French excellence meets the world's last frontier
PONANT
The world's leading luxury expedition line brings nearly forty years of French expertise to Australia's last true wilderness, aboard Le Soléal and Le Jacques-Cartier.
Highlights
Where exploration meets the art of living
The Kimberley is a destination that rewards a certain way of travelling. Its immense coastline, ancient sandstone, remote islands and remarkable wildlife reveal themselves slowly, often far from any road or settled place. PONANT brings an intimate approach to this extraordinary region, pairing the freedom of expedition with a deep attention to how each moment is experienced. From Zodiac excursions beneath towering cliffs and encounters with Kimberley wildlife to quiet hours on deck as the landscape unfolds, every part of the journey is thoughtfully considered. On board, French cuisine, understated design and attentive service create a natural rhythm between discovery and the pleasures of life at sea.
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French design and refinement
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Culinary experiences at sea
Onboard luxury and offboard adventures
Sustainably powerful ships
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Unrivalled routes
Fleet
PONANT's luxurious fleet
True French luxury at sea, PONANT's fleet adds a touch of the continent to every one of its ships.
Designed in 2013, Le Soléal combines French elegance with cutting-edge technologies to explore the world in comfort and style.
EXPERIENCE LE SOLEALItineraries
PONANT Signature Voyages
Each PONANT voyage reveals a different face of Australia's remote west coast — from the tide-carved gorges and ancient rock art of the Kimberley to the turquoise reefs and storied shipwrecks of the Houtman Abrolhos. Two journeys, shaped by the same expertise and elegance.
Sustainability
PONANT's environmental commitments
Modern ships, advanced technologies, strict landing protocols, environmental impact studies, crew training, and guest awareness: PONANT is committed every day to better respect marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Making use of innovative biofuels made from recycled oils, PONANT reduces its ships' CO2 emissions by 90%
Destinations
Where PONANT will take you in the Kimberley
With purpose-built ships designed for access to remote locations and luxury for guests, PONANT's fleet can access rivers, bays and reefs in the Kimberley that no large cruise ship ever could.
Hunter River & Prince Frederick Harbour
Sheer red cliffs, deep tidal channels and mangrove-lined creeks reaching into Prince Frederick Harbour. Experience Australia’s most dramatic coastal wilderness with the region's leading expedition specialists.
King George River & Falls
Australia's tallest twin waterfalls, where ochre gorges soar above glassy waters, and ancient stories echo through the Kimberley wilderness.
Montgomery Reef
Australia's largest inshore reef: 400 square kilometres of ancient rock, submerged at high tide and cascading into view every time the water falls.
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Planning
FAQs about your journey with PONANT
PONANT attracts travellers who expect both genuine Kimberley exploration and impeccable French hospitality. The questions below address what our clients ask most before booking. If yours is not here, our specialists are a call away.
PONANT brings together the spirit of exploration with the considered service and comfort of a luxury small-ship experience. In the Kimberley, that means spending time close to the landscape by Zodiac and on shore, while returning to an intimate ship designed around comfort, cuisine and attentive service.
PONANT's Kimberley season runs during the dry season, from May to August, with departures between Broome and Darwin aboard Le Soléal or Le Jacques-Cartier.
All meals, an open bar, unlimited Wi-Fi, Zodiac excursions and onboard lectures from PONANT's expert naturalist guides are included.
Because the experience is not divided between “expedition” and "luxury". PONANT brings the two together: genuine access to one of Australia's most remote coastlines, expert interpretation and exploration beyond the ship, balanced with French cuisine, thoughtful design and attentive service. The result is a way of experiencing the Kimberley that feels adventurous without ever feeling austere.
Le Soléal has sailed since 2013 with 132 staterooms; Le Jacques-Cartier joined the fleet in 2020 with 92 staterooms, 95% of them with private balconies. Both offer the same standard of fine dining, open bar and Zodiac-based excursions.
Talk with a specialist
A conversation, not a commitment
Book a no-obligation discovery call and we’ll help you learn more about PONANT and whether it’s the right line for what you’re looking to experience.