In August 2022, PONANT will debut the iconic three-masted sailing yacht Le Ponant following a complete refit. The 88-meter sailing yacht will relaunch in the Mediterranean with 10 departures and three new itineraries, followed by winter 2022-23 in the Seychelles and summer 2023 in western Australia's Kimberley region.
With just 16 staterooms and suites accommodating a maximum of 32 guests, Le Ponant offers a 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio. Cabins are spread over three decks, each with large windows overlooking the sea.
Guests are invited to relax on the sun lounge looking up to the billowing white sails, order a drink from the outdoor bar, and enjoy organic dishes at Le Diamant. The wellness space offers Biologique Recherche treatments, and daily yoga sessions are held on the deck. With glass-bottomed kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, diving and snorkeling equipment, and a saltwater pool, there's no shortage of activities.
Le Ponant has been outfitted with the latest environmental innovations including a SCR filter system that reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 90%. Other sustainability-centred initiatives include non-motorized water-based activities, an emphasis on local, organic products, and periods of sailing using just wind power.
The vessel's intimate size offers access to less-travelled sites and new ports of calls.
Summer 2022 in the Mediterranean
The first voyage will depart on August 14 with a seven-night itinerary along Croatia's coastline, from Dubrovnik through the Bay of Kotor, then to the Adriatic islands. In August, Le Ponant will depart on a seven-day island-hopping journey around Greece. In September, Le Ponant will circle around Greece's Cycladic islands on an eight-day itinerary beginning and ending in Athens.
Winter 2022-23 in the Seychelles
New for this year is "The Seychelles Under the Trade Winds" itinerary, with 11 departures on Le Ponant during the 2022-2023 season. Sailing roundtrip from Mahé, the nine-night itinerary explores a new island each day, including two new ports of call for PONANT-the African Banks north of the Amirante Islands and Thérèse Island, both of which are uninhabited and will be available to PONANT guests for the day.
Activities include scuba diving, free diving initiation, sunrise and sunset yoga, meditation, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and outings in glass-bottomed kayaks.
Summer 2023 in Australia
In summer 2023, Le Ponant will set sail for Australia's northwest with 26 departures to Kimberley's coast, which is often referred to as the "Antarctica of the tropics." The Kimberley is a vast, remote region with rushing waterfalls, white sandy beaches, dense mangrove forests, rugged sandstone gorges, and the largest population of migrating humpback whales on the planet.
State-of-the-art Zodiac boats will enable guests to reach hard-to-access points, while an exclusive partnership with Paspaley Group will offer private scenic flights onboard one of the brand's vintage Grumman Mallard flying boats to whisk guests to or from their embarkation or disembarkation point.
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