
Emperor Leo Liveaboard, Maldives
Emperor Leo is a four-deck Maldives liveaboard operating 7-night itineraries across the Maldives. Built with a wooden hull and accommodating up to 24 guests, the vessel combines dedicated diving facilities with open-air leisure spaces and ensuite cabin accommodation.
Boat Interior
The main deck features an air-conditioned saloon with sofas, a TV, books, board games, and a bar. Dining is arranged in an open buffet style with local and international dishes served throughout the trip. Tea, coffee, and water are available throughout the day, while soft drinks, juices, cocktails, wine, and beer are available onboard.
Outdoor spaces include an upper deck seating area with tables and deckchairs, while the sun deck is arranged with sunbeds and bean bags. A Jacuzzi is located on the main deck.
Cabin Types
Accommodation is arranged across 12 ensuite cabins located on the upper and lower decks. All cabins are equipped with individually controlled air conditioning, wall fans, towels, and mini safes.
Standard Twin/Double Cabin
Located on the lower deck, Standard Twin/Double Cabins measure approximately 9 m² and are fitted with twin beds. Cabins 1 and 8 can be converted into double-bed layouts on request. Each cabin includes portholes and an ensuite bathroom measuring approximately 3 m².
Standard Double Cabin
Standard Double Cabins are located on the lower deck and measure approximately 9 m². Each cabin is equipped with a double bed, portholes, and an ensuite bathroom measuring approximately 3 m².
Standard Twin Cabin
Located on the upper deck, Standard Twin Cabins measure approximately 7 to 9 m² and are fitted with twin beds. Cabins 10 and 11 can be converted into double-bed layouts on request. These cabins include windows and ensuite bathrooms ranging from 1.5 to 3 m².
Suite Double
Suite Double accommodation is located on the upper deck and measures approximately 16 m². The cabin is arranged with a double bed and sofa bed together with windows and an ensuite bathroom measuring approximately 7 m².
Dive Deck
Diving operations are conducted from a dedicated 19.8 m dhoni staffed by 3 crew members and equipped with charging stations, rinse tanks, a camera table, oxygen, and dive towels. The vessel carries 2 × Coltri compressors with a total capacity of 630 litres per minute together with a Nitrox membrane system offering complimentary Nitrox fills up to 32%, subject to availability.
Standard tanks are 11.1-litre aluminium cylinders, while 13.2-litre tanks, stage tanks, and twin sets are available on request. DIN tanks and INT adaptors are available onboard. Equipment rental, spare equipment, and selected PADI courses can be arranged before departure.
Safety and Navigation
Navigation and communication equipment includes GPS chart plotter, VHF radio, CB radio, satellite phone, and compass. Safety equipment includes life jackets, fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, carbon monoxide monitors, EPIRB, oxygen kits, First Aid kits, AED units, and onboard firefighting systems.
The boat maintains a night watch during operations. Dive briefings are conducted before dives.
Non-diving Activities
Non-diving guests may join snorkelling activities where conditions and itinerary permit. Between dives, guests can relax in the air-conditioned saloon, spend time on the sun deck, or watch films from the onboard movie library. BBQ evenings and selected land visits may also be arranged depending on itinerary and weather conditions.
Itineraries
Itineraries include Best of Maldives and Discover Best of Maldives routes operating year-round with departures and returns in Male. Trips explore Rasdhoo Atoll, North and South Ari Atolls, Vaavu Atoll, and North and South Male Atolls across 7-night schedules with up to 17 dives, including one night dive.
Dive conditions may include channels, pinnacles, cleaning stations, reef dives, and drift dives with opportunities to encounter reef fish, morays, turtles, manta rays, eagle rays, nurse sharks, and other pelagic species. Selected itineraries may also include visits to sites such as Fish Head and Alimatha in Vaavu Atoll.
Routes remain flexible and may change according to sea conditions, weather, and the discretion of the captain and cruise director.
When to Go
The Maldives experiences warm tropical conditions throughout the year, with water temperatures generally remaining between 27°C and 30°C. Conditions vary between the northeast and southwest monsoon seasons, bringing changes in rainfall, visibility, and sea conditions across different itineraries.
Boat for Photographers
Photography facilities onboard include charging stations, camera rinse tanks, a camera table, and an air gun. Guests are advised not to leave charging equipment unattended inside cabins
Cabins

