PONANT unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 Kimberley season with the luxury expedition ship Le Jacques-Cartier scheduled to make her Australian debut, joining the fleetmate Le Laperouse for the first time in the country.
Starting in April 2024, PONANT’s program of 22 departures between Broome-Darwin uncovers immersive expeditions through the landscapes of the Kimberley Coast. The popular 10-night ‘Australia’s Iconic Kimberley’ itinerary showcases the most picturesque parts of the Kimberley coastline onboard Le Jacques-Cartier and Le Laperouse, both of which are due to be sailing throughout the season.
Le Jacques-Cartier is the newest vessel of PONANT’s 6-ship EXPLORER series which debuted in mid-2020. Le Jacques-Cartier and Le Laperouse together bring the travel brand’s expertise and unique mix of sustainability, luxury, and adventure for another Kimberley season. Both boats feature lesser capacity with 92 staterooms (all with step-out balconies) and are purpose-built as a base camp to relax after days of immersive daily Zodiac sailings led by expedition guides.
Highlights on the itinerary feature visiting Hunter River inhabited by estuarine crocodiles; a visit to Montgomery reef in Camden Sound's south-western end; and discovering King George River on a Zodiac trip and reaching the Twin Falls, the highest in Western Australia.