Ponant has announced a partnership with Paspaley, a leading South Sea pearling company, to operate a 30-guest expedition yacht in regions such as the Kimberley, Australia’s Far North, East Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
The Paspaley Pearl yacht will have a crew of 21, including four naturalist guides, offering personalized and expert-led voyages designed to provide transformative experiences for guests.
Guests will have the opportunity to explore hidden corners of the Asia Pacific region, following routes pioneered by Nicholas Paspaley AC and his crew in the 1970s. The ship will set sail from East Timor to Bali in January 2025 after undergoing a multi-million-dollar refit, making it the only boutique expedition yacht in the Kimberley with private balconies.
The inaugural 10-night expedition, departing on January 10, 2025, will take guests from Dili in Timor Leste to Bali. It promises unique wildlife encounters with attractions such as whale sharks and Komodo dragons, along with activities like swimming and snorkeling in the Seventeen Islands Marine Park, exploring Lembata Island, and immersing in traditional Alorese culture.
