DestinationsAsiaBritish Indian Ocean Territory

About British Indian Ocean Territory Flag of {{ destination?.name }}

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is a remote tropical paradise, consisting of 58 tiny islands scattered like emeralds across the Indian Ocean. Known for its pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and vibrant coral reefs, BIOT is a dream destination for divers, snorkelers, and nature lovers. The territory is home to the world-famous Diego Garcia atoll, a stunning natural wonder teeming with marine life. Due to its military significance, access is highly restricted, but those lucky enough to visit will find untouched beauty and unparalleled serenity. The lack of mass tourism ensures an exclusive and eco-conscious travel experience, where the rhythms of nature take center stage.

Travel Tips for British Indian Ocean Territory

Getting Around

Transportation is extremely limited due to the territory's restricted access. Boat travel is the primary mode of transport between islands, and bicycles are commonly used on Diego Garcia.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit is during the dry season from May to October, when the weather is pleasant, and the seas are calm for diving and snorkeling.

Local Customs

As a military-administered territory, local customs are heavily influenced by British and U.S. military personnel. Respect for rules and regulations is paramount. The environment is highly protected, so eco-friendly practices are encouraged.

Safety Information

The territory is very safe due to its restricted access and military presence. However, visitors should adhere to all rules and regulations.

Visa Requirements

Visas are required and are typically only issued to military personnel and authorized contractors. Tourist visas are not generally available.

Health Information

Medical facilities are limited to military bases. Visitors should ensure they have comprehensive travel insurance and any necessary vaccinations before arrival.

Languages Spoken

English

Quick Facts

Currency

United States Dollar (USD)
$

Timezone

Indian/Chagos +06:00 (GMT+6)

Calling Code

+246

Electricity

230V, 50Hz; Plug Type G (British three-pin)
Socket types →

Driving Side

left

Population

4000

Area

60 km²

Government

British Overseas Territory administered by a Commissioner based in the UK.

