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>Liveaboards>Maldives>Emperor Leo

Other Maldives options

Emperor Leo

From USD 211 per day

Length

35m
116 ft

Max 24

Nitrox

PADI

Wi-Fi

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LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE

At a glance...

Visits Maldives central atolls
Inclusive cruise prices
All cabins with private bathrooms, TV & DVD
Sun deck with Jacuzzi
Nautilus Lifeline personal EPIRBs
Large boat

Customer reviews

Very good!

Click on an image to enlarge

Emperor Leo's Upper deck double bed cabin

The Executive double bed suite on MV Emperor Leo

Awesome diving begins with a giant stride from the dhoni

The end of another awesome dive - surfacing near the dhoni

On the dhoni... preparing for our next immersion

A sweet prospect - sip a fine pinot in the Jacuzzi

All set for some delicious Maldivian and Sri Lankan specialties

Beer on tap! Apres-dive time at Leo's bar

M/V Emperor Leo at anchor in the Maldives

Yet another view of the liveaboard MV Emperor Leo

Page contents:
Departure & Prices
Trip Details
Itineraries
Cabins
Crew & Facilities
Food
Specs
Safety
Reviews

The M/V Emperor Leo roars around the best dive sites of the central atolls of the Maldives, mainly North Male, South Male and Ari atoll. This 35m long motor yacht comfortably accommodates 24 divers in a range of cabins departing from Male Town for liveaboard trips of 7 nights' duration.

Emperor Leo boasts a large comfortable saloon where you can access the Wi-Fi, watch movies, listen to music or pick a book or two from the large library. Outdoor relaxation centres on the shaded area of the main deck or on the sun deck where sun loungers, outdoor bar service and Jacuzzi add to the comfort. There is also an air-conditioned restaurant and bar to make sure you can enjoy the range of fresh food and refreshing tipples on tour in style.

All the cabins feature ensuite bathrooms, TV, DVD, air-conditioning and minibar, so there is always space on the boat for you to feel pampered! A 20m diving dhoni accompanies the Emperor Leo and houses the compressors and equipment, so you don't have to hear the noise of tank filling or ever have to move your equipment from day one. Other features that set the Emperor Leo apart from many other Maldives liveaboards include free nitrox, Nautilus Lifeline personal EPIRBs and carbon monoxide analysers.

A great bonus of the Emperor Fleet is that they have a 'no hidden extras' prices. This means that, along with the free nitrox, internet usage, and a glass of wine each dinner time, you will find all the extras such as marine park fees, green/environment fees, GST/tourist taxes, fuel surcharges, airport transfers have already been included in the sales price! It is difficult to imagine what more one could want from a pure divers' liveaboard boat cruising around the paradise atolls of the Maldives.

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Scheduled departures, prices, destinations, durations...

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More Trip Details...

Dive experience: Recommendation (not mandatory): Maldives Central Atolls, Maldives Northern Atolls & North Male and Ari Atoll trips: participants should be Advanced Open Water Diver qualified. Maldives Central & Southern Atoll trips: divers should be Advanced Open Water Diver and have 30 logged dives. Maldives Southern Atolls: Advanced Open Water Diver and 100 logged dives.
Divers with less experience will be able to join trips but may have to sit out some dives if dive certifications and or experience are not sufficient for the planned dives.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner (1 BBQ on deserted island weather permitting), snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, glass of wine with dinner, transfers to the boat from the airport, dives, experienced English speaking divemasters (6 divers per guide), tanks, weights and weight belts, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers, Green Tax, GST on cruise price.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (full set including surface marker device and dive computer US$ 336 per week, must be pre-booked), reef hooks, dive insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival, with equipment ordered in advance (cash or credit card).

Optional extras: Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, 15 litre tanks (US$ 101 per week), torch (US$ 101 per week). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.

