MV Emperor Virgo is one of a few stellar liveaboards from the Emperor fleet operating diving safaris around the best sites of the Maldives central atolls. Most trips are 7 nights out of Male City, taking in North Male, South Male and Ari Atoll, and are all-inclusive of fuel surcharges, local taxes/GST, marine park fees, green/environment fees, airport transfers etc.
Up to 18 divers are comfortably accommodated on this 32m motor liveaboard yacht where a crew of 12 will cater to your every need. You can relax in the middle deck's air conditioned saloon with TV, DVD and music system and library of books. There is also Wi-Fi available for those with their own devices (signal varies from place to place). Otherwise the sundeck is a popular spot for taking it easy between dives.
Cabins are double or twin and are located across the lower, middle and upper decks. All cabins have air conditioning and ensuite bathrooms as well as minibars, TVs and DVDs. Indeed the Emperor Virgo has many of the facilities of a liveaboard boat from a much higher price range and represents exceptional value for money.
Diving is done from the accompanying dhoni and with free nitrox and CO analysers. Photographers will appreciate the camera rinse tank and camera table on the dhoni, and everyone welcomes the post-dive fresh fruit that adds a touch of class to Emperor Virgo's cruise service.
Maldives Central Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: North Male, Rasdhoo, Ari and South Male atolls
Day 1
Once you arrive in Male, the Emperor Virgo liveaboard will be ready for you. Lunch and dinner will be served based on your arrival time. There's no diving today; instead, you'll have an introductory briefing from the tour leader once everyone is on board. This is a great chance to get acquainted with the crew and the liveaboard boat, unpack your gear, and unwind before a fantastic week of diving and relaxation in the Maldives Central Atolls.
Core Days
Get ready to dive some of the best of the Male and Ari Atolls. Experience diverse underwater environments, from drift dives in channels, to exploring pinnacles where you have a high chance of encountering mantas. You'll also have opportunities to snorkel and dive with whale sharks, hammerheads, and grey reef sharks, and discover the beautiful reefs teeming with marine life.
A fantastic wreck dive in South Male will reveal the fascinating macro creatures that now call it home. Rasdhoo atoll's most popular dive sites include Madivaru Corner, known for its shark activity in strong currents, and Hammerhead Point, which is the main draw for those hoping to see schooling hammerheads. Other notable spots are Manta Block, a reliable site for manta ray sightings, and the Rasdhoo Channel, a dynamic dive best suited for experienced divers.
Ari Atoll is a true pelagic dream for divers. Its most celebrated feature is the year-round presence of whale sharks, particularly in the South Ari Marine Protected Area. The atoll is also a hotspot for manta rays, especially during the southwest monsoon (May to November) when nutrient-rich waters attract them to cleaning stations. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of sharks, including grey reef sharks and white-tip reef sharks, as well as eagle rays, Napoleon wrasse, and large schools of barracuda and jackfish. The coral reefs themselves are vibrant, providing a home for countless smaller reef fish, turtles, and moray eels.
On the final full day of the trip, there will be 2 morning dives before the return to port.
Day 8
Enjoy your final breakfast on board the Emperor Virgo. Say your goodbyes and take some last group photos, before heading to Male airport.
Maldives Deep South & Southern Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Laamu, Huvadhoo Atoll, Fuvahmulah Island, Meemu, Thaa, Felidhoo atolls, Addu Atoll
Day 1
Boarding the MV Emperor Virgo liveaboard in Gan (on Addu) marks the start of your epic diving adventure. Settle in with a meal (lunch and/or dinner, depending on your arrival time), get acquainted with the crew and boat during our introductory briefing, and unpack your gear. While there's no diving today, you've got plenty of time to relax and get into the holiday spirit. The real adventure begins, when the boat sets sail tomorrow morning, for a week of unforgettable fun, sun, and diving!
Core Days
With visibility often of up to 40 metres, the currents of the Indian Ocean attract a huge variety of hungry pelagic species to the Maldives, which can be seen by divers even from a distance. The channels, known locally as kandus, are home to a large number of grey reef sharks, dogtooth tuna and eagle rays. Patient divers and knowledgeable guides are often rewarded with exciting surprises out in the blue.
