Imagine gliding through turquoise seas on a sleek, sail-powered catamaran, the wind whispering around the mast, and the shores of a secluded island awaiting your discovery. For the discerning traveller seeking intimacy, elegance and authentic exploration, the newly launched PONANT Yachting promises exactly that. A distinctive new division of the esteemed French expedition group Ponant Explorations Group, the brand brings together small-group sailing catamarans that fuse design finesse, refined service and immersive itineraries across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Seychelles and French Polynesia.

Crafting the Experience of Sailing in Style

At the heart of PONANT Yachting lies a partnership with French builders and designers who understand how to turn a vessel into an elegant sanctuary. The forthcoming flagship, the Spirit of Ponant II, is part of the Lagoon “Eighty 2” series and will officially join the fleet in late 2026. Measuring nearly 25 metres long and 11 metres wide, it offers roughly 427 square metres of combined interior and exterior living space, with five double cabins and capacity for up to ten guests.

Built in France by Lagoon in collaboration with charter specialist Sailoé, the vessel reflects PONANT’s commitment to French craftsmanship and thoughtful luxury. From the moment guests step aboard, the atmosphere balances lightness and precision: clean lines, generous glazing, open social decks and subtle material palettes.

These catamarans are designed to feel more like intimate villas on the water than traditional yachts. The PONANT Yachting ethos extends to the crew of four: a captain, first mate, chef and hostess ensuring that service, cuisine and pace are tailored to each guest’s desires. Dining becomes a journey in itself: bespoke menus, curated wine selections and al-fresco lunches beneath the sail canvas embody the French art of travel. Onboard water activities such as paddle-boarding, wing-foiling, sailing dinghies and underwater scooters invite guests to embrace both energy and serenity.

A Voyage Into Hidden Anchorages and Unscaled Elegance

Perhaps the most compelling appeal of PONANT Yachting is the promise of quiet corners of the sea where large ships cannot follow. The catamaran design offers access to shallow coves, pristine reefs and intimate anchorages that remain hidden to most travellers. Destinations like the Seychelles, the sun-kissed islands of the Caribbean and the atolls of French Polynesia become not simply stops on the map but private chapters in a unique narrative.

For example, the catamaran La Désirade alternates her seasons between the Corsican coast and the Caribbean, offering bespoke itineraries that may include a breathless swim beneath granite cliffs one week or kayaking among the Grenadines’ hidden beaches the next. Meanwhile, Spirit of Ponant, already in service, carries guests through Seychelles waters, sampling the calm of the ocean and the rhythmic island life of Mahé, Praslin and beyond.

Seamless Luxury Meets Mindful Travel

In an era when high-end travellers demand authenticity as much as aesthetics, PONANT Yachting feels perfectly timed. The all-inclusive charter model simplifies planning, leaving guests free to savour the moment rather than manage logistics. From day one, the experience is framed by attentive service, refined design and a light touch of discretion.

Pricing for a private charter aboard Spirit of Ponant II begins from around €64,000 per week, offering full exclusivity for up to ten guests. For those accustomed to the privacy of superyacht living, it delivers the same standard on a more personal, human scale.

Moreover, the group emphasises responsible travel, reflecting the parent company’s heritage in sustainable expedition cruising. Building catamarans that draw less draft, access smaller bays and consume fewer resources appeals to travellers seeking elegance without excess. The partnership between Ponant, Lagoon and Sailoé reflects a shared belief in sustainable tourism and French-style excellence.

The Design Pulse of Superior Catamaran Cruising

What distinguishes luxury sailing catamarans from larger yachts is the interplay between design, movement and environment. In PONANT’s vision, the dual-hull form offers exceptional stability and quiet comfort ideal for guests who value conversation, connection and calm seas rather than the hum of engines.

Each vessel embodies a contemporary French aesthetic: minimalist elegance, natural light, fine materials and bespoke finishes. The interior layout creates panoramic sightlines that make the horizon an integral part of the living experience. Lagoon brings decades of naval expertise; Sailoé adds charter excellence; and Ponant’s experience in luxury expeditions unites these elements into one refined journey.

The Journey of Arrival and Discovery

Picture arriving at a marina in Corsica, greeted by a smiling crew, then stepping aboard a catamaran whose teak deck gleams beneath the morning sun. As the lines are cast off, the land drifts away, and the sea’s rhythm begins to take hold. Breakfast unfolds slowly, with fresh pastries, fruit, and espresso set against a view of endless blue.

The day ahead is crafted rather than scheduled: perhaps a swim beneath a limestone grotto, an impromptu picnic on a deserted beach, an afternoon spent paddle-boarding through turquoise shallows. As dusk settles, dinner is served under a canopy of stars, with local seafood, fine wine, the laughter of friends, and the whisper of waves.

Each voyage is less about distance and more about intimacy, offering rare communion with the sea and the art of living.

Why It Matters for the Discerning Traveller

In a market where luxury often equates to size, PONANT Yachting offers a different vision. Its approach celebrates simplicity, privacy and the sensory richness of sailing. For those who value design provenance, French elegance and the tranquillity of bespoke service, this is travel in its purest form, elevated yet effortless.

The brand continues Ponant’s tradition of redefining exploration. Instead of towering ships and crowded decks, guests find stillness, craftsmanship and discovery. In doing so, PONANT Yachting articulates the future of high-end travel: journeys measured not by how far one goes, but by how deeply one feels.

Anchoring the Future of French Luxury at Sea

As PONANT Yachting prepares to welcome more vessels into its growing fleet, it positions itself at the forefront of a new wave in global luxury cruising. Each catamaran represents the essence of refined French design and a return to the romance of true sailing.

For travellers accustomed to the polished perfection of the world’s finest resorts, these voyages offer something rarer freedom. Freedom to move with the wind, to linger where the heart desires, to experience the ocean as muse rather than backdrop.

In this sense, PONANT Yachting is not just expanding the boundaries of the Ponant Group but redefining what luxury at sea can mean in a time when travellers seek meaning as much as beauty.

Graceful, responsible and deeply French in spirit, these catamarans mark the beginning of a new chapter in maritime sophistication, a promise of discovery written in salt and sunlight.

Written by: Linh Giang Nguyen
Published on: 10th November 2025