How to get there: The MV Emperor Leo liveaboard normally departs from Male for central trips and Gan, Kadhdhoo or Koodoo for southern itineraries. The first and last nights of the cruise are spent in the harbour. Your flight can arrive at any time on the first day. For more details, including airlines, see our How to get to the Maldives section.
There are 2 complimentary transfer timings from the airport to the boat on embarkation day; 12 noon and 16:00 hrs. Guests taking the 12 noon transfer from the airport to the boat have to accept that the boat will not be fully cleaned until 13:00 hrs. All transfers are made by a representative wearing an Emperor Maldives T-shirt and holding an Emperor Maldives sign. The meeting point at Male (Velana) International Airport is beside the Help Desk, or outside the arrivals hall at Addu City (Gan) International Airport. Any other transfers required on embarkation day, other than the 3 stated above, can be arranged at a charge of US$ 15 per way (group or full charter bookings with a minimum of 8 guests arriving on the same flight will not be charged if an alternative transfer is required on embarking day (after 11:00 hrs)).
The last dive of the trip will be at around 13:00 hrs on the second last day of the trip. You will depart from the boat at 08:00 hrs. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.

Non-diver rate: Non-divers receive a free snorkeling kit and a US$ 50 voucher to spend on board.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travelers may choose to share a cabin or pay a supplement of 50% of the published price.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 7 guests and 1 extra person can join in a Standard twin/double bed cabin free of charge (total 8+ guests).

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 21 guests and 3 additional persons can join the cruise free of charge.

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Itineraries...

Maldives Central Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: North Male, Rasdhoo, Ari and South Male atolls

Day 1
You will be picked up at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Male by one of the dive guides. Jump on board of the dhoni (the traditional fishing/transport boat used in the Maldives) and get ferried to the amazing MV Emperor Leo liveaboard where the tour leader will give you a detailed tour of the boat, assign to your cabin, and explain the diving plan for the next week. Dinner (or lunch and dinner, depending on your arrival time) will be served during the first day of your unforgettable vacation. The boat departs the harbour only on the following morning.

Days 2-7
A light breakfast is followed by the 1st dive of the trip, an easy check dive that will refresh your memory and skills if you haven't dived for a while. The main meals are all buffet style, with a tasty breakfast of pancakes, fresh fruit, spreads on toast, eggs cooked in different styles, and hot drinks (coffee, teas, hot chocolate). Your hunger after the 2nd morning dive will be full satisfied by a delicious lunch. The chef shows his best by providing contemporary and innovative international cuisine - a mixed Maldivian and Sri Lankan buffet that includes his signature international dishes such as homemade pizza!
The dive guides truly know where and how to dive in order to deliver the the best out of your safari. Diving will be conducted at the best and most famous dive sites of the Maldives Central Atolls - a marine mix of big fish such as sharks and mantas, as well as reef fish, morays and the abundant macro life. Get up close at the cleaning stations without disturbing the manta rays! One of the best sites is Maaya Thila, a pinnacle 30m in diameter often visited by sharks and huge schools of hungry fish such as barracudas, tunas and trevallies.
Only one dive in the afternoon, then you can relax in the jacuzzi on the sun deck or sip a cocktail at the outdoor bar service, except for a couple of days when a 4th and night dive will also be conducted. Dinner is usually held inside the large comfortable saloon, but there will also be a delicious barbeque on a deserted beach during the tour.
Please note that there are only 2 dives on the last full day of the trip before heading to Male at around 14:00 hrs.

Day 8
A continental breakfast and farewells. Unfortunately the vacation is at an end and it's time to leave the boat and go back to Male airport.

Maldives Deep South & Southern Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Laamu Atoll, Huvadhoo Atoll, Fuvahmulah Island, Addu Atoll

Day 1
You will be picked up at Gan International Airport in Addu atoll by one of the dive guides. Jump on board of the dhoni (the traditional fishing/transport boat used in the Maldives) and get ferried to the amazing MV Emperor Leo where the tour leader will give you a detailed tour of the boat, assign to your cabin and explain the diving plan for the next incoming days. Dinner (or lunch and dinner, depending on your arrival time) will be served during the first day of your unforgettable vacation.

