Self-Guided Island Tours in Jaffna

Venture to the far northern edge of Sri Lanka to explore the remote, windswept islands scattered across the Palk Strait between the Jaffna peninsula and India. Chief among these is Delft Island (known locally as Neduntheevu), an oval-shaped coral island that feels like a forgotten world frozen in time.

Your journey begins with a scenic drive across lagoon causeways to the Kurikadduwan jetty, followed by a public ferry crossing over shallow coastal waters. Stepping ashore on Delft Island, the unique terrain immediately unfolds: flat plains of dry grass bounded by intricate boundary walls built entirely of stacked white coral stone, without a drop of mortar.

Delft possesses an extraordinary, layered history. Roaming freely across the island are herds of wild semi-feral ponies—descendants of horses introduced by Portuguese and Dutch colonizers centuries ago. Visitors can marvel at a colossal ancient Baobab tree planted by Arab seafaring merchants, explore the crumbling limestone ruins of a 17th-century Dutch Fort, and visit the Queen's Tower navigation lighthouse.

On neighboring Nainativu Island, travelers can visit two sacred pilgrimage sites: the ancient Nagapooshani Amman Hindu Kovil with its vibrant gopuram and the sacred Nagadeepa Purana Viharaya Buddhist temple.

With Traviceylon, your island adventure is seamlessly managed with private transfers, pre-arranged local transport on Delft Island, and cultural guides who share the fascinating northern lore.