Luganville to Aore Island Book Your Boat Transfer

Aore Island sits just across the Segond Channel from Luganville, Espiritu Santo. The crossing is short, scenic and usually takes around 5–10 minutes, depending on your pickup point and sea conditions. Boat transfers operate during daylight hours, with scheduled and private boats available.

Scheduled Ferry to Aore Island

We use the word ferry because this is a scheduled shared passenger service between Santo and Aore Island. These are not large commercial ferries. Services are usually operated using local working banana boats and small island transfer boats that carry passengers, luggage and supplies between the islands.

Departure Times

• Depart Santo to Aore - 8:00am  
• Depart Aore to Santo - 3:00pm
• Monday to Friday - outside these hours via prior arrangement

Luganville Departure Point

Aore Ferry / Aore Wharf operates from the former Smugglers building on the Luganville waterfront, behind Sunshine Supermarket.

There is no formal street address, so use these landmarks:

• Look for Sunshine Supermarket
• The access road is opposite Unity Shell
• Follow the dirt road down toward the ocean
• You will pass the hardware area
• Aore Wharf  will be on the left
• Look for the small building with double doors and Aore Wharf signage.

Aore Island Departure Point

On Aore Island, the scheduled service departs from Solwota Landing at Phoenix Plantation.

Pickup from another part of Aore Island may be available by prior arrangement. Please advise your pickup location when booking. Additional charges may apply depending on distance and access.

Cost per group  

• Vatu - VT2,000 If paying in Vatu, payment can be made in cash before boarding
• AUD - $25.00 If paying in Australian dollars, please use the online payment link provided when booking.

Payment:

• Pre-book your Aore Ferry before travelling.

Your booking is confirmed once payment arrangements have been completed.

AUD pricing note: Australian dollar prices are shown as a guide and are based on a recent exchange rate. Exchange rates and transfer costs can change, so the final amount may vary slightly. Local prices in Vatu remain the reference price.

Travel time: 

Around 5–20 minutes across the Segond Channel dependant on location and weather

📍Booking required: The scheduled shared boat service operates according to confirmed bookings. You must book in advance and let us know you are travelling. It is not a continuous back-and-forth service. Departure times may vary depending on bookings, weather and local weather conditions. Please allow plenty of time to arrive for your scheduled departure. As this is a shared service, the boat needs to leave on time for other passengers and cannot always wait for late arrivals. If you do miss your departure, we’ll do our best to help you arrange the next available scheduled service or a private transfer, subject to availability and any additional charges.

Private Boat Taxi Aore Island

Private transfers are available outside the scheduled shared service hours by prior arrangement. They are not an on-demand service, as the boat and crew need time to travel to the pickup point. Please allow at least 24 hours’ notice where possible. Pickup times must be agreed in advance.

Departure Times

• Depart Aore Wharf Santo to Aore between  8:00am - 3:30pm
• Depart Solwota Landing Aore to Santo between  7:00am - 3:00pm
• Monday to Friday - outside these hours via prior arrangement

Please note: Departure and arrival times may change due to weather and sea conditions. In poor weather, the safest transfer may involve a combination of road transport and boat travel rather than the usual direct boat route. We’ll confirm the best available option as conditions become clear.

Luganville Departure Point

Aore Ferry / Aore Wharf operates from the former Smugglers building on the Luganville waterfront, behind Sunshine Supermarket.

There is no formal street address, so use these landmarks:

• Look for Sunshine Supermarket
• The access road is opposite Unity Shell
• Follow the dirt road down toward the ocean
• You will pass the hardware area
• Aore Wharf  will be on the left
• Look for the small building with double doors and Aore Wharf signage.

Aore Island Departure Point

On Aore Island, the scheduled service departs from Solwota Landing at Phoenix Plantation.

Pickup from another part of Aore Island may be available by prior arrangement. Please advise your pickup location when booking. Additional charges may apply depending on distance and access.

Cost per group  

• Vatu - VT3,500  If paying in Vatu, payment can be made in cash before boarding
• AUD - $47.00 If paying in Australian dollars, please use the online payment link provided when booking.



Please note: Departure and arrival times may change due to weather and sea conditions. In poor weather, the safest transfer may involve a combination of road transport and boat travel rather than the usual direct boat route. We’ll confirm the best available option as conditions become clear.

Payment:

• Pre-book your Aore transfer before travelling.

Your booking is confirmed once payment arrangements have been completed.

AUD pricing note: Australian dollar prices are shown as a guide and are based on a recent exchange rate. Exchange rates and transfer costs can change, so the final amount may vary slightly. Local prices in Vatu remain the reference price.

Travel time: 

Around 5–20 minutes across the Segond Channel dependant on location and weather

📍Booking required: The boat service operates according to confirmed bookings. You must book in advance and let us know you are travelling.  Departure times may vary depending on bookings, weather and local weather conditions. Waiting fees may apply if the boat or crew are required to wait beyond the agreed pickup time. Additional charges may also apply for after-hours, weekend or longer-distance pickups.

Weekends & Evening Boat Travel

Aore Island follows a quieter island rhythm on weekends, with time set aside for family, church and community life. Weekend transfers are therefore available by prior booking only.

Boat travel is also limited to daylight hours. Local boats do not have navigation lights, so we do not operate after dark. This is both a safety measure and part of respecting normal island operating hours.

For the smoothest trip, plan to arrive and cross to Aore Island during the day.

Read More