You can visit Aore Island for a few hours, half a day or a full day. Keep it simple with beach time and swimming, or add lunch, snorkelling, a cocoa farm tour, weaving or other island experiences. Boat transfers from Santo can also be arranged.

Discover Aore Island beyond the beach. Swim, snorkel, spot dugongs, explore the plantation and experience the island with local guides who know it best. Run by locals exerience authentic Vanuatu.

Full-Day Aore Island Tour 

 Authentic Vanuatu Cultural Experience

Spend a full day discovering real island life on Aore Island, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Explore Phoenix Plantation, swim and snorkel in tropical waters, relax on our private beachfront and experience traditional Ni-Vanuatu culture.

Your Island Experience Includes:

• Cocoa, Vanilla, Coffee & Pepper Farming – Discover how Ni-Vanuatu farmers grow tropical crops naturally, without manufactured chemical fertilisers, using traditional farming methods.
• Traditional Coconut Leaf Weaving – Watch local island women transform coconut leaves into everyday baskets and useful household items.
• Traditional Cooking with the Mummas – Learn local recipes, discover island ingredients and taste authentic Ni-Vanuatu food prepared using traditional methods.
• WWII Ground Houses & Giant Nabanga Tree – Explore historic wartime structures and visit an extraordinary banyan tree associated with traditional cultural ceremonies, with its spectacular Avatar-like roots.
• Traditional Chicken Hunting – Discover how local families live off the land, forage for food and hunt wild chickens using traditional knowledge.
• Swimming, Snorkelling & Beach Time – Relax between activities and enjoy the beautiful beaches and coral reefs of Aore Island.

Experience Real Plantation Life

Discover how a working tropical plantation operates and how local families grow food, use natural resources and maintain traditional island skills.

This isn't a staged tourist attraction. You'll meet real people, experience everyday plantation life and discover an authentic side of Vanuatu that few visitors get to see.

Book your Aore Island day tour and experience Vanuatu beyond the resorts.

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• Cost: VT8,000 ≈ A$89.00 per person
• Departs: 9:00am Phoenix Plantation Aore Island

Transfers from Santo Island

• Departs Aore Wharf Santo: 8:00am Monday to Friday
• Returns to Aore Wharf Santo: Approximately 2:00pm
  

Explore Our Individual Aore Island Tours

Turtle Island Boat Tour

Turtle Island! See where the Turtle and Dugong Sleep Travel by open island boat around to the remote back of Aore Island, where calm tropical waters and seagrass provide a natural habitat for dugongs and sea turtles.

With a local guide, we explore the coastline looking for dugongs and turtles feeding, swimming and resting in the clear water. There’s time to enjoy the scenery, snorkel and experience a side of Aore Island few visitors get to see. This is a genuine island experience  small, local and different every day because the wildlife is completely wild. 

Cost:

• Cost: VT5,000 ≈ A$60 per person
• Departs: 8:00am Phoenix Plantation Aore Island

Transfers from Santo Island

• Departs Aore Wharf Santo: 7:30am Monday to Friday
• Returns to Aore Wharf Santo: Approximately 9:30am
• Transfer Cost: VT 4,000 return per group

Traditional Weaving Experience

Traditional Aore Island Weaving Experience

Sit with local Aore Island  Ni Vanuatu and learn traditional Vanuatu weaving techniques passed down through generations. Using locally gathered natural materials, you’ll learn how to prepare and weave leaves into your own island creation to take home a island crown, island basket, local broom or a local matt . This is a relaxed, hands-on experience and a chance to spend time with local people while learning about everyday island culture. Conducted on the beach or under a tradtional Nakamal. Tour can be conducted in all weather. 

• Cost:  VT2,500 ≈ A$30.00 Per person
• Departs: 9:00am Phoenix Plantation Aore Island

Transfers from Santo Island

• Departs Aore Wharf Santo: 8:00am Monday to Friday
• Returns to Aore Wharf Santo: Approximately 10:30am
• Transfer Cost: VT 4,000 return per group
  

Booking required • Monday–Friday at 9:00 am • Create your own traditional piece materials gathered on Aore.