ISO Code

IO, IOT

Emergency Contacts

Also known as: Britaniya-Hindistan Okeanik territoriyası, Britaniana teritorio en Indiana Oceano, Xakên Brîtanyayê yên Okyanûsa Hindî, Брытанскія Індыйска-акіянскія тэрыторыі, ᏈᏗᏏ ᏴᏫᏯ ᎠᎺᏉ ᎢᎬᎾᏕᏅ, பிரித்தானிய இந்தியப் பெருங்கடல் மண்டலம், Brittiläinen Intian valtameren alue, Брытанская тэрыторыя ў Індыйскім акіяне, Британско Индиско Океанска територија, Det britiske territoriet i Indiahavet, Territorio Britanico de l'Ozián Indico, Territorio Británico do Océano Índico, Orílẹ́ède Etíkun Índíánì ti Ìlú Bírítísì, Британская Территория в Индийском Океане, 英属印度洋领地 | 英屬印度洋領地, ବ୍ରିଟିଶ୍ ଭାରତୀୟ ସାମୁଦ୍ରିକ କ୍ଷେତ୍ର, Brytyjske Terytorium Indyjskigo Ôceanu, Bizinga by'eCago, טריטוריה בריטית באוקיאנוס ההודי, બ્રિટિશ ઇન્ડિયન ઓશન ટેરિટરી, Eng-sio̍k Ìn-tō͘-iûⁿ Léng-tōe, Britské indickooceánske územie, 英属印度洋领地, Britiske område i Det indiske hav, बेलायती हिन्द महासागर क्षेत्र, Territorium Oceani Indici Britannicum, Британска индоокеанска територия, Британска Индоокеанска Територија, Britanya Hint Okyanusu Toprakları, ব্রিটিশ ভারত মহাসাগরীয় অঞ্চল, Indijos vandenyno Britų sritis, బ్రిటిష్ భారతీయ ఓషన్ ప్రాంతం, บริติชอินเดียนโอเชียนเทร์ริทอรี, Ranntair Breatannach Cuan nan Innseachan, Brit Indiai-óceáni Terület, Akal Aglizi deg Ugaraw Ahendi, Britaintɔwo ƒe india ƒudome nutome, Tiriad Meurvor Indez Breizh-Veur, Território Britânico do Oceano Índico, Британска територија Индијског океана, བྲི་ཊིཤ་རྒྱ་གར་གྱི་རྒྱ་མཚོ་ས་ཁོངས, ដែន​មហា​សមុទ្រ​ឥណ្ឌា ចក្រភព​អង់គ្លេស, Territorio britannico dell'oceano Indiano, برطانوی بحرِ ہِنٛدۍ علاقہٕ, Mabelé ya Angɛlɛtɛ́lɛ na mbú ya Indiya, Indijas okeāna Britu teritorija, ბრიტანეთის ინდოეთის ოკეანის ტერიტორია, ಬ್ರಿಟೀಶ್ ಇಂಡಿಯನ್ ಮಹಾಸಾಗರ ಪ್ರದೇಶ, Ing-sio̍k Ìn-tōo-iûnn Líng-tuē, බ්‍රිතාන්‍ය ඉන්දීය සාගර ප්‍රාන්තය, Potu fonua moana ʻInitia fakapilitānia, Teritoriul Britanic din Oceanul Indian, Eneo la Uingereza katika Bahari Hindi, Britske Yndyske-Oseaanterritoarium, Inggilize Hindde Abbaa Haaruwa, Críoch Aigéan Indiach na Breataine, Territorio Británico del Océano Índico, Briti India ookeani ala, Sêse tî Anglëe na Ngûyämä tî Ênnde, Territoriu Británicu del Océanu Índicu, Territoire britannique de l'Océan Indien, i-British Indian Ocean Territory, إقليم المحيط الهندي البريطاني, Brettesche Besezunge em indesche Oozejahn, Teritorial Britania di Samudra Hindia, ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് ഇന്ത്യൻ മഹാസമുദ്ര പ്രദേശം, BIOT, Brittiska territoriet i Indiska oceanen, የብሪታኒያ ህንድ ውቂያኖስ ግዛት, Teritori britanic dal Ocean Indian, Breska Indlandshafseyjar, Territori Britànic de l'Oceà Índic, Britanski teritorij Indijskog oceana, Britanski teritorij Indijskog okeana, Yankin Birtaniya Na Tekun Indiya, Lãnh thổ Ấn Độ Dương thuộc Anh, Teritorio de Mar Indian Brites, Британийн Энэтхэгийн Далайн Нутаг дэвсгэр, Британська територія в Індійському океані, Indiako Ozeanoko Britainiar Lurraldea, مستعمره‌های بریتانیا در اقیانوس هند, Britenfo Hɔn Man Wɔ India Po No Mu, برطانوی ہندوستانی سمندری خطہ, Βρετανικό Έδαφος Ινδικού Ωκεανού, ဗြိတိသျှ အိန္ဒြိယ သမုဒ္ဒရာ ပိုင်နက်, Britanski indijskooceanski teritoriji, Britanski teritorij v Indijskem oceanu, Britse Indiese Oseaan Gebied, Territori Britannic en l'Ocean Indic, Wilayah Lautan Hindi British, Eng-siok Ìn-tō͘-iûⁿ Léng-tōe, Brits Territorium in de Indische Oceaan, Yīngshǔ Yìndùyáng Lǐngdì, Chagos Islands, イギリス領インド洋地域, Intara y'Ubwongereza yo mu birwa by'Abahindi, Faridranomasina indiana britanika, 영국령 인도양 지역, Keeriindi britaani to maayo enndo, ब्रिटीश हिंदी महासागर क्षेत्र, Brita Hindoceana Teritorio, British Indian Ocean Territory, Britské indickooceánské území, Brytyjskie Terytorium Oceanu Indyjskiego, Brit Indiai-óceáni terület, ब्रिटिश हिंद महासागर क्षेत्र, Angilɛ ka ɛndu dugukolo, Bretsku Indiahavsoyggjarnar, Tiriogaeth Brydeinig Cefnfor India, Britisches Territorium im Indischen Ozean, Territorio oceanic britanno-indian, 英屬印度洋領地, ບຣິດທິສອິນດ່ຽນໂອຊ່ຽນເທີຣິທໍຣີ, Britiske Indiske Ocean, Britanski Indijskooceanski Teritoriji

Frequently Asked Questions