Delft Island is about as remote as it gets in Sri Lanka. Located in the Palk Strait – the area between India’s state of Tamil Nadu and the Northern part of Sri Lanka – Delft is a small and isolated island that was out-of-bounds to tourists for many years during the recent civil war, but remained mostly unaffected by major conflict. Delft is perhaps best known for its population of wild horses, which were left on the island by the Portuguese and remain an iconic feature of the rural life here.

Experience Overview

The day is one of discovery! Your chauffeur driver will drive you along the causeway to board a boat which will take you to Delft Island, off the Jaffna peninsula. Your host for the day is a Pastor, who originally hails from Sri Lanka’s tea country. Having made his home at Delft, your host will show you around this remote island, allowing you to take in the sights of the old Delft Fort, an ancient Baobab tree and how Palmyra toddy and crafts are made with local farmers. Ask to see the wild ponies grazing. End the day with a simple lunch with the Pastor and his wife at their humble home. Before leaving Delft, a swim after lunch at the beach, not far from your host’s house offers for one of the most relaxed and non-touristic encounters you will have on this journey. The beach is not developed, and has a calm and gentle sea.

Includes:

A truck drive through the Delft Island, sightseeing of all interesting locations on the small island, lunch, refreshments and a swim.

Duration:

2.5 hours.

Difficulty:

Easy.

Suitable for children:

This would be suitable for older children.

Times:

10am – 1pm.

What to wear or bring along:

Light cool clothing, anti-sea sickness tablets, a swimsuit, beach towel, shades, sunscreen, a hat and a camera.

Important to know:

Alcoholic beverages are not served during the experience. Any dietary restrictions should be mentioned to SLIS in advance.

Private or not?

This experience is always private, however the boat ride is on a public government boat (the safest and most efficient option)

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Delft, Sri Lanka’s forgotten island - Experience - Sri Lanka In Style

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Managing Expectations

“ It is important to remember that, whilst they are experts in their field, the people who run or host our experiences are not necessarily used to working in the tourism industry and may not offer the level of service you would find at a five-star hotel. For example, instead of a formal lecture, you may get a relaxed conversation where open discussion is encouraged. All of our hosts are, however, extremely engaging, knowledgeable and passionate about educating visitors about their chosen subject and we have worked with them to ensure that they deliver worthwhile, fulfilling experiences. We welcome feedback, so please let us know what you thought and if you think any improvements could be made to the experiences we offer. ”

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Delft, Sri Lanka’s forgotten island