Description
PONANT invites you to experience Australia’s Kimberley coast and spectacular Rowley Shoals in a remarkable new way, under sail aboard its emblematic yacht Le Ponant. The majestic three-masted yacht, with elegant lines and an intimate atmosphere for only 32 like-minded guests, is redefining barefoot luxury expeditions. A crew to guest ratio of more than 1 to 1 and an expedition staff to guest ratio of 1 to 8, combine to provide the pinnacle expedition sailing experience.
Discover the Rowley Shoals, located 260 kilometres west of Broome in the Timor Sea, regarded as one of the world’s most spectacular diving and snorkelling locations. The three coral atolls of Mermaid, Clerke and Imperieuse reefs rise, near vertical, from the surrounding crystal clear waters on the edge of the continental shelf. Each atoll is approximately 80 to 90 square kilometres in size and contain shallow lagoons inhabited by a diverse array of corals and abundant marine life, ideal for exploration by snorkelers and SCUBA divers.
The 13,000km of remote isolated Kimberley coastline boasts more than 2,600 islands and is home to the oldest continuous culture on earth, the world’s largest living reptile, the only two ‘Horizontal Falls’ on the planet, the world’s largest inshore reef, extensive undisturbed mangrove forests, wild rivers, important seabird and marine turtle breeding colonies and the largest population of migrating humpback whales on the planet. It is a national biodiversity hotspot and listed in the top 4% of least impacted marine environments worldwide.
Our Barefoot luxury sailing expeditions are fully flexible itineraries with no predetermined destinations. With a maximum of 32 guests, we are able to create bespoke itineraries. Each day’s activities will be determined by the Captain and Expedition Leader, taking into account the season, prevailing weather, tide and sea conditions to deliver the best experience possible.