North Sentinel Island Guide - 2022 - International islands

If you have not heard of North Sentinel Island, then this is a mist of any guide to the islands of the world. There might be a few candidates for most dangerous island in the world, but this one truly takes some beating.

To read about Savo Island click here.

What’s the story with North Sentinel Island?

North Sentinel Island is one of the Andaman Islands, an Indian archipelago in the Bay of Bengal which of course includes South Sentinel Island. They are located in the Indian Ocean and during colonial times fell under the remit of the British.

As Brits do they tried to spread civilisation, with the Andaman Islands and South Sentinel Island having their peoples integrated into the wider world, as well as a tourist industry being promoted.

North Sentinel Island not so much so. with lots of people that have tried to visit the island ending up dead. In effect while they have been “contacted” they are much likee many tribes in Brazil and New Guinea for all intents un-contacted.

Remember the Star Trek mantra, well in 1997 the Indian government made all travel to North Sentinel Island illegal and they were to be left to their own devices. They were though greatly affected by the 2004 Tsunami, but when helicopters went to check the damage, they got spears thrown at them. Enough said.

Can you visit North Sentinel Island?

Can you visit North Sentinel Island? In shirt yes you can, although it is not advised and strictly illegal. Getting here will involve bribes to corrupt fishermen.

You should though under no circumstances even consider visiting, with the last few ‘”tourist’ being case in point. In 2006 two Indian nationals fishing illegally were killed, without recourse, but things were to get even weirder.

The last known person to contact the North Sentinalese was an American namely John Allen Chau, a missionary intent on converting the locals to the ways of Jesus. He came in November 2018 and was, you guessed it killed.

The Indian government again stated they would not blame the North Sentinel natives for the killing. Thus making North Sentinel Island perhaps the only place in the world where murder is legal, although it could also be compared with Texan stand your ground law, after all this is very much their land.

Is North Sentinel Island for sale?

No, it is not. An integral part of India and more importantly has a huge maritime border for fishing. Let us also not forget that they have locals who are not exactly keen outsiders.

Is North Sentinel Island a country? Technically, no it is not, but it does fit many of the criteria for a country, although you could say one under the protectorship of India.