Sarina Bratton AM’s “passion project” of the past few years, the luxury motor yacht PASPALEY PEARL, will now launch independently in July 2025. The refitted vessel will commence service in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.
Initially conceived as a partnership between PONANT and Australian fine pearl producer Paspaley, PASPALEY PEARL will now debut as the sole vessel under the new brand, Pearl Expeditions. LATTE exclusively revealed the former partners went their separate ways last November.
Pearl Expeditions is a new, uniquely Australian owned, immersive expedition cruise venture – a partnership between Paspaley and cruise industry trailblazer Sarina Bratton AM, who will bring together their unparalleled expertise and a shared passion for exploration.
The product carries the tagline of “Small footprints. Infinite Horizons.”
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The purpose-built PASPALEY PEARL boutique expedition motor yacht caters for up to 30 guests. Marrying state-of-the-art design with a relaxed yet stylish onboard ambiance, the vessel is set to redefine boutique expedition cruising.
The venture reunites Bratton AM with the Paspaley family who were co-founders of Orion Expedition Cruises – the pioneer of luxury expedition cruising in Australasia.
Pearl Expeditions is a “natural evolution of that groundbreaking vision,” the start-up venture said. “It draws on the deep regional knowledge of the Paspaley Group, combined with the talents of former Orion team members who first set the standard for boutique expedition travel.
Beyond their rich pearling heritage in the Kimberley, Paspaley also has extensive experience in luxury hospitality through its award-winning Wall Street Hotel in New York and is preparing to relaunch the Pinctada Hotel in Broome, Western Australia.
As the last Australian pearling company with origins in the historic natural pearl industry, Paspaley’s name is intrinsically tied to the Kimberley and the remote waters of Northern Australia. Over nearly a century, Paspaley has developed proprietary nautical charts and regional expertise critical for navigating the Kimberley Coast—where tidal shifts can reach an 14 metres.
Backed by this unmatched local insight, PASPALEY PEARL will set sail on its inaugural expeditions in late July 2025, exploring the awe-inspiring Kimberley coastline. Future voyages will journey further afield to Papua New Guinea, Raja Ampat, East Indonesia, and Borneo, regions where Sarina and her Orion team established enduring cultural connections with local communities and village elders.
The PASPALEY PEARL, at 53.5 metres in length and 11.2 metres in beam, the yacht offers stylish space and nimble access to remote destinations. In Kimberley, guests will experience iconic sites such as King George Falls, Montgomery Reef, and Hunter River, while also venturing to lesser-known treasures like Hidden Island, Hell’s Gate, and even a rare visit to one of Paspaley’s operational pearl farms.
In Southeast Asia and Oceania, guests can explore the enigmatic Sepik River, encounter the cultural wonders of the Trobriand Islands, dive alongside whale sharks in Raja Ampat, follow the spice trails of the Moluccas, and reflect on our evolutionary connections with orangutans in Borneo.
James Paspaley, Executive Director of Paspaley Group, says: “As an Australian company that has its roots in the remote waters of the Kimberley, we are excited to leverage the resources and skills of several of our businesses to create the PASPALEY PEARL experience.”
Bratton adds, “Guests will journey with a team of 21 attentive crew, including four highly experienced expedition guides, who bring not only innate professionalism and local knowledge, but also share a passion for these remarkable places.
“Imbued with the relaxed Australian hospitality that will define us, Pearl Expeditions represents a new spirit of exploration, where immersive adventure and elegance converge.”
“We invite you to expect expeditions that offer more. More time to immerse yourself in each discovery, more depth of understanding, more flexibility, more meaningful interactions with both place and people, more connection with your expedition team.
“‘More’ is achievable when you share your adventures with just 30 fellow adventurers,” Bratton concludes.
Details of PASPALEY PEARL‘s other destinations, life onboard, accommodation options, expedition dates and itineraries for 2025 and 2026 will progressively progressively rolled out. The website pearlexpeditions.com will also go live soon.
Among the new brand’s first recruits are Nicci Foulsham in a partnership/sales position and Joanna Schuetz in a senior sales role. Both Foulsham and Schuetz have extensive experience with either PASPALEY PEARL or expedition cruising. Travel partners can reach out to Foulsham or Schuetz – who are brand Expedition Concierges – to learn more about forthcoming voyages.
Contact them on email: nicci.foulsham@pearlexpeditions.com or joanna.schuetz@pearlexpeditions.com
