Aore Island Travel Guide (Vanuatu, 2026)

Backpacking in Aore Island
👍 Recommendedregion ranked #5
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 7, 2026

Aore Island sits a five-minute boat hop from Luganville, yet it has a WWII wreck, the SS President Coolidge, lying off its shore, and the island itself holds almost no crowds. It lies in Sanma Province in the north of Vanuatu, just off Espiritu Santo’s southern coast. Dive sites, a few beach resorts, village tracks and a long coconut plantation edge make it easy to explore on foot or by hired truck. Roads are short and facilities are thin, so you trade nightlife and shops for quiet and clear water. Staying here costs more than a Luganville guesthouse, and you lose late-night food options and the town’s market. A day trip by boat gives you the beaches for little money, while sleeping over gives you dawn snorkeling and the most for the time spent. Compared with busy Luganville, Aore is slower, greener and nearly traffic-free.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Vanuatu Travel Guide.

Best time to go: April - October
Population: ~1,000

✨ Why go?
Ranked #5 region in VanuatuWhy Aore Island should be on your travel list

Backpackers come to Aore Island for the water, and the reasons are easy to pin down. The SS President Coolidge wreck lies just offshore, and the Million Dollar Point dive and snorkel area sits across the channel, so you can spend a few days diving without changing bases. Both are close enough that a dive boat reaches them in minutes, which leaves more of the day for lazing on sand.

The second pull is how little effort it takes to get here. The short boat crossing from Luganville means you can sleep on a quiet island yet still shop, change money and catch flights on the mainland. Resorts and local boat operators run the crossing throughout the day, so you are not tied to a rigid schedule.

Slow travel works well here. Walk the shoreline, swim in calm bays, chat with villagers, then cross over … read more 👉

Backpackers come to Aore Island for the water, and the reasons are easy to pin down. The SS President Coolidge wreck lies just offshore, and the Million Dollar Point dive and snorkel area sits across the channel, so you can spend a few days diving without changing bases. Both are close enough that a dive boat reaches them in minutes, which leaves more of the day for lazing on sand.

The second pull is how little effort it takes to get here. The short boat crossing from Luganville means you can sleep on a quiet island yet still shop, change money and catch flights on the mainland. Resorts and local boat operators run the crossing throughout the day, so you are not tied to a rigid schedule.

Slow travel works well here. Walk the shoreline, swim in calm bays, chat with villagers, then cross over to Santo for blue holes and day tours when you want something bigger.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

SS President Coolidge wreck: A luxury liner turned troopship that sank in 1942 after hitting friendly mines. It is a world-famous wreck dive, with parts reachable by experienced divers and shallow sections for snorkelers near shore.
Aore Island Resort beach: A calm stretch of sand facing Luganville, good for swimming and an easy base for snorkeling over the shallows.
Million Dollar Point: Just across the channel, where the US military dumped vehicles and equipment after the war. Snorkelers float over rusted trucks and machinery. Entry is a small local fee.
Aore coastal walk: A flat shoreline route along beaches, coconut groves and quiet village edges, best done in the cooler morning hours.
Village visits on Aore: Small communities where you can meet locals, buy fruit and see everyday island life,

… read more 👉

SS President Coolidge wreck: A luxury liner turned troopship that sank in 1942 after hitting friendly mines. It is a world-famous wreck dive, with parts reachable by experienced divers and shallow sections for snorkelers near shore.
Aore Island Resort beach: A calm stretch of sand facing Luganville, good for swimming and an easy base for snorkeling over the shallows.
Million Dollar Point: Just across the channel, where the US military dumped vehicles and equipment after the war. Snorkelers float over rusted trucks and machinery. Entry is a small local fee.
Aore coastal walk: A flat shoreline route along beaches, coconut groves and quiet village edges, best done in the cooler morning hours.
Village visits on Aore: Small communities where you can meet locals, buy fruit and see everyday island life, always after asking permission.
Snorkeling the Aore reef edge: Clear, shallow water with coral and reef fish just a short paddle from the beach.
Sunset over Segond Channel: The water between Aore and Santo turns orange as small boats cross, a free show from almost any western shore.
Coconut plantation tracks: Old working plantation lanes that cut through the island interior, quiet and shaded, with birdlife and few people.
Hidden cove beaches: Small unmarked bays along the island’s far side that locals use for fishing and picnics, reached on foot at low tide.
Evening boat crossing: The short ride back toward Luganville after dusk, with lights across the water and a cool breeze.

Most visitors skip the hidden cove beaches on the far side of the island, which is a shame because you will likely have them to yourself.

Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

⌛️ 5 daysA smart one-week plan

Day 1: Aore Island: Start with a morning boat crossing from Luganville so you arrive with a full day for swimming and snorkeling. The channel is short and boats run often, which means the pace here is dictated by tides and daylight, not timetables. Settle in, walk the nearest beach and snorkel the shallows to get your bearings.

Day 2: SS President Coolidge: Book a dive or snorkel on the wreck, since the water is calmest and clearest in the morning. Spend the afternoon resting on the sand. Boat operators generally do the short run from the island, so you lose very little time moving.

Day 3: Island Walk: Use the cooler hours for the coastal walk and plantation tracks, then stop in a village to buy fruit. The day is slow on purpose, because Aore has no public transport and walking is the best … read more 👉

Day 1: Aore Island: Start with a morning boat crossing from Luganville so you arrive with a full day for swimming and snorkeling. The channel is short and boats run often, which means the pace here is dictated by tides and daylight, not timetables. Settle in, walk the nearest beach and snorkel the shallows to get your bearings.

Day 2: SS President Coolidge: Book a dive or snorkel on the wreck, since the water is calmest and clearest in the morning. Spend the afternoon resting on the sand. Boat operators generally do the short run from the island, so you lose very little time moving.

Day 3: Island Walk: Use the cooler hours for the coastal walk and plantation tracks, then stop in a village to buy fruit. The day is slow on purpose, because Aore has no public transport and walking is the best way to see it.

Day 4: Detour to Million Dollar Point: Cross the channel and snorkel over the dumped wartime machinery, then return to Aore for sunset. The detour is small and adds a layer of history without changing your base.

Day 5: Hidden Coves: Spend the last day exploring far-side beaches at low tide and swimming. If you can only justify one day of this trip, make it Day 2, because the Coolidge is the reason this island matters.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Aore Island

May to October is the cooler, drier stretch on Aore, with lagoon-calm mornings and the least rain.

Dry Season (May to October): Days run 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F), nights dip to about 19 to 22°C (66 to 72°F), and showers are short. Sunrise is near 6:15 am and dusk around 5:45 pm. Snorkeling and diving around the Million Dollar Point side are at their clearest, and this is also when flights and beds fill up.
Wet Season (November to April): Expect 27 to 32°C (81 to 90°F), heavy humidity, and downpours that can last hours. Daylight stretches to roughly 6:00 am until 6:45 pm. Prices dip at some places, and mosquitoes are out in force.
Cyclone Window (January to March): This is the peak risk for tropical cyclones, which can ground boats and flights for days.
July School Holidays: Ferries and Luganville

… read more 👉

May to October is the cooler, drier stretch on Aore, with lagoon-calm mornings and the least rain.

Dry Season (May to October): Days run 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F), nights dip to about 19 to 22°C (66 to 72°F), and showers are short. Sunrise is near 6:15 am and dusk around 5:45 pm. Snorkeling and diving around the Million Dollar Point side are at their clearest, and this is also when flights and beds fill up.
Wet Season (November to April): Expect 27 to 32°C (81 to 90°F), heavy humidity, and downpours that can last hours. Daylight stretches to roughly 6:00 am until 6:45 pm. Prices dip at some places, and mosquitoes are out in force.
Cyclone Window (January to March): This is the peak risk for tropical cyclones, which can ground boats and flights for days.
July School Holidays: Ferries and Luganville accommodation book up.

Book a flexible return flight if you travel between January and March, and leave a spare day before any international departure.

source: climatestotravel.comJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Stay on Aore itself if you want quiet beaches and clear water, and sleep in Luganville if you want company. Aore has only a handful of small lodges and bungalow-style places, mostly along its sheltered western shore facing Espiritu Santo. The mood is calm and sociable in a low-key way: you meet other travelers at meals, over shared boat trips, or on the sand. It suits divers, snorkelers, and anyone happy to trade nightlife for stars and lapping water.

Luganville, a short boat ride away, is the practical base for backpackers who want more choice. It has markets, banks, supermarkets, cafés, and the … read more 👉

Stay on Aore itself if you want quiet beaches and clear water, and sleep in Luganville if you want company. Aore has only a handful of small lodges and bungalow-style places, mostly along its sheltered western shore facing Espiritu Santo. The mood is calm and sociable in a low-key way: you meet other travelers at meals, over shared boat trips, or on the sand. It suits divers, snorkelers, and anyone happy to trade nightlife for stars and lapping water.

Luganville, a short boat ride away, is the practical base for backpackers who want more choice. It has markets, banks, supermarkets, cafés, and the largest concentration of budget beds in the area, so solo travelers find it easy to meet people and split costs on day trips. Distances are walkable in the center, and it is generally relaxed and safe by day. After dark, take a taxi rather than walking the outer roads.

A good split is two or three nights on Aore for diving and beach time, then back to Luganville for onward trips across Espiritu Santo, such as blue holes and waterfalls. Stock up on cash and snacks in town first, since options on the island are limited.

