Welcome to Beachfront on Aore

Welcome to Your Beach House at the"Beachfront on Aore"

We are delighted to welcome you to our traditional Vanuatu beach shack. Nestled along the pristine shores of Aore Island, this home is built with local materials and offers an authentic island experience. While amenities are simple, the experience is rich from reef swims to cultural connections with the Ni-Vanuatu community.

The Story of Our Beachfront House on Aore Island

Our beachfront home on Aore Island is more than just a place to stay  it is a labour of love; built by hands we trust and a dream we hold dear.

This house was carefully constructed by our long-term local team, with special thanks to Bula for his stunning stonework. We are deeply grateful to Joel, David, Johnmark, Netty, Mata and Willy for their dedication and care in helping us build something so meaningful. Every beam and post was cut from timber milled right here on the property, and the bamboo was hand-harvested from nearby Malo Island. All of the furniture was also crafted from timber grown on our land, adding a layer of authenticity and connection to nature that you will feel the moment you arrive.

The beachfront itself is always evolving sometimes sandy, sometimes scattered with coral and rocks, depending on the changing trade winds. But it is always safe to walk out to the reef, where the sea stretches out peacefully into the horizon.

This home was built in memory of our beloved son, Phoenix, who dreamed of living simply in Vanuatu but tragically passed before seeing that dream come true. In his honour, the beach has been lovingly named Pixy Beach, and it now serves as a peaceful, healing place that carries his spirit.

The property is part of a 173-acre plantation owned by the Murray family. We currently have four homes here and operate a working plantation with Cacao, Vanilla, Pepper, and Coffee. We are fortunate to welcome like-minded visitors and leaseholders who share in our vision of sustainable, simple living. Our family motto is:

“Live simply, so others can simply live.”

This home is our heart, and we are proud to share it with those seeking peace, connection, and beauty by the sea.

Living Simply, Living Respectfully

The Ni-Vanuatu lifestyle is rooted in simplicity, family, and tradition.

• Staff finish at 4:00 PM so they can collect water, tend gardens, and prepare their own meals, they still carry water sometime up to 1 km and have to attend their gardens. Locals appreciate if our guests can be mindful not to ask staff for errands and tasks outside these hours nor ask for them to get food for them without paying.
• Many locals attend church on Wednesday, Saturdays and Sundays, which may impact boat and taxi availability.
• We deeply appreciate you respect their time, commitments, and culture.

Murray Family x

In Case You Need Help

• For Emergencies, call the number saved on the provided mobile phone. "JUSTINE"
• Our team is available from 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM for assistance.
• If you have special requests, please speak with our house manager David or message us ahead of time.

• Emergency Numbers – Vanuatu
• Please note, Vanuatu has a limited emergency response network, especially on the islands.
• We have included key contacts for both the mainland (Santo) and Aore Island to assist you during your stay.

• Emergency Services (Santo – Espiritu Santo Island):
• Police (Luganville): 111
• Fire Services (Luganville): 113
• Ambulance: 112
• Northern Provincial Hospital (Luganville): +678 36900

Medical Clinics (Private – Santo):

• Santo Medical Centre: +678 36999
• Unity Medical Centre (Espiritu Santo): +678 774 7773

In an emergency, if you are unsure who to contact, please use the provided mobile phone to call the house manager directly. They are both familiar with the area and can assist quickly or help coordinate transport and communication with mainland services.

Please read this manual carefully so you can enjoy your stay with comfort and peace of mind for further information contact your host

HOUSEKEEPING & LAUNDRY

• Service Hours: from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Monday to Friday

Included Services:

• Light tidy up of the house
• Check power resources
• Clean beach
• Take washing for cleaning

The mumas allocate 1 hour to each home in the day if you would like to "tell story" chat to them, please arrange a Free tour with them so they can allocate the time. The offer weaving, cooking, fishing and general story about there island between 9am - 11am

Linen change

•   Every third day

Please note there is no housekeeping on the weekends as these are church days and Nivans are community minded and weekends are for family, shopping and community events

Laundry collection and washing

You have  choice mumas can do by hand on site or go to the laundry for washing

• V800 for pay as you go or shared room bookings
• All inclusive package the washing service is free during Monday to Friday
  

INTERNET, POWER, WATER & GAS

INTERNET

Vanuatu's mobile internet is limited and often intermittent even with starlink.

• STARLINK: - PASSWORD: Internet1969! 
• The Starlink is reset and turned off between 10pm and 6am via a automatic timer.
• Frequently drops out when satellites passing overhead, this is beyond our control
• Speed is generally fast, however it does still drop out and Video calls can run slow
• If you require internet in these hours please advise the host so we can reset the timer
• Starlink is turned off as it draws incredible amounts of power on our system during idle hours

• INTERNATIONAL ROAMING 
• Has network at the Beach House and works well most of the time
• If experiencing slow browsing, head to the tree near the beach  where there is a seat
• Or window areas where signal is stronger
• During storms the internet may drop out and may stay down for a few hours

SOLAR POWER

 The house is powered by a Solar and a generator for backup and is monitored closely. The house is wired to run efficiently and can last all day and into the night is used wisely. Excessive use will cause power to go off at night and will turn back on at 7:30am in the morning.

