Cities and regions／Sierra Leone
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Bunce Island

Bunce Island is a small island in the Sierra Leone River estuary, upstream from Freetown. Its ruins recall its role in the transatlantic slave trade; visiting requires arranging river access and treating the site with care.

Wide view of Bunce Island ruins among vegetation in the Sierra Leone River estuary.
Photo by Pierre Chrzanowski Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC0
The place

What makes it special

  • Ruins of a former British fort linked to the transatlantic slave trade.
  • A place of remembrance whose history includes connections with African American communities.
Weathered masonry detail in the ruins of Bunce Island fort.
Photo by Pierre Chrzanowski Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC0
Small boat on the Sierra Leone River estuary approaching Bunce Island.
Photo by Pierre Chrzanowski Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC0
Travel atlas

Articles in Bunce Island

Guides to this place

1 article

Bunce Island

journal.travel Editorial

Guides to this place

1 related guides

Wide view of Bunce Island ruins among vegetation in the Sierra Leone River estuary.

Bunce Island from Freetown: a journey into Atlantic memory

An island in the Sierra Leone River estuary preserves the ruins of a British slave-trading fort. The boat crossing requires checking current conditions, but the essential preparation is historical and ethical.

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Information in context

Sources and references

This profile summarises our destination guides. Their research sources and the geographical reference are listed below.

Profile updated: 26/09/2026