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🚌 Getting aroundHow to get from A to B

From Luganville, the town center on Espiritu Santo, the quickest way to reach Aore is to walk or taxi down to the waterfront and hop on a small boat across the narrow channel. That crossing is the gateway to the whole island, and it takes only about 5 to 10 minutes. Once over, you are on a quiet island with one main track, so getting around is simple and mostly muscle-powered.

Water taxi from Luganville: Small motorboats run from the wharf area to Aore, usually US$5 to 10 (about 600 to 1,200 vatu) per person each way, and prices depend on group size and the operator. It is fast and wet-footed, and it gives you the best return for time and money. Arrange a pickup time before you leave, because boats are not on a fixed timetable.
Resort or lodge transfer: If you have a booking, many places on

… read more 👉

From Luganville, the town center on Espiritu Santo, the quickest way to reach Aore is to walk or taxi down to the waterfront and hop on a small boat across the narrow channel. That crossing is the gateway to the whole island, and it takes only about 5 to 10 minutes. Once over, you are on a quiet island with one main track, so getting around is simple and mostly muscle-powered.

Water taxi from Luganville: Small motorboats run from the wharf area to Aore, usually US$5 to 10 (about 600 to 1,200 vatu) per person each way, and prices depend on group size and the operator. It is fast and wet-footed, and it gives you the best return for time and money. Arrange a pickup time before you leave, because boats are not on a fixed timetable.
Resort or lodge transfer: If you have a booking, many places on Aore collect guests from the Luganville side, often for a similar fee or included in the rate. It costs a little more than a public ride, yet it saves hunting for a boat with a heavy pack.
Walking: Tracks along the shore and between beaches are short and flat in places, and walking is free. Set off early, because midday heat from November to April saps you quickly, and carry water. For short hops between beaches, this is the best value by far.
Hired vehicle or local truck: A few vehicles run on the island and can be arranged through your accommodation for roughly US$10 to 25 depending on distance. Comfort is better than walking, but it is thin on availability, so book ahead.
Kayak or boat trips: Local operators run snorkeling and wreck-site outings, typically US$20 to 60 depending on length. They cost more, but the reef and the Million Dollar Point area are the reason to come, so splurge once.

Shop for supplies in Luganville before you cross, and book your return boat as soon as you arrive, since evening crossings are the hardest to find.

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in Aore Island

Eating on Aore means fish, root crops, and coconut, cooked simply and usually eaten near the water. Expect grilled reef fish, coconut crab in season at some lodges, and laplap, a pounded taro or yam pudding baked in an earth oven until dense and smoky. Island cabbage simmered in coconut cream is soft, green, and lightly sweet.

At a backpacker level, most meals come from your lodge, often set menus agreed in advance, so tell them early if you have dietary needs. For variety, cross to Luganville, where the central market sells bananas, papaya, taro, and fresh fish at dawn, and small cafés and bakeries serve filling plates for around 600 to 1,500 vatu (US$5 to 12). Stock up on fruit and bread before returning, as the island has few shops.

The drink to try is kava, served in coconut shells at dusk … read more 👉

Eating on Aore means fish, root crops, and coconut, cooked simply and usually eaten near the water. Expect grilled reef fish, coconut crab in season at some lodges, and laplap, a pounded taro or yam pudding baked in an earth oven until dense and smoky. Island cabbage simmered in coconut cream is soft, green, and lightly sweet.

At a backpacker level, most meals come from your lodge, often set menus agreed in advance, so tell them early if you have dietary needs. For variety, cross to Luganville, where the central market sells bananas, papaya, taro, and fresh fish at dawn, and small cafés and bakeries serve filling plates for around 600 to 1,500 vatu (US$5 to 12). Stock up on fruit and bread before returning, as the island has few shops.

The drink to try is kava, served in coconut shells at dusk at a nakamal. It tastes earthy and peppery, numbs the tongue, and is usually quietly sipped, not chatted over. Spit the dregs, do not talk loudly, and follow local cues, as women and visitors may have set rules. Fresh coconut water is everywhere, and local Tusker and Vanuatu-brewed beer are cold options after a dive.

FAQFrequently asked questions about Aore Island

Two to three days is enough for Aore itself, with a third or fourth day if you want to dive. That gives you time for snorkeling the shoreline, a wreck or Million Dollar Point outing, and a lazy beach day. Most travelers pair it with three to five days around Luganville and Espiritu Santo.

Walking and short boat hops cover almost everything. A water taxi across the channel from Luganville takes about 5 to 10 minutes and costs roughly US$5 to 10 each way, and island tracks are walkable between beaches. Your lodge can arrange a vehicle for around US$10 to 25 if you need to carry gear.

