BAWAH RESERVE PUTS ANAMBAS ISLANDS ON THE LUXURY MAP
In the remote waters of Indonesia’s Anambas Islands, Bawah Reserve is redefining what it means to blend barefoot luxury with environmental stewardship.
2 min
Until recently, the Anambas Islands were barely a blip on the radar of international travellers. Scattered between Singapore and Borneo, this little-known archipelago has become an emerging hotspot for high-net-worth travellers seeking privacy, nature and sustainable luxury. At the centre of this rise is Bawah Reserve, a secluded six-island retreat that can only be reached by private seaplane.
The Reserve is set within a marine conservation zone that protects coral reefs, lagoons and rainforest. With just 36 villas and bungalows, Bawah was never designed to be a mass tourism destination. Instead, it is positioned as a model of low-impact development: activities are curated to connect guests to their surroundings while ensuring the fragile ecosystem remains intact.
Nature as the main attraction
Days at Bawah revolve around the landscape. Guests can dive and snorkel in reef systems still teeming with marine life, trek through rainforest to elevated lookouts, or simply swim off one of the Reserve’s 13 beaches. Those after a slower pace gravitate towards the Aura Wellbeing Deck for sunrise yoga or the spa, where treatments use botanicals sourced from the islands.
Food and culture also form part of the experience. The resort runs Indonesian coffee workshops and even a “scent bar” where visitors can create perfumes using tropical ingredients. One of the most talked-about experiences is the Castaway Picnic, which ranges from a white-tablecloth meal prepared by a private chef to a stripped-back family beach outing.
Evenings are more communal, with stargazing, cinema screenings beneath the open sky, or traditional Indonesian beach barbecues.
A growing profile
Paul Robinson, COO of Bawah Reserve, frames the philosophy around connection. “Bawah isn’t just a place you visit – it’s a place that stays with you. Our activities are crafted to connect guests to the spirit of the islands, whether through adventure, creativity, or quiet moments of reflection”.
That approach appears to be working. In recent years, the Anambas Islands have gained attention among Asia’s luxury travellers, partly due to their proximity to Singapore and partly because of properties like Bawah that position sustainability as part of the drawcard. The Reserve’s ultra-private Elang Residence, available only for exclusive group stays, has further lifted its profile.
The bigger picture
Bawah is part of a broader trend in high-end travel: ultra-remote destinations that sell not just luxury but the sense of being among the last to experience an untouched landscape. Unlike the Maldives or Phuket, the Anambas remain largely under the radar — a fact that gives Bawah an advantage with travellers tired of crowded hotspots.
The challenge, as with many eco-luxury projects, will be balancing exclusivity and environmental responsibility as demand grows. For now, Bawah Reserve stands as both a sanctuary for travellers and a statement about the future direction of Southeast Asian luxury tourism.
A long-standing cultural cruise and a new expedition-style offering will soon operate side by side in French Polynesia.
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A long-standing cultural cruise and a new expedition-style offering will soon operate side by side in French Polynesia.
3 minFrom late 2026 and into 2027, PONANT Explorations Group will base two ships in French Polynesia, offering travellers a choice between a culturally immersive classic and a far more exploratory deep-Pacific experience.
The move builds on more than 25 years of operating in the region with the iconic m/s Paul Gauguin, while introducing the expedition-focused Le Jacques Cartier to venture into lesser-known waters.
Together, the two vessels will cover all five Polynesian archipelagos — the Society, Tuamotu, Austral, Gambier and Marquesas Islands — as well as the remote Pitcairn Islands.
THE PAUL GAUGUIN: CULTURAL IMMERSION, POLYNESIAN STYLE
Long regarded as the benchmark for cruising in French Polynesia, m/s Paul Gauguin will remain based year-round in the region.
Renovated in 2025, the ship continues to focus on relaxed, culturally rich journeys with extended port stays designed to allow guests to experience daily life across the islands.
A defining feature of the onboard experience is the presence of the Gauguins and Gauguines — Polynesian hosts who share local traditions through music, dance and hands-on workshops, including weaving and craft demonstrations.
The atmosphere is deliberately intimate and internationally minded, catering to travellers seeking depth rather than distance.
Across the 2026–27 seasons, the ship will operate 66 departures, primarily across the Society Islands, Tuamotu and Marquesas, with select voyages extending to Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands.
LE JACQUES CARTIER: EXPLORATION AT THE EDGE
Le Jacques Cartier introduces a more adventurous dimension to PONANT’s Polynesian offering, with itineraries focused on the least visited corners of the South Pacific.
The ship will debut three new “Discovery” itineraries, each 14 nights in length, which can also be combined into a single, extended 42-night voyage — the most comprehensive Polynesian itinerary currently available.
In total, the combined journey spans six archipelagos, 23 islands and the Pitcairn Islands, a British Overseas Territory rarely included on cruise itineraries.
Unlike the Paul Gauguin’s cultural focus, Le Jacques Cartier centres on exploration.
Each day includes one guided activity led by local experts, with excursions conducted via tenders, local boats and zodiacs. Scuba diving is available on board, supported by a resident instructor.
Across the 2026–27 period, the ship will operate nine departures, offering a deliberately limited and low-impact presence in some of the Pacific’s most isolated communities.
THREE NEW DISCOVERY ITINERARIES
The new itineraries aboard Le Jacques Cartier include:
– Secret Polynesia: Unexplored Tuamotu, the Gambier Islands and the Austral Islands
– From Confidential French Polynesia to Pitcairn Island
– Polynesian Bliss: Marquesas and Tuamotu
Each voyage departs from Papeete, with prices starting from $15,840 per person.
SCOUTING THE PACIFIC’S MOST REMOTE COMMUNITIES
In preparation for the new itineraries, PONANT Explorations Group undertook extensive scouting across the Austral and Tuamotu Islands to develop activities in collaboration with local communities.
José Sarica, the group’s R&D Expedition Experience Director, worked directly with residents to design experiences including welcome ceremonies, cultural workshops and visits to marae, the region’s sacred open-air temples.
Six new ports of call have been confirmed as part of this process, spanning both the Tuamotu and Austral archipelagos.
SIX NEW PORTS OF CALL CONFIRMED
New stopovers include:
– Mataiva, known for its rare mosaic lagoon
– Hikueru, home to one of the largest lagoons in the Tuamotus
– Makemo, noted for its red-footed boobies and frigatebirds
– Raivavae, famed for its crystal-clear lagoon pools
– Tubuai, rich in marae and spiritual heritage
– Rurutu, known for limestone caves and seasonal humpback whale sightings
A DUAL EXPERIENCE, ONE DESTINATION
By pairing its long-established cultural voyages with expedition-led exploration, PONANT Explorations Group is positioning French Polynesia not as a single experience, but as two distinct journeys — one grounded in tradition and comfort, the other pushing into the furthest reaches of the Pacific.
For travellers seeking either immersion or discovery, the South Pacific is about to feel both familiar and entirely new.
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