BIOT (Chagos): Restricted Yacht Permit Process Resumed for Spring 2026

Where is BIOT?

The BIOT (British Indian Ocean Territory) archipelago consists of 58 islands spread across approximately 640,000 sq km of ocean in the Indian Ocean, roughly halfway between East Africa and Indonesia.

Although extremely remote, the islands provide a strategically important stopover point for Indian Ocean crossings. Such a vast ocean provides very limited options for refuge and for many crews, access to BIOT can make the difference between a well-planned, manageable passage and one undertaken with significantly increased risk. Its role in supporting safe routing, rest, repairs, and weather-related decision-making is extremely difficult to replace elsewhere in the region.

The territory is also home to the world’s largest contiguous Marine Protected Area and the largest expanse of undisturbed coral reefs in the Indian Ocean, making it a highly desirable destination for many cruisers.

Access to BIOT is restricted and permits must be obtained in advance. There are no commercial flights and mooring permits are issued only to yachts in transit.

What Was the Problem?

At the start of February 2026, Noonsite received reports from concerned cruisers who had been informed by BIOT Administration that it was highly likely no further BIOT permits would be issued from April 2026 onwards – April/May being the key period that yachts in transit need BIOT as a stopover option.

BIOT is currently in a sensitive transition period, awaiting clarification on how new administrative processes involving Mauritius will replace existing procedures.

For those yachts already underway across the Indian Ocean, this news came as a shock, potentially removing access to a critical safety stopover during their Indian Ocean crossing.

What Happened Next?

Noonsite, together with a number of cruising organisations and individual sailors, submitted formal letters to BIOT Administration outlining the safety implications of suspending yacht permits.

Noonsite also asked cruisers intending to visit BIOT this season to share their plans and concerns, which were forwarded to BIOT Administration to demonstrate the importance of the archipelago to Indian Ocean passage makers.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to contact us and share their cruising plans.

During this period, BIOT Administration worked extensively behind the scenes to find a way to resume the permitting process despite the administrative uncertainties.

After a month of correspondence and outreach, we are pleased to share positive news for skippers awaiting updates on their applications.

Restricted Yacht Permits Available This Spring

BIOT Administration has confirmed that yacht permit processing will temporarily resume for Spring 2026.

However, permits will be issued with new restrictions and conditions. In particular:

No permits will be granted for the Peros Banhos Islands.
Yachts will only be permitted to use designated mooring sites in the Salomon Islands.

New Restrictions and Conditions Include:

• Any BIOT yacht permit issued will be restricted to one allocated mooring site in the Salomon Islands (either Île Boddam or Île Fouquet/Takamaka).

• A maximum of eight yachts may occupy the allocated mooring sites at any one time. Applications will therefore be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Entry to Peros Banhos lagoon is not permitted until further notice.

• Visitors must acknowledge that they enter the Territory entirely at their own risk and have no claim against the United Kingdom Government, the United States Government, the BIOT Commissioner, or BIOT Administration for injury, loss, or damage incurred during their visit.

• Permits remain subject to change and may be withdrawn at any time or made subject to additional conditions by the Commissioner or relevant public officers.

Note: In May 2025 the UK signed an agreement with Mauritius concerning sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago. Should the treaty enter into force during the period of a permit, responsibility for travel through the region would transfer to Mauritius and BIOT-issued permits would no longer be valid. In that event, BIOT Administration would endeavour to provide a point of contact within the Government of Mauritius.

Good News for Indian Ocean Passage Makers

BIOT Administration has confirmed that restricted permit offers and payment requests have now been sent to all applications that were previously placed on hold.

The administration will now begin reviewing recently submitted applications, again on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the maximum capacity limits at the Salomon Island mooring sites.

Further Information

Full details on BIOT permit applications, costs, and clearance procedures can be found on Noonsite at BIOT Formalities.

Our thanks go to Victoria Bendall at BIOT Administration and James Ashwell of SY Uhuru of London for their efforts in helping secure this much-needed solution for Indian Ocean cruisers.

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