Emperor Leo, Maldives

Name: Best of Maldives (Male - Male)
Start: 2026-10-31
End: 2026-11-07
Location: Maldives

9.1 Superb

Nitrox available
Free Nitrox
Jacuzzi / Hot Tub
En-Suite bathrooms
Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Warm Water Showers

from $ 246 / day Check dates

“I already did a lot of liveaboards but this one was the best when it comes to service! ”
Steve M, Belgium

Highlights

All port, fuel, and park fees are included
Modern layout with double or twin cabins
Itineraries include The Best of the Maldives, South Central Atolls, and Deep South & Southern Sharks

The Emperor Leo liveaboard offers good value liveaboard diving year-round in the Maldives. She caters to 24 guests in 12 en-suite, air-conditioned cabins. There are eight double or twin cabins on the lower deck, three double or twin cabins on the upper deck, and one large executive suite. On the main deck is the large indoor salon with an entertainment area, bar, and dining room, which leads out to the front deck where the hot tub is. On the upper deck is an outdoor terrace to enjoy a cocktail and watch the sunset, and the upper deck has comfortable loungers for sunbathing in between dives.

The Emperor Leo dive itineraries explore some of the best dive sites in the Maldives. The ever-popular ‘Best of Maldives’ itinerary goes to the iconic sites of North Male, South Male, and Ari Atoll, where divers can enjoy channels, drifts, pinnacles, and the chance to meet mantas, whale sharks, and a wide variety of marine life. Diving takes place from the diving dhoni, giving ample room for getting ready and gear storage. Nitrox is free for certified divers.

Trips aboard Emperor liveaboards include all port and park fees, free Nitrox, and even complimentary wine, while you will never be charged extra for itinerary or fuel surcharges. What you see is what you pay.

Book online today to dive into the Maldives aboard Emperor Leo.

Choose your departure date

Date

Itinerary

Price

Select

20 Jun

8 Days / 7 Nights

30% OFF plus Flexible Terms Offer! €100 deposit, balance due 60 days before travel. Free rescheduling if your flight is cancelled. Valid for bookings made until 31 July 2026. T&Cs apply.

~~$ 2,815~~ $ 1,971 Save 30% -30%

Select Cabin available

27 Jun

8 Days / 7 Nights

30% OFF plus Flexible Terms Offer! €100 deposit, balance due 60 days before travel. Free rescheduling if your flight is cancelled. Valid for bookings made until 31 July 2026. T&Cs apply.

~~$ 2,815~~ $ 1,971 Save 30% -30%

Select Cabin available

04 Jul

8 Days / 7 Nights

30% OFF plus Flexible Terms Offer! €100 deposit, balance due 60 days before travel. Free rescheduling if your flight is cancelled. Valid for bookings made until 31 July 2026. T&Cs apply.

~~$ 2,815~~ $ 1,971 Save 30% -30%

Select Cabin available

11 Jul

8 Days / 7 Nights

30% OFF plus Flexible Terms Offer! €100 deposit, balance due 60 days before travel. Free rescheduling if your flight is cancelled. Valid for bookings made until 31 July 2026. T&Cs apply.

~~$ 2,815~~ $ 1,971 Save 30% -30%

Select Cabin available

12 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

Flexible Terms Offer! €100 deposit, balance due 60 days before travel. Free rescheduling if your flight is cancelled. Valid for bookings made until 31 July 2026. T&Cs apply.

$ 2,815

Select Cabin available

19 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,815

Select Cabin only 4 spaces left

26 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

Flexible Terms Offer! €100 deposit, balance due 60 days before travel. Free rescheduling if your flight is cancelled. Valid for bookings made until 31 July 2026. T&Cs apply.

$ 2,815

Select Cabin available

03 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

Flexible Terms Offer! €100 deposit, balance due 60 days before travel. Free rescheduling if your flight is cancelled. Valid for bookings made until 31 July 2026. T&Cs apply.

$ 2,815

Select Cabin available

10 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

Flexible Terms Offer! €100 deposit, balance due 60 days before travel. Free rescheduling if your flight is cancelled. Valid for bookings made until 31 July 2026. T&Cs apply.

$ 2,815

Select Cabin available

17 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

Flexible Terms Offer! €100 deposit, balance due 60 days before travel. Free rescheduling if your flight is cancelled. Valid for bookings made until 31 July 2026. T&Cs apply.

$ 2,815

Select Cabin available

24 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

Flexible Terms Offer! €100 deposit, balance due 60 days before travel. Free rescheduling if your flight is cancelled. Valid for bookings made until 31 July 2026. T&Cs apply.

