Delft
Background
The Delft, a beautiful little Island, approximately 8 km in length and 6 km in width is situated off the coast of Jaffna. The Island has a history dating back centuries to the times even before the Dutch colonisation of Jaffna in the 1960s.
The Island can be visited via water for the commoner. There are three ferry services that run from Kurikadduwan pier–Vadatharahai, Neduntharahai and Kumudini. The Vadatharahai ferry leaves at 08:00 am and Kumudini at 09:30 am. There is no fixed time-schedule for the Neduntharahai ferry service. It takes around 45 minutes to one hour to reach the Island depending on the weather and type of ferry available.
As the ferry approaches the Island, one is greeted by the sparsely populated, quiet, calm, white-sandy Island among the turquoise blue calm waters it lies upon.
The rock that grows, the famous delft ponies brought by the Dutch in the 17th century, the remains of a 800 meter long stable, an old Stupa which was said to have been built during Arahat Sanghamitta’s time when she brought the Bo saplings to Sri Lanka, the Baobab tree the remains of the Delft fort and the Pigeon hole are the Delft Highlights.
Accommodation
Sevalanka Foundation constructed two eco-friendly cabanas with the financial assistance of IUCN. The project was another step of cooperation between Sevalanka and the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) to take advantage of the available eco-systems while protecting and conserving the unique resources. The eco-friendly cabana's known as, “Sand Beach Resorts” is run by the Delft fishermen’s cooperative societies union in Ward no 11, main road, Delft.
The intervention was initiated to increase livelihood opportunities of the selected coastal communities to make an effort to promote the Delft Island as a tourist highlight and to create income generation activities as well as to enhance the economy of the community.
Food and Drinking water
Small, clean restaurants can be found throughout the Island now. One can also purchase drinking water at these places too. The Valampuri women’s rural development society takes lunch orders. So, if you know your travel dates well in advance, and want to experience authentic Delft home-made food, you can contact the Valampuri Women's Development Society on 021 221 5229 and pre-order your lunch.
Please do keep in mind that meals are a bit more costly than mainland Jaffna.
Getting around the Island
There are plenty of three-wheelers, “modified demo batta’s”, and single cabs available for travelling. Usually the three-wheelers are to travel from the jetty to a specific place. It is more economical and “more comfortable”to travel by the modified demo batta’s and single cabs if doing a tour of the Island.
A day tour which includes all the famous sites of Delft costs LKR 3500 including the tour guides charges (the driver is usually the tour guide).
Activities and things to do
And of course if you visit, remember to spare some time to have a swim in the calm, un-spoilt, turquoise blue waters that surround the Island!
For further details and booking inquiries please contact sabesh.ga@sevalanka.org
The Delft, a beautiful little Island, approximately 8 km in length and 6 km in width is situated off the coast of Jaffna. The Island has a history dating back centuries to the times even before the Dutch colonisation of Jaffna in the 1960s.
The Island can be visited via water for the commoner. There are three ferry services that run from Kurikadduwan pier–Vadatharahai, Neduntharahai and Kumudini. The Vadatharahai ferry leaves at 08:00 am and Kumudini at 09:30 am. There is no fixed time-schedule for the Neduntharahai ferry service. It takes around 45 minutes to one hour to reach the Island depending on the weather and type of ferry available.
As the ferry approaches the Island, one is greeted by the sparsely populated, quiet, calm, white-sandy Island among the turquoise blue calm waters it lies upon.
The rock that grows, the famous delft ponies brought by the Dutch in the 17th century, the remains of a 800 meter long stable, an old Stupa which was said to have been built during Arahat Sanghamitta’s time when she brought the Bo saplings to Sri Lanka, the Baobab tree the remains of the Delft fort and the Pigeon hole are the Delft Highlights.
Accommodation
Sevalanka Foundation constructed two eco-friendly cabanas with the financial assistance of IUCN. The project was another step of cooperation between Sevalanka and the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) to take advantage of the available eco-systems while protecting and conserving the unique resources. The eco-friendly cabana's known as, “Sand Beach Resorts” is run by the Delft fishermen’s cooperative societies union in Ward no 11, main road, Delft.
The intervention was initiated to increase livelihood opportunities of the selected coastal communities to make an effort to promote the Delft Island as a tourist highlight and to create income generation activities as well as to enhance the economy of the community.
Food and Drinking water
Small, clean restaurants can be found throughout the Island now. One can also purchase drinking water at these places too. The Valampuri women’s rural development society takes lunch orders. So, if you know your travel dates well in advance, and want to experience authentic Delft home-made food, you can contact the Valampuri Women's Development Society on 021 221 5229 and pre-order your lunch.
Please do keep in mind that meals are a bit more costly than mainland Jaffna.
Getting around the Island
There are plenty of three-wheelers, “modified demo batta’s”, and single cabs available for travelling. Usually the three-wheelers are to travel from the jetty to a specific place. It is more economical and “more comfortable”to travel by the modified demo batta’s and single cabs if doing a tour of the Island.
A day tour which includes all the famous sites of Delft costs LKR 3500 including the tour guides charges (the driver is usually the tour guide).
Activities and things to do
- The rock that grows
- The famous Delft ponies brought by the Dutch in the 17th Century
- The remains of a 800 metre long stable
- An old stupa which was said to have been built during Arahat Sanghamitta’s time when she brought the Bo sapling to Sri Lanka
- The baobab tree
- The remnants of the Delft fort
- The pigeon hole
And of course if you visit, remember to spare some time to have a swim in the calm, un-spoilt, turquoise blue waters that surround the Island!
For further details and booking inquiries please contact sabesh.ga@sevalanka.org