Delfts Island - Nedunatheev

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There exists an Island in the Palk strait between India and Sri Lanka which can give you the feeling of a foreign land that Island is known as Delfts. Being a part of Northern Province Delfts is largely made up of coral  and is situated in the Dry zone of Sri Lanka. Delfts is called "Nedunathivu" in the Native Tamil Language. Visit to this beautiful Island will  let you to visit its historical monuments, experience the Natural beauty and to witness Delfts infamous Feral Pony population which is the only such population in Sri Lanka.



Delfts can be considered as very remote and very isolated location in the Island and is only accessible by boats but the rough seas around the Island pose a great challenge. Around 5,000 people call Delfts home and mostly practice agriculture and fishing for their livelihood while booming tourism industry also contributes to the Income of the Islanders.


Due to It's strategic location between India and Sri Lanka and the fact that being an Island provides easy defense made this Island a Important location to defend Jaffna in Colonial times. Both Portuguese and Dutch identified this and Fortified the Island. Dutch were the most influential of the two and they named the Island Delfts after a Dutch city in Netherlands. Most of the ancient monuments found in the Island dates back to Dutch period while the Wild ponies are also a relic from the Dutch horse stables.

Island has been settled since  antiquity and evidence suggesting that can be found from ancient monuments of an Buddhist Temple. Island might have played an important role in ancient trade routes in the region which can be hinted through a Baobab tree that was probably planted by the Arab traders.

How to reach


Island can only be reached by boat. You can find Ferries to the Island from Karikudduvan Jetty and there are some private boats that can be arranged to make the trip. First Ferry to Delfts start at 8.00 am in the morning and this ferry can be pretty crowded in the Weekends and holidays. Busses to Karikudduvan can be taken from Jaffna and the journey might take about an hour.

Boat ride to Delfts can bit rough and the boats can be pretty crowded. we took the 9.30 ferry and the fare for the journey was just Rs. 80/-. Boat ride takes around 1 hour to reach its destination which is Delfts Jetty.

Notable Places of Interest / Activities in Delfts

  • Baobab Tree




  • Dutch Fort





  • Dutch Hospital


  • Dutch Court Buildings and Pigeon Tower









  • Ancient Buddhist Dageba





  • Queens Tower

  • Ancient Stables



  • Delfts Beach

  • Adams Foot Print

  • Growing Rock



  • Wild Horses

There is a Public transport service 1 bus that goes to  most of these places but you can find plenty of Jeeps, Vans and Tuks that will take you to all of these places. However the Island provides limited avenues for food, water and other essentials so its advisable that you take them with you.















Location: Neduntheevu, Sri Lanka

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