Aore Island Cocoa Farm Tour

Explore a working cocoa, vanilla and pepper plantation at Phoenix Plantation on Aore Island. Join our experienced local horticulturist, Abu Rex, for a guided walk through the plantation. Discover how cocoa is grown and harvested, learn about traditional farming methods and experience authentic plantation life in Vanuatu.

• Cost: VT3,000 (approximately A$36) per person
• Departs: 9:00am Phoenix Plantation Aore Island

Transfers from Santo Island

• Departs Aore Wharf Santo: 8:00am Monday to Friday
• Returns to Aore Wharf Santo: Approximately 10:30am
• Transfer Cost: VT 4,000 return per group
  

Booking required • Monday–Friday at 9:00 am • Approximately 1–1.5 hours • Comfortable shoes, hat and water

Cooking with the Mummas

Aore Island Cooking with the Mummas Join local Aore Island mummas and learn how traditional Vanuatu food is prepared using fresh island ingredients. Help prepare local favourites such as simboro and laplap, learn about traditional cooking methods and enjoy a relaxed, hands-on cultural experience at Phoenix Plantation.

• Cost: VT3,500 ≈ A$42 per person. 
• Departs: 9:00am Phoenix Plantation Aore Island

Transfers from Santo Island

• Departs Aore Wharf Santo: 8:00am Monday to Friday
• Returns to Aore Wharf Santo: Approximately 10:30am
• Transfer Cost: VT 4,000 return per group

Booking required • Monday–Friday at 9:00 am • Approximately 2 hours • Comfortable clothing and water recommended

Food Forest & Chicken Hunting

Explore the food forest at Phoenix Plantation and discover how local families grow, gather and find food on Aore Island. Walk through tropical gardens, identify seasonal fruits and island crops, and experience the traditional challenge of finding and catching a free-range island chicken. A fun, hands-on look at everyday plantation life.

• Cost: VT4,000 ≈ A$48 per person. 
• Departs: 9:00am Phoenix Plantation Aore Island

Transfers from Santo Island

• Departs Aore Wharf Santo: 8:00am Monday to Friday
• Returns to Aore Wharf Santo: Approximately 10:30am
• Transfer Cost: VT 4,000 return per group
  

Booking required • Monday–Friday at 9:00 am • Approximately 2–3 hours • Closed shoes, hat and water recommended

Traditional Fishing by the Shore

Aore Island Traditional Fishing Experience Join local islanders along the shoreline and learn traditional fishing techniques used around Aore Island. Learn about local fishing methods, the reef and the importance of the ocean to everyday island life. A simple, hands-on experience suitable for families and visitors wanting to experience life beyond the usual tourist trail.

• Cost: VT3,000 ≈ A$36 per person.
• Departs: 9:00am Phoenix Plantation Aore Island

Transfers from Santo Island

• Departs Aore Wharf Santo: 8:00am Monday to Friday
• Returns to Aore Wharf Santo: Approximately 10:30am
• Transfer Cost: VT 4,000 return per group
  

Booking required • Monday–Friday at 9:00 am • Approximately 1.5–2 hours • Hat, water and reef shoes recommended

Learn to live like a local on Aore Island

Explore Aore Island through real local experiences. From guided tours and fishing to weaving, cooking, and daily island life, each activity connects you to the people, culture, and natural beauty of the island.

Visiting Aore Island for the Day?

Your Aore Island Adventure, Your Way

Short on time? Our Aore Island land tours can be tailored to suit a half-day or full-day experience. Choose from plantation tours, traditional cooking, weaving and cultural activities, with time to explore at your own pace.

Tell us what you'd like to experience, and we'll help plan your perfect island day contact us to discuss your options.