Chagos Archipelago

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==CHAGOS (BIOT) CRUISING GUIDE==
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An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Chagos (British Indian Ocean Territory) in the Indian Ocean.  
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An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Chagos (BIOT) in the Indian Ocean.  
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{| class="infobox bordered" style="width:28em; text-align: left; font-size: 90%;"
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| colspan="2" style="text-align:center; font-size: smaller;" | {{Small info}} ''(Click links for more information)''
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! <center>[[image:World_icon.png]]</center>
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| {{Coord|6|0|S|71|30|E|}}
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| [http://www.panoramio.com/map/#lt=-6.273084&ln=71.922974&z=10&k=0&a=1&tab=1&pl=all Photo gallery]
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! <center>[[image:Chart_icon.png]]</center>
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| [http://www.cruiserswiki.org/wiki/Chartlet#lat=6_0_S&lon=71_30_E&zoom=8 Local chartlet]
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| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | [[Image:Chagosmap.PNG|330px| ]]<br>'''Chagos''' - ''click for larger view''
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | [[Image:Chagosmap.PNG|330px| ]]<br>'''Chagos''' - ''click for larger view''
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| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" | '''Official policy of BIOT as from January 2011'''.<br/>"The rules governing mooring permits are due to change on 01 January 2011. The fee structure will move to a weekly fee of £50 and the maximum stay permitted will be 28 days. Applications for visits in 2011 that are received in 2010 still attract the old fee of £100 per month but the Commissioner will NOT authorise any permits of more than 3 months."
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" | '''Official policy of BIOT as from January 2011'''.<br/>"The rules governing mooring permits are due to change on 01 January 2011. The fee structure will move to a weekly fee of £50 and the maximum stay permitted will be 28 days. Applications for visits in 2011 that are received in 2010 still attract the old fee of £100 per month but the Commissioner will NOT authorise any permits of more than 3 months."
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The Chagos Archipelago (formerly Oil Islands) is a group of seven atolls comprising more than 60 individual tropical islands roughly in the centre of the [[Indian Ocean]].
The Chagos Archipelago (formerly Oil Islands) is a group of seven atolls comprising more than 60 individual tropical islands roughly in the centre of the [[Indian Ocean]].
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The Chagos group is a combination of different coralline structures topping a submarine ridge running southwards across the centre of the Indian Ocean, formed by volcanoes above the Réunion hotspot. Unlike in the [[Maldives]] there is not a clearly discernible pattern of arrayed atolls, which makes the whole archipelago look somewhat chaotic. Most of the coralline structures of the Chagos are submerged reefs.
The Chagos group is a combination of different coralline structures topping a submarine ridge running southwards across the centre of the Indian Ocean, formed by volcanoes above the Réunion hotspot. Unlike in the [[Maldives]] there is not a clearly discernible pattern of arrayed atolls, which makes the whole archipelago look somewhat chaotic. Most of the coralline structures of the Chagos are submerged reefs.
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Officially part of the [[British Indian Ocean Territory]], the Chagos were home to the Chagossians for more than a century and a half until their forced expulsion in the 1960s by the United Kingdom and United States.
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Officially part of the ''British Indian Ocean Territory'', the Chagos were home to the Chagossians for more than a century and a half until their forced expulsion in the 1960s by the United Kingdom and United States.
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The Chagos Archipelago consists of a number of islands, banks, and reefs lying between the parallels of 4º44’S and 7º39’S, and the meridians of 70º50’E and 72º47’E.
The Chagos Archipelago consists of a number of islands, banks, and reefs lying between the parallels of 4º44’S and 7º39’S, and the meridians of 70º50’E and 72º47’E.
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==Charts==
==Charts==
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; British Admiralty
: BA3 Chagos Archipelago
: BA3 Chagos Archipelago
: BA726 Indian Ocean British Indian Ocean Territories
: BA726 Indian Ocean British Indian Ocean Territories
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===Local Radio Nets===
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==Local Radio Nets==
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''Also see [[World MM Nets|World Cruiser's Nets]]''
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* South Africa Maritime Mobile Net - See [[HF_Radio|Cruiser's Nets]] for details
* South Africa Maritime Mobile Net - See [[HF_Radio|Cruiser's Nets]] for details
* Radio Peri-Peri - See [[HF_Radio|Cruiser's Nets]] for details
* Radio Peri-Peri - See [[HF_Radio|Cruiser's Nets]] for details
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* Maritime Mobile Net South East Asia (MMNETSEA) - See [[HF_Radio|Cruiser's Nets]] for details
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* Maritime Mobile Net South East Asia (MMNETSEA) - ''See [[HF_Radio|Cruiser's Nets]] for details''
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*
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''Also see [[World MM Nets|World Cruiser's Nets]]''.
==Arrival/Departure procedures==
==Arrival/Departure procedures==
<font color=red>'''N.B.'''</font> A permit must be obtained '''PRIOR''' to a visit to Chagos. The "Mooring" fee is BP100.00 and application for a permit and payment of the fees must be done in advance. Download the application form and instructions from the [http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/KFile/BIOT%20Visit%20Permit%20Request%20-%20Yachts.doc Official Website].
