Cheap Flights to Wallis and Futuna Islands

Wallis and Futuna Islands, officially the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands, is an overseas collectivity of France in the South Pacific. The islands are situated between Tuvalu, Rotuma of Fiji, the mainland of Fiji, Samoa, and the New Zealand territory of Tokelau. Wallis and Futuna Islands comprise of three main volcanic tropical islands and a few small islets, split into two groups about 260 kilometres apart; the Wallis Islands (or Uvéa)are in the northeast, and the Hoorn Islands (or the Futuna Islands) in the southwest. The islands cover a total land area of 142.42 kilometres and have a population of about 12,000. The capital Mata-Utu is located on the island of Uvéa.

Wallis and Futuna Islands may be among of the least known countries in the world, but this only means less tourist crowds and more untouched natural beauty. The lack of tourists coming in also ensures that the culture is kept intact, which is perhaps why there seem to be no plans for commercial tourism as of yet. Still, Wallis and Futuna Islands is not without its attractions.

For one, the Pierre Chanel Church is a towering church near the villages northwest of the Futuna Airport. It was built to honour Polynesia's first and only Catholic saint, who was martyred in that very chapel on April 28, 1941 by King Niuliki, in fear that the missionary was trying to take over his position. Pierre Chanel's bones are in a glass showcase by the entrance of the church, while his skull is in an adjacent silver casket. A small museum room contains other items relating to Chanel. The church may be tall, but the highest point of Wallis and Futuna Islands is Mont Puke at 1,719 feet (524 metres).

Another attraction is Lake Lalolalo, a volcanic crater lake southwest of Wallis. The lake, the largest in the island, is almost a perfect circle and is surrounded by jungle.

Kolo Nui, more commonly known as Talietumu, is an archaeological site roughly nine kilometres southwest of Mata-Utu. Built around 1450, the fortress is surrounded by a defensive wall built from basalt, and was once a fortified Tongan settlement. Inside, a few structures were preserved, as well as the central elevated platform called Talietumu.

Many of the roads on Uvéa are paved, albeit a bit rough. Public transport is not available on the island, but locals with vehicles tend to be kind enough to stop for people walking on the roads. They may ask you to hop in if you're headed towards the same direction. Alternatively, you can rent a car from the car yard situated about one kilometre south of the airport.

Each of the main islands on Wallis and Futuna Islands has their own airport. The airport on Wallis Island is the Hihifo Airport, located on in Hihifo, 5.6 kilometres from Mata-Utu. The airline Aircalin offers flights from Nadi International Airport (Fiji) and La Tontouta International Airport (New Caledonia). The airline also connects the two islands, operating from Hihifo Airport to Pointe Vele Airport, the airport serving Futuna Island.