Pearl Expeditions Review: Paspaley Pearl
The name Paspaley Pearl is usually associated with the famous pearl farm in Broome, Western Australia. However, it now has a new offer in motor-yacht expedition cruising with the launch of Paspaley Pearl Expeditions.
Proudly Australian owned, this next chapter combines decades of maritime expertise with a deep appreciation for the remote and remarkable regions of northern Australia.
The Paspaley Pearl will set sail on its inaugural 10-night Kimberley expedition on 31 July 2025, marking the beginning of an exciting season of voyages through Arnhem Land & Cape York, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Borneo.
A New Era in Expedition Cruising
There’s something truly exciting about the launch of a new ship — and the debut of the Paspaley Pearl is no exception. Purpose-built for adventure yet brimming with elegance, this small expedition vessel brings a fresh and luxurious perspective to remote cruising in Australia and beyond.
My Paspaley Pearl Journey Began in Darwin — Aboard the Iconic Mallard Aircraft
There’s something special about starting any travel journey, it’s all in the anticipation and excitement of something new and exciting about to begin.
With my bags packed, we boarded the iconic Mallard in Darwin for our short 2-hour flight to Dili, Timor-Leste. The Mallard is a surprisingly very comfortable 12-seater plane, and the views were awe inspiring. You know the view is good when you just stare out the window, no book or podcast required.
Stepping Onboard the Paspaley Pearl in Dili
We were greeted by a traditional Timorese welcome ceremony, where dancers dressed in vibrant local attire formed a circle and began performing the Tebe dance, a joyful and rhythmic expression of unity and celebration.
We made our way onboard, where the warm and attentive crew welcomed us with cold towels and a refreshing drink — a simple yet luxurious touch that made us feel instantly at home. Standing on deck, cool drink in hand, watching the dancers wave farewell, we knew this journey would be something truly special.
True Expedition Cruising
I had the privilege of chatting with Sarina Bratton AM, founder of the Paspaley Pearl, what she has created and about her vision and the purpose behind bringing this extraordinary venture to life.
Each part of the Paspaley Pearl experience has been designed to create a feeling for the guest. Evoking a sense of wonder, serenity, and a profound connection to the remote and remarkable places it visits.
They have created the perfect balance between awe-inspiring locations, stunning onboard offerings, with shared guest experiences to last a lifetime.
The Expedition Cruise Details:
What is it like onboard:
THE VESSEL:
The Paspaley Pearl expedition vessel has a maximum of up to 30 guests, 15 staterooms and an exceptional team of 21 crew.
At 53.5 metres long with an 11.2 metre beam, the Paspaley Pearl is a masterpiece of design — gracefully proportioned, beautifully spacious, and purpose-built to slip effortlessly into the world’s most remote and breathtaking destinations.
As soon as I stepped onboard, I felt myself relax into the casual yet beautiful surroundings. It was barefoot and relaxed vibes all the way.
Paspaley Pearl has got it right! It has created that just right mix between true expedition cruising, beautiful elegance in a relaxed vibe, and shared experiences with real connection.
THE FOOD & BEVERAGES:
Expedition-style travel doesn’t mean compromising on cuisine — and Paspaley Pearl delivers an impressive and truly first-class dining experience.
Head Chef Alex Bentley has crafted a thoughtful menu showcasing Native Australian ingredients, complemented by vibrant South East Asian and Indonesian influences.
Breakfast and lunch are served on the Horizon deck with its stunning views of the water and surrounding islands. This beautiful space has two long tables which creates a relaxed feel in breathtaking locations.
There’s a coffee machine, tea and filtered water stations. I loved the fresh juices at breakfast and ordering eggs and smashed avo on toast from Alex at the outdoor chef’s cooking station.
Returning onboard after island exploring in the morning to the smell of more amazing food cooking is just delightful. The casual lunch selection covers beautiful salads, sliced meats and cheese, to freshly prepared gourmet sourdough toasted sandwiches, with fresh fruit and chocolate brownie for dessert, all the guests were completely satisfied.
Dinner is served in the main dining room which is located on the Ocean deck. The design of this space has been exceptionally crafted to mix elegance with casual dining, creating a friendly shared experience. The round tables craft the perfect setting for guests to chat about their exciting adventures of the day.
My taste buds are still on a high from both my entrées of Roast Pumpkin Agnolotti with Crispy Kale and the Slow Braised Lamb Shoulder with Baby Carrots. The freshness of my main course where I enjoyed the WA Barramundi with Zucchini Noodles in a Salsa Verde, followed by the most amazing Valrhona Tart for dessert with Caribbean Dark Chocolate, Raspberry and Vanilla…how do I go back to everyday food after this!