<font color=red>'''N.B.'''</font> A permit must be obtained '''PRIOR''' to a visit to Chagos. The "Mooring" fee is BP100.00 and application for a permit and payment of the fees must be done in advance. Download the application form and instructions from the [http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/KFile/BIOT%20Visit%20Permit%20Request%20-%20Yachts.doc Official Website].
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===Immigration===
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==Customs and Immigration==
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Submit details about immigration procedures here.
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====Customs====
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{{MagentaText|Details?}}
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===Customs===
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====Immigration====
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Details?
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{{MagentaText|Details?}}
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==Islands & Popular Stops==
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====Fees and Charges====
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* '''Salomon Islands''' - GPS: {{Coord|05|22.0|S|72|13|E|}} lie on an atoll reef, which encloses a lagoon. [http://maps.google.com/maps?&q=-5.366667,72.216667&spn=0.3,0.3&output=kml Google Earth]
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*
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====Restrictions====
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* Anchorage Restrictions are in place and failure to comply can attract hefty fines. See [http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/travel-advice/BIOT__mooring_sites BIOT Mooring sites] for details.
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* Flora and fauna, such as turtles, coconut crabs, live coral and shells, are protected. No spearfishing is allowed, nor should the heart of palm be taken. The only fishing allowed is by hand line.
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*
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==Health and Security==
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====Health====
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{{GreenText|Submit any health warnings/information. Remove any of these sections do not apply to this particular country.}}
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====Security====
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{{MagentaText|Details?}}
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==Berthing Options==
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===Islands & Popular Stops===
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* '''Salomon Islands''' - [[image:World_icon.png]] {{Coord|05|22.0|S|72|13|E|}} lie on an atoll reef, which encloses a lagoon. [http://maps.google.com/maps?&q=-5.366667,72.216667&spn=0.3,0.3&output=kml Google Earth]
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<center><gallery caption="Salomon (Click for larger views)" widths="161px" heights="121px" perrow="4">
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<center><gallery caption="Salomon (Click for larger views)" widths="161px" heights="121px" perrow="3">
Image:Salomon_Islands_map.png|Salomon, Chagos
Image:Salomon_Islands_map.png|Salomon, Chagos
Image:Saloman_Photo_Rick_Miller.jpg|Salomon ''Photo - Rick Miller''
Image:Saloman_Photo_Rick_Miller.jpg|Salomon ''Photo - Rick Miller''
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The entrance to the lagoon is through a passage on the NW side of the atoll. A least depth of 5.8m (19ft.) may be carried through it, but the bar is impassable during the NW monsoon.<br/><br/>The C-Map chart is reported to be inaccurate. The following waypoints for the entrance are reportedly excellent with the minimum depth of 7m. You will see the reef to port around Ile de la Passe.<br/>1. 05º 18' 00 S 72º 14' 40 E<br/>2. 05º 18' 85 S 72º 14' 81 E<br/><br/>There is a sand patch to starboard inside the entrance where some yachts anchor if there is poor light to traverse the atoll. If visibility is good, make your way over to ''Ile Anglais'' keeping a close watch for coral heads. Anchored near 05º 19' 23 S 072º 13' 82 E in 10m coral/sand, flat bottom.
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The entrance to the lagoon is through a passage on the NW side of the atoll. A least depth of 5.8m (19ft.) may be carried through it, but the bar is impassable during the NW monsoon.
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* '''Peros Banhos''' - (5°15'S., 71°46'E.)
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* '''Diego Garcia''' - (7º21’S., 72º28’E.) is an American Communication base, and is '''off limits''' to visitors, except possibly in a dire emergency.
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The C-Map chart is reported to be inaccurate. The following waypoints for the entrance are reportedly excellent with the minimum depth of 7m. You will see the reef to port around Ile de la Passe.
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# [[image:World_icon.png]] {{Coord|05|18.0|S|72|14.7|E|}}
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# [[image:World_icon.png]] {{Coord|05|18.2|S|72|14.2|E|}}
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There is a sand patch to starboard inside the entrance where some yachts anchor if there is poor light to traverse the atoll. If visibility is good, make your way over to ''Ile Anglais'' keeping a close watch for coral heads. Anchored near [[image:World_icon.png]] {{Coord|05|19.4|S|72|13.2|E|}} in 10m coral/sand, flat bottom.
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* '''Peros Banhos''' - [[image:World_icon.png]] {{Coord|05|15|S|71|46|E|}}
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* '''Diego Garcia''' - [[image:World_icon.png]] {{Coord|05|21|S|72|28|E|}} is an American Communication base, and is '''off limits''' to visitors, except possibly in a dire emergency.
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*
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===Restrictions===
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==Yacht Services and Repairs==
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* Anchorage Restrictions are in place and failure to comply can attract hefty fines. See [http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/travel-advice/BIOT__mooring_sites BIOT Mooring sites] for details.
