Emperor Leo, Maldives

Name: Best of Maldives (Male - Male)
Start: 2026-11-21
End: 2026-11-28
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 $ 244 / 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

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.

$ 2,798

Select Cabin available

19 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,798

FULL

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.

$ 2,798

Select Cabin available

03 Oct

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 Jul 2026 or until promotional spaces are sold out. T&Cs apply. T&Cs apply.

~~$ 2,798~~ $ 1,959 Save 30% -30%

Select Cabin available

10 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

20% 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 Jul 2026 or until promotional spaces are sold out. T&Cs apply. T&Cs apply.

~~$ 2,798~~ $ 2,238 Save 20% -20%

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.

$ 2,798

Select Cabin available

24 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

~~$ 2,798~~ $ 1,959 Save 30% -30%

Select Cabin available

31 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,798

Select Cabin available

14 Nov

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,970

Select Cabin available

21 Nov

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,970

Select Cabin available

28 Nov

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,970

Select Cabin available

05 Dec

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,970

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 / 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

10 Exceptional
Daniel Z
United States

An UnforgettAn Unforgettable First Liveaboard Experience!able First Liveaboard Experience!
Our trip on the Emperor Leo was our very first liveaboard experience—and it far exceeded our expectations in every way. From the moment we stepped aboard, we were welcomed with warm smiles, professionalism, and top-notch hospitality. The boat itself was stunning—immaculately clean, beautifully maintained, and thoughtfully designed. Our cabin offered the most incredible ocean view, making every sunrise and sunset a breathtaking experience right from our room. The food was absolutely delicious, featuring freshly caught fish, tropical fruits, and irresistible desserts. After each dive, we were treated to refreshing juices or freshly baked cakes, a small touch that made a big impact. The dive crew was outstanding—experienced, friendly, and always ready to help. They made every dive safe, fun, and memorable. One of the magical touches of the trip was the nightly light setup behind the boat, where we could watch mantas, dolphins, and nurse sharks right from the deck. It was surreal. Beyond the diving and the boat itself, one of the highlights was the amazing people we met—fellow travelers who quickly became friends. This journey was truly unforgettable, and we loved it so much that we've already booked our next trip. If you're considering a liveaboard in the Maldives, Emperor Leo is the perfect choice. Highly recommended!
Recommended for
Exceptional Hospitality and Delicious Food – From fresh seafood and tropical fruits to post-dive snacks like cakes and juices, every meal and gesture made us feel pampered and well taken care of.. Top-Notch Diving Experience – The dive crew was incredibly skilled, supportive, and knowledgeable, making every dive safe, exciting, and seamless.. Unforgettable Atmosphere Onboard – The beautiful, clean boat, ocean-view cabins, nightly marine life viewing, and the friendships we made created a warm, memorable atmosphere that we’ll never forget..
02 May, 2025

10 Exceptional
Melody W
Singapore

Magical dive trip in Maldives!
Manta rays that come close to the surface at the back of the boat to play, sharks everywhere and great boat!
Recommended for
The food, the people and the amazingly attentive dive crew
25 Oct, 2018

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

10 Exceptional
Nicolas T
France

A first cruise with Emperor and not the last!
Exceptional dives, mantas, a whale shark and 30 degree water! Competent staff, comfortable cabins and top service! Thanks again!
Recommended for
Value for money / Marine wildlife / Competent staff
12 May, 2018

Translated from French

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

Translated from German

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

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
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

Translated from German

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

Translated from French

10 Exceptional
Vasilij S
Lithuania

Best Of The Best
I wanted to experience diving with a sharks and team somehow with their amazing magic made it possible! :) Super happy and already looking for the next trip with emperor :)
Recommended for
sharks people views
11 Jan, 2021

152 reviews

9.1 Superb
152 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

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
Anuniti Anil A
India

One of the best diving experiences
We had an amazing one week with Emperor Leo. The dive guides were fantastic, the crew was friendly and the cabins were comfortable- making the whole experience memorable. We saw everything from mantas, eagle rays, dolphins, whale shark, a variety of reef sharks, etc.
Recommended for
Crew, Great diving, Food
20 Jun, 2023

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

9.2 Superb
Florian K
Austria

Shark trip for experienced divers
Good trip to experience Maledives and its channels with lots of action
Recommended for
Happy hour. Diving. Crew.
03 Dec, 2025

9.2 Superb
Daisy V
Belgium

Very comfortable, and challenging but cool dives
Challenging dives with the currents, but all the briefings and help from dive guides was very extensive. We learned a lot, and really enjoyed our 17 dives!
Recommended for
Nice people. Comfortable & big cabin. Nice diving.
23 Mar, 2026

