Aore Adventure Sports & Lodge
Aore Adventure Sports & Lodge
Aore Adventure Sports & Lodge
5
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Come dive & stay with Santo's Only and longest established Padi 5 Star Dive Center & if you are looking for a great place to stay our private beach house is waiting for you.Situated on your own 200m white sandy beach in a self contained contemporary villa on Aore Island , just a short 10min boat ride from Luganville, and we run our custom built dive vessel from right out front, diving the world famous SS President Coolidge/ Million $ Point and all the other local reef sites and wrecks. We also dive sites that no other operator can due to our boat capabilities. The villa has a fully self contained kitchen and bar b q area and there is one of the top local restaurants and bar less than 5 mins walk away.For non divers there is plenty to do with tours to caves, pristine spring fed blue holes, great beaches, jungle treks plus many other activities, or just lay around and enjoy your own private beach.Snorkel right out the front or enjoy a paddle over the reef with our complementary kayaks.
Aore Island, Vanuatu
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Aore Adventure Sports & Lodge
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5.0
343 reviews
Excellent
333
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10
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Deeley13
48 contributions
Sept 2022
We did two amazing dives with Paul's company on the Coolidge. If you are on a yacht/catamaran as we are Paul has three moorings available to rent out the front of his house/dive centre and you can leave your dinghy at his jetty while you dive. One of the great things about Paul's operation is that rather than cart all your gear to a dive centre and then walk it down the beach for the dive, Paul takes you in his boat right to the dive site and you get in there. Paul is incredibly knowledgeable on the history of the wreck and the surrounding area and all round great guy to chat to. The other great thing is that he not only takes a maximum of 6 people but also goes to the wreck early morning before the other dive centre so you have it to yourself. The last time we dived the Coolidge there were so many other divers it wasn't nearly as enjoyable. We particularly enjoyed the second dive which was inside the Coolidge, very cool. I would highly recommend this dive centre.
Written 1 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
great that you enjoyed diving with us, and always a pleasure to cater for cruising boaties, as we have met many like minded people from cruising boats , the adventurous type! safe travels and who knows, we may see you back in our small piece of paradise again one day cheers Paul
Written 6 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mikepilko
Auckland, New Zealand19 contributions
Sept 2022
We stumbled on Paul's operation by accident after the dive centre in Luganville was fully booked by a big group. He was super responsive to emails and quickly sorted picking us up from the Santo Hardware wharf; 5 mins walk from The Espiritu.
Paul & Kingsley picked us up in his boat and sorted our hire gear. The equipment was well-used but very high quality and well maintained. The Coolidge is about 10/15 mins away by boat and there is a permanent mooring on the bow. The brief was clear and there was zero fuss in getting into the water and down to the wreck.
The diving was absolutely excellent. Kingsley is an absolute legend; I have never met a guide so genuinely enthused by diving a wreck he must have seen thousands of times by now! He took us in and out of the wreck showing us so many amazing things. Both things on the wreck and wildlife around the wreck including turtles and Nellie the eel.
After the second day of diving we stopped by the lodge on the way back and were very impressed. We already planning ahead to when we can come back, stay and dive some more of the spots around the island!
Paul & Kingsley picked us up in his boat and sorted our hire gear. The equipment was well-used but very high quality and well maintained. The Coolidge is about 10/15 mins away by boat and there is a permanent mooring on the bow. The brief was clear and there was zero fuss in getting into the water and down to the wreck.
The diving was absolutely excellent. Kingsley is an absolute legend; I have never met a guide so genuinely enthused by diving a wreck he must have seen thousands of times by now! He took us in and out of the wreck showing us so many amazing things. Both things on the wreck and wildlife around the wreck including turtles and Nellie the eel.
After the second day of diving we stopped by the lodge on the way back and were very impressed. We already planning ahead to when we can come back, stay and dive some more of the spots around the island!
Written 19 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gday Mike , glad you enjoyed your diving with us , and we look forward to seeing you both back here with a group of friends, for the ultimate dive getaway safe diving cheers Paul
Written 24 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
EddieEddy
Sydney, Australia41 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
We spent 5 days diving with Paul and his team, had to do a refresher on arrival, which couldn't happen in the day we had planned due to Air Vanuatu troubles and arriving one day late. Paul agreed to shift our schedule to accommodate for this - visitors beware plane times can't be trusted!!