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{{GreenText|List services. If no services are available on the island write "None" and remove all the subsections ('''Marine Stores''',  & '''Repairs/Yards''', & '''Fuel, Water, & Electricity'''.}}
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* Flora and fauna, such as turtles, coconut crabs, live coral and shells, are protected. No spearfishing is allowed, nor should the heart of palm be taken. The only fishing allowed is by hand line.
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*
*
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==Health & Security==
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{{GreenText|If services are included in specific port pages, the following line is appropriate, otherwise remove it.}}
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Submit any health warnings/information and any security details here.
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''Also see each Port''.
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====Marine Stores====
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{{GreenText|Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.}}
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*
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====Repairs/Yards====
*  
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==Cruiser's Friends==
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====Fuel, Water, & Electricity====
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Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".
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; Fuel
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: {{MagentaText|Give details on fuel}}
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; Water
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: {{MagentaText|Give details on water}}
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; Electricity
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: {{MagentaText|Give details on electricity}}
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==Things to do Ashore==
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====Tourism====
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{{GreenText|List places of interest, tours, etc.}}
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==References & Publications==
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====Grocery & Supply Stores====
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* [http://www.cruisingconnections.co.za/books.htm Indian Ocean Crossing Notes] by Tony Herrick
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====Eateries====
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====Internet/WiFi====
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{{MagentaText|Available?}}
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====Laundry====
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====Motorbike & Car Rentals====
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====Garbage Disposal====
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{{MagentaText|?}}
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====Transportation====
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{{GreenText|List transportation to other countries, or islands.}}
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==Routes/Passages To/From==
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{{GreenText|List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.}}
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==Cruiser's Friends==
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Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
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*  
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==Links to Forum Discussions==
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==Forum Discussions==
List links to discussion threads on [[Cruising Forums|partnering forums]]. (see link for requirements)
List links to discussion threads on [[Cruising Forums|partnering forums]]. (see link for requirements)
* [http://www.cruiserlog.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2670 Chagos Permit Discussion (on CruiserLog)]
* [http://www.cruiserlog.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2670 Chagos Permit Discussion (on CruiserLog)]
* [http://www.cruiserlog.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=15298 Chagos Marine Protected Area Discussion (on CruiserLog)]
* [http://www.cruiserlog.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=15298 Chagos Marine Protected Area Discussion (on CruiserLog)]
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==External Links==
==External Links==
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* {{wikipedia}}
* [http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/asia-oceania/british-indian-ocean-territory/?profile=all FCO BIOT website]
* [http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/asia-oceania/british-indian-ocean-territory/?profile=all FCO BIOT website]
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*
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==References & Publications==
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* [http://www.cruisingconnections.co.za/books.htm Indian Ocean Crossing Notes] by Tony Herrick
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==Personal Notes==
==Personal Notes==
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====Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)====
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''Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated'':
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{{Contributors|[[User:Lighthouse|Lighthouse]], [[User:Peter McHugh|Peter McHugh]]}}
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'''Names''':
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{{Navbar| [[Indian Ocean]] | [[South Asia]] | [[South East Asia]] | [[Chagos]] }}
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|style="color:#000;"| | [[World Cruising and Sailing Wiki|HOMEPAGE]] | [[World Cruising Guides|Wiki Contents]] | [[Indian Ocean]] | [[South Asia]] | [[South East Asia]] | [[Chagos]] |
|style="color:#000;"| | [[World Cruising and Sailing Wiki|HOMEPAGE]] | [[World Cruising Guides|Wiki Contents]] | [[Indian Ocean]] | [[South Asia]] | [[South East Asia]] | [[Chagos]] |
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[[Category: Islands - South East Asia]]
[[Category: Islands - South East Asia]]

