12 Best Places to Snorkel in Wallis & Futuna

The Swiss Army Knife of watersports in Wallis and Futuna, Vaka La offers incredible snorkelling tours to the Devil's Hole, Turtle Hole, Nukuhifala and more (see below) with all the gear included.

This community-based watersports operator has everything you could want for exploring Wallis' stunning lagoon, from catamaran tours and kayak rentals to snorkelling adventures and unique full moon experiences.

What we love most is how welcoming and flexible they are. The friendly operators will arrange personalised tours even for small groups, whilst their relaxed booking approach means you can often secure a spot with just a phone call or by walking in.

Don't miss their taxi boat service; it's your ticket to exploring secluded islets like Tekaviki, Nukuhifala and Nukuhione. From what we've experienced, these hidden spots are some of the most peaceful you'll find.

They run tours to various islands throughout their opening hours (closed Mondays only), with standout snorkelling at Devil's Hole and Turtle Hole - two dramatic deep-water spots.

Evasion Bleue offers some of the best snorkelling experiences in Wallis, with the island's only qualified diving instructor, Pascal, who holds ANMP and FFESSM certifications.

You'll embark on unforgettable three-hour snorkelling adventures to the idyllic Islet of St Christophe. The crystal-clear waters surrounding this idyllic islet provide exceptional visibility for exploring coral gardens and diverse marine life, making it one of the lagoon's premier snorkelling destinations.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced snorkeller, Pascal's professional expertise ensures a safe and memorable underwater experience. Working with local taxi boat operators, the tours provide comprehensive aquatic adventures with even educational elements, if you're interested.

Beyond snorkelling, Pascal offers diving experiences ranging from weekend excursions outside the lagoon to dramatic passes and coral canyons, to weekday lagoon dives perfect for exploring wartime wrecks and unique geological formations.

Moving on to some more independent snorkelling on Futuna, an easily accessible option for snorkelling is from Vele Beach to Vele Enbarcadaire (Boat Landing), following the current along the coast and walking back to "Vele Beach".

Three distinct beach areas provide different experiences, with the main highlight being "Papalagis", a beloved spot where families and expats (nicknamed Papalagis, pronounced "papa-lan-gees") regularly gather.

The primary beach offers excellent near-shore swimming and exceptional snorkelling at high incoming tide, particularly when heading west with fins. Adventurous snorkellers can embark on a thrilling 950 m (1,040 yard) journey along the mild current to the Vele Boat Ramp, though you'll need to walk back to your starting point.

Scuba divers can access fascinating small canyons directly from Papalagis, whilst two additional quieter white sand beaches near the airport flag and eastern runway provide peaceful alternatives when the main beach gets busy.

Basically the reef surrounding the white cross that welcomes you to Alofitai Beach on Alofi Island, Alofitai Reef provides snorkelling opportunities for both beginners and those looking to explore the deep.

In our experience, these protected shallows regularly harbour green sea turtles and sea kraits (commonly called sea snakes), making every dive an exciting wildlife encounter. Venture another 30-50 m (90-164 ft) beyond the cross, and the reef dramatically drops away to reveal clearer conditions, impressive coral formations and deeper waters perfect for experienced snorkellers who love exploring beneath the surface.

The cross itself serves as both a spiritual landmark and a convenient reference point for navigation. According to our very own editor-in-chief, Laura, timing your visit with high incoming tide provides the best visibility and safest conditions for exploring this underwater paradise.

Head all the way east of Alofitai Beach and you'll reach a lagoon protected area of the island known as L'Aquarium. You can probably guess how it got its name.

This expansive lagoon on Alofi Island offers the perfect combination of coral bommies and shallow sandy bottoms, making it ideal for snorkellers of all experience levels. The pristine white sand beach provides easy water entry at high tide, while the lagoon's protected nature ensures calm conditions year-round.

As you glide through the translucent waters, you'll encounter colourful corals teeming with tropical fish in depths shallow enough for comfortable exploration. The lagoon represents a perfect example of reef formation in progress.

If you're looking for a snorkelling mission in the Wallis Lagoon, don't miss what locals call the "Devil's Hole".

Swimming along the dramatic edges feels like peering over an underwater cliff, with vibrant coral encrusting the vertical walls beneath you.

