Peros Banhos, Coral atoll in Chagos Archipelago, British Indian Ocean Territory
Peros Banhos is a coral atoll in the Chagos Archipelago made up of roughly 30 small islands arranged in a circle around a shallow lagoon. The islands rise gently from white sand, while the deeper ocean waters beyond the reef reveal the atoll's dramatic undersea landscape.
Portuguese explorers reached the atoll in the early 1500s and Europeans later established plantations there. The resident population was relocated in the early 1970s when the islands became a military territory.
Residents once lived across these islands managing coconut farms and speaking French Creole until the early 1970s. Their way of life shaped island traditions that reflected the rhythms of plantation work and ocean dependence.
Access to the atoll is restricted and requires special permits from authorities. Only authorized vessels are allowed to approach, and landing may not be possible depending on current regulations.
The islands remain completely unpopulated today, serving primarily scientific and conservation purposes. The absence of human settlement has allowed the marine and terrestrial wildlife to exist in their largely undisturbed state.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
