We visited Wallis two weeks ago for less than a week.

Clearing-in & where to Anchor

The Gendarme is about 500 m from the wharf at Mata utu.

Anchoring off Mata Utu is not protected from the strong SE winds (except by the fringing reef). It is possible to tie the dinghy up or if it has wheels, there is a concrete boat ramp. Keep close to the concrete wharf when coming in and watch for shallow patches, and random lines attached to buoys in the area.

When walking up from the boat ramp at Mata Utu, look back over your shoulder once past the building on your right and you will see 2 doors. The customs door is on the left.

Alternatively, anchor down south by the fuel silos (Halalo) and hitchhike to clear in at the gendarme who stamps your passport.

Here there is a dredged small boat channel to dinghy up to “Evasion Bleu” dive shop and tie or anchor your dinghy at (Halalo). Important to note the place name (Halalo) if you are trying to hitchhike back from the shops or clearing in or out of Customs.

Customs (Doane in French) is located at the Mata utu wharf.

Most people we encountered in the Gendarme and Customs spoke a tiny bit of English. No one replied to radio calls on Friday or Monday when we tried to hail Customs, so just walk onto land and sort it out.

We were yacht #57 and our friends on Adamite were yacht # 58 to visit Wallis this year.

Ashore

We could not find the ATM, but the SEM supermarket (turn left at the 3 road intersection after you visit the Gendarme) or a smaller supermarket that we found going right at this same 3 road intersection – all accept credit cards.

The large supermarket (SEM) has everything anyone could possibly want including wine, cheese and baguettes.

The snorkelling here was beautiful and make sure you visit the white shrine at the top of the fringing island Nukutapu.

Breanna Fountain

SY Wanderlust V

One year sabbatical in the Pacific

https://sailingwanderlustblog.wordpress.com/

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Mata Utu (Wallis)