• Solar Power - USAGE 2000Watt
• The power is enough to run the house but excessive usage will cause the power to turn off.
• You may hear beeping, ignore it we are aware and alerts are set to our phones
• You may hear the alarm 4 BEEPS when the fridge motor turns on, this is nothing to worry about
• More than 6 beeps if you hear it means power is low and will switch off in a hour.
• We receive alerts of power usage via out phone so we can see if excessive power is being uses

MANAGING THE POWER

• Phone and electronics charging
• CHARGING: Charge phone and electronics during the day when the sun is bright

• TURN OFF when not in use
• Fans, lights and charging when not in use if not in use

• AUTOMATIC TIMERS for Internet and spotlights
• SPOTLIGHTS will turn off at 1 am and on again at 6pm
• INTERNET: Will turn off and turn on again at 7:30am

• BACK UP LIGHTS
• Strip light on stair push the button and will turn on 1.) is motion sensor 2.) will stay on until turned off. They will last approx 4 hours is left on.
• Remote control lights There is a remote that will turn them on by your bed, you can set to turn off or set for 30 minutes they will last 6 hours if left on.
• Green lights the two green light are also but zappers. To turn in and off press button, if Zapper left on they will last 4 hours, Light will last approx 4 hours

PLEASE Never use a hair dryer  at the property or a toaster or electric kettle  the solar can not handle such big loads
We are here close by and can monitor the solar

There is no need to worry David will come by early each morning and late in afternoon to check power  and power is on timers to assist with saving power during the night, so everything is back up and running promptly. We kindly ask guests to be mindful of consumption, especially with high-draw appliances, to help maintain steady power throughout the night.

Calculating power usage:

• Look on your device
• eg 10w x by night time hours 10 hours = 120w
• add this by all the appliances in the house and it adds up fast .

• Low Draw Power items
• Phones 5w - 20w
• Electric toothbrush
• Rechargeable lights

• High Draw Power Items
• Starlink 700w
• Drones 150 - 350 watt
• Laptops 45 - 5-2watt
• Hairdryer 1500 watt
• Kettle 1500 watt
• Toaster 1500 watt

Please advise us of what you require charging and we can accommodate you.

 
WATER SOURCE

Water is pumped from a Fresh water well to a holding tank. The water is pure and comes from a spring that is filtered through limestone the water is fresh and blue tinge it is slightly high in lime but very safe. the whole island runs off the spring or rain water.

• Well Water /Tap water has been tested and it is safe enough to drink however we suggest always use the water purifier
• Water purifier ALWAYS use the water purifier to ensure you are well during your stay.
• vanuatu Bottled Water  (1.5 litre, vt300 per bottle.) We supply you with one bottle of water if you would like further please message us during working hours
• Aore Purified Rainwater (1 .5 litre, vt200 per bottle) rain water is pure and run though the water purifier, straight from the sky

Water Purifier

• To turn on PULL the small knob on the tap outlet to purify water
• Note water will run for 2 seconds after you turn tap off
• Please push knob closed if not in use

GAS HOT WATER

• Hot water is powered by gas.
• Hot Shower you will hear a click when the water turns on that means it is ready for use
• Hot water takes 30 sec to come though, be patient it needs time to heat up
• NEVER leave tap on hot and walk away you may run the gas bottle down

• Troubleshoot shower hot water
• No hot water: did you hear the system go " click click click ? If so turn tap off and try again, there may be air in the pipe.
• No hot water:  and no clicking Call your host
• Water to cold: turn the cold water tap down
• Water to hot: turn the cold water up and hot water down
• No hot water: can hear clicking but not " Whoosh" sound that is igniting (Call the host)
• No hot water:  is the gas bottle on " Call the host

GAS COOKTOP

• NEVER LEAVE POTS UNATTENDED
• Have a lighter ready turn gas on and light
• Never leave flame unattended
• Never put hot pots on the wooded benches use the pot holders
• In case of fire use water of the fire extinguisher CALL THE HOST 
• Under the stove there is a price of tin, please leave in place it is  beware of sharp edges

FIRE SAFETY

• MOSQUITO COILS 

The house has installed automatic mosquito repellents and is spray after every guest for mosquitos' and ants

