Main things to do in Wallis and Futuna include a boat trip to the Wallis lagoon islets, Lake Lalolalo, the Talietumu Tongan fort and Mata'Utu cathedral on Wallis, then the Poi basilica, Mont Puke and the island of Alofi on Futuna. You need a hire car, French helps, and flights between the two island groups do not run on Sundays.
Things to do ·
Things to do in Wallis and Futuna: sights, lakes and islets
Things to do in Wallis and Futuna: lagoon islets, Lake Lalolalo, Talietumu fort, Mata'Utu cathedral, Futuna's basilica, Mont Puke and Alofi.
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1. The lagoon and its islets
Wallis is encircled by a lagoon and a barrier reef, and the lagoon holds more than a dozen uninhabited islets (motu). This is the first thing we would put on any list of what to do in Wallis and Futuna. Visitors reach the islets by taxi boat, or by kayak from the Vakala watersports centre, and the tourism board asks you to check with the Tourist Office about protected areas and rules first.
Gahi Bay is the only authorised anchorage on Wallis, and beside the taxi-boat pier you will find the restaurant La Paillote and the Chapelle de Gahi. Our dedicated lagoon guide covers operators.
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2. Lake Lalolalo
Lalolalo is the largest lake in the territory: a near-circular crater lake roughly 400 to 500 m across and at least 80 m deep, with sheer rock walls, off Route 1 between Mala'etoli and Ahoa. A lookout gives a view of the whole lake, and flying foxes and tropical birds live in the surrounding forest.
The lake also figures in local mythology, and the road to it was cut through forest that was regarded as sacred.
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3. Talietumu, the Tongan fort
Talietumu (Kolo Nui) is a fortified Tongan settlement built around 1450, described as the last Tongan holdout on Uvea. It sits in the Mua district, about 9 km southwest of Mata'Utu. A central platform about 5 m high and 80 m long is surrounded by a basalt defensive wall with several entrances and stone-paved walkways, restored by French archaeologists by about 1997.
Some heritage sites have specific customs, such as bans on wearing flower necklaces, so check that the land is not privately owned and whether permission is needed.
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4. Mata'Utu, the cathedral and a Wallis sunset
Mata'Utu is the capital and main port, and its cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption was built from 1952 to 1959 in blue volcanic stone, with two towers and a royal tomb inside. Our Mata-Utu guide takes a walk around it.
For sunsets, the board and guides name the chapel on Mont Lulu, the highest point of Wallis at about 150 m, plus Vailala beach in the north and Lausikula beach in the south.
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5. Wartime Wallis
American forces arrived on Wallis in late May 1942, and about 6,000 troops were stationed there at the peak. They built the Hihifo airfield, which is still the airport, a port at Gahi, a 70-bed hospital and roads. The board's "On the American Trail" tour includes US bunkers and a guided option run by the Uvea Museum Association, whose museum in Mata'Utu opened in 2006 and is open by appointment.
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6. Futuna: the basilica, Mont Puke and the coast
Futuna has no lagoon, and its roads are poorer than on Wallis, with dirt roads to key sites. A key site is the Poi basilica, which holds two silver reliquaries with the skull and bones of Saint Pierre Chanel; his day, 28 April, is marked by a pilgrimage. Nearby, the Mataki'Uvea viewpoint looks over the ocean and the basilica.
Mont Puke, at 524 m the highest point of the territory, is described as a demanding climb for experienced hikers. Tuatafa in the far north has a black volcanic-sand beach with a natural pool, and Pointe des Pyramides is a sunset stop, although the coastal road has been cut there since Cyclone Tomas.
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7. Alofi
Alofi lies under 2 km from Futuna across a channel and has no natural freshwater, which is why it is virtually uninhabited. It is reached by boat from Vele; The board's tour lists Alofitai beach, the first freshwater well, the Sacred Heart chapel and the Vaivevela hot springs. Loka Cave is a pilgrimage site, with a pilgrimage on 11 February, and Alofi is a BirdLife Important Bird Area.
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Planning: logistics and what to book first
This is our list of Wallis and Futuna attractions in rough order of effort, not an official ranking. If you only have time for the Wallis and Futuna must see items, choose the lagoon, Lalolalo and Talietumu (que faire à Wallis et Futuna? Start there). The top sights Wallis and Futuna offers are mostly outdoors, so the weather matters.
There is no public transport and no taxis, so you need a hire car; traffic drives on the right. Access for visitors with reduced mobility is limited. The islands are described as safe and almost free of crime. French is useful because few islanders speak English, and bring your money, since many shops lack card terminals.
Flights run between Wallis and Futuna but not on Sundays. The tourism office estimates around 6,000 visitors a year in 2026, which is a round estimate.
Culture is part of the experience: visitors can join the kava ceremony and dances on 14 and 29 July. Ask before you photograph people.
Questions people ask.
- What are the top sights in Wallis and Futuna?
- The Wallis lagoon and its islets, Lake Lalolalo, the Talietumu fort and Mata'Utu cathedral on Wallis, and the Poi basilica, Mont Puke and the island of Alofi on Futuna.
- How many days do you need in Wallis and Futuna?
- We have no sourced figure. Adding Futuna needs more time because flights between the two do not run on Sundays.
- Do I need a car in Wallis and Futuna?
- Yes. There is no public transport and no taxis, so a hire car is needed. Several firms operate on both Wallis and Futuna.
- Is Wallis and Futuna safe for tourists?
- The islands are described as safe and almost free of crime, and the UK government advises that most visits are trouble-free.
- Can I see whales in Wallis and Futuna?
- Humpback and pygmy killer whales may be seen in late summer or early autumn, with no guarantee. We found no dedicated whale-watching operator.
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