Delft Island is a uniquely remote destination off Sri Lanka's northern coast, famous for its roaming wild horses left behind by colonial rulers, historic Dutch ruins, a giant ancient baobab tree, and traditional village walls built entirely from sea coral.

Why visit Delft Island

• A Fort Made of Coral: The fort on Delft Island is architecturally unique. It was built using limestone and coral (originally by the Portuguese, later expanded by the Dutch). This makes it the only fort in Sri Lanka constructed primarily with these materials.
• Home to Feral Horses: The island is home to a population of feral (wild) horses (often called Delft ponies), descendants of horses brought by the Portuguese (and later bred by the Dutch). They are protected as a unique feature of the island (part of Delft National Park since 2015), with conservation efforts ongoing.
• Unique Geological and Botanical Features: The island features a giant footprint (a large rock imprint) attributed to legends (e.g., linked to Hanuman, Shiva, or Adam). There is also a sacred "vertically growing" coral (a multi-headed cobra-shaped stone worshiped locally as a shrine). Furthermore, it is home to a rare African Baobab tree (one of the largest in Sri Lanka, estimated 400–500 years old).
• A Blend of Colonial and Ancient History: The island showcases a rich mix of history, with ruins from the Portuguese and Dutch periods (including the Meekanam Fort and dovecote). There are also ancient Buddhist stupa ruins (built of coral stone, unique in Sri Lanka) and remains of Hindu temples (some Chola-style from the 10th–11th century).
• An Island of Unique Fences: The island’s fences are made in a very distinct style. They are built from coral-stone walls (dry-stacked without plaster or mortar) and are sometimes topped or reinforced with dried palmyra leaves for added structure and privacy.