When coming to Vanuatu we want your trip to be relaxing and stress-free from start to finish. We have compiled this list of handy tips and tricks to make your journey and stay with us as easy as possible.
Please take the time to read through it and if you have any questions or if you require any further information please contact us, we are happy to help.
FAQs
Don’t Forget to Pack!
- Personal sunscreen and insect repellent
- Reef shoes to enter the ocean
- A hat
- We use Australian electrical plugs so no need to bring your adaptor if you’re coming from Australia or New Zealand.
HOW DO WE GET THERE?
Getting to Aore Island Resort should be as smooth as sipping a coconut cocktail on our pristine shores. We’ve done the legwork so you can focus on the fun stuff – like planning your island adventures!
Australian Friends
Catch a direct flight from Brisbane to Espiritu Santo every Thursday operated by Air Vanuatu. At just 2.5 hours, it’s practically a hop, skip, and a jump away! And guess what? The timing of this flight is thoughtfully designed to let you connect seamlessly from other Australian capitals, all on the same day. Just book your Australian domestic flights with trusted Aussie carriers, and you’re set!
Kiwi Companions
New Zealanders, we haven’t forgotten about you! Every Tuesday, Air Vanuatu flight service from New Zealand to Espiritu Santo makes a pit stop in Port Vila, ensuring you reach us with ease and a touch of adventure.
Global Jet-Setters
But that’s not all! Air Vanuatu takes you beyond our shores, offering connections to Fiji and New Caledonia. And for those scattered across the globe, we’ve got your back too.
Booking Your Tickets
Booking your flights is as effortless as sinking your toes into our sandy beaches. Head over to www.airvanuatu.com to reserve your tickets, and let the countdown to your Aore Island adventure begin!
WHAT DO WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE JOURNEY?
Your journey to Aore Island Resort promises excitement and relaxation in equal measure. To ensure a seamless transition into island life, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Passport and Liquid Rules
First things first – international travel requires passports. (With 6 months validity) and an awareness of airport liquid regulations. Make sure you’ve got your passport handy and remember to follow the liquid requirements at each airport along the way. We want to make sure your favourite sunscreen or that special bottle of duty-free rum makes it safely to Aore!
Print Your Tickets
While we’re all about embracing the digital age, Vanuatu’s customs and arrivals desks have a thing for hard copies. So, before you set off on your journey, print all your flight tickets and itineraries. These paper buddies will be your golden tickets to hassle-free processing upon arrival.
Arrival in Santo
Touchdown in Santo, and you’re on the home stretch. The arrivals hall is your gateway to the island paradise. Need a luggage trolley? No problem! They're readily available to help lighten the load. But here’s a heads-up: you might need to do a bit of unloading at customs, so keep those beach reads and sun hats handy.
Transport or Transfers
Once you step outside, you’re just moments away from paradise. If you’re feeling adventurous, head to Santo Hardware Wharf with a local taxi that costs around 2,000vt to meet one of our scheduled ferries at 11:30am, 2:30pm or 4:30pm. But if you’ve got your transfers pre-arranged, keep an eye out for the friendly face holding the ‘Aore Resort’ sign. That’s your cue to hop in and start your transfer journey.
HOW DO I GET TO YOUR RESORT FROM THE AIRPORT?
There are two ways to arrive at our resort; catch a free scheduled ferry from Santo Hardware Wharf Wharf at 11:30am, 2:30pm, 4:30pm or we can arrange an airport transfer with driver and water taxi at anytime of the day or night for 1200vt per person.
HOW OFTEN DOES THE FERRY RUN AND WHAT DOES IT COST?
Aore Island Resort is on tropical island yet it is only a 10 minute ferry ride to the town of Luganville.
Unlike most island resorts guests at Aore can enjoy the sites and tours of the mainland yet still experience the peaceful ambience of a tropical island. The ferries run on a schedule and there are 4 return trips a day. These times coincide with diving, tours and flight times.
Ferry Timetable: Please note this timetable is for in-house guests only, not day or night guests.
Ferry departing Aore Island Resort to Santo Hardware Wharf: 7am, 8am, 10:30am, 2pm, 4pm
Ferry departing Santo Hardware Wharf to Aore Island Resort: 8:30am, 11:30am, 2:30pm, 4:30pm
Please note private ferries can be organised outside of these times with a small fee. Please organise at reception.
DO YOU OFFER WIFI?
We offer complimentary WiFi in our main nakamal, home to our restaurant and lounge. However, in our bungalows, we deliberately disconnect you to help you truly experience Vanuatu with your travel companions. To keep you entertained, we’ve got a stocked cupboard in our nakamal with games and books.
WHAT IS THE CLIMATE?
Aore Island Resort has a tropical climate. From November to April it can be hot and humid but cool breezes along the coast generally keep the temperature at a comfortable level.
The cooler season is between May and October with breezes, sunny days and lower temperatures. In these months you may need a long sleeve shirt or light jacket at night.
The temperature of the sea is always pleasant, varying form 24 degrees in the cooler months to 28 degrees in summer.
IS THE RESORT CHILD FRIENDLY?
Our One Bedroom Bungalows are ideal for families as they have a queen bed in a separate bedroom and two single beds in the living style area. The grounds and beach are safe with easy snorkelling. We do ask guests to supervise their children, especially at dinner time.
For couples, our Studio Bungalows on the east side of the Resort are adults only, providing a quiet, child-free area.
DO YOU HAVE COTS AVAILABLE?
Yes, we have port a cots and mosquito nets available on request.
CAN I BRING THINGS TO DONATE?
School Donations:
Aore Yumi Primary School and Kindy is the only school on Aore Island. Our school is very fortunate to have a sister school in Australia to help with donations of books, toys and classroom items.
