Things to do in Futuna are outdoor and cultural rather than resort-based: black volcanic-sand beaches, viewpoints, the Poi basilica of Saint Pierre Chanel, royal burial sites, the demanding climb of Mont Puke (524 m) and a boat trip to Alofi. Futuna has two kingdoms, Sigave in the northwest and Alo in the southeast, and has no lagoon, so the coast is rugged rather than calm.
Things to do ·
Things to do in Futuna: beaches, summits, kings and Chanel
Things to do in Futuna, Sigave to Alo: black-sand beaches, Poi basilica, royal burial sites, Mont Puke and a boat trip to Alofi, with honest caveats.
01
Getting your bearings: Sigave, Alo and Alofi
Futuna, with its neighbour Alofi, lies about 239 km from Wallis and is a separate world: no lagoon, a ring of coral reef only 50 to 100 m wide, and a volcanic, rocky coast. Futuna and Alofi are remnants of the same extinct volcano, and the channel between them is under 2 km wide.
Futuna has two of the territory's three customary kingdoms. Sigave holds the northwest, with its capital at Leava, and Alo the southeast. Leava is also the only break in the reef, which gives safe anchorage. If you are asking que faire à Futuna, a sensible plan is to treat the island as a loop and visit one kingdom per day.
02
Beaches and viewpoints
Tuatafa, in the far north, is a black volcanic-sand beach with a natural pool and good sunsets. Vainui, also black sand, is the site of the 1839 Vai war. These are places for looking and walking rather than for lagoon swimming, so check conditions locally before you get in the water.
For views, the tourism board names the Mataki'Uvea viewpoint, which looks over the ocean and Poi basilica, and the Vila Malia viewpoint with the Kolopelu chapel. Pointe des Pyramides is listed as a sunset stop, and the Fatua headland is called the petrified backbone of King Sakumani.
03
Poi basilica and the story of Pierre Chanel
The basilica at Poi is the destination of the 28 April pilgrimage. It holds two silver reliquaries with the skull and bones of Saint Pierre Chanel, who landed on Futuna in November 1837 and was killed on 28 April 1841. He was canonised on 12 June 1954 and is described as the first martyr and patron saint of Oceania.
A cross at Leava marks where Chanel landed in 1837. Visitors should remove hats in churches and dress appropriately. The basilica is a place of pilgrimage, so keep voices low and ask before you photograph people.
04
Royal burial sites and old stories
The board's Futuna tour includes the royal burial sites of Veliteki and Niuliki at Vele and the Fai'umu O Papa, described as a cannibal oven. Anakele is the burial site of King Fakavelikele and the origin of the current Tui'Agaifo dynasty.
Some heritage sites carry specific customs, and it is wise to check whether a site is privately owned or needs permission before you enter. Also remember that beaches in front of houses belong to the owner, so ask or introduce yourself first.
05
Mont Puke and walking
Mont Puke, at 524 m, is the highest point of the whole territory. The board describes the climb as demanding and suited to experienced hikers. Check hiking details locally. We found no hiking guide operator listed on Futuna.
Local legend says the mountain is the refuge of the goddess Finelasi, protector of Futuna. The territory says it has about a hundred trails, and securing them is a stated goal, but we found no trail map, so do not set out without local advice.
06
Kava evenings and a boat to Alofi
In the evenings, men in each Futuna village gather in the fale tauasu to drink kava. If you are invited to observe, sit and follow the lead of your hosts. Our separate kava guide covers etiquette.
Alofi is reached by boat, and Association Vele runs a taxi boat from Vele. The board's tour lists Alofitai beach, the first freshwater well, the Sacred Heart chapel and the Vaivevela hot springs, though we have no information on access conditions at the springs. Birdwatchers will like that Alofi is an Important Bird Area with a red-footed booby colony.
07
Practicalities: roads, stays and money
There is no public transport and no taxis, so hire a car; traffic drives on the right. Futuna's roads are poorer than those on Wallis, with dirt roads to key sites, and since Cyclone Tomas the main coastal road has been cut at Pointe des Pyramides, so check the road state before you drive. The airport is at Pointe Vele in Alo.
Three lodgings are listed on Futuna: Hotel Fiafia at Nuku, Somalama Park Hotel at Toloke and MMF Hébergement at Kolia. They take enquiries directly, and rates are undated, so confirm before you travel. Bring cash in francs.
Questions people ask.
- What is there to see in Futuna?
- Black-sand beaches such as Tuatafa, the Poi basilica, viewpoints, royal burial sites, Leava harbour and day trips to Alofi. The climb of Mont Puke is demanding and best done with local advice.
- Is there a lagoon on Futuna?
- No. Futuna and Alofi have no lagoon and are ringed by a fringing coral reef about 50 to 100 m wide. Wallis is the island with the lagoon and islets.
- How do I get around Futuna?
- There is no public transport and no taxis, so a hire car is needed. Roads are poorer than on Wallis, with dirt roads to key sites, and the coastal road has been cut at Pointe des Pyramides since Cyclone Tomas.
- How do I reach Alofi?
- By boat. Association Vele runs a taxi boat to Alofi from Vele. Confirm the arrangement directly, as our listing is undated.
- Where can I stay in Futuna?
- The tourism board lists Hotel Fiafia at Nuku, Somalama Park Hotel at Toloke and MMF Hébergement at Kolia. Contact them directly and confirm rates and availability.
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