Ponant has partnered with the South Sea pearling company Paspaley to introduce a 30-guest boutique expedition motor yacht, Paspaley Pearl. The yacht will sail year-round to regions spanning the Kimberley, Australia’s Far North, East Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. With a dedicated crew of 21, including four naturalist guides, Paspaley Pearl will offer a range of personalized and expert-led voyages.
With a combined history of more than 85 years in the Kimberley region and other remote maritime environments, Ponant and Paspaley will offer guests the opportunity to experience the hidden corners of the Asia Pacific region. This includes the routes pioneered by Nicholas Paspaley and his crew in the 1970s. Following a multimillion-dollar refit, the boutique expedition yacht will set sail from East Timor to Bali in January 2025.
Destinations will include Indonesia’s Raja Ampat and Spice Islands, the Kimberley, the Sepik River and New Britain Island in Papua New Guinea. Along the way, guests will discover the region’s biodiversity via activities such as remote fishing and pearl cultivation along the Kimberley coast. There will also be a strong emphasis on local cultural traditions, whether it’s witnessing the traditional buffalo races of Sumbawa Besar, experiencing the secret Duk-Duk society of the Tolai people or discovering Sepik River culture in the village of Kopar.
Departing January 10, 2025, the inaugural 10-night expedition will take guests from Dili in Timor Leste to Bali, promising encounters with wildlife such as whale sharks and Komodo dragons. Other highlights include swimming and snorkeling in the clear tropical waters of the Seventeen Islands Marine Park, visiting the remote Lembata Island and discovering their ancient traditions, and experiencing traditional Alorese culture.
Onboard, guests can relax on their private balconies; socialize on the Sunset Lounge or Sun Deck Lounge, which features an eight-person jacuzzi; and enjoy regionally inspired cuisine.
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