Transportation
- Top Regional Airline
- None; Military Air Mobility Command (AMC) flights to Singapore/Japan/Bahrain
- Top International Airline
- None; access by military charter (Mac-Flight) or restricted government air
- Highway Access
- DG-1 (Main paved road running the length of the atoll)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Air Operations (Terminal for AMC flights)
- Public Transport Passes
- Free (Base shuttle system requires no pass for ID holders)
- Regional Travel
- Logistically impossible for leisure; requires specialized travel orders
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; Free military shuttle buses (The 'Island Express') run 24/7
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- MWR Bike Rentals (Free or low cost for residents; $5/day for rentals)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Cannon Point or Turtle Cove (Stunning, but swimming restricted due to sharks/currents)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Branch Health Clinic Diego Garcia (US Navy medical facility)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- MWR Fitness Center (Includes yoga mats and group classes run by volunteers)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Base Gym (Free for personnel; open 24/7; high-quality equipment)
- Laundry Services
- Free laundry facilities located in all barracks and housing blocks
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; food is obtained at Chagos Victualling Yard (Galley) or NEX
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Filipino-style Adobo (Common in contractor dining halls)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Limited; Salad bars at the General Mess (Galley) and canned goods at NEX
- Best Dessert Spots
- Baskin-Robbins (Located inside the Navy Exchange food court)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Navy Exchange (NEX); tax-free shopping for essentials
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Via APO/FPO mail system; can take 3-6 weeks)
- Grocery Delivery
- None; individuals shop at the NEX Minimart
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Brit Club (Expat/Military social hub) and The Peacekeeper
- Local Brewery
- None; beer is imported and strictly rationed per person/day
- Wine Bars
- None; wine selection available for purchase at the NEX
- Street Food Stalls
- Occasional MWR weekend cookouts at the 'Marina'
- Popular International Cuisine
- Seaman’s Club (Filipino, Thai, and American dishes)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Plantation (Ruins of the former coconut plantation and cemetery)
- Museums & Art Venues
- The Diego Garcia Museum (Small room in the library dedicated to island history)
- Historical Sites
- Point Marianne (Remnants of the old village)
- Religious Sites
- Chapel of the Good Shepherd (Multi-denominational)
- Annual Events
- Christmas 'Fun Run' and the 4th of July Celebration
- Cultural Districts
- None; strictly functional military zones
- Theater Venues
- MWR Movie Theater (Free outdoor/indoor screenings of recent releases)
- Local Markets
- None; zero commercial private business allowed
- Music Scene
- Live bands often perform at 'The Marina' on weekends
- Street Art
- Painted murals on barracks and office buildings
- Cooking Classes
- Private community-led sessions occasionally organized by MWR
- Art Galleries
- None
- Historic Buildings
- The British Representative’s Residence (Restricted)
- Local Heritage
- Chagos Archipelago history; strictly memorialized as the population was relocated in the 1970s
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- The Lagoon (Crystal clear water, world-class snorkeling)
- National Parks Nearby
- BIOT Marine Protected Area (One of the largest in the world)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 'Reef Side' trails for running and biking
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Eclipse Point (Best spot for sunsets over the lagoon)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Barton Point (Home to large colonies of Red-footed Boobies)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Shoreline BBQ areas (Designated pits only, managed by MWR)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS Military Mail (APO AP 96595); DHL (Very limited and expensive)
- Tech Repair Services
- None; most personnel ship items back to the US/UK for repair
- Table Tennis Spots
- The 'Community Center' and various recreation rooms in barracks
- Language Classes
- Occasional Tagalog or Spanish exchange classes by volunteers
- Libraries & Study Spots
- MWR Library (The only quiet indoor space for focused work)
- Community Centers
- The 'Marina' (Social hub for leisure activities)
- Gaming Lounges
- Liberty Center (Restricted to younger enlisted personnel; consoles available)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Gambling is strictly prohibited on base)
Essentials
- City
- Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)
- Population
- Approximately 3,000–4,000 (Military personnel and contractors only; no permanent residents)
- Internet Speed
- Variable; 5-10 Mbps via Sure BIOT satellite (Expensive: ~$0.15 per MB or tiered monthly plans)
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). 1 USD = 0.79 GBP approx. British Pound is technical legal tender but unused.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable (Desalination and reverse osmosis plant; safe but high mineral content)
- Power
- 110V/220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A, B, and G (US and UK standards both present)
- SIM Card
- Sure BIOT (Available at the Navy Exchange/NEX); strictly regulated
- Banking for Expats
- Community Bank (Military bank) and Navy Federal Credit Union; restricted access
- Accommodation
- Military Barracks or Contractor Quarters (No public hotels or private housing available)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, major credit cards (Visa/MC) accepted at NEX and MWR facilities
- Short Term Rentals
- None available; entry requires military orders or specialized BIOT permit
- Budget Accommodation
- None; all housing is assigned based on employment or duty status
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Tourists not allowed; yachts may anchor only with a mooring permit at the outer atoll
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Non-existent; strictly restricted to authorized personnel
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) Library; free Wi-Fi for authorized staff
- Best Cafe for Work
- The Ship’s Store Coffee Shop (Limited seating, low-bandwidth internet)
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings at the 'Jake's Place' or 'Brit Club' for contractors/military
- Social Events for Expats
- Island-wide 'Captain's Cup' sports events and MWR-organized BBQ nights
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A (Private property ownership is strictly prohibited in BIOT)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A (All land owned by the UK government and leased to US military)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A
- Corporate Tax
- 0% (No local tax jurisdiction for private corporations)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0%
- Tax System
- Subject to home country (US or UK) tax laws; no local BIOT income tax
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- N/A (No local income tax)
- VAT
- 0% (Tax-free zone)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- N/A
- Property Tax
- 0%
- Property Transaction Tax
- 0%
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Non-existent; you cannot live here as a digital nomad without military/contractor employment