Alofi Island

Alofi Island lies across a narrow channel from Futuna and has no permanent village, only gardens, coconut groves and a church kept for the days when families cross over. A single caretaker is generally the only person living there. Boats leave from Vele when the channel is calm, which it often is not, and the crossing takes about twenty minutes. A path climbs from the landing at Alofitai across the island to Loka Cave, a limestone chamber a few hours' walk inland. The reef around the island is barely fished, and the beaches are used by nobody.