Delft Island

This British-era trigonometric point for surveyors has become a tourist attraction due to its isolation and stark beauty, which breeds a certain romance and mystery. In this, it is a representation of the entire island. Just don't believe folks who tell you it was a lighthouse (it wasn't) or that you can see India from the top (you can't) and be aware it is a long windy ride to get here. However, there is a Navy-run kiosk which sells nice cold water bottles and a delicious aloe vera drink called Komarika for Rs 100 a glass to fortify you for the ride back.

A single banyan tree with multiple trunks covering an area of 60 x 30 m.

An enormous, 500-year-old tree brought to Delft by Arab traders

This Dutch-era pigeon nest of unusual design was used to house carrier pigeons which carried information between Delft and Jaffna, a practice which was continued into the British colonial era.

This now-ruined fort was built by the Portuguese out of coral, and inherited by the Dutch, who did not improve it (unlike Jaffna Fort), which explains its small size. It is at the original harbour, which is now silted up. There is an old Catholic cemetery on what was once the other side of the bay.

These horses, which roam the interior (particularly on the east side of the island) are descendents of horses brought by the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonisers. They were left on the island after British Army cavalry horse breeding programs ceased in the early 20th century. The island's harsh environment has promoted the proliferation of smaller-statured horses, although they are not true 'ponies', as they are often called. They are also not truly feral, as they all have branding on their sides, indicating they belong to someone, but are left to roam the island. Still, they are very photogenic and a big drawcard bringing tourists to the island.