The name Falesa denotes a cave in the Nakanamanga language, Fels or Feles are local dialect variants.

Since 2008, the cave has been part of Chief Roi Mata's Domain, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

According to legend, the principal chief Roi Mata died in this cave, towards the end of the sixteenth century.

The surrounding rock, locally called fta, consists of volcanic breccia and pumice.

The oldest ones are red spots and handprints, probably dating from the first millennium BCE, assigned to the Lapita culture.

Abstract designs include simple and complex geometric figures such as angles, triangles and diamond shapes.

The municipality Natapau operates a travel company that brings visitors daily by canoe to the island.

The island gained fame from the opening sequence of the US television show Survivor: Vanuatu, in which the contestants are on the beach of Lelepa.

In October 2019, the Prime Minister of Vanuatu and Royal Caribbean International announced plans for the cruise line to develop a private resort on the island.