ALERT:  The UK Government has agreed to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, following years of negotiations and international pressure.  However, the incoming Mauritius Prime Minister had indicated he has reservations about the deal.  See this news item for the latest information.

Pre-Arrival Requirements for BIOT Chagos

Yachts wishing to visit BIOT Chagos MUST apply for a Permit and Immigration Clearance in advance and pay the applicable fees as the agreement to return the territory to Mauritius is still subject to the signing of a treaty.   All application documents can be found online, along with detailed instructions on what to do.

• How to Apply for a Mooring Permit (BIOT)
• British Indian Ocean Territory:  Guidance for Yachts

Advice for yachts planning to visit:

• Applications for permits MUST be made at least six weeks prior to your intended arrival date, as the application process can take several weeks. There is no right to receive a permits which are now processed by the Administration’s Environmental Officers.
• Permits cannot be extended once the initial application has been approved.
• BIOT Chagos is not a tourist destination and access is restricted. Permits are only issued to yachts on safe passage. On the application form where it requests ‘Purpose of Visit,’ it is important that you state “Transit”. In the past, yachts have been declined permits due to the fact they stated “Tourism”, “Private visit”, “Pleasure” or other similar wording as their purpose of visit.
• Applications are checked carefully to ensure that a stop there is essential for their safe passage across the Indian Ocean. Where that is not the case, or there is any concern that the visit is not consistent with the policies and laws of British Indian Ocean Territory (in particular its ambitious environmental objectives), a permit will not be granted.
• The maximum stay permitted is 28 days. BIOT Permits are paid for and approved by the week (7 day periods), not by the day. See Fees for details. When applying for a permit, it may be wise to purchase a four week period which would give you greater flexibility for arrival and departure dates. Once a permit has been granted, it is NOT possible to change the dates, nor the crew list. Do not arrive before the permit date as you may be requested to leave.
• You will need to send a copy of your insurance documents with your permit application (see Documents for details of insurance required for BIOT).
• Send your application by email to BIOTA.Environment@fcdo.gov.uk:.  Emails must be no larger than 10MB and have the name of your vessel in the subject field.
• If your application is approved, payment details will be sent to you and are by bank transfer only in British Pounds (see Fees).
• Permits are processed and issued once payment is received.

British Indian Ocean Territory Administration
King Charles Street
London, SW1A 2AH
Email: BIOTA.Environment@fcdo.gov.uk
Fax:+44 (0) 20 7008 1589
Website:  BIOT/Visiting

The e-mail address is monitored regularly throughout working hours and is the best method of reaching BIOTA as all personnel access this mailbox.

Notes:

• Visiting yachts may be permitted only to anchor in Peros Banhos and the Salomon Islands at the approved sites. On the application, only apply to visit those areas containing yacht moorings otherwise your permit may be declined. See this link, Mooring plots for permitted anchoring sites.
• Access to Diego Garcia in BIOT is only permitted to those with connections either to the military facility or to the Territory’s Administration.
• You are subject to BIOT law when inside its territorial waters. If you break any of these laws, you will become subject, as in any country, to a range of censures and punishments, including fines, imprisonment, deportation, or the impounding and forfeiture of your vessel.

Arrival Procedures for BIOT Chagos:

All vessels are requested to report the following to the BIOT Patrol Vessel:-

• Entry into the BIOT Maritime Zone (MZ)
• Arrival at one of the authorised anchorages
• Departure from authorised anchorages
• Departure from the BIOT MZ

The information needs to contain:-

• Yacht name
• Call sign
• BIOT Permit no.
• Activity (i.e. arrival at MZ, entering/exiting anchorage, departing MZ)
• Time
• Position
• Intention (i.e. next destination)
• Any other information

See British Indian Ocean Territory Guidance for Yachts for details.

This may be emailed to BIOT Administration:  BIOTA.Environment@fcdo.gov.uk or phoned to the BIOT Patrol Vessel (Grampian Endurance) at +44 1224 539325 or by Satellite phone number: 00 881 677 126 348

The BIOT Patrol Vessel may visit your yacht after you arrive. Their RIB will pull alongside your yacht and two men will board your boat, a Customs official and the Visit Vessel Control Officer (VVCO). The rib will not tie off to your vessel but expect black boot marks. Hand the Customs official your passports and a printed copy of your Chagos Vessel Mooring Permit, and related exception e-mails (if any).

After reviewing the documents to make sure they are valid for the time period of your visit, Customs will stamp the passports and the permit with a BIOT Customs Arrival stamp.

You may also be called up by a spotter plane which will also request your details.

Departure Procedures from BIOT Chagos:

There are no other clearing-out procedures except as described above unless the BIOT Patrol Boat just happens to be in the atoll on the day you depart.

No clearance document for your next port is provided and the BIOT Authorities do not expect to see your last port of clearance document.

Last updated:  June 2024

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