PONANT has announced the planned arrival to Australian waters of the company’s 32 guest, three-masted sailing yacht Le Ponant for the 2023 Kimberley season.

The Le Ponant sailing experience has been crafted in an extensive and exclusive partnership with Australia’s Paspaley Group.

Commencing operations in April 2023, PONANT will offer new itineraries, showcasing the Kimberley onboard the 32 passenger luxury sailing yacht.

Led by PONANT’s expedition and destination experts, guests will be able to experience the sailing environment as well as shore landings on our state-of-the-art Zodiac boats.

To add to the experience, a private scenic flight onboard one of Paspaley’s vintage Grumman Mallard flying boats will take guests from or to their embarkation point, as well as private access to Paspaley’s pearl operations in Kuri Bay.

“It is exciting to be partnering with the Paspaley Group in creating and delivering a new concept of luxury sailing expeditions in Australia’s north-west.” PONANT chairman Asia Pacific, Sarina Bratton AM, said.

Le Ponant will join the company’s two other small luxury expedition ships Le Lapérouse and Le Soléal, already present in the region, having restarted post-pandemic Kimberley operations in April 2022.

“This unique experience will see the third ship of the PONANT fleet to be based in the Asia Pacific region, showcasing Australia, promoting sustainability at sea and creating compelling travel experiences in barefoot luxury,” Bratton said.

Tailored by expedition leaders and naturalist guides over a raft of new itineraries, PONANT’s expertise and signature travel visions onboard Le Ponant highlight the unique mix of adventure, sustainability, and refined French-inspired service and hospitality.

Mick Fogg, director of expeditions and destination development, Asia Pacific, said the Kimberley luxury sailings have been crafted to be fully flexible itineraries.

“We have created these very special sailings with flexible itineraries, allowing us to design the best possible experience for guests,” Fogg said.

“Taking into account the time of year and enormous tides the region is famous for, each voyage will offer a combination of iconic locations and hidden gems, showcasing the remarkable beauty of this magnificent coastline.”

The Le Ponant has been newly refurbished and renovated with a new design by Jean-Philippe Nuel Studio, the result is an intimate setting with only 16 staterooms for a maximum of 32 guests.

The new itineraries onboard Le Ponant will be available for booking later in May 2022, along with a selection of pre and post land arrangements including El Questro, Berkeley River Lodge and Broome accommodation.

These will be combined with 7-14 night luxury sailing experiences from April to October 2023 in the Northern and Southern Kimberley regions.