Join PONANT and The Explorers Club on a New Caribbean Expedition

We are delighted to welcome Ricardo A. Nascimento on board our new Natural Sanctuaries & Caribbean Encounters itinerary in December 2025. A Fellow of The Explorers Club based in Lisbon, Ricardo has dedicated his career to capturing the breathtaking beauty of marine environments through cinematography and photography. Join us and discover the Caribbean the PONANT way – on a luxurious small ship exploration that inspires and educates.

Belize and Honduras are the perfect pair for one adventure-filled expedition. Here’s another perfect pair: the expertise of PONANT naturalist guides and the trained eye of Explorers Club Fellow and ocean conservationist Ricardo Nascimento – all to help you see this astonishing region of the Caribbean from new perspectives.

You’ll have the opportunity to choose from a variety of exciting excursions, including hikes, snorkeling, Zodiac trips, and – on one of our optional outings – Advanced Open Water Dives for those with PADI certification. Throughout this illuminating journey, you’ll gain immeasurable insights sure to transform your understanding of the ways in which vital marine ecosystems and island cultures are intricately woven.

Dive into Unspoiled Caribbean Splendor

As we set sail aboard the luxury small ship Le Champlain, immerse yourself in some of the Caribbean’s most pristine natural sanctuaries. From lush forests to turquoise waters, we celebrate nature’s beauty.

Throughout your journey, you will explore magnificent ecosystems up close by sea and by land, witnessing their fragility and ecological significance firsthand. In Honduran Punta Sal, you’ll experience the harmonious blend of emerald-green forest, dense mangrove, tranquil lagoons, and crystal-clear sea at Jeannette Kawas National Park. On Guanaja, the “green island,” paddle through mangroves and hike among cascading waterfalls, lush rainforest, and soaring macaws. In coastal La Ensenada, discover a picturesque village surrounded by lush nature, where rich biodiversity meets vibrant local traditions and warm hospitality.

Thirteen coral cays await on Les Cayos Cochinos, two islands on the famed Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the largest of its kind after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. You’ll have ample time to float above its colorful underwater gardens as tropical multi-colored fish dart about. Later, the Cuero y Salado National Park unfurls its magnificence. The park protects an estuary system that hosts a huge menagerie of wildlife, from countless bird species and monkeys in the trees to turtles, caimans, and even manatees peering up from the waters.

Experience Island and Caribbean Cultures Up Close

A true highlight of our expedition is the opportunity it provides to connect with the rich cultures that inhabit these Caribbean shores. Throughout our journey, you’ll visit vibrant communities and engage with local traditions. On Guanaja, meet the Caracoles people on the small cay of Bonacca, an exceptional opportunity to witness the daily lives of Caribbean islanders. On the small island of Chachauate in Les Cayos Cochinos, the Garifuna people welcome you with an enchanting performance, offering insights into their culture and cuisine – a rich blend of their African and Caribbean heritage. These experiences immerse you in the local way of life and in traditions that have been preserved for generations.

In the quaint Belizean town of Placencia, explore the colorful former fishing village of the Stann Creek District, steeped in an Afro-Caribbean vibe. You’ll also have the chance to learn about the fascinating history of the Mopan and Kekchi Mayan civilizations – and lose yourself in the hypnotic beat of traditional Garawoun drums during an onboard performance.

Half Moon Caye provides the perfect postcard ending of our exploration. On this crescent-shaped island, look to the sky for frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, and many other species as they hunt in surrounding waters. We’re sure you’ll want to spend time looking underwater, too. The snorkeling here is spectacular, a paradise of crystalline waters, colorful coral, and abundant fish. Little wonder this incredible spot is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an Important Bird Area.

PONANT is proud to help you dive deeply into the remarkable cultures and intense beauty of Belize and Honduras. And with Explorers Club Fellow Ricardo Nascimento along on our December 13, 2025 departure, you can enjoy his lectures and the added benefit of viewing this breathtaking corner of the Caribbean through the expert lens of an accomplished underwater cinematographer.

We hope you’ll join us.