Paul made sure we saw as many different sites as possible. We had a couple of hours surface time between dives during which we were regaled by his wife's delicious and varied lunches, and by Kingsley island stories. The operation is a well oiled machine, safety is very high on the list due to the remoteness of the location, gear was in top condition. The Coolidge was as exciting if not more than expected! Highly recommend
Paul made sure we saw as many different sites as possible. We had a couple of hours surface time between dives during which we were regaled by his wife's delicious and varied lunches, and by Kingsley island stories. The operation is a well oiled machine, safety is very high on the list due to the remoteness of the location, gear was in top condition. The Coolidge was as exciting if not more than expected! Highly recommend
Written 24 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thanks for trusting us with your diving while here in santo. it was a pleasure to meet you both and glad we could work around the airline issues and get all your diving in, don't leave it too long before getting back in the water , dive safe and hope to see you back here again, and i will let Kingsley know that you loved his island stori on!
cheers from all the aore adventure team
Written 28 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David L
1 contribution
May 2023 • Solo
I’ve diving with Paul and his team several times during the last days, it has without doubt been the best diving I’ve done in almost 30 years in the sport and over 1500 dives world wide, Paul and his guides knowledge of the area, and the sites we dived , their no compromise on safety has made me feel safe, valued and full filed with every dive I’ve done, scuba diving here is not cheap, but you get what you pay for, that’s why I’ve kept going back to Aora Adventure . Best diving experiences I’ve ever had . Many many thanks, see you again next year!
Written 28 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mhing
sydney25 contributions
Apr 2023
Did a couple of days diving on the Coolidge wreck with Paul and his guides, John and Kingsley. Had a strong current and low vis for the first day (due to tropical storm previous day - this is not normal conditions on the Coolidge) but the guides did a great job and showed us around. Second day was much better visibility and we had a couple of awesome dives through the wreck. Only scratched the surface in 4 dives. Would highly recommend diving the Coolidge with Aore Adventure Sports. Site is accessed by boat and group sizes are kept small - we had 4 guests to 2 guides. We had a great time and looking forward to coming back to dive more of the wreck!
Written 29 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peden F
6 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
I was lucky to get a last minute dive trip on the Coolidge as Paul's operation is in demand, Cancelled flights by Air Van helped me out there! The Coolidge is world class and Paul's crew didn't disappoint on their escorted dives on the wreck. I like my O2 so they were exquipped to deal with that with pony bottles so I could maximise my bottom time but they also operated a safety first approach so I felf very comfortable on the wreck. Would thoroughly recommend Aore Adventure Dives and a shout out to Paul, Kingsley and John for making it a memorable experience - cheers Guys!
Written 21 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack Fisher
4 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Fantastic 2 dives with the guys, very professional and felt safe the entire time even inside the ship at 34m down! Knew all the best spots to find ammo, supplies etc left down there. They also took their time with me when I was struggling to equalise, edging down metre by metre until I finally made it down! Thanks guys. Jack and Emma :)
Written 27 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael B
2 contributions
Sept 2022
What can I say, Paul & his team (Kingsley, John & Alex) have got to be running one of the best dive operations that I have encountered. The attention to detail & diver safety is exemplary. We dived with Paul over 4 days, perhaps to enjoy more of Lyndel's fine cooking. I last dived the Coolidge 5 years ago almost to the day and I enjoyed the 4 dives we completed this time; approaching the 'ghostly white glow in the torch beam of the Lady', the dugong while 'spending time' in the shallows, the flashlight fish, etc. were special.
Paul looked after our wives with a "rusty diver refresher' dive which they thoroughly enjoyed. Kingsley & John were excellent and professional in the way the conducted themselves as dive guides through the wreck. The attention to safety equipment was exceptional. Thought the viz was nor perfect, however the gorgonian fan dive presented some terrific big fans.
I am hopeful it will not be 5 years before we return to sample what else there is to offer. To be frank, Million Dollar Point was never on my to do list, however I can genuinely say that I am pleased that we did the dive and to appreciate the magnitude of the dumping of all that equipment, it was well worth diving. The coral & fishlife on Bokisa were fantastic & the coral 'paddocks' were very healthy.
Once again Paul, I think we have personally passed on our thoughts & thanks, again that is reiterated & we wish you continued success, you have an outstanding facility and one to be proud of.
Cheers,
Michael & Cecily
Paul looked after our wives with a "rusty diver refresher' dive which they thoroughly enjoyed. Kingsley & John were excellent and professional in the way the conducted themselves as dive guides through the wreck. The attention to safety equipment was exceptional. Thought the viz was nor perfect, however the gorgonian fan dive presented some terrific big fans.
I am hopeful it will not be 5 years before we return to sample what else there is to offer. To be frank, Million Dollar Point was never on my to do list, however I can genuinely say that I am pleased that we did the dive and to appreciate the magnitude of the dumping of all that equipment, it was well worth diving. The coral & fishlife on Bokisa were fantastic & the coral 'paddocks' were very healthy.
