Pearl Expeditions — Small Ship, Wild Places
The remote corners of our region, done properly.
Introducing Pearl Expeditions
Pearl Expeditions is a new Australian boutique expedition cruise line born from a remarkable partnership — the Paspaley pearling family, whose 80+ years of navigating remote northern waters gives them access few operators can match, and Sarina Bratton AM, the pioneer behind Orion Expedition Cruises and the woman who essentially created luxury expedition cruising in Australasia.
The result is something genuinely special: a single intimate vessel, the Paspaley Pearl, carrying just 30 guests into some of the most extraordinary and rarely visited corners of our region — the Kimberley, Papua New Guinea, and the archipelagos of East Indonesia.
With 21 crew looking after 30 guests, the experience is personal without being fussy. Expedition guides eat with you, join you on shore, and bring real regional expertise across natural history, Indigenous culture, and local knowledge. Days are spent exploring — by Zodiac, tender, kayak, or on foot — rather than at sea, with Paspaley’s exclusive navigation charts opening up anchorages and waterways that simply aren’t accessible to larger ships.
This is remote Australia and the Pacific at its most raw and rewarding, done with genuine care for the places and communities visited. If your clients are looking for something well beyond the mainstream — and want the credentials to back it up — Pearl Expeditions is hard to beat.
Papua New Guinea!
Step into a world of remarkable cultural diversity where over 800 languages and distinct traditions thrive across volcanic landscapes and crystal-clear waters. Our expeditions navigate from the mysterious fiords of Tufi to the remote Sepik River, where millennia-old customs remain vibrant and largely unchanged.
Immerse yourself in traditional welcomes in rarely-visited coastal villages, witness elaborate ceremonies in tribal highlands, and snorkel above WWII wrecks in pristine lagoons. Each day brings encounters with communities whose genuine warmth and ancestral connections to land and sea will transform your understanding of human resilience.
Papua New Guinea’s Hidden Secrets
$20,495*
A circumnavigation of New Britain
$21,995*
East Indonesia
Across this archipelago of extraordinary diversity, discover pristine coral formations, active volcanoes, and cultural experiences that few travellers ever witness. From swimming with whale sharks in Saleh Bay to cautiously walking amid Komodo dragons in their natural habitat, each day brings encounters with the remarkable.
Navigate the karst formations of Raja Ampat—home to the planet’s most biodiverse marine ecosystem—and explore the historic Spice Islands where global trade routes once converged. Our small footprint allows meaningful engagement with local communities, from witnessing traditional ikat weaving to joining village ceremonies unchanged for generations.
Ancient Rituals, Living Dragons & Island Traditions
$18,495*
Nature’s Richest Realm & the Routes of Empires
22,495*
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Terms & Conditions
Pricing is correct as of 18.06.2026. Offer is subject to change or availability at the time of booking and may be withdrawn without notice. All discounts mentioned are included in the price displayed. Itineraries are subject to change, and operation is subject to weather conditions, prevailing conditions, and local arrangements that may cause variation. Travel insurance is recommended; please ask us for a quote. Payment by credit card attracts a merchant fee. We act as an agent on behalf of the travel supplier/provider. Our Terms & Conditions are in addition to the Terms and Conditions of each Travel Supplier listed; the Travel supplier/provider determines the terms of cancellation and refunds, if any. Full terms and conditions are provided at the time of booking.