Currency in the Wallis and Futuna Islands – CFP franc XPF

Travelling to the Wallis and Futuna Islands

The CFP franc (XPF) is the currency of four French overseas collectives (collectivités d’outre-mer, or COM) that include French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna.

The CFP franc is also referred to as the franc pacifique since it is used in the Pacific Ocean region. The initials CFP originally stood for Colonies Françaises du Pacifique (“French colonies of the Pacific”). As with the old French franc the CFP franc is broken into subunits called centimes.

There is no ATM in Futuna, so take whatever cash you will need. Try to learn some French before you go. On Wallis, the Banque de Wallis et Futuna has the only ATM in the territory and is located in Mata-Utu.

Travel hints for Wallis and Futuna Islands.

Wallis and Futuna don’t have much in common except for the fact that they are both French territories that have been grouped together as one. In fact, the two island groups lie about 260 kilometres apart.

The overwhelming majority (99%) of the people in Wallis and Futuna are Catholics, served by their own Roman Catholic Diocese of Wallis and Futuna. The culture of Wallis and Futuna is Polynesian, and is very similar to the cultures of its neighbouring nations Samoa and Tonga.

How do you travel in the Wallis and Futuna Islands?

Getting to Wallis and Futuna is tricky because there are no boats or ferries travelling to these isolated islands. However, you can take a plane which would be considered more convenient than a boat by most travellers. Aircalin, a small airline carrier, flies to the Wallis and Futuna airports from New Caledonia three times a week and from Noumea twice a week. Travellers to Wallis and Futuna will want to secure connection flights to these destinations in advance. On Wallis, you can move around the smaller islands via commercial boat hire. On Futuna, local fisherman can take you to nearby islets for a small fee. Because there is no public transportation in Wallis and Futuna, car hire is the best way to get around.

Wallis and Futuna are very small and finding accommodation can be a challenge. However, there are a few hotels on Wallis that are very comfortable and reasonably priced. On Futuna, there is no commercial accommodation or guest houses. Visitors will stay as guests in local guest houses.