Once again Paul, I think we have personally passed on our thoughts & thanks, again that is reiterated & we wish you continued success, you have an outstanding facility and one to be proud of.
Cheers,
Michael & Cecily
Written 5 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gday guys , thanks so much for the accolades, all we try and do is make diving with us safe and fun.
i will pass on all your comments to our great staff as without them we have nothing , the boys have been with us a long time and love their diving and showing guests around our fabulous dive sites, look forward to seeing you both again well before 5yrs cheers Paul
Written 6 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
treadLightly
Vanuatu5 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
We spent three wonderful days with Paul and Lyndel in their beach cottage. It was spacious and clean, with a fully equipped kitchen, reliable electricity, good AC, infinite hot water, etc. We particularly liked the book/game shelf and the large verandah that caught every breeze off the beach. Lovely grounds and a short walk to the resort next door for upscale dining/cocktails, and the Friday night water music show.
We had two fantastic days of diving, 2 tanks each morning, off Paul's boat at the Coolidge and the million dollar point. I'm not usually fond of wrecks, but these dives were mind boggling and totally fascinating. Paul is a consummate professional, very safety conscious; we felt totally safe with him and his dive masters anywhere they took us, even into the depths of the Coolidge.
But the best part was how gracious they were as hosts. Air Vanuatu screwed up our baggage, so we arrived in Luganville with little more than the clothes on our backs. They scrounged up swim gear and extra clothes for us. They had us up to their house for snacks and drinks. They kept sending their driver back to the airport again and again until our luggage finally showed up. They sent us off loaded with fresh fruit and veggies from their garden. We will miss our new friends in Vanuatu.
We had two fantastic days of diving, 2 tanks each morning, off Paul's boat at the Coolidge and the million dollar point. I'm not usually fond of wrecks, but these dives were mind boggling and totally fascinating. Paul is a consummate professional, very safety conscious; we felt totally safe with him and his dive masters anywhere they took us, even into the depths of the Coolidge.
But the best part was how gracious they were as hosts. Air Vanuatu screwed up our baggage, so we arrived in Luganville with little more than the clothes on our backs. They scrounged up swim gear and extra clothes for us. They had us up to their house for snacks and drinks. They kept sending their driver back to the airport again and again until our luggage finally showed up. They sent us off loaded with fresh fruit and veggies from their garden. We will miss our new friends in Vanuatu.
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gday guys thanks for making the huge effort to get to us from the US, it was a pleasure to have you here and show you what great diving we have on offer in Santo, safe travels and hope to see you back our way one day cheers from all the team
Written 27 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tyson W
2 contributions
Jan 2020
As other reviews indicate, diving the SS Coolidge is the highlight, but the service was amazing. Great boat and company. Paul is a friendly Aussie running the show and employs the locals to lead the dives. Great history of the wreck and surrounding area. Dives felt safe and equipment is top notch. Will be coming back as soon as I can. No way to get tired of exploring the wreck.
Written 1 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thanks Tyson for letting other know how great the diving is here, glad you enjoyed our underwater world and look forward to showing you more of the Coolidge on your next visit dive safe cheers Paul
Written 5 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We will be on a cruise and were trying to figure out how to get some diving in during our day on Vanuatu. Has anyone figured out how to do this? Are the dive sites just too far from the cruise terminal?
Written 21 April 2018
Which Port in Vanuatu will you be stopping?
Written 22 April 2018
Hi
Arriving on Aore on around the 23/12/17 and departing 10 days later
Enquiring about diving costs and also weather I could book 2 of my kids in to do open water course they are 13 and 12 years old and are able swimmers and have previous diving experience.
What would the costs be
Cheers
Looking forward to many dives with you
Simon
Written 21 June 2017
Paul W
Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
gday Simon, please send me your email address and i will send you all the info cheers paul
Written 22 June 2017
I am visiting Santo with my 15 year old daughter from June 23. I am interested in a resort dive ... can my daughter go also, and how much would it cost?
I am staying with friends in Luganville
Written 2 May 2015
Paul W
Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
thanks for the inquiry,
we run the resort dives over on aore from the beach and you will see colorful corals and a large variety of fish life.
yes your daughter can complete one as well. there is a medical questionnaire to complete and things like asthma,epilepsy and any heart / lung issues will rule you out.
the cost is 10,000vt per person and includes all gear and instruction.
we can pick you up from town or you can catch the aore ferry and maybe have lunch or some drinks at the resort as we are situated right next door.
just get back to me if you have any questions or would like to book.
cheers paul
Written 3 May 2015
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