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Japanese subtropical Islands

Naha, Okinawa - Keelung (Chilung)

Dates:
16/03/2024
to  23/03/2024

8
days
7
nights on board
Starting from*
5.040 €
30% Ponant Bonus

Through PONANT’s alliance with The Explorers Club, this voyage will feature Diego Cardeñosa, a Distinguished Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Florida International University, who focuses on determining the species composition of the international shark trade, the identification of supply chains at highest risk of illicit trade, and the development and implementation of rapid, portable, and inexpensive in-port DNA protocols to enhance the detection of illicit wildlife trade by law enforcement in Asia, Europe and South America.

Diego Cardeñosa will be accompanied by a French interpreter during lectures.

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 8-day itinerary aboard Le Jacques-Cartier, from the island of Naha to Taïwan, you will discover the rich natural heritage, traditional villages and craft of the Okinawa and Yaeyama Islands, in the Ryukyu archipelago.

From Naha Island, in the beautiful Okinawa archipelago, you will also call at Iheya Island, Okinawa’s northernmost territory, where the traditional culture of the region is preserved. You will be able to discover a few aspects of this through a traditional “Eisa” show featuring traditional drums.

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. 

You will then head for Kumejima, the island that linked Okinawa to China in the past. Famous for its ‘Eisa’, a form of folk dance performed to the rhythm of traditional drums, this multifaceted island will reveal itself through its natural treasures: the mythical Mifuga rock formation or the idyllic beach of Hatenohama, a point of reference for fans of the underwater world. 

Next, you will set sail for the southern islands of Japan, including Ishigaki, the capital island of the Yaeyama Islands. You will be able to enjoy the dynamic atmosphere of the eponymous city or discover Kabira Bay, renowned for its idyllic scenery, combining crystal-clear turquoise water and beaches of white sand.

Following a port of call in the picturesque village of Taketomijima, with its traditional Okinawan dwellings and its idyllic sandy expanses, Le Jacques-Cartier will sail south to the island of Iriomotejima. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this little corner of paradise will enchant you with its authentic and preserved character, with its wild beaches lying alongside traditional villages surrounded by luxurious tropical forest: jungle, mangrove, 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.


Ref : EX160324


Your itinerary

Your itinerary - Japanese subtropical Islands

Through PONANT’s alliance with The Explorers Club, this voyage will feature Diego Cardeñosa, a Distinguished Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Florida International University, who focuses on determining the...


View detailed itinerary

Your trip in detail

Contact Us

+33 (0)4 91 36 41 60
(or contact your travel agent)

Request a quote

Partner - Diego Cardeñosa

Our guest of honour

Partner - Diego Cardeñosa

Diego Cardeñosa

“What drives me every day is my desire to build upon the legacy of previous scientists to affect change in our current world of climate change and ecosystem destruction. To that end, the remote places that PONANT goes are so often the basis of any scientific endeavor. They allow for the first step of discovery.”

Diego Cardeñosa

Find out more

Partner - The Explorers Club

Our partner

Partner - The Explorers Club

The Explorers Club

Find out more

Choose your stateroom

Choose your stateroom

Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
 

(19 m²)

From 5.040 €
30% Ponant Bonus

Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
 

(19 m²)

From 5.590 €
30% Ponant Bonus

Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
 

(19 m²)

From 5.860 €
30% Ponant Bonus

Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
 

(19 m²)

From 6.190 €
30% Ponant Bonus

Deluxe Suite Deck 6
 

(27 m²)

From 8.610 €
30% Ponant Bonus

Deluxe Suite Deck 4
 

(27 m²)

From 8.610 €
30% Ponant Bonus

Deluxe Suite Deck 5
 

(27 m²)

From 8.610 €
30% Ponant Bonus

Deluxe Suite Deck 3
 

(27 m²)

From 8.610 €
30% Ponant Bonus

Prestige Deck 5
 

(38 m²)

From 11.630 €
30% Ponant Bonus

Prestige Suite Deck 6
 

(38 m²)

From 12.230 €
30% Ponant Bonus

Privilege Suite Deck 5
 

(32 m²)

From 12.830 €
30% Ponant Bonus

Privilege Suite Deck 6
 

(32 m²)

From 12.830 €
30% Ponant Bonus

Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
 

(45 m²)

From 14.090 €
30% Ponant Bonus

Owner's Suite Deck 5
 

(45 m²)

From 21.010 €



Complete your trip

Complete your trip

Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.


Additional services


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Contact Us

+33 (0)4 91 36 41 60
(or contact your travel agent)

Request a quote

*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.