$ 2,815

Select Cabin available

31 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,815

Select Cabin available

Included: VAT, Environment Tax, Port Fees, Airport Transfer, Drinking Water, Tea & Coffee, Wine with Dinner, Beach BBQ, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Nitrox, Land Excursions, Snorkel Gear, Cabin Towels, Deck Towels.

Optional Extras: Dive Insurance (39 EUR per week), Travel Insurance, Gratuities (150 USD), Alcoholic Beverages (5 USD), Soft drinks (3 USD), Nitrox Course (284 USD), Rental Gear, Scuba Diving Courses (101-466 USD), WiFi internet (31 USD).

Book now, pay later: You can easily place your booking online. We will then hold the spaces for you and you can confirm with a payment later.

* Extra fees are shown per person.

Pay by bank transfer or online with

Best Price Guaranteed

Boat features

Jacuzzi / Hot Tub
En-Suite bathrooms
Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Warm Water Showers
Air Conditioned saloon
Camera Station
Paid Internet
Charging stations
Indoor Saloon
Library
Audio & video entertainment
Available for Charter
Daily housekeeping

Food & Drinks

Free Wine w/Dinner
Beer available
Wine Available
Full-board Option
Fine Wines Selection
Snacks All Day
Buffet style
Western Food
Local Food

If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form. We advise limiting these requests to religious beliefs or food allergies.

Diving

Nitrox available
Free Nitrox
DIN Adaptors
Rebreather Support
Tenders for diving

Languages Spoken

The crew speaks English, French, and Spanish.

Gear Rental

Equipment is available for rent on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. If the rental gear is not included in the price, you will need to pay for it on board the boat. Show prices

Drawings & Vessel Layouts

Cabin Types

Boat Specifications

Year built: 2009

Year renovated: 2012

Length: 35m

Beam: 9.4m

Top speed: 12 knots

Cruising speed: 10 knots

Engines: 500 HP Mitsubishi

Max guests: 24

Number of cabins: 12

Number of bathrooms: 12

Tenders: Large diving dhoni fully equipped with compressors tanks & oxygen kits

Freshwater maker: 12000 liters per day

Boat navigation and safety

Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
Emergency Rafts
Life Vests
Fire Alarm & Fire Extinguishers
Oxygen
First Aid Kits
Satellite & mobile phones
Bilge pump alarm
Crew trained in first aid

Emperor Leo Reviews

9.1 Superb

Vessel

8.7
Crew

8.9
Food

9.7
Diving

9.3
Value

8.9

9.6 Exceptional
Eric R
United States

No regrets on my first Maldives trip. The long plane ride (SFO-SIN-MLE) was the worst part.
Fantastic from stepping on the first boat (dhoni.) Met at the airport, then walked across the street to our dive boat, where we had our gear set up even before reaching the liveaboard boat.
Recommended for
Dive crew was fantastic. All creatures, great and small - Mantas being the greatest. Food was tasty and plentiful, with local flair.
08 Apr, 2026

10 Exceptional
Patree W
Thailand

Great experience
Really good time and top notch service from start to finish. Food had good flavor and variety and loved the Maldivian dinner on the last night.
Recommended for
Rooms, boat, equipment were really nice. Great staff and guides. Enjoyed the food a lot.
18 Feb, 2026

10 Exceptional
Eddie M
Israel

Better value for money than diving from the shore. Excellent in everyway
Maaya Thila was most amazing. Most dive sites were wisely chosen Crew hospitality tops it all
Recommended for
Diving spots. Guidance. Comfort
08 Feb, 2017

9.2 Superb
Yuk Yee L
Hong Kong

The number of dives was relatively small, but most dives were incredible.
The variety of large marine life encountered while diving was amazing and unparalleled. The ship was clean and tidy, with ample space. The facilities and the diving equipment was neatly organized. Safety measures were comprehensive. The briefings before each dive were concise and clear, with instructions on how to use the hook and SMB provided as needed.
Recommended for
Dive experience. Cleanliness. Safety measures.
22 Jan, 2026

9.6 Exceptional
Cornelia S
Austria

Perfect liveaboard with a perfect team
Night dive with manta rays, super selected dive spots, great boat, spacious cabins, the food, the friendly crew
Recommended for
The dive sites, the crew and the group
27 Feb, 2020

Translated from German

10 Exceptional
Glenda J
Australia

Great diving, huge diversity of marine animals, unforgettable experience
The information regarding the dive sites was super.... allowing you to decide whether to dive or not. The diving guides were friendly & helpful. The staff were also friendly & helpful nothing was too hard making it a most easy, relaxed diving holiday. Would highly recommend this to give you a taste of the rich marine marine life of the Maldives. We'll be back!!!
Recommended for
Informed briefing on every dive, Great maps , pictures & diagrams regarding dive sites, Safety is paramount on every dive.
10 Jan, 2023