Standard Twin/Double Cabin
Standard Twin/Double Cabin
Standard Twin/Double Cabin
Size:9 m2
Deck:Lower Deck
Bedding:Double Bed
Max occupancy:2 Guests
Number of Cabins:6 Cabins
Ensuite Bathroom: Yes
Aircon: Yes
- Towels
- Toiletries
Lower deck twin cabins are approx. 9sqm with port holes, twin beds; cabins 1 and 8 can be converted to doubles, on request; individually controlled air con. Ensuite bathroom approx. 3sqm with shower and 2 cabin towels per guest. Hairdryers available on request

Standard Double Cabin
Standard Double Cabin
Standard Double Cabin
Size:9 m2
Deck:Lower Deck
Bedding:Double Bed
Max occupancy:2 Guests
Number of Cabins:2 Cabins
Ensuite Bathroom: Yes
Aircon: Yes
- Towels
- Toiletries
Lower deck double cabins are approx. 9sqm, with port holes, individually controlled aircon. Ensuite bathroom approx. 3sqm with shower and 2 cabin towels per guest. Hairdryers available on request

Standard Twin Cabin
Standard Twin Cabin
Standard Twin Cabin
Size:9 m2
Deck:Upper Deck
Bedding:Twin Beds
Max occupancy:2 Guests
Number of Cabins:3 Cabins
Ensuite Bathroom: Yes
Aircon: Yes
- Towels
- Toiletries
Upper deck twin cabins are approx. 7-9sqm with windows, twin beds; cabins 10 and 11 can be converted to doubles, on request; individually controlled air con. Ensuite bathroom approx. 1.5-3sqm with shower and 2 cabin towels per guest. Hairdryers available on request

Suite Double
Suite Double
Suite Double
Size:16 m2
Deck:Upper Deck
Bedding:Double Bed
Max occupancy:2 Guests
Number of Cabins:1 Cabin
Ensuite Bathroom: Yes
Aircon: Yes
- Towels
- Toiletries
Upper deck suite double is approx. 16sqm with windows, suitable for a family with a double bed and a sofa bed, individually controlled air con. Ensuite bathroom approx. 7sqm with shower and 2 cabin towels per guest. Hairdryers available on request