Revision as of 17:28, 10 April 2015

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Chagos (British Indian Ocean Territory) in the Indian Ocean.

Small info.png (Click links for more information)
World icon.png
 6°0′S, 71°30′E
Photo icon.png
 Photo gallery
Chart icon.png
 Local chartlet
Chagosmap.PNG
Chagos - click for larger view
Small info.png Latest News
Official policy of BIOT as from January 2011.
"The rules governing mooring permits are due to change on 01 January 2011. The fee structure will move to a weekly fee of £50 and the maximum stay permitted will be 28 days. Applications for visits in 2011 that are received in 2010 still attract the old fee of £100 per month but the Commissioner will NOT authorise any permits of more than 3 months."

Contents

The Chagos Archipelago (formerly Oil Islands) is a group of seven atolls comprising more than 60 individual tropical islands roughly in the centre of the Indian Ocean.

The Chagos lies about 500 km (300 miles) due south of the Maldives, its nearest neighbour, 1600 km (1000 miles) southwest of India, half way between Tanzania and Java.

The Chagos group is a combination of different coralline structures topping a submarine ridge running southwards across the centre of the Indian Ocean, formed by volcanoes above the Réunion hotspot. Unlike in the Maldives there is not a clearly discernible pattern of arrayed atolls, which makes the whole archipelago look somewhat chaotic. Most of the coralline structures of the Chagos are submerged reefs. Officially part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, the Chagos were home to the Chagossians for more than a century and a half until their forced expulsion in the 1960s by the United Kingdom and United States.

The Chagos Archipelago consists of a number of islands, banks, and reefs lying between the parallels of 4º44’S and 7º39’S, and the meridians of 70º50’E and 72º47’E.

Cruising yachts normally arrive around April each year and spend a few months in this idyllic location. Ensure that you arrive with adequate supplies as NOTHING is available locally (except for fish). There are one or two water wells ashore but this water must be boiled and filtered.

