How to get to Aore Island from Brisbane

Getting from Brisbane to Aore Island is much easier than most people think.

Aore Island sits just across the channel from Luganville on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. You can fly directly from Brisbane to Santo, land at Pekoa International Airport, then travel by road to the waterfront before taking a short boat ride across to Aore Island.

There are also plenty of options through Port Vila if the direct flight days don't suit your travel plans.

This guide explains the easiest ways to get from Brisbane to Aore Island, including flights to Santo, airport transfers, boats, shopping stops and what to expect when you arrive.

Solomon Airlines currently operates direct flights between Brisbane and Espiritu Santo, making this the easiest way to reach Aore Island from Australia.

Under the current 2026 schedule, direct Brisbane to Santo flights operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The flight leaves Brisbane in the morning and arrives at Santo's Pekoa International Airport around lunchtime, making it possible to travel from Brisbane to Aore Island in the same day.

Flight schedules can change seasonally, so always check the current Solomon Airlines timetable before booking.

If the direct flight days work for you, this is by far the simplest option because you avoid travelling through Port Vila.

If the direct Brisbane to Santo flights don't suit your dates, another option is flying from Brisbane to Port Vila and then taking a domestic flight to Espiritu Santo. This can also be a great excuse to spend a night or two exploring Port Vila before continuing north to Santo. When booking this route, allow plenty of time between your international and domestic flights. Vanuatu runs on island time and tight connections are rarely worth the stress.
Once you arrive in Santo, getting across to Aore Island is the same airport transfer to the waterfront followed by the short boat crossing to Aore.

Once you land at Santo Airport you have two main options.
1. You can take a taxi into Luganville and then connect with a scheduled boat to Aore Island, or arrange an airport-to-Aore transfer before you arrive.

2. For guests staying with us, we recommend organising your arrival before flying, particularly if your flight arrives later in the afternoon.

Aore Island is only across the channel from Santo, but boats operate during daylight hours and transport becomes more limited later in the day and on weekends.

This is one of the most important things to know before staying on Aore Island. Aore is a quiet island and there are no supermarkets around the corner. Most guests buy their groceries in Luganville 2km before boat crossing to the island.

You can visit the local market for fresh fruit and vegetables and stop at one of Santo's supermarkets for everything else. If you arrange your transfer with us, a shopping stop can also be organised for a small fee before your boat leaves for Aore. Then you can arrive, unpack, put your feet up and avoid immediately wondering where you are going to find dinner.

Getting to Aore Island from Brisbane might look complicated on a map, but once you understand the route it is actually very straightforward. Fly directly from Brisbane to Santo when the flight days suit you, or travel through Port Vila and continue to Espiritu Santo. From Santo Airport, we can help organise the final part of your journey across to Aore Island. You can also explore our Aore Island accommodation, airport transfers, island tours and local experiences before you arrive. And then the hard part starts deciding whether you actually want to leave.