The Fascinating Nature of Melanesia

As the gentle trade winds caress the turquoise ocean, a light breeze skims over the luxuriant vegetation, and Western Melanesia's lush green islands appear before you in a constellation. During a unique 12-day expedition cruise, Ponant invites you to board Le Soléal to discover the jewels of the Banda, Seram and Sorong seas, with their tropical forests, magnificent seabed and ancestral heritage.

Departing from Darwin, amulticultural city where over 50 ethnic groups live together in perfect harmony with their environment, you head for the Maluku Islands, nicknamed the "Spice Islands"....read more These hidden jewels, surrounded by incredibly blue water, are home to some of Indonesia's most beautiful white sandy beaches. Then you set sail further north. At the junction of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and the meeting point of the Seram and Sorong Seas, a string of green and leafy islands called Raja Ampat inspires wonder, a sense of peace and enchantment.

Preserved in a setting of majestic karst peaks and bordered by magical coral reefs, the archipelago captivates visitors with the beauty of its multicoloured lagoons, immaculate beaches, lush green landscapes and exceptionally biodiverse seabed. Le Soléal will continue to sail in the Indonesian province of West Papua to allow you to admire the superb natural site of Kitikiti Waterfall where you could enjoy a swim or snorkel surrounded by lush nature, both on land and under water.

You then set out for the Maluku archipelago to discover the charms of Banda Neira Island. Between its age-old culture marked by Dutch and Portuguese influences, its ruins from ancient times, coral reefs and luxuriant jungle, you will experience a truly timeless moment... You then return to Darwin, which rounds off this fabulous and enchanting epic. The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.