Diving at Fuvahmulah, a solitary island in the deep Indian Ocean, is renowned for its unique marine life encounters, particularly with large pelagic species. Unlike the typical atolls, Fuvahmulah's unique geography - steep underwater drop-offs and direct access to nutrient-rich currents - creates a haven for a variety of sharks such as tigers, oceanic whitetips and whale sharks, and other magnificent creatures.
The underwater topography of Meemu is diverse, with submerged pinnacles (thilas) and deep walls featuring a honeycomb of overhangs and caves. The famous Medhufushi Thila, for example, is a highlight, with its vibrant hard and soft corals teeming with marine life.
Diving in Huvadhoo is renowned for its year-round encounters with majestic marine life. The atoll's deep channels bring in nutrient-rich water, creating a haven for large pelagic species. Divers can consistently spot manta rays and a variety of sharks, including grey reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks, and even the occasional tiger shark. The atoll is also home to a healthy population of turtles.
Day 8
After a final light breakfast on the last morning of your cruise, you'll disembark the Emperor Virgo and be taken to Kadhdhoo Airport on Huvadhoo Atoll.
Note: Some trips run in reverse. Please check your specific trip for your departure and return ports.
Maldives Deep South & Southern Atolls (15 Days / 14 Nights - 38 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Laamu, Thaa, Meemu, Felidhoo, South Male, Huvadhoo atolls, Fuvahmulah Island, Addu Atoll
Day 1
Upon arrival in Male, you'll board the MV Emperor Virgo. Lunch and dinner will be served depending on when you get there. There won't be any diving today, but you'll have a chance to get to know the crew and the liveaboard better during the welcome briefing from the tour leader, which will take place once all the guests have arrived. This is the time to unpack your kit, settle in, and get into the holiday spirit - a fantastic trip of diving, fun, and relaxation awaits!
Core Days
Looking for a 2-week escape from the hustle and bustle? This liveaboard trip puts you on the trail of the Indian Ocean's biggest inhabitants.
Thaa atoll's underwater world is a major draw for visitors. Its coral reefs are vibrant and home to a wide variety of marine life, including tropical fish, rays, sharks, and sea turtles. Divers and snorkellers can explore stunning coral gardens and underwater caves. Due to its location, the atoll is also known for attracting larger pelagic species like manta rays and whale sharks.
Felidhoo serves as an excellent base for exploring some of the most famous dive sites in the Maldives. The atoll is renowned for its spectacular channel dives, where strong currents bring in a huge amount of marine life, including grey reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and eagle rays. It's also famous for the Fotteyo Kandu dive site, a long channel considered one of the best in the Maldives, where divers can encounter a wide range of pelagic species.
Fuvahmulah is arguably the best place in the world for guaranteed tiger shark sightings. One popular dive spot called Tiger Zoo is located near the island's port. Here, the sharks are drawn by fish waste, and divers can have close, controlled encounters in a safe environment. Sightings are possible all year round. Solitary great hammerhead sharks can be seen at any time and the waters are also home to a variety of other shark species, including silvertip sharks, grey reef sharks, and oceanic blacktip sharks.
You will also head to Huvadhoo, one of the deepest lagoons in the Maldives, where the currents are perfect for even more shark encounters. Here, you'll find whale sharks at night, an abundance of grey reef sharks, and oceanic blacktip sharks. Prepare for some fast-paced and thrilling channel dives. And don't forget to keep your eyes on the open water - you might even spot silky sharks, great hammerhead sharks, mola-mola, and bull sharks.
Diving at Addu atoll is considered exceptional, partly because the reefs were largely spared from past global coral bleaching events. The reefs are healthy and packed with a wide variety of fish. One of the biggest draws is the opportunity to see large pelagic species year-round, including manta rays, sharks, and turtles. The atoll is also home to the largest shipwreck in the Maldives, the British Loyalty, a WWII oil tanker that lies on its side and has become a stunning artificial reef full of marine life.