Days 2-7
A light breakfast is followed by the 1st dive of the trip, an easy check dive that will refresh your memory and skills if you haven't dived for a while. The main meals are all buffet style, with a tasty breakfast with options like pancakes, fresh fruit, spreads on toasts, eggs cooked in different styles and hot drinks (coffee, teas, hot chocolate). The appetite after the 2nd morning dive will be satisfied by a delicious lunch. The chef shows his best by providing contemporary and innovative international cuisine. A mixed Maldivian and Sri Lankan buffet also with signature international dishes such as homemade pizza! You will leave every meal full and satisfied, just as from every dive!
The dive guides truly know all you need to discover the wild excitement of this adventure in to the far south of the Maldives. Spend a week away from the madding crowds on the lookout for the Indian Ocean's larger residents. In Fuvahmulah you can expect to meet tiger sharks, silvertip sharks, oceanic mantas and thresher sharks. At Huvadhoo, one of the deepest lagoons in the Maldives, the currents are ideal for even more shark sightings. Whale sharks at night, abundant grey reef sharks, oceanic blacktip sharks, fast and exciting channel dives - don't take your eyes off the blue; silky sharks, great hammerhead sharks, mola-mola and bull sharks are seen from time to time.
Only one dive in the afternoon, then you can relax in the jacuzzi on the sun deck or sip a cocktail at the outdoor bar service, except for a couple of days when a 4th and night dive will also be conducted. Dinner is usually inside the large comfortable saloon, but there will also be a delicious barbeque on a deserted beach during the tour.
Please note that there are only 2 dives on the last full day of the trip before heading to Laamu Atoll at around 14:00 hrs.

Day 8
A continental breakfast and farewells. Unfortunately its time to leave the boat and go to Kadhdhoo Airport in Laamu for your domestic flight to Male. Please note that the trip sometimes runs in reverse or has differing ports - check above for details.

Maldives Deep South & Southern Atolls (15 Days / 14 Nights - 38 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Laamu Atoll, Huvadhoo Atoll, Fuvahmulah Island, Addu Atoll

Day 1
You will be picked up at Gan International Airport in Addu atoll by one of the dive guides. Jump on board of the dhoni (the traditional fishing/transport boat used in the Maldives) and get ferried to the amazing MV Emperor Leo where the tour leader will give you a detailed tour of the boat, assign to your cabin and explain the diving plan for the next incoming days. Dinner (or lunch and dinner, depending on your arrival time) will be served during the first day of your unforgettable vacation.

Days 2-14
A light breakfast is followed by the 1st dive of the trip, an easy check dive that will refresh your memory and skills if you haven't dived for a while. The main meals are all buffet style, with a tasty breakfast with options like pancakes, fresh fruit, spreads on toasts, eggs cooked in different styles and hot drinks (coffee, teas, hot chocolate). The appetite after the 2nd morning dive will be satisfied by a delicious lunch. The chef shows his best by providing contemporary and innovative international cuisine. A mixed Maldivian and Sri Lankan buffet also with signature international dishes such as homemade pizza! You will leave every meal full and satisfied, just as from every dive!
The dive guides truly know all you need to discover the wild excitement of this adventure in to the far south of the Maldives. Spend a week away from the madding crowds on the lookout for the Indian Ocean's larger residents. In Fuvahmulah you can expect to meet tiger sharks, silvertip sharks, oceanic mantas and thresher sharks. At Huvadhoo, one of the deepest lagoons in the Maldives, the currents are ideal for even more shark sightings. Whale sharks at night, abundant grey reef sharks, oceanic blacktip sharks, fast and exciting channel dives - don't take your eyes off the blue; silky sharks, great hammerhead sharks, mola-mola and bull sharks are seen from time to time. A lot of emotion and also a lot of calories burnt.
Only one dive in the afternoon, then you can relax in the jacuzzi on the sun deck or sip a cocktail at the outdoor bar service, except for a couple of days when a 4th and night dive will also be conducted. Dinner is usually inside the large comfortable saloon, but there will also be a delicious barbeque on a deserted beach during the tour.
Please note that there are only 2 dives on the last full day of the trip before heading to Laamu Atoll at around 14:00 hrs.

Day 15
A continental breakfast and farewells. Unfortunately its time to leave the boat and go to Kadhdhoo Airport in Laamu for your domestic flight to Male. Please note that the trip sometimes runs in reverse or has differing ports - check above for details.

(8 Days / 7 Nights - Dives)

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities:

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[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].

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Cabins, Berths, Showers, Bathrooms...

The Emperor Leo has 8 Standard twin/double bed cabins on the lower deck: 2 with double/twin beds, 4 twin beds (side-by-side) and 2 with double beds. There are 3 Upper deck twin/double bed cabins and 1 Executive double bed suite also on the upper deck. The Executive suite features its own Jacuzzi.

