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Sri-LankaDescription and is it worth visiting
Kayts Island Fort is a small and practically forgotten fort located on the shore near the village of Velanai. Built by the Dutch in 1629 and was abandoned as early as 1651.
We visited this fort and can say that today this place represents modest ruins that are worth visiting purposefully only if you have already seen everything around and have free time left. The fort looks abandoned and is gradually deteriorating, there is no tourist infrastructure, information signs or guards here.
The location is on the shore among the fishing boats of the local village, which creates a certain authentic flavor. From the shore, there is a view of the neighboring and much more well-maintained Fort Hammenhiel, which is clearly visible on its island straight ahead. Kayts Island Fort itself is very small, and as it seemed to us personally, a couple of minutes will be enough for you to explore it. You'll just look at the low walls and everything that remains of them.
Theoretically, you can sit on the shore here, but we wouldn't recommend swimming - the shore in this place is quite dirty and inconvenient for entering the water. Given the complete lack of information and the unsatisfactory condition of the monument, we advise visiting this fort only if you are passing by for another reason or if you really have a lot of free time. In our opinion, it's definitely not worth planning a long route here specifically.
🕐 Opening hours
24/7.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices
Free.
🚶 How to get there
Kayts Island Fort is located in northern Sri Lanka, 22 kilometers from the center of Jaffna (Kayts Island Fort on the map). Despite the short distance from the center, it takes almost an hour by taxi, tuk-tuk or rented transport. Asphalt leads almost to the fort itself, only the last few dozen meters are a dirt road along the shore. You can also get here by bus route No. 88 from the central bus station in Jaffna to the village, and walk a little. There is also bus No. 782, which goes to the pier on the other side of the strait on Karaitivu Island. Small ferries frequently run through this strait, on which you can cross from island to island without having to travel dozens of kilometers over bridges. So you can come to Kayts Fort, cross by ferry and see Fort Hammenhiel, and then go further. You can do such a route by bus 782 and 88, and by motorbike or bicycle. We paid 150 rupees for the crossing of a motorbike and two people.
For more details about transport, how to get to Jaffna and what to travel on, we have told in the detailed instructions here.