Aore Island Tours and Experiences
Step off the resort path and experience Aore Island the way it’s meant to be lived. These are not staged tours, they are real, hands-on experiences led by local people who know the land, the ocean, and the traditions. From weaving with the mummas and cooking over fire, to fishing, farming, and exploring the jungle, each experience connects you directly to island life. All tours depart from Phoenix Plantation and are designed to be simple, authentic, and unforgettable.
Why are Aore Tours Different
These experiences are different because they are not built for tourists, they are part of real daily life on the island. You are not watching a performance, you are joining in. The mummas still weave, the gardens still feed families, the fishing methods are still used every day. Small groups, no crowds, no scripts. Just real people, real skills, and a direct connection to how life actually works on Aore Island.
COCOA FARM TOUR AND INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE
Walk through a working cocoa plantation and see exactly how chocolate starts its life. From fresh pods on the tree to drying and processing, this is hands-on, raw, and real. Taste cacao at different stages and understand how it’s grown right here on Aore Island.
Tour Details
- Time: 10:30am daily
- Duration: 1.5–2 hours
- Price: 3,000 Vatu per person
- Departure: Phoenix Plantation
- Boat Transfers from Santo available
Is it suitable for kids?
Is it suitable for kids?
Yes.
Can I taste cacao?
Can I taste cacao?
Yes, at multiple stages.
How often do you see them?
Do I need to walk far?
Yes you will walk along a bush track and up a small hill with breaks along the way.
Can I buy products?
Can I buy products?
Yes, when available and you be able to to taste handcrafted chocolate.
What if I am unsure how serious it is?
Is it weather dependent?
Yes, best in dry conditions.
You leave understanding where chocolate really comes from, not from a factory, but from the ground, the trees, and the people who grow it. Simple, real, and one of the strongest experiences on Aore Island.
AROUND AORE ISLAND BOAT TOUR
Circle the island by boat and see Aore from the water the way locals do. Pass hidden beaches, jungle coastline, and clear blue water, with stops to swim, explore, and take it all in. Includes the Blue Lagoon and quiet spots you won’t reach by foot.
Time: 9:30am daily
Duration: 2–3 hours
Price: 6,000 Vatu per person
Departure: Phoenix Plantation
Boat transfer from Santo available
Will we stop to swim?
Will we stop to swim?
Yes at the back of Aroe on the Blue lagoon
Is it a fast or slow trip?
Is it a fast or slow trip?
Relaxed pace, for 2 hours, you will be sitting in a Boat.
Is it private?
Is it private?
Shared unless booked private.
What should I bring?
What should I bring? Sunscreen, water, camera.
Is it weather dependent?
Is it weather dependent? Yes.
For best results, treat bites early using pharmacy products from town. This will stop itching fast and prevent ongoing issues during your stay.
COOKING WITH THE MUMMAS
Cook real island food with the women who make it every day. Use fresh ingredients from the garden, learn simple techniques, and prepare a full meal over fire and local methods. Then sit down and eat together.
Time: 3:00pm daily
Duration: 2 hours
Price: 3,500 Vatu per person
Departure: Phoenix Plantation
What food will we cook?
What food will we cook?
Seasonal local dishes like Lap Lap and Simboro.
Can dietary needs be catered?
Can dietary needs be catered?
Basic adjustments possible.
Do I get recipes?
Do I get recipes?
Yes, simple versions.
Why are there ants inside?
Can kids join?
Yes.
Is it hands-on?
Is it hands-on?
Yes, you cook with them.
Ants are part of island life, but with simple habits they are easy to control and usually disappear once food is managed properly.
Food Forest and Chicken Hunting
Walk through the jungle and food forest with locals who live off the land. Learn what grows naturally, what’s edible, and how food is sourced daily. Includes a demonstration of traditional chicken trapping techniques used on the island.
Time: 7:00am daily
Duration: 2–3 hours
Price: 4,000 Vatu per person
Departure: Phoenix Plantation
Is it physically demanding?
Is it physically demanding?
Moderate walking.
Will they come into the house?
Will we catch a chicken?
Not guaranteed.
What should I wear?
What should I wear?
Light clothes, good shoes.
Is it safe?
Is it safe?
Yes, guided at all times.
What will I learn?
What will I learn? Edible plants, trapping methods, jungle knowledge.
You leave seeing the jungle differently, not just trees, but food, tools, and survival. Raw, practical, and one of the most real experiences on the island.
Tradtional Fishing by the Shore
Fish the way locals do, right from the shoreline using simple, effective methods passed down through generations. No fancy gear, just technique, timing, and local knowledge.
Time: 7:30am or 2:30pm
Duration: 1.5–2 hours
Price: 3,000 Vatu per person
Departure: Phoenix Plantation
Do I need experience?
Do I need experience?
No.
Is equipment included?
Is equipment included?
Yes.
Do I keep the fish?
Do I keep the fish?
Yes, if caught.
Best time?
Best time?
Early morning or sunset.
Simple, calm, and real. You learn how people actually catch food here, and if you’re lucky, you’ll take your catch straight to the plate.
Snorkeling Tour
Head out by boat to the reefs around Aore and explore clear tropical water filled with coral and fish. Easy access, calm conditions, and some of the best visibility on the island.
Time: 10:00am or 2:00pm
Duration: 1 hour
Price: 5,000 Vatu per person
Departure: Phoenix Plantation
Is gear included?
Is gear included?
Yes.
What will I see?
What will I see?
Coral, reef fish, marine life.
Is it safe?
Is it safe?
Yes, guided.
Is it weather dependent?
Is it weather dependent?
Yes.
Get straight into the water and see what’s below the surface. Clear, simple, and one of the easiest ways to experience the reef around Aore.
AORE ISLAND FULL DAY EXPERIENCE
Spend a full day on Aore Island combining the best experiences in one trip. Snorkel clear reef waters, cook and eat with the mummas, learn traditional weaving, and walk through a cocoa plantation. All hosted at a private beachfront home for a relaxed, authentic island day.
Time: 9:00am departure from Santo
Duration: Full day (approx 6–7 hours)
Price: 12,000 Vatu per person
Includes: Boat transfers, snorkelling, lunch, weaving, cooking with the Mummas and cocoa tour
Departure: Santo Wharf to Aore (return included)
Is boat transfer included?
Is boat transfer included?
Yes, return transfer from Santo.
Do I need to bring anything?
Do I need to bring anything?
Towel, sunscreen, water.
One booking, full experience. You see, taste, and take part in real island life, all in a single day without rushing between places.
Weaving with the Mummas
Sit with the local mummas and learn traditional weaving using natural island materials. Slow, hands-on, and guided step by step, this is a chance to connect, learn, and create something real.
Time: 9:00am daily
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: 2,500 Vatu per person
Departure: Phoenix Plantation
What will I make?
What will I make?
A small woven item like a basket or mat or necklace.
Do I need experience?
Do I need experience?
No.
Why are they roaming?
Are materials included?
Yes.
Can children join?
Can children join?
Yes, supervised.
Simple, quiet, and meaningful. You leave with something you made yourself and a real connection to the people who taught you.
Choose one or do them all. Each experience is simple to join, easy to organise, and built around real island life, not schedules and crowds. Everything starts from Phoenix Plantation and can be booked individually or combined. Come for a few hours or spend the whole day, either way, you’ll leave with more than photos.
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