British Indian Ocean Territory

LOCAL TIME:
GMT+5
LANGUAGE:
English
FLIGHT TIME FROM UK:
12 to 24 Hrs
CURRENCY:
GBP

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is a UK Overseas Territory located in the Indian Ocean. The territory consists of a group of islands, including the Chagos Archipelago, which is the largest group of islands in the territory.

The official language of BIOT is English, which is widely spoken by the small population of military and support personnel on the islands.

As BIOT is a UK Overseas Territory, the primary currency is the Pound Sterling (GBP).

BIOT does not have a local time as it is spread across multiple time zones. However, it is worth noting that the islands are located approximately six hours ahead of the UK during British Summer Time (BST) and five hours ahead during Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

There is no airport on any of the islands in BIOT. The closest major airport is in Mauritius, which is approximately 2,200 km (1,367 miles) from the Chagos Archipelago. The flight time from the UK to Mauritius is approximately 12 hours. From there, travelers must take a military flight or chartered vessel to reach BIOT.

The main airport in Mauritius is Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, which is located in the town of Plaine Magnien. The address of the airport is Plaine Magnien, Mauritius.

It is worth noting that BIOT is not open to tourists and access to the islands is strictly controlled due to the sensitive nature of the territory’s military and environmental activities.

In summary, the British Indian Ocean Territory is a UK Overseas Territory located in the Indian Ocean, with English as its official language and Pound Sterling as its primary currency. BIOT does not have a local time, but is approximately six hours ahead of the UK during British Summer Time and five hours ahead during Greenwich Mean Time. There is no airport on any of the islands in BIOT, with the closest major airport located in Mauritius. Access to BIOT is strictly controlled and the territory is not open to tourists.

Top Local Attractions

Not open to tourists

As the British Indian Ocean Territory is primarily a military base and not open to tourists, there are no traditional tourist attractions available to visit. The territory is home to the US naval support facility, Diego Garcia, and access to the area is highly restricted. However, the waters surrounding the British Indian Ocean Territory are home to diverse marine life and are popular among sailors and divers for their clear waters, coral reefs, and abundant sea life. For those with the opportunity to visit, diving and snorkeling are highly recommended activities. The uninhabited islands also offer an opportunity to experience secluded beaches and untouched natural beauty. It is important to note that access to the British Indian Ocean Territory is highly restricted and visitors must obtain special permission in advance.
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