Delft Island, or Neduntheevu, lies an hour by ferry from Kurikadduwan jetty, itself about an hour's drive from Jaffna. The flat, oval island feels unlike anywhere else in Sri Lanka: feral ponies — descendants of horses brought by the Portuguese, Dutch and British — roam open scrubland divided by low coral-stone walls laid in the British era.
Hire a tuk-tuk or pickup at the jetty to loop past the ruined Dutch fort, a centuries-old baobab tree attributed to Arab traders, a colonial dovecote, and the coral "growing stone" that locals believe slowly rises from the earth. Facilities on the island are minimal, so carry water, cash and sun protection. Ferry times shape the day — most visitors treat Delft as a full-day trip, and it repays every hour.
Good to know
- Ferries from Kurikadduwan (KKD); we time the morning drive to the boat
- Carry water, cash and sun protection — shops are few
- The pony herds roam free; admire from a respectful distance
- A full-day outing from Jaffna — start early