From Landing in Santo to Your First Swim at Aoredise
- Stuart Davis
- Jun 16
- 2 min read
There’s something special about the moment your holiday truly begins — not when you book it, not even when you board the plane — but when you arrive somewhere completely different from everyday life.
At Aoredise, that moment comes sooner than you might expect.
Touching Down in Santo
As your plane descends into Espiritu Santo, you’ll see it straight away — deep blue ocean, lush green island, and reefs that fringe the coastline like something out of a postcard.
The airport is small, simple, and refreshingly easy. No long queues, no overwhelming crowds. Just warm air, friendly faces, and that instant feeling that you’ve arrived somewhere slower, calmer… and very special.
The Journey to the Water
From the airport, it’s a short drive into town and over to the Santo waterfront. This is where things start to feel a little more adventurous.
You’ll arrive at the jetty — a place full of character — where colourful local boats come and go, loading up supplies, passengers, and the rhythm of everyday island life.
This isn’t a polished marina. It’s better than that. It’s real.
Crossing to Aore Island
Your transfer across to Aore is by one of the local “banana boats” — long, narrow, and perfectly suited to these waters.
As you pull away from the jetty, Santo begins to drift behind you. The breeze picks up, the water sparkles, and within minutes, you’re surrounded by nothing but ocean and islands.
It’s a short trip — but it feels like a transition into another world.
First Steps at Aoredise
As you approach Aore Island, you’ll start to see the Aoredise come into focus — palm trees, coral wall, Nakamal, clear water, and the kind of quiet that’s hard to find anywhere else.
Stepping off the boat, most guests pause for a moment. Not because they have to — but because something about the place makes you slow down instantly.
No traffic. No noise. Just the sound of the water and the breeze through the trees.
And Then… Your First Swim
It doesn’t take long.
Bags can wait. Shoes are optional. The ocean is right there.
Within minutes of arriving, most guests are in the water — floating, cooling off, and letting the journey settle into something simpler.
That first swim is more than just a dip.
It’s the moment you realise: You’ve arrived somewhere different.
The Beginning of Island Time
From here, everything slows down.
There are no schedules you have to follow. No crowds to navigate. Just days shaped by the tide, the weather, and whatever you feel like doing next.
And it all starts with that simple journey —from landing in Santo…to your first swim at Aoredise.
Because sometimes, getting there really is part of the magic.
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