Itinerary
PONANT is the first cruise company to take you to the heart of the sublime landscapes of the tropical islands in southern Japan during an expedition cruise. On this all-new 8-day itinerary aboard Le Soléal, from Osaka to Taiwan, you will discover the rich natural heritage of the Okinawa archipelago and the Ryukyu Islands. You will board your ship in Osaka, before setting sail south to reach this string of idyllic islands. Le Soléal will first set sail for the coral island of Kikaijima. You will be fascinated by this enchanting island with beautiful beaches and turquoise waters. Its lush seabed and biodiversity will allow you to enjoy a captivating exploration. Your next port of call will be Zamami, in the Kerama Islands. You will enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this pristine island, known the world over for the distinctive blue of the surrounding sea, called "Kerama blue". The sea life in the area is also exceptionally rich and sea turtles can often be spotted swimming among the coral. Le Soléal will then sail towards the magnificent Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Here wild beaches mix with traditional villages and lush, protected and intact, tropical forest: jungle, mangroves, rivers, waterfalls. This unique biodiversity is made up of many endemic species. The landscapes on the remote island of Yonagunijima, the easternmost of the Ryukyu Islands, offer a striking contrast: cliffs, windswept meadows, wild horses. The beauty of its sea-beds and their mysterious rocky formations will delight the most experienced divers. You will end your cruise in Keelung, the port of the Taiwanese capital Taipei.