Nutrition is becoming a large conversation in Vanuatu with the lack of nutritional education in villages and schools.
With your support, we are hoping to educate as many children and villages on Aore Island as possible.
We are starting to stockpile for next year, so any guests coming to stay we would love your support on the following items:
- Vita gummies
- Powdered milk
- Fabric Band-Aids
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Antiseptic ointment
- Betadine
If school is in, you can drop in to the school and give these donations yourself. Speak to reception about the best time to visit.
Staff Donations:
Our dedicated team embodies authenticity and warmth, making your encounter with them genuinely delightful. While they are exceptionally grateful for donations, which can be for themselves or their children, it’s their genuine appreciation that truly shines. Our female staff members cherish receiving bras, while the men appreciate hats or t-shirts. As for their children, anything related to art or playtime, such as balls, brings boundless joy.
To ensure fairness and equal distribution of your thoughtful contributions, we kindly recommend entrusting them to our office staff. This ensures that every member of our team, even those you may not encounter frequently during your stay, benefits from your generosity.
CAN YOU GIVE ME AN APPROXIMATE COST FOR MEALS?
The Resort has a blackboard menu board which changes twice daily, once for lunch and again for dinner. Our menus are based on local and seasonal foods.
Availability depends on what the fisherman brings in on the day and what’s available at the local markets.
Each day we usually have a choice of poulet fish, local Santo beef, chicken, fresh lobster, crab and a vegetarian option if required. Prices range from 1,800vt (AUD$18) for island curry to 3,500vt (AUD$45) for Lobster. We also have children’s options available for 11 years and younger at 1,400vt (AUD$18).
If you would like to see a sample of our menus, please look under the “menu” highlight on our Instagram – @aoreislandresort
WHAT IF I HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES?
Vanuatu is a very remote country with local chefs learning their skills from their islands. As most of our food is fresh as our supermarkets are quite limited, we can easily cater for some food allergies over others. It is best to contact us prior to your arrival so we can work out the best plan for your requirements.
ARE THERE MOSQUITOES?
There are mosquitoes in all parts of Vanuatu, our bungalows are screened to keep them out.
We urge guests to close the doors of their bungalow in the late afternoon to keep mosquitoes out, however insect repellent is supplied in case you forget. We also recommend you use personal insect repellent after dusk.
IS MALARIA A PROBLEM IN VANUATU?
There are cases of Malaria in Vanuatu, mainly on the outer islands. We fog and encourage guests to use Mosquito repellent at dusk during the wet season.
DO I NEED TO BRING MY OWN SNORKELLING GEAR?
In your room we have provided you with your own snorkel and mask to use during your stay.
Please note that snorkel and mask are adult size only.
We also have a small selection of fins that can be hired at the reception daily.
SCOOTER OR CAR HIRE?
Luganville, the charming town of surprises! While we don’t have scooters for rent, our roads here can be a bit wild, so maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.
Fear not, you can book a hire car from “The Espiritu Hotel. Just remember, book ahead.
HOW CAN I PAY MY BILL?
We take all major credit cards with a 3.5% fee. We also take AU$ and Vatu.
HOW CAN I GET VATU?
The best option is to exchange your money once you arrive in Vanuatu, either at the local bank or store (please ask for more details once you arrive at the resort).
IS BREAKFAST INCLUDED?
Included in all tariffs, our breakfast spread features the classics like toast and delicious fruit, but we like to add a little something extra to make it truly memorable. Indulge in our local pastries, or scrumptious yogurt papaya and muesli boats, or savour a slice of our famous banana bread or those who crave a heartier breakfast, we offer complimentary eggs as part of our breakfast spread. Complete your meal with a refreshing cup of coffee, tea, or juice, all included to awaken your taste buds.
DO YOU OFFER BABY SITTING?
At Aore Island Resort, we understand that a family holiday should be a time of relaxation and bonding for everyone, including parents. That’s why we’re pleased to offer babysitting services during the day, between 8am and 4pm, with just 24 hours’ notice.
While our dedicated team is ready to care for your children during the day, we want to be transparent about our overnight policy. Unfortunately, our staff do not stay at the resort overnight, which means we are unable to provide night-time babysitters. We value the safety and well-being of your children and encourage you to reach out to us for any further assistance or special requests.
CAN OUR BOOKINGS BE LOCATED NEXT TO EACH OTHER?
At Aore Island Resort, we understand the importance of togetherness when you’re traveling with loved ones or friends. That’s why we make every effort to accommodate your requests for adjoining bungalows, provided you’re booking the same type of bungalow.
Here’s a bit of insight into our layout to help you plan your perfect stay:
One Bedroom Bungalows: These cozy retreats are nestled on our family side, with beachfront bungalows offering breath-taking sea views and garden view bungalows tucked away in a tranquil garden setting.
Our Heartbeat: Right at the heart of the resort, you’ll find our main nakamal and pool—a hub of activity and relaxation.
Studio Bungalows: For those seeking a quieter, adults-only escape, our Studio Bungalows await you on the opposite side of the resort. As you consider your bungalow bookings, we kindly ask that you keep in mind the natural separation between our One Bedroom Bungalows and Studio Bungalows.
TIPPING?
While tipping isn’t a traditional practice in Vanuatu, it’s a lovely gesture to express your appreciation. When participating in tours, consider giving a gratuity of 1,000vt-2,000vt. To support our dedicated team, we’ve established a communal tip collection system, symbolized by the basket at our bar. These contributions are equitably distributed among our 50 devoted staff members every six months, ensuring your generosity directly benefits those who make your experience exceptional.
DO YOU HAVE MOORINGS FOR YACHTS?
Since Cyclone Harold, unfortunately we do not have moorings anymore.