Information, Shops & Services on Futuna

Futuna has fewer food shopping options than Wallis, but self-catering is still possible if you plan around supermarket hours and stock up when you can. Most shops close for two to three hours over lunch, prices are generally higher than on Wallis, and availability can vary depending on shipping, so it is worth buying essentials before you get too low.

Futuna Supermarkets

Futuna has a small but useful selection of supermarkets, mostly around Leava, Nuku and Fiua. Expect imported goods from France, basic groceries, pasta, dairy, household items, some frozen foods, fresh baguettes and deli items, although dietary alternatives can be limited.

Opening hours are typically from around 6 am to 12 pm, then 3 pm to 7 pm Monday to Saturday, with shorter opening hours on Sunday. Exact hours vary by store.

The main supermarkets on Futuna are:

• SERF Votre Supermarché, RT 1, Nuku, Sigave
• Cowafdis, RT 1, Leava, Sigave
• Sigave Distribution, RT 1, Fiua, Sigave

For more information on what to expect in supermarkets, see A Guide to Supermarkets and Food Shopping in Wallis and Futuna.

Convenience Stores

Futuna also has a few smaller convenience stores for snacks, drinks, basic groceries and quick essentials when the main supermarkets are closed. These are useful for topping up, but don’t expect the same variety as larger stores. Cash is handy, and prices are usually high due to import and freight costs.

A non-comprehensive list of convenience stores on Futuna includes:

• Altofenua Nuku, RT 1, Nuku, Sigave
• Altofenua Mala’e, RT 1, Mala'e, Alo
• Hibiscus Market, RT 1, Mala'e, Alo
• Vai Ailmentation Superette, RT 1, Fiua, Sigave (down the road from Sigave Distribution)
• Marantha, RT 1, Vele, Alo
• Manatapu Bazar, RT 1, Tavai, Sigave

For smaller shopping needs, the guide notes that Altofenua has branches in both Nuku and Mala’e, with other independent stores dotted around Futuna.

Markets and Roadside Produce

Futuna does not really have formal fruit and vegetable markets for travellers. Supermarkets are usually the easiest place to buy produce, although availability depends on supply and you're more likely to find fruit imported from New Zealand than local produce. If you see fruit growing around villages or by the roadside, ask locals politely whether any is for sale, and have cash ready.

Restaurants in Futuna

Futuna has a small but memorable dining scene, with a mix of hotel restaurants, family-run eateries and simple local food stops. The choice is much smaller than on Wallis, so booking ahead is a good idea for places like La Cuisine, Chez Malia Ana, Somalama Hotel, Afiafi Hotel and Fiafia Hotel. For something more flexible, Snack Non Stop in Leava is one of the easier casual options.

Check out The Food Guide to Futuna: Places to Eat & Food Tours and 20 Best Restaurants in Wallis & Futuna for more information and locations.

While we always recommend having all the medication you need with you for your stay in Futuna (see What Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Wallis & Futuna for advice), if there is anything you end up needing, you have some but limited options for purchasing medication and healthcare products.

Medication at Supermarkets

Light medications (like painkillers), baby products, feminine hygiene products and toiletries are sold in the largest supermarkets in Futuna, as listed in the "Food and Groceries" section above. You usually need to speak to someone in the pharmaceutical section to buy medication over the counter. However, the stock is very limited on Futuna, so we highly recommend bringing any potential medication you may need.

Pharmacies in Futuna

A pharmacy is located at Futuna's hospital, providing medication to those with a prescription. The pharmacy is open from 7 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

• Agence de Santé de Wallis et Futuna - Futuna Pharmacy, RT1, Hôpital de Kaleveleve, Taoa, Alo.

Note: There are no dedicated standalone commercial pharmacies in Futuna. Most prescription medicines and over‑the‑counter drugs are accessed through the hospital pharmacy or dispensaries associated with the Agence de Santé des îles de Wallis et Futuna.

Medical Centres and Hospitals in Futuna

Although the main hospital is open 24/7 for emergencies, doctor consultations at clinics (hospitals or dispensaries) are from 7 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

• Hôpital de Kaleveleve, RT1, Taoa, Alo (signposted along the main road).

For more health and safety advice while visiting Futuna, check out Wallis & Futuna Safety Tips: Is it Safe to Travel to Wallis & Futuna?

Need to fuel up? There are three fuel stations on Futuna and they tend to be open daily, roughly from 7 am to 4 pm, with a break for lunch lasting 1-2 hours. However, they only open when they actually have gas in stock. It is common on Futuna to run out of fuel (or for family politics to result in fuel station closures, but that's a whole other thing).

Note that fuel stations are fully serviced, and an attendant will fill your vehicle for you; tell the attendant how much you want to fill up. Pay the attendant in cash.

• Station d'essence de Mala'e, RT 1, Mala'e, Alo
• Station d'essence de Leava, RT 1, Leava, Sigave
• Station d'essence de Nuku, RT 1, Nuku, Sigave

For more tips for driving around Futuna, take a look at How to Drive in Wallis & Futuna + 10 Road Rules You Need to Know, as well as Futuna Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Futuna.

When it comes to staying connected, we recommend making use of your accommodation's free WiFi, which will be a darn sight cheaper than using the local phone network. Regardless, if you need to stay connected throughout your visit, there is a local phone network with data plans. There is also a post office in Leava, which is incidentally where you'll find the phone network office.

Phone Network

There is only one phone network in Wallis and Futuna, Manuia, which is operated by the Service des Postes et Télécommunications (SPT). SIM cards and initial data plans can be purchased from the SPT office in Nuku (or in Mata'Utu on Wallis before you depart for Futuna). SPT Leava is open from 8 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Friday.

Most convenience stores offer top-up vouchers once you've made that initial SIM card purchase. Learn more about the network, prices and coverage in The Best SIM Card in Wallis & Futuna for Travellers.

Note that there is no phone network signal in the northern part of Futuna, around the Toloke area.

Post Offices

Futuna's main post office is in Nuku and is run by SPT (SPT Lotuma). Services include postage stamps, domestic and international mail, passport photos and more. Opening hours are typically from 8 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Friday.

There is also a post office in Vele, located across the road from the Vele Boat Ramp (embarcadère).

Internet and WiFi

Free access to the internet and WiFi is limited in Futuna, mostly offered by hotels and accommodations. Otherwise, WiFi options include:

• Vele Pointe Airport, Vele, Alo

For more comprehensive connectivity and tips on staying connected, check out How to Get Internet & WiFi in Wallis & Futuna.

While banks are usually a traveller's best friend for currency exchange, things work a bit differently in Futuna. The local bank, Banque de Wallis et Futuna (BWF), doesn't offer currency exchange services, and they don't have an ATM outside of their premises either (though one is planned when the new bank opens).

BWF operates from 8:30 am to 12 pm, Monday to Friday. Afternoon appointments are available by request only.

BWF Bank Location

• BWF Futuna, RT1, Leava, Sigave, Futuna. Opposite Cowafdis Supermarket.

BWF ATM Location

• SPT Lotuma (Nuku), RT1, Nuku, Sigave, Futuna.

Learn more about paying your way through Wallis in What is the Best Way to Pay in Wallis & Futuna.