Aore Island Dugong and Turtle Tour

Departure: 8:00 am

Duration: Approximately 1.5–2 hours

Departure Points: Beachfront on Aore, Phoenix Plantation, Aore Island OR Santo–Aore Ferry Café, Luganville

Tour Type: Open island boat tour

What to Bring: Swimwear, towel, hat, sunscreen and drinking water

Suitable For: Couples, families and small groups

Weather: Subject to suitable weather and sea conditions

Wildlife: Dugongs and turtles are wild, so sightings cannot be guaranteed

Location: Aore Island, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

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Why You’ll Love This Tour

• Explore Aore Island from the water by local island boat

• Visit areas where dugongs and turtles naturally feed and rest

• See the remote coastline and views towards Malo and Tutuba Islands

• Swim and snorkel in clear tropical water when conditions allow

• Small, local experience away from crowded commercial tours

• Suitable for couples, families and small groups

• Experience Aore Island with a local guide who knows these waters

Before You Book

Dugongs and turtles are completely wild. We are fortunate to see them regularly around Aore Island, but sightings can never be guaranteed. Weather, tides and sea conditions can also affect where wildlife is seen and whether the tour can operate.

This tour travels in a local open island boat, so you may experience sun, wind and sea spray. Guests should be comfortable travelling in a small open boat and getting on and off at island and wharf locations.

Tours are subject to suitable weather and sea conditions. If conditions are unsafe, we may need to delay, reschedule or cancel the tour.

The Tour

We leave from the wharf and travel by open island boat around Aore Island, heading towards the quieter back of the island and the waters facing Malo and Tutuba Islands.

Along the way we explore different areas where turtles and dugongs feed, swim and rest. The main dugong feeding grounds are actually in the waters out the front of Beachfront on Aore, but because these are wild animals, we follow the coastline and look for them wherever they are moving that day.

Even without a wildlife sighting, the boat trip itself is part of the experience. You’ll see Aore Island from the water, remote coastline, neighbouring islands and parts of the island that most visitors never see. There is time to stop, swim and snorkel when conditions are suitable, with your local guide choosing the best areas based on the weather, tides and sea conditions that day.