Luxury cruise company Ponant has partnered with South Sea pearling company, Paspaley, to introduce a 30-guest boutique expedition motor yacht, Paspaley Pearl. The new vessel will unveil exclusive access to private Kimberley destinations and curated itineraries in Australia’s Far North, Papua New Guinea and East Indonesia. The yacht will sail year-round with a dedicated crew of 21, including four naturalist guides. 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. 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 in January 2025, the inaugural 10-night expedition will take guests from East Timor to Bali, promising encounters with wildlife such as whale sharks and Komodo dragons. Other highlights include swimming in the clear tropical waters of the Seventeen Islands Marine Park, visiting the remote Lembata Island, and experiencing traditional Alorese culture.

Ponant.com