A RUN-DOWN, trouble-struck, New Zealand-built yacht has been given a spectacular new life as a 30-guest luxury cruise vessel.
The 53.5 metre Paspaley Pearl will take off from Wyndham in Western Australia’s Kimberley region on its first cruise after a multi-million dollar refit on 31 July.
The vessel which had started life in 2021 as Island Escape, designed for small-ship cruising out of New Zealand, was bought by luxury pearling brand Paspaley in 2023.
Island Escape, operated by Island Escape Cruises out of Auckland, New Zealand had been arrested in 2022 and the company liquidated with the vessel put up for sale in 2023 and bought by Paspaley.
The Kimberley-based pearling company had intended to operate the refurbished yacht in partnership with luxury cruise line Ponant but that deal didn’t eventuate and Paspaley chose to go it alone.
The vessel had already been through sea trials off Fremantle and in 2024 was moved to Singapore where marine interior specialists ICF International managed the redesign of the yacht as a purpose-built luxury vessel designed for remote exploration.
Paspaley launched Pearl Expeditions under the leadership of Sarina Bratton with whom Paspaley had been a joint founder of Orion Expedition Cruises.
The vessel was handed over to Paspaley in May of this year and arrived in Darwin on May 20 ready for its inaugural Kimberley voyage.
Facilities aboard include a 32-seat indoor restaurant, lounge and bar and another 32-seat outdoor restaurant, sun deck lounge and bar and jacuzzi and a sunset lounge forward of the bridge.
The Paspaley Pearl has 15 staterooms or suites and seven staterooms with private balcony – which the company says is the only boutique yacht in the region with balconies.
Its maiden voyage from Wyndham will be a 10-night Kimberley trip visiting King George Falls, Montgomery Reef and the Hunter River, Hidden Island and Hell’s Gate, terminating in Broome.
Guests will also visit a Paspaley pearl farm to see how the company produces its world-famous luxury jewellery.
The crew of 21 will include four dedicated expedition guides.
After a short series of charters and private events in September the vessel will reposition to Papua New Guinea from 9/10 for two months, visiting East Indonesia, Raja Ampat, Borneo and more.
Paspaley says the Kimberley will always be its heartland.
“Each year, we’ll spend six months immersed in its vast landscapes, during the region’s beautiful and temperate dry season in Australia’s North West,” the company said.
“The other six months will take us further afield, to remote and rarely experienced destinations rich in nature and culture.”