Wallis, Volcanic island in French Polynesia, South Pacific Ocean
Description
Wallis is a volcanic island in the South Pacific featuring a barrier reef system with several small uninhabited islets scattered within it. The landscape includes a large crater lake inland, surrounded by coastal areas and vegetation.
History
The Lapita people from Asia first settled the island around 3,400 years ago, followed by waves of migration from Samoa. European explorer Samuel Wallis arrived in 1767 and the island eventually took his name.
Culture
The island's identity reflects Samoan traditions that have merged with French presence over centuries. Visitors notice this blend in daily life: through ceremonies, the respect shown to chiefs, and how the community gathers for events that honor both ancestral ways and modern connections.
Practical
Getting to the island requires flying, with limited flight connections available only a few times each week. Accommodation options are few and mostly consist of small family-run guesthouses rather than resort hotels.
Did you know?
The island has a large crater lake inland, reachable through a designated observation point that offers views of this quiet water body. This lake stands out as one of the larger crater formations in the Pacific region.
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Talietumu
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Mata Utu Cathedral
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Royal Palace of Uvea
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Basilique Saint-Pierre-Chanel de Poi
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Église Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Vaitupu
7.9 km
Église du Sacré-Cœur de Tepa
2.4 km
Église Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs d'Ono
235.6 km
Église Sainte-Thérèse d'Ono
235.2 km
Chapelle du Sacré-Cœur d'Alofitai
231.9 km
Sologa
229.3 km
Vaika
232.3 km
Kulu'ui
5.7 km
Ganiu
228.1 kmScenic viewpoint
231.7 kmFai'ava
230.8 kmBelvédère sur le lac
3.9 kmScenic viewpoint
8.5 kmPoint de vue
5.4 kmDépart bateau pour Alofi
232 kmAncre
3.2 kmTomb
5.3 kmMemorial
7.9 kmWayside cross
231.7 kmCannibal Oven
231.3 kmOratoire Sainte-Thérèse
9 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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