THE BIG BLUE

THE AEGEAN IS A TROVE OF WONDER WITH ITS BRIGHT BLUE SEA AND RICH HISTORY, AND THERE ARE FEW BETTER WAYS TO EXPERIENCE IT THAN ABOARD A LUXURY CATAMARAN

WORDS PETER FROST

THE AEGEAN SEA. My introduction, burned into my memory, was Jean-Marc Barr swimming off Amorgos in The Big Blue. Apposite indeed; the Aegean is the real star of any movie it appears in, including Luc Besson's César-winning biopic of free-diver Jacques Mayol. It's the part of the Mediterranean that absolutely belongs in a Bond movie – an impossibly deep blue set against hidden islands and thousand-year-old ruins. To the north and east is Greece and to the west, Turkey. It's in that 400km-wide embrace and upwards of 150 islands that offers an opportunity for adventure, intrigue and relaxation.

Catamaran Cosseting

The only way to effectively cruise the coastline and hop between islands is by boat and, if you're one of the fortunate few, not just any boat. Cue Meridian Adventure Sail, a private explorer’s club specialising in epic ocean journeys to magnificent destinations. The company's 62-foot catamarans are custom made in Bordeaux, France, and offer accommodation in fully equipped staterooms, with each yacht sporting its own air-conditioned lounge, kitchen and crew. The company is famous for sailing the flotilla in formation and, when not under sail, the yachts form a floating marina of sorts; a hyper-exclusive hotel on water. The Aegean itineraries allow for the chartering of just a single yacht, but really, there's nothing more spectacular than a formation of catamarans crossing a rapidly bronzing ocean. The craft, staffed by crew from Meridian’s own training academy, is transport, home, viewing platform and playground, undoubtedly one of the best ways to experience the sea and all it has to offer. Carried aft on the yachts are state-of-the-art tenders, boats deployed during daily excursions to the beaches, islands, villages and ruins of the Aegean. It’s a well-oiled, almost military machine, impressive to behold and an exclusive adventure club, far more than a conventional fly-and-flop water experience.

A Meridian Aegean escape begins on land, usually in Turkey – that most ancient of ancient lands. Guests are transported to the awaiting catamarans, settle into their respective staterooms and are given a contextualising debrief. Journeys through the Aegean range from four to 10 days, sailing along the coast and between islands, anchoring where it is quiet, beautiful and interesting, with each odyssey carefully curated by the Meridian team.

REVELATIONS, LAVRAKI AND A HUNDRED ISLANDS

So to it. Day one begins as they all do, cosseted in a stateroom with all the mod-cons, a sunrise of extraordinary beauty filtering in through the designer porthole. Up on deck, the yacht’s captain is overseeing the breakfast spread –fruits, pastries and a cooked component – and coordinating the tender launch. Shower, walk up through the expansive, air-conditioned saloon lounge, take in the focused activity of the crew, sit and eat. There’s time enough to take in the Med’s cobalt blue before it is onto the tenders across an untouched bay, off to one of the chosen spots of the day. It might be an unheralded restaurant on the beautiful Aşı Koyu beachfront for grilled lavraki (Mediterranean sea bass), or to visit St John’s Cave of the Apocalypse on the island of Patmos, where legend has it the famous disciple received his visions for the Book of Revelations. On the way there will be a briefing of what to expect; housekeeping essentially.

TURTLES AND SHIPWRECKS – A WORLD BENEATH

Around the island of Leros and in many of the bays where the yachts anchor, it's going to be all about snorkelling. This part of the Med is a treasure trove of ancient, submerged waterscapes, both natural and man-made. Into swimming kit, ‘three, two, one,’ and… the world slows.

Breathe in. Out. Adjust the mask. Work on breathing through only your mouth. Then look down. This is what it’s all about – the Aegean's secret wonderland. For beginners, Leros is the best possible introduction to Davy Jones' locker. Not only is it one of the best places on Earth to explore shipwrecks (there are eight WWII ships in the shallow waters), but it's also a moodboard of the Med's best wildlife; think turtles and whales. There’s too much to see and simply not enough time.

Back on board over another sumptuous lunch, stories are swapped – ‘did you see the turtles?’ – before the Seabobs, Fliteboards and stand-up paddle boards are rolled out. Meridian’s toys are state-of-the-art, and as the sun sets into yet another Greek picture postcard, the laughter from the water behind the yachts is a fitting soundtrack to an exceptional day. Elegant, ethical, intriguing and instructive. What’s not to love?

For more information, visit meridianadventuresail.com ■

Getting There

• Meridian Aegean itineraries leave from Kuşadası, Sığacık or Çeşme in Turkey, or Samos in Greece.

• Turkish Airlines flies to Ankara in Turkey from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, with connections to Kuşadası daily.

• Turkey requires a visa to enter – South African travellers can apply online.

Good To Know

• Life aboard a Meridian catamaran is not unlike a five-star hotel with all the extras on offer, so approach the trip accordingly.

• Mealtimes are generally an informal affair, but some guests elect to dress up.

• Excursions inevitably require a degree of basic fitness, and comfortable footwear – as well as swimwear – is essential.

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