The M/V Emperor Leo roars around the best dive sites of the central atolls of the Maldives, mainly North Male, South Male and Ari atoll. This 35m long motor yacht comfortably accommodates 24 divers in a range of cabins departing from Male Town for liveaboard trips of 7 nights' duration.
Emperor Leo boasts a large comfortable saloon where you can access the Wi-Fi, watch movies, listen to music or pick a book or two from the large library. Outdoor relaxation centres on the shaded area of the main deck or on the sun deck where sun loungers, outdoor bar service and Jacuzzi add to the comfort. There is also an air-conditioned restaurant and bar to make sure you can enjoy the range of fresh food and refreshing tipples on tour in style.
All the cabins feature ensuite bathrooms, TV, DVD, air-conditioning and minibar, so there is always space on the boat for you to feel pampered! A 20m diving dhoni accompanies the Emperor Leo and houses the compressors and equipment, so you don't have to hear the noise of tank filling or ever have to move your equipment from day one. Other features that set the Emperor Leo apart from many other Maldives liveaboards include free nitrox, Nautilus Lifeline personal EPIRBs and carbon monoxide analysers.
A great bonus of the Emperor Fleet is that they have a 'no hidden extras' prices. This means that, along with the free nitrox, internet usage, and a glass of wine each dinner time, you will find all the extras such as marine park fees, green/environment fees, GST/tourist taxes, fuel surcharges, airport transfers have already been included in the sales price! It is difficult to imagine what more one could want from a pure divers' liveaboard boat cruising around the paradise atolls of the Maldives.
Special offers:
Extra terms and conditions for new bookings during the COVID reality:
The Maldives’s tourism ministry has finalized the guidelines on reopening the borders to international tourism from 15th July 2020.
Tourists can enter Maldives without testing for COVID-19 nor quarantine periods. No entry Visa fee is due. Tourists will only have to complete a health declaration form.
Thirty-day free on-arrival visa will be issued to all tourists with a confirmed booking for a stay at any registered tourist facility in the Maldives.
The entire holiday has to be booked at a single facility, either resort or liveaboard.
All visitors to the Maldives’ are encouraged to install the contact tracing application ‘Trace Ekee’ upon or before arrival into the country.
Flexible Booking
Zero deposits - Book now, hold the date and price with no deposit. Valid until 31 August 2020.
New 10% deposits - From 01 September 2020, 10% deposit on all Emperor products.
Flexible re-booking - If affected by COVID related travel restrictions free rescheduling.
Specials
5% back-to-back discount - Due to increased flight costs, customers who wish to do 2 or more cruises with Emperor receive 5% off each cruise.
Low 50% single supplement - Book a cabin for sole occupancy for a 50% supplement to the per person price.
Offer expires: 30 Dec 2020
Dive experience: Recommendation (not mandatory): Maldives Central Atolls, Maldives Northern Atolls & North Male and Ari Atoll trips: participants should be Advanced Open Water Diver qualified. Maldives Central & Southern Atoll trips: divers should be Advanced Open Water Diver and have 30 logged dives. Maldives Southern Atolls: Advanced Open Water Diver and 100 logged dives.
Divers with less experience will be able to join trips but may have to sit out some dives if dive certifications and or experience are not sufficient for the planned dives.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner (1 BBQ on deserted island weather permitting), snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, glass of wine with dinner, transfers to the boat from the airport, dives, experienced English speaking divemasters (6 divers per guide), tanks, weights and weight belts, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers, Green Tax, Male city tour (on request), 12% GST on cruise price.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (full set including surface marker device and dive computer US$ 336 per week, must be pre-booked), reef hooks, dive insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival, with equipment ordered in advance (cash or credit card).
Optional extras: Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, 15 litre tanks (US$ 101 per week), torch (US$ 101 per week).
How to get there: The MV Emperor Leo liveaboard normally departs from Male for central trips and Gan, Kadhdhoo or Koodoo for southern itineraries. The first and last nights of the cruise are spent in the harbour. Your flight can arrive at any time on the first day. For more information see our How to get to the Maldives section.
