British Indian Ocean Territory

An Underwater World Like No Other

What BIOT lacks in tourist infrastructure it more than makes up for beneath the waves. The Chagos Archipelago sits within one of the largest marine protected areas on the planet, sheltering pristine coral reefs, vast populations of sea turtles, manta rays, and over 300 species of reef fish. The absence of commercial fishing and human settlement on the outer islands has left these waters in a remarkably untouched state, drawing comparisons to what the world's reefs may have looked like centuries ago.

A Complicated History

The territory's history is marked by displacement and geopolitical manoeuvring. The Chagos Archipelago was separated from Mauritius in 1965, and between 1967 and 1973 the indigenous Chagossian population was removed to make way for the military base on Diego Garcia. The International Court of Justice issued a 2019 advisory opinion calling for the islands to be returned to Mauritius, and a treaty signed in May 2025 provides for the transfer of sovereignty once ratified, with the military base remaining under a 99-year lease.

Discover the Chagos Archipelago

While the territory remains off limits to casual visitors, permitted yacht transits occasionally pass through these waters, offering rare glimpses of the atolls. Scientific expeditions have documented some of the healthiest coral ecosystems recorded anywhere. For now, BIOT exists as a paradox: a place of extraordinary natural beauty shaped by military necessity and unresolved questions of sovereignty and justice.