The island of Futuna lies in the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Fiji, northwest of Tonga and west of Samoa, and forms, together with Alofi to the southeast, the Hoorn Islands archipelago. The Futuna archipelago, lying 230 km southwest of Wallis, comprises Futuna island (84 km²) and Alofi island (35 km²). The two islands are separated by a 1.5 km wide ocean channel. These two tiny islands are surrounded by variably developed fringing reefs of varying width (50 to 100 metres). The only break in Futuna’s fringing reef lies opposite the estuary of the rivers, providing safe anchorage at Leava, the principal town. In 2018, the population of Futuna numbered 3,225.

Nearby Alofi is almost uninhabited (only one inhabitant recorded in 2018). On the western tip of the island lies Loka Cave, a place of pilgrimage for the Futunans, and a source of fresh water.

History

Futuna is a French Catholic Polynesian island, settled 3,400 years ago by the prehistoric Lapita people, ancestors of historic cultures scattered throughout the Pacific Islands.

Attempted Tongan invasions of Futuna were fought off during the 15th and 16th centuries but Samoans settled there in the 17th century. The kingdoms in existence today came into being in the 18th century.

• In 1616, Dutch merchant mariners landed at Futuna and Alofi and named them the Hoorn Islands.
• Marist missionaries arrived in Futuna in 1837 and were the first Europeans to settle on the island. Led by Father Pierre-Marie Chanel, they set out to convert the islanders to Christianity. They were initially well-received but, on the orders of the king, Pierre Chanel was killed on 28 April 1841, becoming the first martyr in Oceania.
• By 1846, the entire population of Futuna had been converted to Catholicism.
• The kings of Sigave and Alo on the islands of Futuna and Alofi signed a treaty establishing a French protectorate in 1888. Futuna was never really colonized.
• The islands were put under the authority of the French colony of New Caledonia until 1959, when Futuna and Wallis both voted to become a French Overseas Territory.
• In 2003, Futuna became a French Overseas Collectivity. The people of both Wallis and Futuna vote in French Presidential elections and have a Député (MP), a Senator and an Economic, Social and Environmental Councillor representing them in France’s 3 key parliamentary bodies.

Culture

Futuna is divided into two customary kingdoms: the kingdom of Alo in the south-east and the kingdom of Sigave in the north-west.

The head of each kingdom is the “Aliki sau” (king in English). Both kings have executive authority over customary issues. Civil or customary justice is administered by local courts known as fono. Decisions concerning the economy are currently taken by the Territorial Assembly in consultation with the Higher Administration, representing the French Government.

Each king is assisted by 5 ministers, the “Aliki Fa'u” and a police chief, the “Sa'akafu” (in charge of ensuring public order and the supervision of village chiefs, the “Aliki tausi kakai”).

Each minister is responsible for a different area of government. The two kingdoms have a Minister for Health, a Minister for Education, a Minister for Youth and Sports Initiatives, a Minister for Culture and a Minister for the Environment.

Tuiagaifo is customary king of the kingdom of Alo, while the king of Sigave is known as Tuisigave or Keletaona, depending on which royal family he represents.

Custom and customary gestures lie at the heart of many practices and actions.

For historical reasons, the customs and language of Futuna bear a close relationship to those of Samoa.

Nature

Futuna is France’s most remote Overseas Collectivity, located over 16,000 kilometres from mainland France in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. Having been spared the evils of mass tourism, the island possesses unique attractions for the discerning traveller.

The cyclone period lasts from November to April, with a low to moderate risk of cyclones.

Futuna has no lagoon but plenty of magnificent virgin beaches, fringed by rocks hollowed out by the waves of the sublime Pacific and commanding views of uninhabited Alofi island.

Futuna’s highest mountain rises to 524 metres and the imposing mountainous terrain is dotted with plateaus and breathtaking viewpoints over landscape and ocean.

Alofi is a paradise of idyllic beaches, boasting just one inhabitant! Various portions of land are owned by families who frequently come over to care for their crops.

Accommodation & Eating Out

Futuna offers a variety of accommodation options, from hotel to bed and breakfast.

For a pleasant stay on the island, you have the choice between the Somalama Park or Fiafia hotels. For a weekend or budget holiday, Mani Gîte is the ideal option.

A stay on this island paradise is your chance to sample delicious dishes with an exotic twist served up by authentic local restaurants. You can savour tempting dishes and snacks at Bambou bar and Snack Non Stop. The island’s two hotels also offer catering services.

What to see and do

To start planning your trip, check out the sports & leisure activities, must-dos and suggested tours on the island of Futuna.