9.6 Exceptional
Andrea T
Italy

Worthy!
Every moment is special! But the night dive with Mantas is definitely something different, a must do once in a lifetime! Just incredible!
Recommended for
Diving, Guides and Crew
22 May, 2022

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
Michael C
Norway

Fantastic diving with great group of people
Diving with manta’s and lots of sharks, snorkling with whale shark, bbq on deserted island and great group of people from around the world sharing the same passion.
Recommended for
Diving, crew and guests
14 Jan, 2020

10 Exceptional
Michele T
United States

Fantastic liveaboard, crew and dive guides: Very Well Organized
We were upgraded to the Emperor Explorer, which was a fantastic boat. We were amazed by the number of reef sharks, mantas, stingrays and eels that were spotted.
Recommended for
The food was varied and always delicious. The dive briefings were informative and very beneficial to our dive experience.
05 Aug, 2022

9.2 Superb
Nicholas C
United Kingdom

A great trip, great diving, nice boat and good weather
Seeking so many sharks close up was an unforgettable experience as was night diving with the mantas. The visibility underwater was generally outstanding and the water was so warm.
Recommended for
1. the sharks 2. the visibility 3. the boat
03 May, 2024

10 Exceptional
Yannick P
Belgium

Great experience at an affordable price
The crew is very friendly, experienced & very approachable in case we needed anything. The boat & facilities are more than we need for such a trip. The dive equipment is very good and well maintained. Food is also very good and changes every day (buffet). Regarding the dives, it was great. They know the spots very well and you get a complete briefing before going. The night dives were the highlights of my trip!
Recommended for
Night dives, wildlife & crew
17 Dec, 2018

8.4 Very good
Davide L
Italy

Will do again
The overall trip was very good with a good value for money.
Recommended for
Dive sites / Boat comfort / Staff friendliness
14 Jan, 2020

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

9.6 Exceptional
Anne G
United States

Wonderful experience diving!
The dive masters did a great job at finding us good dive sites and plans for the conditions. Maldives is known for crystal clear water, which isn't what we had, but we were able to get some incredible dives in anyway. The guides did a great job managing a group with varying skills, languages, interests, and attitudes. We saw manta rays, sharks, many turtles, fish, and so much more. An unforgettable trip! The crew made a good effort to make Christmas and New Years special while we were on the boat. Thank you Leo crew!
Recommended for
Great food, guides, and comfortable bed.
24 Jan, 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

10 Exceptional
Anthony M
United Kingdom

Truly amazing above and below the water
Truly amazing from start to finish. We seen 7 species of sharks including the infamous whale shark. We had manta cleaning stations, 4 giant mantas on our first dive, donut couldn’t have started any better. The whole trip kept delivering and there is not one thing we would change. The crewe and the guides were fantastic. Food was also amazing and plentiful. I would recommend this trip to everybody. 100% satisfied zone more.. we had been so lucky. Big thank you to Stina our guide must of all, for the incredible guidance. A must do for every diver
Recommended for
Underwater life, the staff and the people we met
03 Dec, 2017

9.2 Superb
Sandy N
Singapore

Possibly the best liveaboard I ever did
Diving with nurse sharks at the jetty, dive site Maaya Thila, and watching manta feed at Maaya Lagoon. Dive briefings conducted by dive manager Jules were particularly enjoyable.
Recommended for
1. Dive guide: always ensuring our safety underwater. 2. Dive sites: good variety of big and small stuff, and schools of fish. 3. Dive boat and crew: clean, good sized cabins, nice food
29 Jun, 2024

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

8.8 Fabulous
Dale W
Canada

Everything we expected it to be.
The diving was very good; especially the first shark dive, the first manta dive and the sunset dive. The beach BBQ was nice - unfortunately we were rained out half way through dinner, but it was still fun and a nice break from the boat. It was a very relaxed atmosphere on the boat which was just what we were looking for this trip.
Recommended for
1. Easy to get to from Bangkok (direct flight) 2. Location (what's not to like about the Maldives?) 3. A well organized itinerary and a very good crew that were available to attend to our every request.
03 Apr, 2019

9.6 Exceptional
Andrew D
Australia

Superb
Absolutely superb trip. A clean,comfortable and well maintained boat. Varied and tasty food. Friendly, obliging and discreet crew. 17 interesting and differing dives including an extraordinary night dive with mantas. Rented scuba gear in flawless condition. Exceeded our expectations. Well done and thank you all.
Recommended for
Dive variety, fish life, dive guide
16 Jul, 2019