Boat Specification
Dive Facilities
- Rebreather Support
- Compressors
- Tenders for Diving
- Tech Diving
- DIN Adaptors
Boat navigation & safety
Full safety
Food & Drinks
- Western Food
- Local Food
- Dietary Restrictions
- Buffet Style
- Alcoholic Beverages and Spirits
- Hot & Cold Soft Drinks
- Snacks All Day
Onboard Facilities
- Audio & Video Entertainment
- Air Conditioned Saloon
- Sun Deck
- Sun Loungers
- Open Air Saloon
- Indoor Saloon
- Bar
- Child Friendly
- Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
- Hot Tub / Jacuzzi
- Land Excursions
Photographer Facilities
- Separate Rinsing Tanks for U/W Camera
- Camera Table
- Charging Stations
Frequently Asked Questions About Emperor Leo
Liveaboard Diving in the Deep South Atolls of Maldives
Addu Atoll offers historic and natural attractions: the wreck of the HMS British Loyalty, a WWII relic, and the Manta Cleaning Station at Maa Kandu. Demon Corner, a softer dive, offers a gentle drift dive in either direction to either end or start your journey. Unique underwater landscapes with diverse marine life make the Deep South an exceptional destination for experienced divers in search of thrilling encounters
Temperature of the water in Maldives
Is It Possible to See Mantas When Diving in the Maldives?
What Shark Species Can Be Seen in the Maldives?
Stronger currents and heightened marine activity during the northeast monsoon offer very favorable conditions for shark diving. The opportunities to see a great variety of shark species cannot be paralleled anywhere else than from the southern atolls right up to the central reefs
What happens on the arrival day and on the last day of a liveaboard trip?
A final morning dive is planned on the last day of diving, allowing for an 18-hour no-fly rule prior to reaching altitude. The boat will return to port at approximately 1 p.m. and will stay moored overnight. If desired, the guests can go onto land in the afternoon, which will allow them to get a good stretch and have a quick look around if they so desire. Evening: Divers pack their equipment and settle outstanding bills in preparation for an early morning drive to the airport
Emperor Leo Reviews
Similar Liveaboards
Emperor Leo Liveaboard Itineraries
Best of Maldives (7 nights) (Male-Male)
Included
- Accommodation
- Diving (2-3 dives/day, incl. 1 night dive; 2 dives on the last day)
- Full board
- 12 l tanks and weights
- Dive guide
- Nitrox
- Government taxes and green tax
- BBQ dinner on local island (weather allowing)
- Scheduled group transfer airport - yacht - airport
- Free short-term DAN diving insurance (upon request)
Extra cost
- International and domestic flights
- Visa
- Private transfer
- Equipment rental
- 15 l tanks rental
- Diving courses
- Alcoholic and soft beverages
- GST 17% on all goods and services purchased on board
- Crew gratuities
- Travel insurance
Program
Day 1:
Meet & greet at the airport. Group transfer to the port. Onboarding, meeting the crew & briefing.
Days 2-6:
Departing & check dive. Safari according to the planned route.
Rasdhoo Atoll: hammerhead dive, beautiful reef with pelagics.
North Ari Atoll: grey reef sharks, maaya thila night dive, multiple manta cleaning stations.
South Ari Atoll: whale sharks, beautiful pinnacles.
South Male Atoll: grey reef sharks, eagle rays, other pelagics, beautiful macro wreck.
Vaavu Atoll: Beautiful channels with magical soft corals and pelagic delights. Action-packed night dive with nurse sharks and others.
North Male Atoll: Beautiful pinnacles.
Day 7:
2 dives on the last day. Return to the port.
Day 8:
Check-out from the yacht, group transfer to the airport.
Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons
- All transfers to/from the liveaboards on the check-in day (usually Saturday or Sunday) will be met at Male (Velana) International Airport by a representative, wearing an Emperor Maldives T-shirt and holding an Emperor Maldives sign. -
- The meeting point is beside the Help Desk. - Emperor arranged transfers depart from the airport to the boat at 11:00, 13:00 and 16:00 and are free of charge.
- Guests who use the 11:00 transfer accept that the boat will not be fully cleaned or ready. A light sandwich style snack will be provided for lunch.
- If you do not wish to wait for one of the above transfers or you arrive after the last transfer, taxis are available at the airport. Boat's airport representative will be happy to help you, however, please note that boarding may not be possible before 13:00.
- If you are already in the Maldives, you should make your way to the airport for the 16:00 transfer
- Check out is at 07:00 on the last day of the cruise and guests will be in the airport by 07:30.
- For guests continuing their holiday in the Maldives at a resort, hotel or another liveaboard, your on-going transfers need to be arranged by you from the airport
Best of Maldives (10 nights) (Male-Male)
Included
- Accommodation
- Diving (2-3 dives/day, incl. 1 night dive; 2 dives on the last day)
- Full board
- 12 l tanks and weights
- Dive guide
- Nitrox
- Government taxes and green tax
- BBQ dinner on local island (weather allowing)
- Scheduled group transfer airport - yacht - airport
- Free short-term DAN diving insurance (upon request)
Extra cost
- International and domestic flights
- Visa
- Private transfer
- Equipment rental
- 15 l tanks rental
- Diving courses
- Alcoholic and soft beverages
- GST 17% on all goods and services purchased on board
- Crew gratuities
- Travel insurance
Program
Day 1:
Meet & greet at the airport. Group transfer to the port. Onboarding, meeting the crew & briefing.
Days 2-9:
Departing & check dive. Safari according to the planned route.
Rasdhoo Atoll: hammerhead dive, beautiful reef with pelagics.
North Ari Atoll: grey reef sharks, maaya thila night dive, multiple manta cleaning stations.
South Ari Atoll: whale sharks, beautiful pinnacles.
South Male Atoll: grey reef sharks, eagle rays, other pelagics, beautiful macro wreck.
Vaavu Atoll: beautiful channels with magical soft corals and pelagic delights. Action-packed night dive with nurse sharks and others.
North Male Atoll: beautiful pinnacles.
Day 10:
2 dives on the last day. Return to the port.
Day 11:
Check-out from the yacht, group transfer to the airport.
Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons
- All transfers to/from the liveaboards on the check-in day (usually Saturday or Sunday) will be met at Male (Velana) International Airport by a representative, wearing an Emperor Maldives T-shirt and holding an Emperor Maldives sign.
- The meeting point is beside the Help Desk.
- Emperor arranged transfers depart from the airport to the boat at 11:00, 13:00, and 16:00 and are free of charge.
- Guests who use the 11:00 transfer accept that the boat will not be fully cleaned or ready. A light sandwich style snack will be provided for lunch.
- If you do not wish to wait for one of the above transfers or you arrive after the last transfer, taxis are available at the airport. Boat's airport representative will be happy to help you, however, please note that boarding may not be possible before 13:00.
- If you are already in the Maldives, you should make your way to the airport for the 16:00 transfer
- Check out is at 07:00 on the last day of the cruise and guests will be at the airport by 07:30.
- For guests continuing their holiday in the Maldives at a resort, hotel or another liveaboard, your on-going transfers need to be arranged by you from the airport

























