Called ‘Pas uthivu’ or’Nedunthivu’ (the island of cows) by natives, it was thus named ‘Illha das Vaka’ by the Portuguese and renamed Delft by the Dutch, after the town in the Netherlands. It covers approximately 4,700 hectares and is sparsely populated.

Delft has emerged relatively unscathed from the recent conflict and has kept its charm from the old days. Except for the bus, there are no vehicles and the visit of the island is usually made in the trailer of a tractor. Houses are fenced by coral-stones piled up or by palmyrah leaves which gives to Delft its particular aspect. It has a haunting beauty which is made even more appealing when you find that its barren plains are populated with wild horses which were introduced by the Portuguese in the 1600s. These horses are forbidden by law to leave the island and the population is now into the lower hundreds. Beside the wild horses, curiosities are plenty. There is the baobab, the Quindah Tower, the wells of Sarapiddi, the old stables, etc.

The most pleasant season is probably July-August when the roughest Weather has gone and when there is still enough breeze. January and February are cooler like in the rest of the island but January can be wet.

Ferry from Kurikattuwan, on the southern tip of Pungudutivu (about 45 mn drive by car from Jaffna). The journey lasts about 1 hour.

Two ferry services a day. One in the morning and one in the afternoon but check first prior to planning your trip; timetable is subject to important changes due to the weather condition and the state of the boats.
Upon reaching the island there is a single bus available, going back and forth on the unique road. It is probably advisable to hire a tractor which can take you on a more detailed itinerary.