There are 3 complimentary transfer timings from the airport to the boat on embarkation day; 11:00, 13:00 and 16:00 hrs. Guests taking the 11:00 hrs transfer from the airport to the boat have to accept that the boat will not be fully cleaned or ready for boarding until 13:00 hrs. Any other transfers required on embarkation day, other than the 3 stated above, can be arranged at a charge of US$ 15 per way (group or full charter bookings with a minimum of 8 guests arriving on the same flight will not be charged if an alternative transfer is required on embarking day (after 11:00 hrs)).
The last dive of the trip will be at around 13:00 hrs on the second last day of the trip. You will depart from the boat at 08:00 hrs. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.
Non-diver rate: Non-divers receive a free snorkeling kit and a US$ 50 voucher to spend on board.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travelers may choose to share a cabin or pay a supplement of 50% of the published price.
Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 5 guests and 1 extra person can join in a Standard twin/double bed cabin free of charge (total 6 guests).
Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 20 guests and 4 additional persons can join the cruise in Standard twin/double bed cabins free of charge.
The Emperor Leo has 8 Standard twin/double bed cabins on the lower deck: 2 with double/twin beds, 4 twin beds (side-by-side) and 2 with double beds. There are 3 Upper deck twin/double bed cabins and 1 Executive double bed suite also on the upper deck. The Executive suite features its own Jacuzzi.
All the cabins have:
Air-conditioning
Windows (upper deck only) or portholes (lower deck)
Private bathroom with toilet, hot water shower, towels, toiletries and hand basin
Hair dryer
TV and DVD player
Minibar
Wardrobe and mirror
Reading lights
Safe box
Bedding
220V electricity supply with 3-pin UK style sockets (adaptors available)
Complimentary nitrox - Dhoni (see below) - Motorised dinghy - Saloon with TV, DVD, computer, wi-fi internet & music system - Book library, movies, games & magazines - Fish ID & diving books - Dining area with bar - Sun deck with sun chairs, mattresses & whirlpool tub - Main deck open-air shaded area with bar - Water dispenser
All the diving in the Maldives onboard the MV Emperor Leo is done from an accompanying 20m long dhoni. This dive boat carries all the guest's scuba equipment, the compressors and tanks. There is a toilet and fresh water shower on board, rinse tanks and a camera table. The dhoni also carries the emergency breathing oxygen.
Dining takes place in the air-conditioned dining area, with adjoining bar on the main deck. In addition to an evening island BBQ, you can enjoy 3 meals a day, plus a pre-breakfast before dive 1, all served buffet style. The menu is a blend of international cuisine and local specialties. Advanced notice should be given of dietary requirements, and the 2 cooks will do their best to cater to all such needs.
Maldivian and International cuisine, with weekly island BBQ.
Main meals are served buffet-style in the air-conditioned restaurant and comprise pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch and dinner, with snacks in between.
Snacks, bread/toast, fresh fruit, drinking water, and tea & coffee are available free of charge.
Soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits are available for purchase.
First meal served is lunch or dinner on the first day of the trip, depending on your time of arrival.
All special diets can be catered for with prior notice.
Sample dishes: Mixed Maldivian/Sri Lankan buffet; Home made pizzas ....
"Staff very very good, Food amazing!!! We enjoy our dive liveaboard. But Maldives is not for everybody, lots of hard current underwater. Manta ray amazing! " - Anne Tremblay, Canada, 6 January 2018 ...
"The Liveaboard was exceptional; professional staff, great facilities on the boat and good DM's. Can't comment on equipment as we brought our own gear." - Laura Yates, South Africa, 7 April 2015 ...
"Dive Guide Services were provided by 3 European divemasters or instructors, not local guides. They were very professional and had good knowledge and experiences in local sites. They also gave very detailed briefings before every dive. They even jumped into the water just before diving from dhoni to check the actual currents and visibility. All facilities were well maintained and cleaned. The cabin was very clean and comfort with good quality mattress and comforter. My cabin was cleaned twice a day while I and my fellow roommate were in diving." - Seung An Park, South Korea, 6 October 2014 ...
"We felt the service and experience on the liveaboard was exceptional. Cannot fault the staff members on the boat. Equipment was satisfactory." - Robert Nel, South Africa, 15 April 2014 ...
"This was my first liveaboard and I really enjoyed it. Room is big and clean, crew is very friendly and helpful, food is nice." - Li Hui, China, 8 April 2014 ...
Maldives
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