The Poruma Islanders are Melanesians, ethnically close to the people of Papua New Guinea. Their language, known as Kalaw Lagaw Ya or Yumiplatok, adopts many of the words and phrases from the pidgin that is the universal language of Papua New Guinea.

"Many describe their stay at Poruma as a process of being absorbed into a large and infectiously happy family. The islanders are a hugely engaging people, the women often dressed in loose floral printed dresses, the men all solid and bronzed with a girth and manner that suggest slowness, yet lightning fast and agile as cats when they’re out fishing in a small boat." Outback Instyle, July 2003

On Poruma Island you can explore coral buildings, churches, hand crafted artefacts and Poruma’s early trading history, or even weave your own straw hats with the locals.

The Torres Strait also has fantastic pearl diving and interesting WW2 history.

Experience seafood delights like the delicious local painted crayfish, magnificent king prawns, sashimi, mud crabs, coral trout and more. Try native foods including wongaii, arrowroot, mangoes, yams and papaya.