Ponant adds new Kimberley and Western Australian luxury expedition sailings

Luxury adventure line Ponant has increased its Kimberley 2021 expedition voyages and added new Western Australia itineraries after a surge in demand for more Australian sailings.

Ponant is now offering a Kimberley season of 19 departures between May and September with three new voyages onboard Le Soléal, as well as three new expedition itineraries exploring the Western Australia coastline and offshore reefs. Deb Corbett, General Manager Sales and Marketing Asia Pacific, said: “In response to increasing demand for local exploration, we are delighted to announce an extension of our 2021 Kimberley season with the introduction of three new luxury expeditions being available for Australians to explore their own backyard…In addition, we are excited to launch three new West Australian coastal luxury expeditions in September and October 2021”. In preparation for the Australian wave season, Ponant progressively resumed cruising five months ago. The line has now completed over 60 cruises with a range of itineraries that included coastal France, the Mediterranean, Iceland and Norway.

“Guests will be able to experience this new program on board Le Soléal, as she makes her come back to Australasia and joins Le Lapérouse for a Kimberley season to remember,” Ms Corbett said.

“Being purpose-built luxury expedition ships, both offer guests an abundance of balcony accommodation, perfect for private observation of the light changes on balmy evenings, as well as being the only ships in the Kimberley equipped with swimming pools… Nice to relax in after a day of exploration – and simply essential in a region where saltwater crocodiles abound,” she continued.

Here’s where the line will sail:

Australia’s Iconic Kimberley

30 June 2021 to 10 July 2021 – Darwin to Broome (10 nights) onboard Le Soléal. Highlights include King George River and Falls, Vansittart Bay, Swift Bay, Hunter River and Mitchell Falls, Talbot Bay, Raft Point, Montgomery Reef, The Lacepedes. 10 July 2021 to 20 July 2021 – Broome to Darwin (10 nights) onboard Le Soléal. Highlights include King George River and Falls, Vansittart Bay, Swift Bay, Hunter River and Mitchell Falls, Talbot Bay, Raft Point, Montgomery Reef, The Lacepedes and Careening Bay.

Australia’s Iconic Kimberley & Rowley Shoals

10 September 2021 to 22 September 2021 – Darwin to Broome (12 nights) onboard Le Soléal. Highlights include Wyndham, King George River and Falls, Vansittart Bay, Swift Bay, Hunter River and Mitchell Falls, Talbot Bay, Raft Point, Montgomery Reef, The Lacepedes, and two days exploring Rowley Shoals.

West Coast Expedition

22 September 2021 to 02 October 2021 – Broome to Fremantle (10 nights) onboard Le Soléal. Highlights include Rowley Shoals, Dampier (Burrup Peninsula), Montebello Islands, Ningaloo Reef, Shark Bay, Dirk Hartog Island , Abrolhos Islands, Jurien Bay.

South West Australia Highlights

2 October 2021 to 10 October 2021 – Fremantle to Fremantle (eight nights) onboard Le Soléal. Highlights include Albany, Esperance, Recherche archipelago , Augusta and Bussleton.

West Coast Highlights

10 October 2021 to 17 October 2021 – Fremantle to Fremantle (seven nights) onboard Le Soléal. Highlights include Geraldton, Shark Bay, Dirk Hartog island, Abrolhos islands, Jurien Bay. Visit au.ponant.com for more.