Chagos Climate & Weather

Tropical oceanic climate; hot and humid but moderated by trade winds. Climate is characterised by plenty of sunshine, warm temperatures, showers and light breezes. December through February is considered the rainy season (summer monsoon); typical weather conditions include light west-northwesterly winds and warmer temperatures with more rainfall. June through September is considered the drier season (winter), characterised by moderate south-easterly winds, slightly cooler temperatures and less rainfall. The annual mean rainfall is 2600 mm (100 inches), varying from 105 mm (4 inches) during August to 350 mm (14 inches) during January.

Also see: Weather, Winds and Currents on the Indian Ocean page

Submit the sources of weather forecasting here.

Charts

British Admiralty
BA3 Chagos Archipelago
BA726 Indian Ocean British Indian Ocean Territories
BA727 Peros Banhos to Blenheim Reef including Nelson's Island

Approaches and Navigation

Chagos
  • Caution – It is said that the deeper parts of the banks within the Chagos Archipelago may be crossed when there is not much swell. However, the uncertainty regarding the depths over areas that have been only partially examined, the changeable character of coral reefs, and the unexpected manner in which the sea sometimes breaks, all emphasize the advisability of avoiding the banks. Moreover, it is possible to proceed from island to island without crossing over any of the banks.

Local Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Arrival/Departure procedures

N.B. A permit must be obtained PRIOR to a visit to Chagos. The "Mooring" fee is BP100.00 and application for a permit and payment of the fees must be done in advance. Download the application form and instructions from the Official Website.

Customs and Immigration

Customs

Details?

Immigration

Details?

Fees and Charges

Restrictions

  • Anchorage Restrictions are in place and failure to comply can attract hefty fines. See BIOT Mooring sites for details.
  • Flora and fauna, such as turtles, coconut crabs, live coral and shells, are protected. No spearfishing is allowed, nor should the heart of palm be taken. The only fishing allowed is by hand line.

Health and Security

Health

Submit any health warnings/information. Remove any of these sections do not apply to this particular country.

Security

Details?

Berthing Options

Islands & Popular Stops

Salomon (Click for larger views)

Salomon, Chagos

Salomon Photo - Rick Miller

Salomon, Chagos

The entrance to the lagoon is through a passage on the NW side of the atoll. A least depth of 5.8m (19ft.) may be carried through it, but the bar is impassable during the NW monsoon.

The C-Map chart is reported to be inaccurate. The following waypoints for the entrance are reportedly excellent with the minimum depth of 7m. You will see the reef to port around Ile de la Passe.

  1. World icon.png 05°18.0′S, 72°14.7′E
  2. World icon.png 05°18.2′S, 72°14.2′E

There is a sand patch to starboard inside the entrance where some yachts anchor if there is poor light to traverse the atoll. If visibility is good, make your way over to Ile Anglais keeping a close watch for coral heads. Anchored near World icon.png 05°19.4′S, 72°13.2′E in 10m coral/sand, flat bottom.

Yacht Services and Repairs

List services. If no services are available on the island write "None" and remove all the subsections (Marine Stores, & Repairs/Yards, & Fuel, Water, & Electricity.

If services are included in specific port pages, the following line is appropriate, otherwise remove it.

Also see each Port.

Marine Stores

Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.

Repairs/Yards

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel
Give details on fuel
Water
Give details on water
Electricity
Give details on electricity

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

List places of interest, tours, etc.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Eateries

Internet/WiFi

Available?

Laundry

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Garbage Disposal

?

Transportation

List transportation to other countries, or islands.

Routes/Passages To/From

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

References & Publications

Personal Notes

Personal experience

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

If you provide a lot of info and this page is almost complete, change {{Page outline}} to {{Page useable}}.



This page has an outline in place but needs completing. Please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to suggest further content or alternatively, if you feel confident to edit this page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.


SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Lighthouse, Peter McHugh


Cruising Wiki Navigation
| HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Indian Ocean | South Asia | South East Asia | Chagos |


Cruising Wiki Navigation

| HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Indian Ocean | South Asia | South East Asia | Chagos |
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