The menu was beautifully complemented by outstanding wine pairings, many of which highlighted local Australian vineyards. Our table shared the Bunnamagoo Tempranillo from Mudgee, NSW and we couldn’t stop talking about how incredible it was.
Guests with any dietary requirements are also very well looked after.
Don’t forget the water! The staterooms are restocked with glass bottled water daily, the Horizon deck has a water dispenser, and it was nice to see no plastic bottles!
THE RELAXATION:
The Sun deck is a beautiful space to watch the scenery go by from the sun lounges or the 8-10 person jacuzzi. And at the bridge there is a great viewing area to watch the captain maneuver the ship into new destinations or watch the crew deploy the zodiacs down to the water by crane.
The Horizon deck features inviting lounges where you can sit back and take in the incredible backdrop.
From the Ocean deck there’s a beautiful indoor lounge and sitting area, surrounded by large windows to bring the outside in. This is an inviting space to sit and read a book or chat.
THE CABIN:
When I opened the door to my stateroom, I was very pleasantly surprised by the light and fresh feel of the room. The natural tones, light timber and sage décor creates an instant relaxed vibe.
The balcony was calling me to sit and sip my morning coffee on the comfy chairs, while overlooking the stunning water views and taking in the moment slowly.
There are 15 staterooms in total on the Paspaley Pearl. The largest is the Pearl suite at 27sqm. 7 of the staterooms have private balconies, the only boutique yacht in the region with balconies.
I stayed in one of the six Horizon suites, which is located on the Horizon deck. This stateroom boosts 20sqm of well-appointed space and storage. The shower is very large with a window out to the water and the bathroom has plenty of room and shelves.
The rooms include 240v power outlets, security safe, small bar fridge, hairdryer, bathrobes, and quality bathroom products including tissues. The Aesop shampoo & condition with Bergamot Rind, Frankincense, Cedar Atlas felt amazing in my hair after an afternoon of snorkeling in the salt water.
There is a wide variety of bedding configurations to choose from. The 7 staterooms on the Horizon deck all have queen beds. The Ocean deck has 8 staterooms, 5 with queen beds, 2 with twin beds, and 1 with a double bed.
THE SERVICE:
The onboard service was outstanding and truly delivered on personalised service.
Guests will travel alongside a dedicated team of 21 attentive crew members, including four seasoned expedition guides who bring a wealth of expertise, deep local insight, and a genuine passion for these extraordinary destinations.
THE SHARED EXPERIENCE:
Life on a small expedition vessel isn’t defined by big production shows or theme nights, however by the shared experience of exploring extraordinary, off-the-beaten-path destinations with like-minded guests.
Each morning over breakfast the expedition leader will share the plan for the day ahead and answer any questions.
Evenings include a laid-back expedition briefing and recap by the crew with open discussions involving the guests, set in the open-air comfort of the lounge and bar area.
It’s the shared moments and connections that make small expedition cruising truly special.
THE SIGHTSEEING & EXPEDITIONS:
True expedition cruising is about the feeling that a new and remote destination has to offer. The remoteness of these locations brings to the guests travel experience, a feeling of closeness with the surroundings and local cultures, that you just can’t get on a big cruise ship.
Setting off on the zodiac on our first morning of exploring to Atauro Island, the anticipation was high. From the Paspaley Pearl, the island and surrounding water looked beautiful, with a very high mountain range as a backdrop, my camera struggled to truly capture its stunning beauty.
Arriving on the island, we had a great time exploring by local transport — and even gave a fellow traveller a lift to the nearby village. Hugo was a Professor of Linguistics from Portugal who was visiting Timor-Leste for a conference and spending a few days relaxing at Atauro Island. That’s the beauty of travel: you never quite know who you’ll cross paths with along the way.
For our afternoon exploring we went snorkelling. Atauro Island has 22 diving sites and is one of the world’s healthiest coral reefs, so we were very spoilt for choice. The snorkelling was amazing with such a diverse range of coral and fish. I’ve been lucky to snorkel in many destinations however this island reef was something I won’t forget.
And for anyone new to snorkelling, you could feel completely at ease — our expedition leader and a local dive guide were there to provide guidance throughout every step of the way.
When we got back to the ship, our lovely crew greeted us with big smiles, dry towels, and cold water — just what we needed!
If you’re wanting to do an expedition cruise…
Hello I’m Bernadette, your personal travel agent with TravelManagers where I’ve taken my extensive experience from working in corporate travel to now arranging personal holidays creating lifetime memories for my clients.
Please reach out and let’s chat all things expedition cruising:
Mobile: 0491 689 870
Email: [email protected]
Website: travelmanagers.com.au/BernadetteAndrews
Happy Travels!
