Le Ponant Yacht Charter

About Le Ponant

Le Ponant is an 84.3m three-masted sailing superyacht, one of the largest sailing vessels available for private charter, originally built in 1990 for the Ponant cruise brand before moving into the charter market. A full refit in 2022 reworked her interiors and reduced her capacity, and she now charters for up to 32 guests across 16 cabins with a crew of around 34, a guest-to-crew ratio close to 1:1 that’s unusual even among sailing superyachts.

She sails on a barquentine rig across three masts and is genuinely built to cruise under sail rather than engine power, which several brokers point to as her defining character.

Charter rates for a yacht of this scale are sometimes quoted as a flat all-inclusive figure and sometimes on the more conventional base-rate-plus-expenses basis. Guests comparing offers may find it useful to understand how APA and additional costs are typically structured before weighing one quote against another.

Guest Accommodation

Le Ponant’s 16 cabins comprise a primary suite, two VIP cabins and a mix of double and twin guest cabins, all en suite and most convertible between double and twin configurations. Total guest capacity is 32 across the full cabin complement.

With a crew of around 34, the guest-to-crew ratio runs close to 1:1, noticeably higher than most charter yachts her size. It includes specialist roles such as a dedicated expedition leader and naturalist, a beautician and a sports coach alongside the usual deck, engineering and service departments.

Onboard Amenities

Onboard amenities lean toward wellness and cultural experience rather than nightlife: a dedicated spa offering Biologique Recherche treatments, a fitness instructor and gym, a saltwater swimming pool and an expansive open-air sun deck with panoramic relaxation areas.

The galley is run by a French executive chef leading a team of five. Between the onboard naturalist and the slower, sail-driven pace, Le Ponant suits guests looking at a sailing yacht charter built around itinerary and destination rather than a toy-heavy motor yacht experience.

• Air Conditioning
• Gym
• Spa
• Sun Deck
• Swimming Pool
• Wi-Fi

Cruising Performance

Le Ponant runs a genuine two-season programme: Mediterranean cruising through the summer, taking in Corsica, the French Riviera, Sicily, the Greek islands and Croatia, followed by a winter season in the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles and Grenadines, with calls at St Barths. Exact itineraries vary by year and are worth confirming with the operator at the time of enquiry.

Under sail she cruises at around 10 knots and reaches a maximum of 12 knots, with a single 2,250hp Caterpillar engine for when motoring is needed. Her draft is shallow for a yacht this size, letting her into anchorages a conventional superyacht of similar length couldn’t reach.

Toys & Water Equipment

Water toys aboard Le Ponant are modest compared with a toy-heavy motor yacht, in keeping with her slower, more exploratory style of charter. Diving equipment is carried onboard, supporting the introductory and certified dives sometimes included on her Caribbean itineraries, with the fuller current inventory best confirmed directly with the yacht at the time of booking.

Le Ponant Charter Destinations

Caribbean

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French Riviera

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Greece

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