Kurikkadduwan Jetty
The bustling Kurikkadduwan Jetty, your gateway to the sacred island of Nainathive and the unique Delft Island.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, smoother travel
Kurikkadduwan Jetty
Best Time
Fewer crowds, smoother travel
Highlights
Must-see attractions
The bustling Kurikkadduwan Jetty, your gateway to the sacred island of Nainathive and the unique Delft Island.
"The ferry to Delft Island is not for the faint-hearted, but the journey to Nainathive is smoother."
Choose Your Boat Wisely
Opt for larger, modern boats (like Navy ones) for a smoother ride, especially if prone to seasickness.
Book Delft Ferry in Advance
Delft boats are infrequent. Arrive early or book ahead if possible, especially on weekends.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.2 · 1,286 reviews
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Ferry to Delft Island
Kurikkadduwan Jetty
The adventurous journey to Delft Island, with varying boat conditions and travel times.
Ferry to Nainathive (Nagadeepa)
Kurikkadduwan Jetty
A shorter, often smoother boat ride to the sacred island of Nagadeepa.
Bus Terminal
Kurikkadduwan Jetty
Convenient bus access directly to the jetty from Jaffna.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Ferry to Delft Island: Brace Yourself
Getting to Kurikkadduwan Jetty
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Choose Your Boat Wisely
Opt for larger, modern boats (like Navy ones) for a smoother ride, especially if prone to seasickness.
Book Delft Ferry in Advance
Delft boats are infrequent. Arrive early or book ahead if possible, especially on weekends.
Jaffna Bus is Affordable
Take the SLTB bus (route 776) from Jaffna for an economical journey to the jetty.
Hydration is Key
There are few shops. Carry plenty of water, especially if waiting for your ferry.
Tips
from all over the internet
Choose Your Boat Wisely
Opt for larger, modern boats (like Navy ones) for a smoother ride, especially if prone to seasickness.
Book Delft Ferry in Advance
Delft boats are infrequent. Arrive early or book ahead if possible, especially on weekends.
Jaffna Bus is Affordable
Take the SLTB bus (route 776) from Jaffna for an economical journey to the jetty.
Hydration is Key
There are few shops. Carry plenty of water, especially if waiting for your ferry.
Consider a Van for Speed
Hiring a van from Jaffna is faster than the bus, though more costly.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Kurikkadduwan Jetty serves as a vital transit point for island travel, with ferry services to Nainathive and Delft Island. While convenient for reaching these destinations, the ferry experience itself can be unpredictable, ranging from terrifyingly rough rides on basic boats to smoother journeys on Navy vessels. Planning and choosing the right boat are key to a positive experience.
"The ferry to Delft island is not for the faint-hearted. We had a different ferry for the out & return legs. The ferry for the out leg was pretty terrifying. It sits quite low in the water, looks pretty rickety and we were rammed in. It was shoulder to shoulder standing room only for the 1 hour journey. There was a slight swell and people were throwing up all around us. I dread to think what would happen if this ferry ever ran into trouble. You wouldn't have a hope of getting off. There was no safety information and no life jackets.
The return journey was on a more modern and quicker boat which had seating for everyone and life jackets.
I'm not sure Delft island is worth the visit. We got the standard tuk tuk tour to the remains of Dutch Fort & Hospital. The Baobab tree is just that, as is the Banyan Tree. There was no sign of any wild horses and time dragged until we got the ferry back. There are probably more interesting things to do & see on the mainland."
Simon Daniels
"We went there from Jaffna by bus ,, it is about 1 hour around 2.30pm. I is a jetty about 500 meters extend to sea from coast line. Bus directly goes up to end of the jetty. From there you can go to Nainathive island(Nagadeepa), or Delft island (Nadunathive) from commen large boats. Some are free transport by Sri Lanka Navy and Nagadeepa temple. To Delft more than 1 hour journey. To the Nainathive it is less than 30 min. There is gender seperate toilets. No shops there. Few large plastic tanks for drinking water. Usually crowded area on public holidays.No wheelchair accessible/ friendly set-up , but they can go there with help of others. Sri Lanka Navy always help all."
suresh rangana
"It's really a beautiful place. Two days we went this place. On 14th of August 2025 (Thursday) & 16th of August (Saturday). There was a long queue for "Nainative" boats on weekends. On Thursday, we have to spend Rs. 180/- per person to visit "Naagadeepaya" on private boat. Same day we couldn't travel to "Neduntheevu(Delft)", coz Navy officers said there's only 2.30 p.m. to Delft & it won't come back. So, on Saturday again, we went "Kurikattuwan jetty" to travel "Delft". We went there sharp @ 7 a.m.,But once again, a Navy officer said there may not have spaces in RDA(free) boat, so we got onto a private boat (Rs. 1000/-, up & down per person)
There are buses from Jaffna to Kurikattuwan (776). It may cost around Rs. 180/- per person by bus & it may take 1 hour & 40 minutes to reach there from Jaffna. Second day we hired a van to Kurikattuwan from Jaffna because they said the first bus starts at 6.15 a. m. So, It cost Rs. 8000/- for the van, it took only 40 minutes to reach the place from Jaffna."
Lakshika Jayasinghe (Lakshi)
What People Like
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Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can take the SLTB bus (route 776) from Jaffna, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and costs around Rs. 180 per person. Alternatively, hiring a van from Jaffna is faster, taking about 40 minutes, but costs significantly more (around Rs. 8000). +1
Yes, buses from Jaffna go directly to the end of the jetty.
By bus, it typically takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes. Hiring a van can reduce this to about 40 minutes.
No, there are no shops at the jetty. It's advisable to bring your own supplies, especially water.
The jetty is not wheelchair accessible or friendly, but visitors can navigate with assistance. Sri Lanka Navy personnel are known to help.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The free transport by Sri Lanka Navy is available, but spaces can be limited. Private boats to Delft Island can cost around Rs. 1000 per person for a round trip.
There is a very small fee for boats to Nagadeepa, and some transport is provided free by the Sri Lanka Navy and Nagadeepa Temple. Private boats may cost around Rs. 180 per person. +1
Boats to Delft Island are infrequent. The Navy typically operates one service around 2:30 PM, and it does not return the same day. It's crucial to confirm these times upon arrival.
Yes, there are several services, including larger, smoother Navy boats and smaller private boats.
While not always possible to book in advance, arriving very early, especially on weekends, is recommended to secure a spot on the desired boat.
🎫 🚢 Onboard Experience
The journey can be quite rough, with some boats sitting low in the water and offering only standing room. Seasickness is common. Opting for Navy boats is recommended for a smoother experience.
The journey to Delft Island takes over an hour.
The ferry to Nainathive is much shorter, taking less than 30 minutes.
Life jackets are not always provided on all boats, but wearing safety vests when going by other boats is advised. Navy boats are generally better equipped.
There are gender-separate toilets available at the jetty.
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