Just a short boat ride from Espiritu Santo (Luganville), Aore Island is one of the most beautiful and accessible corners of Vanuatu — calm turquoise water, white-sand beaches, and a private marine reserve right off the shore. If you are planning a Santo trip and want to wake up on the island itself, here is what to know about staying on Aore.

Lapita Beach — beachfront on Aore Island

The standout place to stay is Lapita Beach, a private 800-acre beachfront estate on the island’s western shore. The self-contained Lapita Beach House sits right on the sand, with the lagoon at your doorstep and the reserve’s coral gardens just metres out.

Snorkelling, day tours and Nemo Bay

Aore is built for the water. The estate protects its own private marine reserve, and the Nemo Bay Ultimate Day Tour is the easiest way to see the best of it — snorkelling colourful reefs, spotting clownfish and turtles, and lunch on the beach.

Getting to Aore Island

It is simpler than it looks: fly into Santo, then a short ferry across the channel. Lapita Beach runs its own boat and arranges transfers around your flights — see their full guide to getting to Aore Island for flight options from Brisbane and Port Vila.

Whether you are after a beachfront escape, a family adventure, or a base for exploring Espiritu Santo, Aore Island is hard to beat — and Lapita Beach puts you right on it.