Skip to content
Territory of France

Polynesia

Wallis and FutunaTravel guide

Explore Wallis and Futuna visa rules

Wallis and Futuna is a French overseas community in Polynesia, near Fiji and Samoa. It has two small island groups, volcanic landscapes and strong local traditions. Its capital is Mata-Utu.

Why go

  1. Traditional island life, large gatherings and ceremonies.

  2. Crater lakes, lagoons, forests and beaches.

  3. Talietumu Fort and Tongan burial sites on Wallis.

  4. The tomb of Father Chanel at Poi on Futuna.

Best time to go: May to October is the cooler, dry season. November to April is hot and rainy.

Getting there

By air

  • Hihifo Airport on Wallis is the only entry point by plane.
  • Aircalin has two flights a week from Nouméa, New Caledonia, with a flight time of about three hours. One stops in Nadi, Fiji.
  • One-way fares start at around 30,000 CFP francs.

By sea

  • There are no scheduled passenger boat services to Wallis and Futuna.
  • The islands are away from the main cruise routes. A few boats stop each year.

Customs

  • Wallis and Futuna controls its own immigration. It is outside the European Union and the Schengen Area, the group of European countries that share border arrangements.
  • Travelling between mainland France and Wallis and Futuna involves border checks. A Schengen visa for mainland France is not valid here.
  • French citizens may enter with a valid identity card and stay indefinitely. In practice, they need a passport to travel through other countries unless flying from New Caledonia.

Getting around

  • Flights between the islands

    Air Loyauté flies between Hihifo on Wallis and Pointe Vele on Futuna about twice a day. There are no ferries between the islands.

  • Road travel

    Wallis, also called Uvea, has 120 km of roads. Many are paved. All main villages on Futuna can be reached on paved roads, but the roads are rough. Drive on the right.

What to see and do

  • Talietumu Fort

    A fort on Wallis built by the Tongans in the 15th century.

  • Lake Laloalo

    An almost perfectly circular volcanic lake on Wallis.

  • Tongan burial sites

    Historic burial sites on Wallis that form part of the islands' cultural heritage.

  • Father Chanel's tomb

    A cultural site at Poi on Futuna.

  • Wallis islands and lagoons

    Well-preserved natural scenery, including small islands and lagoons.

  • Forests and beaches

    The islands have attractive forests and beaches with well-preserved landscapes.

Food and drink

  • Taro, yams and sweet potatoes

    These root vegetables are staple foods for many islanders.

  • Fish

    Fish is widely eaten in coastal villages on Uvea. Dinner on Wallis often includes fish with taro or yams.

  • Bread and coffee

    A usual local breakfast.

  • Roast piglet with bananas

    A customary dish for Saint Peter Chanel's Day.

  • Pork and chicken

    Pigs and chickens are raised mainly for festive meals.

  • Tea

    The most common drink.

Money

CFP franc, written as F or XPF.

  • The CFP franc is also used in New Caledonia and French Polynesia. All three territories use the same coins and banknotes.
  • The currency has a fixed exchange rate of 119.33 francs to one euro.
  • Euros give the best exchange rates. Australian and US dollars can also be changed.
  • Banking services are limited, and Futuna has no bank.

Typical costs

  • Aircalin one-way fares to Wallis start at around 30,000 CFP francs.

Language

  • French, Wallisian and Futunian are official languages.
  • Official documents are written first in French, then in the local island language.
  • English is not widely spoken among the Wallisian population. Most of the French population speaks at least basic English.
  • A working knowledge of French is strongly recommended.

Staying safe

  • Crime is low throughout the territory.
  • There are police stations in Mata-Utu and Leava.
  • Territorial guards also carry out local police duties.

Local customs

Do

  • Respect local customary traditions. They are especially important on Futuna.
  • Recognise the importance of the kava ritual in local culture.

Staying healthy

  • Tap water is not safe to drink.
  • The territory has two hospitals and three smaller health clinics.
  • Sia Hospital is in Mata-Utu on Wallis. Its listed phone number is +681 72 07 00, and its email is sante.wf@wallis.co.nc; these contact details were last updated in December 2020.
  • Kaleveleve Hospital is in Leava on Futuna.

Phone and internet

  • The publicly owned postal and telecommunications company, SPT, provides telephone and internet services.
  • The main post office is in Mata-Utu. Wallis also has offices in Mua and Hihifo.
  • Futuna has one post office, at Leawe.

Where to stay

  • Hôtel Albatros, route du collège Mataotama, Village Mala'e. Phone: +681 721827.
  • Hôtel Moana-Hou, route du bord de mer, Village Liku, Hahake district, Mata-Utu. Phone: +681 722135.
  • Hôtel Restaurant Le Fia-Fia, Puilata, Village Nuku, Sigave. Phone: +681 723245.
  • Hôtel Restaurant Lomipeau, route territoriale n°1, Village Aka'aka, Hahake district, Mata-Utu. Phone: +681 722021.

Outdoor adventures in Wallis and Futuna

Wallis and Futuna has volcanic landscapes, crater lakes, lagoons, forests and beaches. Tourism is limited, with a diving club, a six-hole golf course and an aeroclub for ultralight aircraft.

  • Lake Laloalo

    More to doWallis

    May–October is the cool, dry season.

    Visit Lake Laloalo on Wallis.

    • Do not drink tap water.

  • Diving with the local diving club

    Scuba diving

    Ask the territory's diving club about diving opportunities.

  • Six-hole golf

    More to do

    May–October is the cool, dry season.

    Enquire about playing at the territory's six-hole golf course.

  • Ultralight flying

    More to do

    Ask the territory's aeroclub about flying in ultralight aircraft.

Airports, metros and trains in Wallis and Futuna

Airports with scheduled flights

  • WLSHihifo AirportWallis IslandMain international airport

People and safety in Wallis and Futuna

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian97%
  • Folk religions1%
  • Other<1%
  • No religion<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 36 of 100 countries can visit Wallis and Futuna easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required36
  • Visa required64

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Oceania14 of 14 countries
  • Americas16 of 19 countries
  • Europe3 of 4 countries
  • Asia1 of 9 countries
  • Africa2 of 54 countries

Questions

Is Wallis and Futuna part of France?

Wallis and Futuna is a territory linked to France, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit France.

Does a France visa let me visit Wallis and Futuna?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for France may not cover Wallis and Futuna. Check the Wallis and Futuna visa page for your passport.

Where is Wallis and Futuna?

It is in Polynesia, near Fiji and Samoa. It is a French overseas community made up of two small island groups.

When is the best time to visit?

May to October is the cooler, dry season. November to April is hot and rainy.

How do I get there?

Flights enter through Hihifo Airport on Wallis. Aircalin flies from Nouméa twice a week, with one flight stopping in Nadi.

How do I travel between Wallis and Futuna?

Air Loyauté flies between Hihifo and Pointe Vele about twice a day. There are no ferries between the islands.

Can I manage with English?

English is not widely spoken among the Wallisian population. A working knowledge of French is strongly recommended.

Should I exchange money before arriving?

Yes. Banking services are limited and Futuna has no bank, so travellers are advised to exchange money in Nouméa or Nadi before arrival.

Can I drink the tap water?

No. Tap water is not safe to drink.

Is crime a major concern?

Crime is low throughout the territory. Police stations are located in Mata-Utu and Leava.

Reviewed by