Just a quick note that on the final full day of the trip, there will only be 2 dives as the Emperor Virgo will be making its way to the harbour. In the afternoon, the crew will be on hand to rinse all your diving equipment and hang it up to dry.
Day 15
Wake up to the aroma of the last breakfast of your trip being served in the early morning. Take a moment to say your goodbyes and snap some final group photos before you head off to Gan Airport.
Please bear in mind that the itinerary for this liveaboard trip can sometimes run in reverse or have different departure and arrival ports. For the exact details, please be sure to check your specific trip information.
Maldives Central & Southern Atolls (11 Days / 10 Nights - 26 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: South Ari Atoll, South Male Atoll, Felidhoo Atoll, Meemu Atoll
Day 1
The Emperor Virgo will be ready for you in Male, and it'll be your home for the entire liveaboard cruise. Depending on when you arrive, lunch and/or dinner will be served on the first day. There won't be any diving on arrival day, but you'll have a chance to get to know the crew and the boat better during the introductory briefing, given by the tour leader once everyone is on board. There's plenty of time to unpack, relax, and get into the holiday spirit. You're about to have a great week of diving, fun, and relaxation! The boat will leave the harbour the following morning.
Core Days
The Indian Ocean's currents draw a diverse array of large, hungry marine life to the central and southern atolls of the Maldives. Divers can often spot these incredible pelagic creatures from far away, as the water visibility frequently extends up to 40 metres. Locals refer to the channels as kandus, and these are a playground for numerous grey reef sharks, dogtooth tuna, and eagle rays. For patient divers and knowledgeable guides, the open blue water often holds unexpected surprises.
Meemu Atoll is renowned for its enchanting channels, which offer thrilling pelagic action including sightings of sailfish, grey reef sharks, and eagle rays. The atoll is also famous for its beautiful soft corals and a significant manta cleaning station. Key sites like Kurali Kandu provide excellent manta ray encounters during the northeast monsoon, while Muli Corner features a large cleaning station on its plateau that attracts mantas with outgoing currents. Vanhuravalhi, a narrow channel with vibrant soft corals, offers exciting dives where sharks and large fish schools gather, especially with an incoming current.
Felidhoo Atoll is a pristine, undeveloped paradise known for its superb diving. Its channels, like Fotteyo Kandu and Miyaru Kandu, are rich with marine life, featuring sharks, rays, and large schools of fish. Divers can explore beautiful walls covered in soft corals, dramatic overhangs, and experience thrilling currents that attract pelagic species.
South Ari Atoll is one of the few places where you can see whale sharks year-round. They're often found in the shallow, protected waters of the South Ari Marine Protected Area. These majestic creatures are a truly unforgettable sight. You can also spot manta rays here; they're a common sight, especially at popular manta points and cleaning stations where they gather.
Final Day
Rise and shine to the aroma of the final breakfast of the trip. After a last chance to say your goodbyes and snap some final group pictures, you'll be on your way to Male airport.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
Emperor Virgo takes great pride in the standard of cuisine served to its guests. The dining experience typically begins with a light lunch on the day of arrival. Each day, the kitchen prepares a light pre-breakfast, a cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meals are served buffet-style in the liveaboard's air-conditioned indoor dining area, and you can expect a range of international dishes alongside local Maldivian specialities.
Your dining times depend on the daily diving programme, taking into account both the number of dives and the time needed to transfer to different sites. Dinner is usually at 7 pm most evenings, but held off slightly on days with 4 scheduled dives, served around 8 pm after everyone's finished the last dive.
- Complimentary refreshments include snacks, bread and toast, fresh fruit, drinking water, and tea and coffee are available free of charge.
- You can buy soft drinks, beer, wine, and spirits while you are on the boat.
- Chocolate bars and other snacks are also available to purchase on the boat.
- All special diets can be catered for with prior notice.
- Each cruise features a special candlelit barbecue on a nearby island, subject to favourable conditions.
Example dishes:
Maldivian vegetable curry with rice and roti; Grilled fish with pasta and fresh salad, vegan lasagne and sautéed vegetables ... 