9.2 Superb
Grace C
United States

Excellently organized and fun liveaboard
Great crew and surprisingly delicious and varied food (though some of it tended to run out...not sure if that was the boat's fault or some of the guests on board...). Overall great experience, saw mind-blowing dive sites and safety was very important to the boat manager and guides. Would definitely recommend this liveaboard to others.
Recommended for
Dive sites, food, comfort
02 Apr, 2021

10 Exceptional
Scott H
United Kingdom

First liveaboard and won't be my last loved every minute of it.
Tiger sharks , oceanic mantas , bull sharks , wall of reef sharks... Great food everyday.
Recommended for
Marine life , guides , crew
22 Jan, 2024

9.6 Exceptional
Minna K
Finland

Diving with sharks and mantas
Great dives with plenty of marine life, incl. various sharks and mantas, BBQ on a deserted island, beautiful scenery! Very lucky with the weather too, despite the rainy season.
Recommended for
Nice dive guides & crew, exciting marine life, mantas and sharks
16 Jul, 2018

9.2 Superb
Christian S
Germany

Highly recommended due to excellent dive crew
We didn’t want to leave this liveaboard because the dive sites and especially the dive guides made this trip very special. The briefings were amazing. Never before did we get such detailed descriptions of the dive sites and so much additional information on the marine life there. We really had a great time. Especially the Manta night dive was an outstanding experience. We can highly recommend staying at Emperor Leo.
Recommended for
Manta Night Dive - Outstanding Diveguides - Really informative and funny briefings
18 Dec, 2023

Translated from German

152 reviews

9.1 Superb
152 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

9.6 Exceptional
Ayush W
Australia

Great Live Aboard Diving Experience
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and variety of food that was offered each meal. The Boat and Diving staff are just absolutely amazing. Great diving and dive spots, amazing shark encounters. Great experience for new/mid level divers with the infamous Maldivian currents.
Recommended for
People, Food, Diving & Sea Life
03 Jan, 2022

10 Exceptional
James E
United States

Amazing
The week was an amazing adventure with awesome guides and other adventurers on the trip.
Recommended for
Great guides. Great food. Great diving spots.
09 Jun, 2025

10 Exceptional
ANNE B
France

Great diving, great organization, great manager, Jules
All the dives were fabulous, I remember the amount of colors, the variety of fish corals, and the superb side of the manta and shark ball
Recommended for
Rhythm all week long but also the soothing and reassuring side of Jules
27 Jun, 2023

Translated from French

8.4 Very good
Nadia B
Uruguay

Good value for money
Everything was perfect.
Recommended for
the dive sites. the boat and the amenities. the crew and the guides.
29 Mar, 2025

Translated from Spanish

10 Exceptional
Alizee M
France

I recommend 100%
I felt safe from start to finish on this cruise.The guides are perfect: they have an excellent knowledge of the environment and do everything to respect the fauna and flora. We have briefs to explain what we can see underwater: the behaviour of the animals, what to do and what not to do.I'm vegan and my partner is a vegetarian: they've been taking care of us all week.They did everything they could to make this cruising week amazing, and it was.The ocean is not a zoo, there is no guarantee of what you will see in the water. However, the guides do everything so that you can see beautiful things and above all: each dive is unforgettable: the sites are exceptional and you see sharks on every dive.We were also incredibly lucky to be alone with a whale shark and to see a manta ray at the back of the boat.We will be back!
Recommended for
Adaptability - Knowledge of the environment - safety
18 Mar, 2024

10 Exceptional
Ana F
Mexico

Fantastic
The manager was fantastic, the entire screw made us feel super welcome, swimming with the whale shark was magical and the mantas were majestic! Absolutely fantastic food and the party with Maldivian music in the island was one of the best experiences. We are already planning the next one with emperor Leo again
Recommended for
The staff was brilliant, the dives were magical and the food was gorgeous
20 Jun, 2023

10 Exceptional
Andrea K
Germany

Unbelievably great trip
All around perfect week with lots of great dives, delicious food, beautiful sunsets on the beach. Crew was very accommodating.
Recommended for
Swimming with nurse sharks, dives, very tasty food
28 Jun, 2024

9.2 Superb
Giovanna S
Germany

Amazing 😊
This was my first liveaboard with emperor and I can totally recommend it.
Recommended for
Great Dive Guides, beautiful dive spots and great food
29 Jan, 2020

