legend, and Story”, now there are only remnants of the Delft Island Fort. Traditionally attributed to the Karaiyar king Meekaman, the fort was probably built by the Portuguese, which was later fortified by the Dutch. Constructed with corals and limestone, the fort makes for stunning photographs, especially as the sunsets in the background.
Hanuman Footprint:
The perfect place for the mythology geek, the giant human-like footprint embedded in the rock is somewhat of a myth believed to have been left by the legendary Hanuman, the king of monkeys and the devoted servant of Rama.
Pigeon Nest:
The Pigeon Nest is a unique structure that was supposedly used to house messenger pigeons, during the Dutch colonisation era. At one point, it was a hostel for dozens of pigeons who would carry messages from Delft to the mainland of Jaffna. Standing before a clear mark of how far we have come since then with technology, humbles and grounds you. So, do pay this curious attraction visit if you find yourself in Delft.
Dutch Horse Stables:
The island of Delft was used as a breeding ground for Dutch horses, so there are a number of ancient stables on the island. The stables are now crumbling, with 64 pillars visible where horses were formerly tied up. Sometimes, it might be slightly under water, which would only make the experience all the more thrilling.
