Emperor Leo, Maldives

Name: Best of Maldives (Male - Male)
Start: 2026-12-05
End: 2026-12-12
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

12 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,836

Select Cabin available

19 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,836

FULL

26 Sep

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,836

Select Cabin only 5 spaces left

03 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,836

Select Cabin available

10 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

Valid for a limited time only or until promotional spaces are sold out.

~~$ 2,836~~ $ 2,269 Save 20% -20%

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17 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

Valid for a limited time only or until promotional spaces are sold out.

~~$ 2,836~~ $ 1,985 Save 30% -30%

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24 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,836

Select Cabin available

31 Oct

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 2,836

Select Cabin available

14 Nov

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 3,010

Select Cabin available

21 Nov

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 3,010

FULL

28 Nov

8 Days / 7 Nights

Valid for a limited time only or until promotional spaces are sold out.

~~$ 3,010~~ $ 2,107 Save 30% -30%

Select Cabin available

05 Dec

8 Days / 7 Nights

$ 3,010

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: Gratuities ($150), Alcoholic Beverages ($5), Soft drinks ($3), Nitrox Course ($284), Rental Gear, Scuba Diving Courses ($101-466), WiFi internet ($31).

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
Sean Percival Y
Spain

Amazing first liveaboard experience
It’s been an amazing week onboard the Emperor Leo. The crew were absolutely amazing and so were the dive guides. The boat itself is huge and very spacious. Would love to repeat this trip in the future!
Recommended for
Crew friendliness and service. Boat and cabin comfort. Food onboard.
15 Jul, 2026

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

9.6 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

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

10 Exceptional
Camila F
Brazil

Absolutely wonderful!
It was just amazing! I can 100% recommend Emperor Leo! We had everyday 3 dives and 1 day a night dive, we were super lucky and had very good conditions.. the crew was super friendly and took so good care of us. We can see that they do all with love. You think about sth and there is someone there for you. The diving in Malediven was really the best of my life. We had so much luck with Manta Ray in the station and feeding, on the night dive we also went snorkelling with them. Other than that the fish life is so rich in all the diving sites, beautiful soft coral, lovely for macro life.. so so many sharks.. just amazing. Just have to thank and thank one thousand times for the most amazing week!!
Recommended for
The sieving sites, the crew and guides, the comfort
04 Aug, 2022

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
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

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

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

9.6 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

154 reviews

9.1 Superb
154 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

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

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

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

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

8.4 Very good
ALEJANDRO O
Argentina

Excellent
The dedication of the staff to make sure we have a good time.
Recommended for
Staff, food, equipment and dive sites
14 Jan, 2020

Translated from Spanish

10 Exceptional
Arpita S
India

Extremely exhilarating and comfortable as well!
The interaction with the sea creatures of course. The conversations with different people on board made me learn and experience several new things. All of this and many more things led to a truly wonderful and significantly memorable trip! Thereby, thank you Emperor Divers!
Recommended for
Firstly, the crew (staff, dive guides, etc…).Secondly, the system and well-organised protocols/ briefing. Lastly, the boat itself! for Leo’s a beautiful yacht
01 Jun, 2023

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

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

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
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

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

9.6 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

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
Stephen J
Canada

The Maldives are beautiful
The evening dives with the mantas and nurse sharks are experiences that I will never forget.
Recommended for
The manta dive, the nurse shark dive, the peace and tranquility
21 Aug, 2019

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

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
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
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

9.6 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

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