9.6 Exceptional
Oskar F
Sweden

An amazing experience
The variety of different marine lifes (sharks, manta rays, turtles and various reef fish) and the night dive (amazing - with full on action from predators searching the reef and all other small creatures which you rarely see during the days).
Recommended for
Diving, friendliness & service from staff and an overall great experience
27 May, 2019

10 Exceptional
Patricia N
Canada

Top notch operation
Whale sharks and manta rays. Hook diving to watch the sharks is always interesting.
Recommended for
loved the roominess on this boat. By having a seperate dive dhoani there is a lot more space on our live aboard. The dives were quite varied which made it interesting. The crew were awesome
27 Feb, 2020

8.8 Fabulous
christian C
France

Manific
Swimming and diving with sharks and manta rays what a joy, the guides finally with real skills (a big thank you to Jules for his welcome and these skills), a really good staff with a great atmosphere. In conclusion, a manific moment.
Recommended for
The briefing, the dive sites, the friendliness
05 Jun, 2023

8.4 Very good
Chieyu L
United States

Great crew and channel dives but would have liked a bit more variety.
The channel dives were great for seeing sharks and big schools of fish. The boat itself is clean and comfortable, though the below-deck rooms are kind of humid. Great crew and guides, just would have liked a bit more variety in the site selection. Corals are just so-so.
Recommended for
Divemasters were all great; Cabins comfortable and clean; Good crew
03 Apr, 2019

9.6 Exceptional
john C
United Kingdom

Awesome diving experience with superb dive guides.
Gabriel and Maria were our dive guides for the trip who have many years experience. For them it is not just a job, it is a passion and that comes across very clearly. We saw everything we hoped to see...Mantas, eagle rays, tons of sharks including a great night dive surrounded by sharks. A whaleshark was also spotted just before he disappeared into the depths. Although we were booked on Leo boat we all were upgraded to Orion due to technical issues on Leo. All changed over in the blink of an eye and no inconvenience to anyone. Diving from a Dhoni is an added luxury to the experience as all dive gear remains on the Dhoni all week and the crew fill tanks whilst you are enjoying the plentiful food aboard the boat. We will definately use Emporer fleet again. An awesome week!
Recommended for
The boat, the experienced dive guides and the variety of dive sites
22 Oct, 2017

10 Exceptional
Maxim Y
Bulgaria

Great!
Great, and Tina and Oli are really comitted..
Recommended for
The whale sharks, the mantas and other sharks
27 Oct, 2015

9.2 Superb
Karoline W
Austria

Great liveaboard, anytime again
Dive guides great, whole crew super friendly, food sensational, rooms simple but clean, bathroom rather in need of renovation
Recommended for
Great reefs, manta rays, reef sharks, whale sharks,
22 Apr, 2023

10 Exceptional
Robert M
Sweden

openwater
i think we saw everything we could wish for on the dives and the service, food was incredible on the boat. also i was quite rusty in diving not been dived since 2019 but the crews professional helped me so i manage all 17 dives.
Recommended for
whaleshark swim, manta swim, the crew,
07 Jan, 2024

8.8 Fabulous
Sylvia H
Germany

dive-eat-sleep-repeat
It's been an amazing trip... rooms big and comfy, delicious food, friendly and helpful staff, bar and sun deck to relax and chat. All dive masters were friendly and did a great job showing us amazing diving spots. They even managed to arrange spontaneously everything so I could get my advanced open water course. The two night dives with sharks and rays and even mantas were two of my highlights. Having a BBQ at a local island and walk along the beach was a nice break from being on the boat. In the other evenings I also enjoyed sitting in the bar area to chat to everyone or lying on the sun deck to watch the stars.
Recommended for
great group, friendly and helpful staff, amazing food
04 Dec, 2018

9.2 Superb
Cindi D
United States

My trip to Male and to the Maldives was a "lifetime experience"!
Seeing the whale sharks, and the manta rays! Those were the two reasons that I booked the trip. The city tour to Male was a "bonus" - something that gave me a good cultural experience, and a way to see how other people in the world actually live.
Recommended for
1. The diving was phenomenal! 2. The crew, service, and food was great! 3. The new friendships that I made with all of the other divers on the trip. We have all exchanged emails.
28 Nov, 2016

8.0 Very good
CLEMENT L
Malaysia

Outstanding
having great dives with awesome people from all around the world.
Recommended for
Choices of Food, Cleanliness, Friendly Crew
01 Aug, 2017

10 Exceptional
Lucas M
Germany

The crew and the dive team were very professional and the diving was beautiful.
The highlight was having lights on the back of the boat and the mantas came to feed on the plankton. As soon as there were mantas, we jumped in the water and had an amazing dive.
Recommended for
Crew from the boat, channel diving, mantas behind the boat.
05 Aug, 2022