What a lovely day aboard National Geographic Orion. We sailed to Wallis Island early in the morning. Wallis is surrounded by an offshore barrier reef that can be accessed via a narrow channel in the south. As we passed through the channel into the lagoon, we were treated to the sight of hundreds of noddies flying up from a small island and imperial pigeons flying back and forth between islands.

We made our way along the main island and threw anchor offshore the capital, Mata Utu. Here we boarded Zodiacs to go ashore for a tour of the town, a long hike option, and some local bird spotting. Wallis is a remote, rarely visited island, and it was quite the treat to step foot here for the morning.

The afternoon saw us sailing back out of the channel. Once again, we viewed foraging noddies and boobies. We enjoyed a relaxed afternoon as we sail onward toward Samoa.

Photo caption and photographer: Visiting Mata Utu, Wallis Island. Photo by Martin Cohen