PASPALEY PEARL to set sail in Asia Pacific in January 2025

PONANT has partnered with South Sea pearling company PASPALEY to introduce a 30-guest boutique expedition motor yacht called PASPALEY PEARL.

The ship 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 guests 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 chance to experience the hidden corners of the Asia Pacific region, including Indonesia’s Raja Ampat and Spice Islands, as well as Papua New Guinea’s Sepik River and New Britain Island.

Along the way, guests will discover the region’s biodiversity through activities like 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 Jan. 10, 2025, the inaugural 10-night expedition will take guests from Dili in Timor Leste to Bali, and promises encounters with rare wildlife, like whale sharks and Komodo dragons.

Other highlights include swimming and snorkeling in the waters of the Seventeen Islands Marine Park, visiting the remote Lembata Island and discovering their ancient traditions, and experiencing traditional Alorese culture.

On board, guests can relax on private balconies; socialize on the Sunset Lounge or Sun Deck Lounge, which features an eight-person Jacuzzi; and enjoy regionally inspired cuisine, including local delicacies like pearl meat and barramundi.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.