The Monuments and Relics Commission has introduced a permit requirement for all visitors to Bunce Island, barring entry to anyone without valid accreditation and an approved pass.
In a press release dated 22 October 2026, the commission said the measure was intended to strengthen visitor management, improve security and protect the island’s historical heritage.
Bunce Island, a national monument in the Sierra Leone River, is an important heritage site currently undergoing archaeological and cultural resource assessments by the government.
The commission said anyone found on the island without valid accreditation and a pass would not be allowed entry.
It also directed boat owners, transport providers, tour guides and tourism operators to notify the commission in advance of planned visits to obtain the necessary approvals.
The commission has urged stakeholders in the tourism and transport sectors to comply with the new arrangements, which it said are intended to preserve the site for future generations.
