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Ocean Calling

Ocean Atlas · Indian Ocean

Indian Ocean

Chagos (British Indian Ocean Territory)

A remote Indian Ocean archipelago with a large no-take marine protected area, shared as a story only, with no trips.

Hawksbill turtle
Hawksbill turtle, found in the waters of the wider region · Photo: Kris-Mikael Krister on Unsplash
Story only

Story only, for now. We love learning about this place and its ocean, so we share its story here and do not sell trips yet. Checked by Ocean Calling on 6 Oct 2026. Sources: Mooring permits, BIOT Administration; Visa requirements, BIOT Administration, updated 24 Apr 2026; Marine protected area, BIOT Administration.

Why: The Chagos waters are a large no-take marine protected area, and that protection is strong, so the animals here are left completely in peace. The islands are not open to tourism: new permits have been paused since March 2026, diving and commercial activity are not allowed, and the right of people of Chagossian origin to live there is still in court. So we share this place as a story and do not go.

Why Chagos (British Indian Ocean Territory)

The Chagos Archipelago is administered by the UK as the British Indian Ocean Territory, and its waters have been a large no-take marine protected area since 2010. It is not a tourist destination. There are no commercial flights, new entry permits have been paused since 31 March 2026, and diving and commercial activity are not allowed. The UK and Mauritius signed a treaty in 2025 that is not yet in force, so the rules may change. The right of people of Chagossian origin to live on the islands is still in the courts, and we will not market the islands.

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

FijiTanzaniaIndonesiaSomaliaKenyaSudanMozambiqueMadagascarThailandMyanmarVietnamIndiaSri LankaMalaysiaEthiopiaSomalilandSalomon Atoll, Chagos (British Indian Ocean Territory)Peros Banhos, Chagos (British Indian Ocean Territory)

When to go

Timing changes a lot from place to place. See each place below.

We share what we learned, and we do not offer trips here.

Our ethics check

Can we travel here ethically?

Story only

We tell the story. We do not sell a trip here.

Checked 6 Oct 2026.

Sources for this check
The story

Where in Chagos (British Indian Ocean Territory)

We share these places as stories and research notes. We do not offer or sell trips here.

Salomon Atoll

Story only

A remote atoll in the Outer Islands, where permitted yachts may anchor at approved places only.

Peros Banhos

Story only

A remote atoll in the Outer Islands. The eastern part is a Strict Nature Reserve, with no approach within 3 nautical miles.

Animals

Animals recorded in Chagos (British Indian Ocean Territory)

Tap an animal to learn how it lives, where it travels and how to meet it respectfully.

Land animals
Hawksbill turtle swimming, pointed beak in profileHawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricataSeen in 88 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredGreen turtle resting on the reef, shell and head pattern in sharp detailGreen turtleChelonia mydasSeen in 103 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernReef manta ray gliding over a sandy lagoonReef manta rayMobula alfrediSeen in 20 countries in the AtlasVulnerableTwo blacktip reef sharks swimming over sunlit sand in turquoise waterBlacktip reef sharkCarcharhinus melanopterusSeen in 38 countries in the AtlasVulnerableSperm whale mother raising her fluke beside her calf off DominicaSperm whalePhyseter macrocephalusSeen in 114 countries in the AtlasVulnerableSchool of bigeye trevally swirling near the seabed at AmedBigeye trevallyCaranx sexfasciatusSeen in 48 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernWall of grey reef sharks cruising in blue waterGrey reef sharkCarcharhinus amblyrhynchosSeen in 33 countries in the AtlasEndangeredGreat barracuda cruising in open blue water, showing jagged teethGreat barracudaSphyraena barracudaSeen in 84 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSilvertip shark swimming in open blue waterSilvertip sharkCarcharhinus albimarginatusSeen in 28 countries in the AtlasVulnerableBluestreak cleaner wrasse with black stripe and blue tailBluestreak cleaner wrasseLabroides dimidiatusSeen in 51 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSilky shark swimming near the surface in blue waterSilky sharkCarcharhinus falciformisSeen in 48 countries in the AtlasVulnerablePicasso triggerfish with painted pattern over sand in the MaldivesPicasso triggerfish (lagoon triggerfish)Rhinecanthus aculeatusSeen in 41 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernWedge-tailed shearwaters resting togetherWedge-tailed shearwaterArdenna pacificaSeen in 46 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernMasked booby on Ascension IslandMasked boobySula dactylatraSeen in 80 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernRed-tailed tropicbird in Glendowie, Auckland, New Zealand, iNaturalist research-grade observationRed-tailed tropicbirdPhaethon rubricaudaSeen in 28 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernAdult brown booby standing on a rock with its bill open against blue sky, PrincipeBrown boobySula leucogasterSeen in 104 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernClose view of a red-footed booby head with blue, pink and red bill and throat skin among green leavesRed-footed boobySula sulaSeen in 91 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernRobber crab on rough coral rock with bent legs and large claws, in daylightRobber crab (coconut crab)Birgus latroSeen in 17 countries in the AtlasLives on landVulnerableGreat frigatebird in flight, with long angled wings and a forked tailGreat frigatebirdFregata minorSeen in 44 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernLesser frigatebird soaring against a blue sky with its wings spread and tail forkedLesser frigatebirdFregata arielSeen in 39 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernTropical shearwater flying low over blue waves, with dark wings and white underpartsTropical shearwaterPuffinus bailloniSeen in 15 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern
Curious?

Why this is a story, not a trip

Read our ethics check above. If you would like to talk about it, Rocío is happy to explain.

Ask RocíoBack to the Ocean Atlas

Also in Indian Ocean
Christmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsComorosIndiaMadagascarMaldivesMauritiusMayotteRéunionSeychellesSomaliaSri Lanka

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