Hotels & Accommodation in British Indian Ocean Territory

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is not a destination open to civilian travelers. The territory consists of the Chagos Archipelago — approximately 55 small islands and atolls in the central Indian Ocean — of which Diego Garcia hosts a joint UK–US military facility. Access to the entire territory requires prior written authorization from the BIOT Administration in London; unauthorized entry is a criminal offence under BIOT law. There is no commercial accommodation of any kind — no hotels, hostels, guesthouses, homestays, campgrounds, or vacation rentals — available to the general public.

The only people who legally reside in or visit BIOT are military and civilian support personnel stationed at the Diego Garcia base, authorized contractors, government officials, and — on rare occasions — scientists or journalists granted special permits. All accommodation on Diego Garcia is government- or military-administered, provided directly to authorized personnel as part of their posting or contract. It is not bookable through any commercial platform.

For travelers fascinated by remote Indian Ocean destinations, the nearest comparable civilian destinations are the Maldives to the north and the Seychelles to the west, both of which have developed accommodation ecosystems. Any online listing purporting to offer accommodation in BIOT for civilian guests should be treated as fraudulent.

There is no booking process available to the public. Authorized personnel are assigned accommodation through their respective military branch, government department, or approved contracting organization. There are no seasonal booking windows, festival surges, or lead-time recommendations relevant to civilian travelers, because civilian tourism does not exist here.

• Access is legally restricted. Entry to BIOT without a permit issued by the BIOT Administration (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, London) is a criminal offence.
• No commercial accommodation exists. Any website, OTA listing, or agent claiming to sell hotel nights, villa rentals, or tour packages within BIOT should be treated as a scam or serious error.
• Permit applications are processed on a case-by-case basis for specific authorized purposes (scientific research, government business, media with approval). Tourism is not a recognized permit category.
• Yacht transit: Private sailors occasionally pass through BIOT waters. Anchoring at certain atolls other than Diego Garcia has historically been subject to evolving rules; sailors must consult the BIOT Administration before any approach, as regulations change.
• Geopolitical status: The territory's sovereignty has been subject to international legal proceedings (Chagos Islands dispute). Travel advisories from your home country should be consulted for any updates affecting access rules.

Because no legitimate civilian accommodation exists in BIOT, any platform or individual offering to sell accommodation or tourism packages here is operating fraudulently. Do not transfer money, share payment card details, or enter into contracts with any entity claiming to provide lodging, tours, or access in the British Indian Ocean Territory. Report such listings to the relevant booking platform and, if significant funds are involved, to your national consumer protection authority.

Diego Garcia has an internal road network and military transport infrastructure, but these are exclusively for authorized personnel. There are no civilian taxis, rental cars, ferries, or public transit accessible to the public. The airfield on Diego Garcia handles military and government flights only — it is not served by any commercial airline and does not appear in civilian flight-booking systems.

Family travel to BIOT is not possible for civilian visitors. Families of military and government personnel posted to Diego Garcia are subject to the specific policies of their respective service branch or employer, which vary and are not publicly disclosed.

Long-stay civilian accommodation does not exist in BIOT. Contractors and military personnel on extended postings are housed through their employer's arrangements, not through any publicly accessible serviced-apartment or monthly-rental market.