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.

~~$ 2,846~~ $ 1,992 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.

~~$ 2,846~~ $ 1,992 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.

~~$ 2,846~~ $ 1,992 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.

~~$ 2,846~~ $ 1,992 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.

~~$ 2,846~~ $ 1,992 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.

$ 2,846

Select Cabin available

19 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,846

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.

$ 2,846

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.

$ 2,846

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.

$ 2,846

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.

$ 2,846

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.

$ 2,846

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
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

9.2 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

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

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
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

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
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
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

9.6 Exceptional
Nico W
Germany

Great experience
The liveaboard was amazing. The only thing was that we expected a bit more dives as liveaboard.com stated around 20-21 dives and we had 17. But the boat the crew the guides everything was super professional, kind and the food was amazing
Recommended for
Dive sites. Crew and guides. The group of guests.
19 Feb, 2025

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

151 reviews

9.1 Superb
151 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

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

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

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

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

10 Exceptional
Bernd K
Germany

A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME JOURNEY
Since we were only three German divers, we were perfectly positioned in the German team together with Ichelle, who led the tour. The destinations were chosen in such a way that we could observe sharks or manta rays in more than half of the dives. Since there were mostly currents in the channel dives, we were instructed in the behavior beforehand, which was important for me, as I had no experience with drift diving before.The highlight was the night dive on the last evening, where plankton were attracted by light from the boat and lights on the bottom, which was a feast for a group of manta rays. An unforgettable experience.A barbecue evening on the beach and three birthdays with cake rounded off the experience.The food was varied and adapted for Europeans in spiciness.
Recommended for
With Ichelle I surprisingly had a German-speaking, very helpful guide. The dive destinations were perfectly chosen. The food was great.
31 Mar, 2025

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

9.6 Exceptional
Diane M
Ireland

Best liveaboard so far
Great diving. Excellent food. Fantastic service and Jules an exceptional boat manager.
Recommended for
Diving, food, company
22 May, 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

8.0 Very good
Jörn P
Germany

We had amazing dives with everything you could wish for and the crew took care of everything on board so that we had a holiday that we will certainly not forget.
To the dives you can only say: sharks, sharks, sharks, manta rays, whale sharks, turtles etc. what more could you want. Drift diving to a simple relaxation dive. The small groups in the water due to the high number of guides - really great. Thank youThanks to the rest of the crew - rarely had such great people. Nobody had to starve, the food was of very good quality and there was something for everyone. What they have come up with here, e.g. for New Year's Eve, the captain's dinner, the barbecue on the beach. Here there was one highlight after the other - similar to underwater. We will definitely be back!!!!!
Recommended for
1. The crew - everyone was more than nice and made us have a dream vacation - from the service, cook to the captain. 2. Rarely had such good food incl. shortlist for the breakfast eggs. 3. The dives were a dream, not only that a total of 4 guides were available, no we had all the big fish that was possible.
14 Jan, 2020

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
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
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

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
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
Stephane O
France

Safari requins
The program of this diving safari is its great strength. In 2 weeks and 36 dives, we observed a very rich and varied pelagic fauna, with tiger sharks and manta rays as a highlight.
Recommended for
The program of the dives. The comfort of the boat. The professionalism of the crew.
03 Mar, 2025

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

9.2 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

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

10 Exceptional
Mirjam P
Austria

Very good, helpful and friendly staff with perfect ecperience!
Manta Night dive, many different pelagics, in every dive something special
Recommended for
Great guides, excellent service from Crew, Ocean view room is amazing
14 Jun, 2021

8.8 Fabulous
Ralf R
Germany

Fantastic diving holiday
The highlights on board were the superbly organized dives with sharks, rays, manta rays, stingrays and many more.
Recommended for
the people on board, the boat, the dives
20 Oct, 2021