What people say afterwards

Let's say we are now in Papatura withdrawals! Our time away was magical. We were slightly worried it wouldn't be as good as our first visit, but it was even better. All four of us were so happy with everything.

The stunning cabin 4 was perfect for us. Such a beautifully built bungalow, I could live there! Michael's food was so enjoyable and filling. I have put on 2 kg. It really is some of the most delicious food we have ever eaten, particularly the fish curry. And the kids were in dreamland eating mudcrab.

Staff are what really makes Papatura so special. Each individual is so welcoming and friendly. I often just sat and could hear the friendly chatter and laughter amongst them. Very heartwarming.

Our family was stoked that James was our captain for the two weeks and helped them hook plenty of amazing species of fish. Not just the fishing though. The chats and laughter we all shared with James was so rewarding. And it was really lovely to see Marg and Pete again too.

The trip was fantastic. Awesome spot and set-up. Yes, the waves were small but fun and uncrowded, and warm and clear. Good for the shoulder season. I'd be keen to come back during the peak season.

Everyone at Papatura was great. Atu was excellent at getting us sorted each day and his dive experience and leadership were excellent. He ran a tight ship with all of the staff and really looked after us. We had a great time going out diving with him. Solo did a fantastic job guiding us to the best surf spots in tricky conditions, and we had some excellent fishing.

The food was amazing and I really enjoyed every meal. The cooking staff should be congratulated. Kim was great at keeping us in the loop and looking after a lot of the background stuff that needed sorting.

I look forward to coming back with my family soon!

We really loved Papatura — the setting was so beautiful and simple. Loved spending time with Peter and Margy, characters for sure.

Food was lovely. We love our seafood so we relished every meal, and desserts were beautifully presented and yum for a person who does not normally indulge.

Thanks for your help with the booking too — you definitely made it seamless for Phill and I.

Stepping off the map is an understatement! This place is so amazing you just have to experience it yourself to understand how fantastic it is, and the culture and people — it's all so incredible.

My kids beg to go back all the time! Snorkelling, fishing, swimming and the sunsets are incredible. Do yourself a favour, book a trip and experience something really amazing.

I've travelled a lot and Papatura is up there as the destination that changed my view on travel. Put away the phone and taking photos. Read a book and get to know someone, engage in the culture, get some gratitude, enjoy your time… Everything is a bonus.

Its been a week since I left the beautiful Papatura retreat and I just wanted to say a massive, heartfelt thank you. On arrival I felt instantly this was my kind of place: rustic, natural and stunning. But also relaxing, fun and as active as you wanted it to be.

There has been one animal I've been dying to see the whole year I've been living in the Solomons, and sure enough one night from the jetty at Papatura I finally saw it — a dugong! My first and only dugong sighting, something I will never forget.

I'm the kind of traveller that likes to keep moving. But every now and then you come across a place that really draws you in and you just know you'll have to go back. Papatura is that place for me.

Spent 8 nights on Papatura recently. I would highly recommend it to anyone. The island is secluded and pristine, with many places to explore, hike or snorkel.

The fishing is next level. Rolly our guide was fantastic — every day he got us our target fish, with a total of 13 species between our group, including yellowfin tuna, dogtooth tuna, Spanish mackerel, mangrove jack, giant trevally, coral trout, barracuda, rainbow runner, red emperor, red bass, snubnosed cod and squid.

Lastly the food was sensational. I was a bit worried before we arrived, but that was quickly quashed the first meal we had. We will be back for sure, and expect to see our names embroidered on our bar chairs.

I had an awesome time at Papatura. The flights all connected perfectly, the waves were great, food and staff at Papatura fantastic… had to pinch myself a couple of times to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Hope to get back there later this year.

Travelling to Papatura was a real adventure — from the 18-seater plane to landing on a grass airstrip and being ferried over to the island by boat. From the moment we caught a glimpse of Papatura, the excitement was uncontainable. It looked so wild and untouched. We had undoubtedly stepped off the map.

The best way we could describe the Solomon Islands, and especially Papatura, is that it is so ALIVE. The marine life is incredible and right at your doorstep. We have never seen so much variety and colour when snorkelling.

This place is magic and should be a must if you're looking for a spot away from the mainstream. Pete and Marg are unreal, the beer is always cold, the staff are super friendly and eager to please.

To get surf every day for two weeks is a bonus — and if you really lucked out there are about another dozen or more breaks to surf that weren't working for our stay. The potential here is incredible.

Being a keen surfer and professional surf photographer, for me it really was 8 days in paradise. Brad and I surfed volumes of waves on crystal clear reef breaks every day to the point of exhaustion — you can't ask for more than that.

During our stay we had more fun surfs getting lefts at Zollies and Kumas, and Brad and I were lucky enough to get 3 days all to ourselves at Anchovies, surfing long solid 3 to 4ft rights with the occasional 6ft bomb.

All the staff at Papatura were really wonderful to us. Your mum was there and was the perfect retreat host — she created a warm, relaxed atmosphere, ensuring we felt most welcome and cared for.

Papatura was just the tonic — an idyllic, remote and fun surfing location immersed in the Solomon culture. The hospitality and service at the retreat was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed the conversations with Marg, Pete, the Papatura crew and other guests.

Thanks also for your friendliness and expertise in getting us to the best waves, and guiding an ageing surfer like me as to where the best spot in the line-ups were.

My husband is a new man since returning from Papatura! He is invigorated and recharged with a renewed spring in his step. Before the trip he was looking forward to it, and since his return has expressed his immense gratitude.

I have a sneaking suspicion he enjoyed the fishing more than the surfing.

I've never stayed anywhere where your fish are cleaned for you and your clothes are washed and folded. Our fishing guides, Rowe and Jonahs, were awesome. They really know the water and were keen to make sure we caught fish.

That big mackerel was the fish of the trip and certainly a massive buzz. I likened it to standing on the edge of a highway and throwing your lure on the back of a car travelling at 100 km/h. When we got it in the boat, Rowe said something like, “Ooh, I am a very happy man!”

Your guides are gold.

Well, another trip to Papatura done and dusted. Such a wonderful experience as usual. This has been my 4th trip and it was as special as my first. This place is a godsend.

I paddled 6 to 10 km a day, followed by one to two three-hour surfing sessions a day, and still managed to put on weight. Michael is a maestro. Bravo to him.

Please do yourself a favour and visit this paradise. You will not be disappointed.