All the cabins have:

Air-conditioning
Windows (upper deck only) or portholes (lower deck)
Private bathroom with toilet, hot water shower, towels, toiletries and hand basin
Hair dryer
TV and DVD player
Minibar

Wardrobe and mirror
Reading lights
Safe box
Bedding
220V electricity supply with 3-pin UK style sockets (adaptors available)
Fire detectors and life jackets
Space for luggage

No. of bathrooms / showers - 13 / 12

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Crew, Facilities, Dive Courses...

The crew of 12 comprises:

Cruise Leader/Divemaster
Instructor/Divemaster
Captain
2 Cooks
Engineer

Maid
Stewardess
Deck hand
3 Dhoni crew

Complimentary nitrox - Dhoni (see below) - Motorised dinghy - Saloon with TV, DVD, computer, wi-fi internet & music system - Book library, movies, games & magazines - Fish ID & diving books - Dining area with bar - Sun deck with sun chairs, mattresses & whirlpool tub - Main deck open-air shaded area with bar - Water dispenser

All the diving in the Maldives onboard the MV Emperor Leo is done from an accompanying 20m long dhoni. This dive boat carries all the guest's scuba equipment, the compressors and tanks. There is a toilet and fresh water shower on board, rinse tanks and a camera table. The dhoni also carries the emergency breathing oxygen.

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Menu, Cuisine Type...

Dining takes place in the air-conditioned dining area, with adjoining bar on the main deck. In addition to an evening island BBQ, you can enjoy 3 meals a day, plus a pre-breakfast before dive 1, all served buffet style. The menu is a blend of international cuisine and local specialties. Advanced notice should be given of dietary requirements, and the 2 cooks will do their best to cater to all such needs.

Maldivian and International cuisine, with weekly island BBQ.
Main meals are served buffet-style in the air-conditioned restaurant and comprise pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch and dinner, with snacks in between.
Snacks, bread/toast, fresh fruit, drinking water, and tea & coffee are available free of charge.
Soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits are available for purchase.
First meal served is lunch or dinner on the first day of the trip, depending on your time of arrival.
All special diets can be catered for with prior notice.

Sample dishes: Mixed Maldivian/Sri Lankan buffet; Home made pizzas ....

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Technical Specifications...

Built in 2009, refurbished annually
Size - 35m x 9.5m
Top speed - 12 knots
Cruising speed - 10 knots
500 HP engine
2 x 40 KW generators
2 x Coltri compressors

Nitrox system
12 & 15 litre aluminium scuba tanks with international fittings and DIN adaptors
Electricity 220V - 24-hours per day
Water capacity - unknown
Freshwater maker - 12,000 l/day
Fuel capacity - unknown

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Navigation, Safety Features...

1 dhoni motorised tender
25 HP motorised dinghy
CB radio
Radar
GPS
Mobile phones
Engine room CCTV

Bilge pump alarm
Search light & horn
Life jackets throughout including cabins
Fire detectors & extinguishers throughout
Emergency oxygen - 14,000 litres
Medic first aid box

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Customer reviews:

"Very nice, competent and helpful staff, clean and comfortable boat, clean cabins, good food, very good dive guides. All in all a wonderful dive trip." - Paulina Mydlowska, Germany, 16 March 2021 ...

"Staff very very good, Food amazing!!! We enjoy our dive liveaboard. But Maldives is not for everybody, lots of hard current underwater. Manta ray amazing! " - Anne Tremblay, Canada, 6 January 2018 ...

"The Liveaboard was exceptional; professional staff, great facilities on the boat and good DM's. Can't comment on equipment as we brought our own gear." - Laura Yates, South Africa, 7 April 2015 ...

"Dive Guide Services were provided by 3 European divemasters or instructors, not local guides. They were very professional and had good knowledge and experiences in local sites. They also gave very detailed briefings before every dive. They even jumped into the water just before diving from dhoni to check the actual currents and visibility. All facilities were well maintained and cleaned. The cabin was very clean and comfort with good quality mattress and comforter. My cabin was cleaned twice a day while I and my fellow roommate were in diving." - Seung An Park, South Korea, 6 October 2014 ...

"We felt the service and experience on the liveaboard was exceptional. Cannot fault the staff members on the boat. Equipment was satisfactory." - Robert Nel, South Africa, 15 April 2014 ...

"This was my first liveaboard and I really enjoyed it. Room is big and clean, crew is very friendly and helpful, food is nice." - Li Hui, China, 8 April 2014 ...