Emperor Leo, Maldives

Name: Best of Maldives (Male - Male)
Start: 2026-10-24
End: 2026-10-31
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 $ 248 / 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

06 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.

~~$ 2,844~~ $ 1,991 Save 30% -30%

Select Cabin available

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.

~~$ 2,844~~ $ 1,991 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.

~~$ 2,844~~ $ 1,991 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.

~~$ 2,844~~ $ 1,991 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.

~~$ 2,844~~ $ 1,991 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.

$ 2,844

Select Cabin available

19 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,844

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.

$ 2,844

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.

$ 2,844

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.

$ 2,844

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.

$ 2,844

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.

$ 2,844

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

8.8
Crew

9.0
Food

9.7
Diving

9.2
Value

8.9

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

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
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

10 Exceptional
Clémence V
France

At the top!
Awesome trip, no complaints! The sharks were there, life on board was pleasant. Sure, one day I'll put on the fins again aboard the Leo!
Recommended for
The quality of the dives. The quality of the meals. The boat.
12 Mar, 2026

Translated from French

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
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

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

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

8.4 Very good
Bob J
Netherlands

Very friendly and good service of the crew and good guides.
Great experience. The service was very good. Equipment was good en reliable. Guides where very friendly, patient and secure. Food was good and had good variety. Great liveaboard for seeing the big stuff and having a luxurious time on the boat. Having the Dhoni besides the main boat makes a big difference in structure of the day and space on the main boat.
Recommended for
1. Seeing the big stuff; mantas, whale shark, sharks, rays, turtles. 2. Very good atmosphere with the group, crew and guides. 3. Good equipment, food and planning
28 Dec, 2015

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

151 reviews

9.1 Superb
151 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

8.8 Fabulous
Giuseppe D
Italy

Quality and money spent at perfect balance
Great organization, amazing places and spots. Team always available!
Recommended for
Team, locations, planning
14 Jan, 2020

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
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

9.2 Superb
FRANZISKA A
Switzerland

Between Tiger sharkes and the smalltest of Coral Inhabitants, souther Maledives has everything you could ask for.
This was my first trip to the Maledives. I enjoyed seeing Tresher/Nurse/Tiger Sharkes for the first time in my live. The unstopping Wall of Sharkes will also be unforgettable for me. My personal favourite will be identifying "spotted coral croucher" , which were very shy and belong to the familiy of scorpion fishes. I want to give a big Thank you to Ichelle our guide for her outstanding patient combing the hunt for sharkes and giving me the freedom to still explore coral habitates as well.
Recommended for
Fun group. a lot of freedom by dive guide. so many sharks!.
28 Jan, 2025

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

9.6 Exceptional
Marcos B
Spain

It couldn't be better
We were lucky enough to see everything we expected to see
Recommended for
Diving, food and price
06 Dec, 2017

Translated from Spanish

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

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

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

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

10 Exceptional
Ben P
Luxembourg

Amazing
Had a great week on LEO, diving was just excellent, staff and guides super friendly and food was always very tasty. Saw mantas, sharks, rays and a whaleshark.
Recommended for
sealife diveguides food
18 Jan, 2019

8.0 Very good
Gaetane L
Belgium

Amazing dives
Whale shark dive, mantas dive, nurse shark dive... a real blast!
Recommended for
Good spots, nice dive guides, spacious enough
10 Jun, 2019

9.6 Exceptional
Pedro L
Australia

Fantastic crew in a wonderful trip experience with diverse dive spots. Eva, Patrick and rest of the crew will be the best of your valuable time.
Variaty of diving sites, well combined with an unforgettable BBQ in a island. Lots of sharks, mantas and all Maldives fishes and corals will make the best trip combination.
Recommended for
Crew, boat and jacuzzi!!!
08 Feb, 2017

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

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
Jeff C
United States

One of, if not the best, dive trips I've taken.
I arrived at the Male airport around 730 AM and waited for the ride to the Leo, as expected. There was a short boat ride to the Leo from the airport. During the trip to the Leo, we were instructed to remove our SCUBA equipment from our luggage and set it up. Upon arrival to the Leo, we were given liquid refreshments along with a short briefing followed by paperwork / documentation verification and cabin assignments. Every evening we were provided times for the next morning's wake-up call, briefing, and departure times to start the dive. Along with this, the information was provided in writing on a white board in the galley/common room. The process and procedures for the briefings and times are well coordinated and thought out. The dive site briefings were as thorough as could be and included options based on water current conditions and directions. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. They did a very good job at watching the divers and making sure everyone had the best experience possible, to include matching divers based on air consumption rates and certification levels. The boat crew was phenomenal to say the least. They have the process down to a science and never missed a beat. The meals were delicious and well prepared. The boat, including our cabins, was kept clean. Any maintenance issues that popped up were handled immediately. Now for the actual diving. I was not expecting the currents in Maldives and it took some getting used to. Also, I had some weight issues, as the salinity in the Maldives is a lot less than any place I had previously been. Once I got lined out, I was good to go. For most of the dives, visibility was pretty good, 10 to 20 meters on the low side. Pelagics on every dive, with loads of reef and nurse sharks, several whale sharks and manta rays. One of the best dives of my life was at a site called Fish Head. It's a dive with nurse sharks. There were 20 to 25 of them on one dive and they acted like a cross between dolphins and puppies. The closest thing I can say as a negative is there could have been a couple of additional dives. There was only one night dive during the week. Safety is always a top priority. Reminders about No Deco limits are given before every dive. Most of the dives are between 20 and 30 meters. Everyone dives on nitrox and is required to have reef hooks and dive computers. Divers sign or initial a nitrox log before the dive and provides dive depth, time, and pressure remaining at the end of the dive as a means of accountability. So all divers are logged in and out of the water. I have been in the Caribbean, Persian Gulf, Mediterranean and Red Seas. This trip is one of the best experiences I have had in over 300 dives. It is well worth going and I look forward to going again.
Recommended for
The three best things about the trip were the staff/crew, the accommodations, and the aquatic life.
12 Jun, 2019

9.6 Exceptional
Stacy T
United States

Great diving
Everything!
Recommended for
Friendly/helpful crew, delish food, great dive sites
22 May, 2022

9.2 Superb
Steve M
Belgium

Very nice and helpful crew, delicious meals and amazing dives!
I already did a lot of liveaboards but this one was the best when it comes to service! At the end of the trip they did even take care to clean our diving equipment and hang it out to dry.
Recommended for
Service from staff and instructors. Delicious food. Atmosphere.
12 May, 2025

9.2 Superb
Jeremie G
France

Very pleasant and relaxing week
Nice trip
Recommended for
The friendliness and professionalism of the dive guides. Marine life. Alexia and Maria.
24 Jun, 2025

10 Exceptional
Emmanuel B
France

Absolute happiness
The boat is ultra comfortable, the food varied and delicious, everything is rhythmed in a perfect way, the crews and guides are kind, dedicated and ultra efficient, at the end of the stay the tip becomes a matter of course as their work is fabulous, a special thank you to Ismail our guide, who knows the ocean like the back of his hand and made us live intense emotions. Finally, particular attention is paid to the respect of nature and animals, a rather marked sense of ecology ends up delighting us.Thank you!
Recommended for
Night diving with mantas, whale sharks, barbecue on the beach
29 Jan, 2020