Wallis & Futuna Itinerary: 3 Days

This 3-day Wallis and Futuna itinerary only includes travel on Wallis, as well as between the lagoon islets (motu). Here's a quick rundown on how to get around Wallis in 3 days.

Road Transport in Wallis

The first road transport you'll encounter on each of the islands you visit is your airport transfer. This must be booked in advance with your accommodation or get your rental vehicle delivered to the airport.

Speaking of car rental, as there is no public transport in Wallis, renting a high-clearance vehicle like an SUV is your most viable option for reaching the sights and attractions. Get advice on car hire from What You Need to Hire a Car in Wallis and Futuna.

Your only other alternatives are to pair bicycle hire, hiking and guided tours, which you can learn more about in The Ultimate Guide to Cycling in Wallis & Futuna and the 5 Best Sightseeing Tours in Wallis & Futuna.

Motu Transport in Wallis

For getting from the main island of Wallis to the outer motu, water taxis, locally known as "taxi boats", are available.

Learn more about taxi boats in How to Catch a Water Taxi in Wallis & Futuna + 5 Best Taxi Boats.

For all of your transport options, however, check out Wallis Transport Guide: 10 Best Ways to Get Around Wallis.

Welcome to Wallis! Nothing quite prepares you for that spectacular landing, where the azure lagoon stretched beneath you.

The airport is refreshingly small, so you'll breeze through the arrivals process with customs and biosecurity. Get yourself prepped with our Arriving in Wallis & Futuna: Airport Customs, Biosecurity & Arrival Process guide.

We recommend arranging a vehicle delivery to the airport, which is the most convenient option. Otherwise, your accommodation can arrange transfers.

Getting Settled in Wallis

Settle into your accommodation, and you may even want to cool off with a swim if you're staying at Hotel Lomipeau or Hôtel l'Albatros. If you're staying at a homestay/guesthouse, you may want to get acquainted with your local hosts!

For your first night, we recommend staying either in town or by the airport so you're close to both the airport for departure to Futuna tomorrow, as well as sightseeing and dining options around Mata'Utu.

After you've settled in, do a bit of easy sightseeing around Mata'Utu, which can also be paired with lunch.

Explore Mata’Utu

Start your self-guided Wallis road trip in Mata’Utu, the small capital of Wallis and the best place to ease into the island’s mix of faith, royalty and everyday life. Your first stop is Mata’Utu Cathedral, the grand waterfront landmark that dominates the town and stands as one of the island’s most recognisable sights. Right beside it, you’ll also see the Royal Palace of Uvea, a reminder that Wallis is not only part of a French overseas territory, but also home to the living customary kingdom of Uvea.

Before hitting the road, take a few minutes to pop into the Philatelic Service, a fun little stop for stamp collectors and curious travellers alike. Wallis and Futuna is known for its beautifully designed stamps, and they make a surprisingly meaningful souvenir from one of the South Pacific’s least visited territories.

From Mata’Utu, continue south on RT 3 until you reach the roundabout, then take the first main dirt road on your left up the hill to Mt Holo and Carmel De St Therese Convent. This detour is worth it for one of the best viewpoints on Wallis, with panoramic views across the lagoon and motu, making it a great place to pause, take photos and get a better sense of the island’s geography.

Where to Stay: Budget Accommodation

• Motu Location
• Tamaliku
• Uvea Presta Services Plus
• Gîte Océania

Where to Stay: Mid-Range Accommodation

• Moana Hou
• Hotel Lomipeau
• KF Logement
• Hôtel l'Albatros
• Hotel Ulukula

All of these options are detailed in our comprehensive Where to Stay in Wallis: 10 Best Accommodations guide.

Dining Recommendations

If you have arrived in Wallis with time to spare for lunch, we recommend Beach Club (Bord de Mer, Liku) for a front-row seat to the lagoon and its motu from the restaurant's deck. Their Pacific-French fusion cuisine is also a strong start to the territory's dining scene.

For dinner, Maloccino (Mata'Utu - opposite Hotel Lomipeau) is one of the island's most revered options and a nice way to treat yourself as you slip into holiday mode.

The lagoon and motu are the most naturally stunning aspects of Wallis, so we highly recommend exploring them for at least two days.

The eastern motu are perhaps the most-viewed, with its large islets of Luaniva and Fugalei ever visible from Mata'Utu.

You can either spend the day on Tekaviki, Nukuhione or Nukuhifala (learn what makes each one special in the 15 Best Islets (Motu) to Visit in Wallis), or do some island-hopping via a snorkelling tour or watersports tour.

Association Vaka La - Snorkel and Watersports Tours

Association Vaka La offers catamaran tours, kayak rentals, snorkelling adventures and full moon experiences in Wallis' stunning lagoon. We love their welcoming, flexible approach; personalised tours for small groups and relaxed booking via phone or walk-in. Standout snorkelling at Devil's Hole and Turtle Hole.

Their taxi boat service accesses secluded islets like Tekaviki, Nukuhifala and Nukuhione.

Learn more about their paddling adventures in Kayaking & Paddleboarding in Wallis & Futuna.

A Vaka Heke - Paddling Tour of the Eastern Motu

A Vaka Heke offers guided tours departing from Mata'Utu, which gives you the choice of either kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, surfskis or traditional va'a (outrigger canoes) for a duration of your choosing, whether it's a couple of hours to a full day.

Learn more about their tours and book your experience at the A Vaka Heke website.

Dining Recommendations

For dinner, enjoy sundown cocktails and either seafood or pizzas at Koko Bay, located in Vailala in the north of the island. Otherwise, Chez Youyou is always a reliable option as the only Asian restaurant in the territory, combined with its awesome lagoon views.

Alternatively, you can stock up on supplies from the island's supermarchés and prepare your own meals, which you'll especially need to do when taking your own food to the motu.

For a complete rundown of your food options across Wallis, check out The Food Guide to Wallis: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

For your final day in Wallis and Futuna, (we told you three days wasn't enough), we recommend taking the evening departure flight to wrap up your time with some essential sightseeing.

Southern Wallis Sightseeing

Start with Lake Lanutavake, a charming crater lake that serves as the perfect warm-up to the island's volcanic wonders. Then journey to the breathtaking Lake Lalolalo, where you'll stand at the edge of a perfectly circular crater lake that drops 80 m (262 ft) into an emerald abyss. It's so geometrically perfect it almost defies nature.

Your cultural exploration continues at the magnificent Chapel of St Bernadette in Lausikula, dramatically carved into the cliff face. Cap off your adventure at Kolonui Fort, the world's best-preserved Tongan fort, where centuries of Pacific history come alive.

For the complete route details, timings and insider tips, check out A Self-Guided Day Trip on Wallis: One Day Itinerary.

Craft and Souvenir Shopping in Wallis

If you want something to remember Wallis and Futuna by, have a browse of the traditional crafts at The Association Femmes Artisanes Taofikemau with woven bags and shell necklaces, or Atuhakevalu, which throws more carvings and hand-painted attire into the mix. For something more contemporary, Veitogo Tapa incorporates traditional motifs in modern printing and embroidery souvenirs.

Check out The Guide to Shopping in Wallis & Futuna + 10 Best Places to Shop for ideas.

Departure

Remember to arrive at Hihifo International Airport 2 hours before your scheduled departure time, so you have enough time to return your rental vehicle, check in (which can go slowly), and go through security.

And it's Nofola from Wallis and Futuna!