What and where the Chagos Islands are
The Chagos Archipelago is a group of atolls in the central Indian Ocean, south of the Maldives. The largest island, Diego Garcia, hosts a UK and US military base. The other atolls, including Peros Banhos and the Salomon Islands, are uninhabited, and the islands are known for coral reefs and a large marine protected area.
For the wider region, see the nearby Maldives, the Seychelles and India. For anyone planning a holiday in the Indian Ocean, those are the destinations you can actually book.
Access is restricted
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office describes the British Indian Ocean Territory as a British Overseas Territory and states that access is restricted. Its entry requirements page says the territory is not a tourist destination, there are no commercial flights, and you need a permit before you travel. The British Indian Ocean Territory administration, based in London, holds the information on permits.
The FCDO adds that if you are granted permission to travel, you should research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance covering your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
Passport and yacht permits
For those who do have permission to enter, the FCDO says your passport must have an expiry date at least six months after the date you arrive and at least two blank pages. Yacht crews must have a mooring permit to enter the territory and make safe passage through the Indian Ocean, which applies to the outer islands only.
The FCDO says you must apply for a mooring permit at least six weeks in advance and have proof of appropriate travel insurance. Check the administration's guidance on applying, because the rules are set by the territory and not by tour operators.
Sea and security advice
The FCDO says terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out, although there is no recent history of terrorism in the territory. It also reports a risk of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, with attacks on local fishing vessels around the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa, and refers sailors to its guidance on piracy and armed robbery at sea.
Those planning a long passage across the Indian Ocean should include this in their route planning, alongside weather, fuel and the availability of rescue services, which are limited in such remote waters.
Anyone writing about the territory should also keep terminology precise. The FCDO uses the name British Indian Ocean Territory, while the Chagos Archipelago and the Chagos Islands are the names in common use, and the two refer to the same group of islands. Searchers use all three, so clear explanation helps them.
The sovereignty arrangement
The House of Commons Library, in a briefing last modified on 8 July 2026, reports that the UK and Mauritius signed a treaty on 22 May 2025. Under its terms, Mauritius would gain sovereignty over the archipelago, while the UK would retain the right to operate the Diego Garcia base for an initial 99-year period, and Mauritius could arrange resettlement of Chagossians on the islands other than Diego Garcia.
According to the same briefing, the treaty had not yet been ratified by the UK, which follows the practice of ratifying only after domestic legislation is in place, and Mauritius also had to complete its own ratification processes. Treat the position as subject to change and check official sources for the latest.
Why the Chagos Islands matter to the industry
The name draws genuine search interest from people who are curious, researching the legal position or comparing the Indian Ocean. ChagosIslands.co.uk lets a tourist board or airline publish clear, accurate answers, including that this is not a bookable destination, and our AI platform carries them to searchers.
See our other destination guides, or our hotel partnerships page for the destinations that are open.
Questions travellers ask about The Chagos Islands
Can I visit the Chagos Islands as a tourist?
No. The FCDO says the British Indian Ocean Territory is not a tourist destination, there are no commercial flights, access is restricted and you need a permit before you travel.
Do yachts need a permit?
Yes. The FCDO says yacht crews must have a mooring permit to enter the territory, applied for at least six weeks in advance with proof of appropriate travel insurance.
What is the status of the treaty with Mauritius?
The treaty was signed on 22 May 2025. A House of Commons Library briefing last modified on 8 July 2026 said it had not yet been ratified by the UK. Check official sources for updates.
Where should I go instead?
For Indian Ocean holidays, consider the Maldives, the Seychelles or India, which are open to tourists.
In the Visit Travel Group portfolio: ChagosIslands.co.uk.