While some sections may appear less populated with marine life at first glance, persistence pays off as you'll discover hidden pockets of thriving coral gardens and schools of tropical fish. This creates a fascinating and completely different snorkelling adventure compared to the shallow lagoon experiences elsewhere in the lagoon.

Much like Devil's Hole, Turtle Hole is another drop in the reef, encrusted with all sorts of coral and critters.

The name comes from its turtle-like shape when viewed from above (though we can't guarantee you'll see a turtle).

Swimming along those dramatic edges, you'll see vibrant coral practically carpeting the vertical walls beneath you.

While it's slightly shallower than nearby Devil's Hole, Turtle Hole still delivers an exceptional snorkelling experience. If you can't get enough of Wallis' underwater treasures (and who could blame you?), this spot is absolutely worth the visit.

A site with a hilarious name, Potato of Caroline is named after the potato-like coral formations found between Faioa and Nukuatea islets in the south of Wallis.

This shallow lagoon site, sitting at depths of 5-15 m (16-50 ft), offers excellent visibility when the sun shines through, making it perfect for both snorkellers comfortable in deeper waters and scuba divers alike.

As you explore this underwater wonderland, you'll discover coral bommies and structures that grow increasingly grand and impressive the further you investigate. The site showcases beautiful examples of regenerating staghorn coral, offering a glimpse into nature's remarkable recovery process. With a bit of luck, you might even encounter sea turtles.

Learn more about scuba diving with Caroline's potatoes in The Scuba Diving Guide to Wallis & Futuna.

The Isle of St Christophe offers many adventures, including snorkelling with coral lining the northeast and southwest of the motu. But first, we recommend an adventure on land...

The real highlight is the short hike to the island's summit, where locals claim there are 300 steps (though that might be an exaggeration!) leading to a charming chapel that rewards visitors with stunning panoramic views across the lagoon. The chapel also provides much-needed shade after the climb.

At the bottom of the island, behind the paradise white sand beach, you'll find fale (shelter) providing shade and seating perfect for lunch.

The sheltered waters offer safe swimming conditions, whilst the northeastern and southern reefs provide excellent snorkelling opportunities. You can even swim over to nearby Nukuatea, connected by a sandy bottom, with chances to spot turtles, coral, plenty of fish and beastly blue starfish.

Isle of St Christophe is accessible through organised snorkelling and scuba diving trips with Evasion Bleue and taxi boat drop-offs with Pitata's Taxi Boat.

A fantastic motu option for snorkelling beginners, Nukuhifala is not only a paradisical islet, but it has some interesting coral formations to discover.

This charming island features both concrete structures and traditional fales with authentically woven roofs, all set amongst swaying coconut palms and white sandy shores. (Ah, paradise!)

The azure waters surrounding the island provide excellent opportunities for both surface exploration and underwater adventures. Beginners will particularly appreciate the accessible snorkelling conditions, with several coral areas situated at comfortable depths close to shore.

Whether you're seeking relaxation on the beach or eager to discover the vibrant marine life below, Nukuhifala delivers the quintessential island experience that's easily accessible yet feels wonderfully remote.

An easily accessible snorkelling spot on Futuna, Piscine Bleue offers incredible snorkelling at the edge of the reef for strong swimmers.

This small but captivating pool sits dramatically facing the sometimes raging ocean, creating a unique aquatic playground between sand and volcanic rocks.

The sheltered area near the boat ramp provides safe and easy access for a refreshing dip, perfect for cooling off after exploring the rugged coastline. More adventurous snorkellers with fins can venture towards the rock and reef formations that line the pool, where vibrant coral gardens and tropical fish create an underwater spectacle; we even spotted moray eels during our visit!

The experience is best enjoyed during incoming high tide when the pool fills with crystal-clear ocean water, creating optimal conditions for both swimming and snorkelling.

A tiny islet sitting close to Wallis' largest passage, Fenua Fo'ou is part of a perfect underwater environment.

The west side of the island boasts amazing vivid coral formations perfect for snorkelling, while the deeper waters along the passage provide excellent scuba diving opportunities.

During the dry season (May to October), you'll have the added entertainment of watching sailing boats navigate through the passage as they enter and exit the lagoon.

Like most motu in Wallis, Fenua Fo'ou features pristine sandy beaches fringed by shade-providing trees, with some traditional fales and buildings dotting the island.

Access to the island is available through scuba diving with Evasion Bleue, as well as taxi boats in the south, such as Patita's Taxi Boat in Halolo village.