• The house has automatic mosquito repellents installed  if you see them never unplug them they are for your comfort
• NEVER use mosquito coils while unattended or leave on timber if you have to use only on proper stands.
• Do not place them on plates or wooden surfaces  this is a fire hazard.
• If you choose to use them put them on a ceramic plate or in a cooking pot something that the ash cannot fall onto the timber
• It is not required to use mosquito coils and house is protected, however if you choose to use them we advise to use the stand provided and sit on a ceramic plate
• If you would like to enjoy outside in the evening, advise the host and we will start a small fire and the smoke will repel mosquitos
  

LOCAL WILDLIFE

• Dugongs 
• Dugongs frequent the beach here and it is common for guest to swim with them, there are many videos of guests swimming with the dugongs
• Be mindful approaching the dugongs, as they are wild animals and can be unpredictable
• They are unique to this bay as they feed on the sea grass close to the house
• If you leave fruits our for them in the afternoon on high tide, they will swim into meet you
• Turtles
• Turtles frequently appear in the bay close to shore 
• It is common for them to pop up close to guests as they are swimming, do not be alarmed they are gentle
• The are however a wild animal and must be treated with respect and care

• Lizards, Ants and Crabs
• You may see Crabs geckos, lizards, or insects. These are a normal part of life here and pose no danger.
• To avoid crabs and insects in the house close the doors particularly at night time.
• Crabs will come inside if you leave the doors open at night seeking food
• Vanuatu has no poisonous animals even though you may feel scared I assure you they are more scared of you.
• The house is Spray after each guest for bugs lizards and ants, however small ants will be attracted if foods are left out, we simply cannot do anything to avoid it .
• Best to keep all food covered and stored in food lockers to avoid ants

• Mosquitoes
• Mosquitos and sandflies are part of the tropics we cannot avoid them, keep doors closed
• Always wear insect repellent repellent or wear light coloured long clothing to avoid being bitten
• We have supplied chemical mosquito repellent and a natural one both are useful against mosquitos and sandflies

• Dogs
• Local dogs on the island are not penned in like australia, they may come to the property
• DO NOT feed visiting Dogs as you will not be able to get rid of them 
• If the dogs are bothering you, take a photo and send to the host via the Airbnb app so we can contact the owner
• Dogs in Aore tend not to bite, however they will have worms and definitely have fleas
• there is no vet in Northern Vanuatu so dogs do not get regular, worming shots or flea control

• Wild Cattle
• Wild cattle are know to roam the road
• They are not dangerous, they are a menace to gardens
• Keep gates close or they will come in and eat the gardens and make a mess of the yard
• We cannot control them, we have tried, usually if you yell at them they will run away, they are part of the unique island life
• Do not approach or pat them, they generally are tame but they are wild and you never know
• If they bother you take a photo and report to the host

• Sharks & Crocodiles
• There are no Crocodiles in this part of Vanuatu, they are in the most northern tip
• Sharks, may enter the waters however there has never been a reported shark attack out the fron of Aore Island the mumas frequently fish up tp there necks and children swim feely all year round
  

AORE ISLAND CULTURE

Jungle Calls (Church bells, Yelling & Wailing)

• Locals tend to have a jungle call and yahoo particularly during the night this is a custom call to call each other, it is common and normal, they are not drunk or being annoying its simply a way of communication
• Yelling, Jungle call. You will hear this morning afternoon and into the night on occasion all part of the culture
• Church bells can be heard Wednesday, Saturday and  Sunday then you will hear them singing you are welcome at church but do not be alarmed by the bells it is simply church
• 7am horn sound is from the airport, it's a signal that Vanuatu is to start work, it is not a warning system
• If you hear constant wailing or crying this means a member has passed, it is not common to hear by the beach however do not be alarmed it is a sign of respect

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Modesty & Friendly local behaviour

Dressing modestly in Vanuatu is often influenced by cultural, social, and religious practices that emphasize respect, humility, and tradition. Many of the Indigenous communities in Vanuatu value traditional attire that covers the body appropriately, especially during cultural ceremonies, rituals, or gatherings. Modest dressing helps preserve cultural identity and demonstrates respect for customs and social norms.

Reasons for dressing modestly in Vanuatu include:

1. Cultural Respect: Traditional dress codes are an important aspect of Vanuatu’s diverse cultural heritage. Wearing modest clothing during ceremonies and daily activities shows respect for local customs and elders.

2. Religious Beliefs: Many communities in Vanuatu are Christian, and modest dressing aligns with religious teachings about humility and decency.

3. Social Norms: Modesty is often associated with social appropriateness and maintaining good relationships within communities.

4. Protection and Practicality: In rural areas, modest clothing can also provide protection from the sun, insects, and rough terrain.

When visiting Vanuatu, it is respectful to observe local dress codes, especially when attending cultural events or visiting villages. Generally, wearing clothing that covers your torso and thighs is advisable to show respect for local customs.

"Locals are friendly but be mindful of flirting being overly friendly might just land you a marriage in Vanuatu! Stay charming, stay cautious, and enjoy the island vibes!"