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Aerial view over deep blue ocean, a white line of surf on the barrier reef, two wooded islets and a turquoise lagoon, with the main island behind — Wallis Island (Uvea)

Wallis Island (Uvea) · Wallis and Futuna · Wall · Drift · Night

Islet of the Lepers (Nukuatea)

Whaling-ship anchors below a soft-coral drop-off

Area photo: Anna Vinet · CC BY-SA 4.0

The Islet of the Lepers, Nukuatea, carries a drop-off in the south of the Wallis lagoon that holds a wide range of dives. Soft corals cover the wall, manta rays and eagle rays are not rare there, and the old anchors of whaling ships lie on the 40 m bottom below it. It is dived as a drift in powerful currents and is an ideal spot for night dives.

Also known as Nukuatea, Tombant des Lépreux, Lepers Drop-off.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Islet of the Lepers (Nukuatea): typical dive to 35 m (to 115 ft), deepest point 40 m (130 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit35 m40 m maxtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 50 m (164 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

13.3744° S, 176.2153° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.

The dive

Powerful currents carry divers along the drop-off as a drift, with the wall reaching about 35 m (115 ft). Soft corals grow over it and sway in the current. Below them, the anchors of the whalers rest on a bottom at 40 m. Bumphead parrotfish, manta rays and eagle rays are not unusual encounters along the wall, and the drop-off feels safe enough after dark to be an ideal night-dive spot.

Marine life and season

  • Manta rays
  • Eagle rays
Month-by-month season rating for Islet of the Lepers (Nukuatea)
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
GoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood

Season follows Wallis Island (Uvea): Diving runs all year; the sea is warmest in March and April at about 30 °C and coolest in August near 28 °C.

Know before you go

  • Powerful currents run along the drop-off.
  • The whalers' anchors lie on a 40 m bottom, deeper than the soft-coral wall.

Questions divers ask

Can the Islet of the Lepers be dived at night?+

Yes. The drop-off is an ideal night-dive spot because it feels safe after dark, and soft corals grow on the wall.

Sources

  1. 101 Best Things to Do in Wallis & Futuna — WallisandFutunaPocketGuide.com
  2. Evasion Bleue Wallis — Evasion Bleue

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