Aore is known for its calm water, quiet beaches, and easy access to World War II wreck and dive sites near Luganville, including Million Dollar Point. It offers snorkeling over healthy reef and small lodges with few crowds. It sits just across a channel from Espiritu Santo, so many visitors combine it with blue holes and Luganville.

⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Ni-Vanuatu regions near Aore Island

Explore more nearby:

Rugged Coastline of Santo—Blue holes, Champagne Beach, Port Olry, east coast truck road| 9 km away
Bokissa Island—Adults-only resort islet, house reef, western sunsets, one-night splurge| 35 km away
Pentecost Island—Naghol towers, Saturday jumps, kastom villages, Pangi bungalows| 110 km away

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Two nights is enough to swim, snorkel and see the wreck, but three lets the island’s slow rhythm settle in. I would bring cash, since the island has no ATMs, and pack reef-safe sunscreen. Skip rushing back to Luganville the first evening; the sunset from Aore is the better show.

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The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Vanuatu. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.

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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

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Vanuatu🇻🇺 | regionsAore IslandPresident Coolidge wreck, Segond Channel, plantation lanes, five-minute boat hop | things to do and best time to go

Backpacking in Aore Island
👍 Recommendedregion ranked #5
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 7, 2026

✨ Why go?
Ranked #5 region in VanuatuWhy Aore Island should be on your travel list

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

Things to do near Aore Island

Major Tom -Sailing Day Cruise, with Snorkeling, Lunch & More!

Small Group River Kayaking Tour from Port Vila

Vanuatu Jungle Zipline with Transfers

Vanuatu Jungle Zipline - Self Drive Option

Full-Day Efate Round Island Trip with Yumi Tours

Rarru Cascades, Waterfall & Kava

83 Islands Distillery & Sightseeing of Port Vila with Yumi Tours

Vanuatu Jungle Zipline, Swing and Skybridge Combo with Transfer

Discovery Hike from Port Vila

Nguna Island Full Day Hike and Snorkeling Adventure from Port Vila Vanuatu

⌛️ 5 daysA smart one-week plan

🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Aore Island

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutVanuatu Travel Guide

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get from A to B

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in Aore Island

FAQFrequently asked questions about Aore Island

Other Ni-Vanuatu regions near Aore Island

We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Vanuatu🇻🇺 | regionsAore IslandPresident Coolidge wreck, Segond Channel, plantation lanes, five-minute boat hop | things to do and best time to go

Backpacking in Aore Island👍 Recommendedregion ranked #5By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 7, 2026addMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee4f2c3')

✨ Why go?Ranked #5 region in VanuatuaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee507b7')Why Aore Island should be on your travel listaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee507c7')

💡 HighlightsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee5282b')Places and moments you shouldn't skipaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee52838')

Things to do near Aore Island

Major Tom -Sailing Day Cruise, with Snorkeling, Lunch & More!

Small Group River Kayaking Tour from Port Vila

Vanuatu Jungle Zipline with Transfers

Vanuatu Jungle Zipline - Self Drive Option

Full-Day Efate Round Island Trip with Yumi Tours

Rarru Cascades, Waterfall & Kava

83 Islands Distillery & Sightseeing of Port Vila with Yumi Tours

Vanuatu Jungle Zipline, Swing and Skybridge Combo with Transfer

Discovery Hike from Port Vila

Nguna Island Full Day Hike and Snorkeling Adventure from Port Vila Vanuatu

⌛️ 5 daysaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee53822')A smart one-week planaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee5382e')

🌤️ When to go?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee548a9')Best time to visit Aore IslandaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee548b5')

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutVanuatu Travel Guide

🛏️ Where to stay?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee55f74')How to pick the right areaaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee55f7e')

🚌 Getting aroundaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee56d5d')How to get from A to BaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee56d6b')

🍲 FoodaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee5f62f')Eating & Drinking in Aore IslandaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee5f63c')

FAQaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee5f75a')Frequently asked questions about Aore IslandaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee5f762')

Other Ni-Vanuatu regions near Aore IslandaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee61478')

We 💚 feedbackaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee616fd')Is it worth it?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee61704')

👋 Meet the founderaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee6177d')Who’s Behind Take Your Backpack?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6acb9cee61783')

Backpacking in Aore Island
👍 Recommendedregion ranked #5
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 7, 2026

✨ Why go?
Ranked #5 region in VanuatuWhy Aore Island should be on your travel list

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

⌛️ 5 daysA smart one-week plan

🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Aore Island

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get from A to B

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in Aore Island

FAQFrequently asked questions about Aore Island

Other Ni-Vanuatu regions near Aore Island

We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?