M/V Emperor Leo

Overview

The MV Emperor Leo operates Saturday to Saturday itineraries. Built to a high standard for today's discerning diver, she offers good comfort and is an ‘excellent value’ liveaboard. Measuring 35m, she accommodates 24 divers in 12 en-suite cabins in either twin or double cabins. There is 1 executive suite and 3 double / twin cabins on the upper deck and 2 double, 2 twin / double and 4 twin cabins on the lower deck.

Wi-fi is available on board when in range (local charges apply).

Leo is a stylish boat, with contrasting wooden decor throughout. The main deck has a large lounge with sofas, licensed bar and Jacuzzi whilst the sun deck is perfect for reflecting on the day as the sun goes down. She has a bright and airy saloon and a spacious dining area with bar.

Diving is done from her large 19.8m dhoni tender, getting you to the perfect dive spot every time and, as your dive equipment is stored on the dhoni, you have even more space aboard Leo.

An added benefit is that she's rebreather-friendly, supporting Poseidon MKVI, AP vision and Megaladon manual units, one of the few Maldives liveaboards to offer this. 

FREE Nitrox is available.

 Group Discounts (boat space only):

• 7 pay full price + 1 free
• 14 pay full price + 2 free
• 21 pay full price + 3 free

Please note that a SMB & dive computer are compulsory on every dive.

Specification: Type: Wooden hull, Length: 35m - Beam: 9.4m, Engine: 500 HP Mitsubishi - Water Makers: 9500lt per day

Navigation and Communication: VHF radio, GPS chart plotter, Telephone, Mobile

Diving facilities: Compressors: 2 x Coltri + Nitrox, Nitrox diving: FREE, Rebreather friendly: Yes

Dive equipment rental: Full range on offer, must be pre-arranged before arrival in resort. SMB & dive computer compulsory on every dive. 

Safety: Oxygen/Medic First Aid Kit

 Dhoni: Large diving dhoni, fully equipped with compressors, tanks & oxygen kits

 Click here for deck floor plan

Schedules & prices

Dive info

Liveaboard diving in the Maldives is world-class, and it's become renowned as one of the world’s premier liveaboard destinations, and for good reason. This string of breathtaking islands and atolls stretches over 800 kilometres from north to south, starting near the southern tip of India and finishing near the equator - in the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean.

Our carefully curated range of Maldives liveaboards operate throughout the island chain, offering classic itineraries along established routes out of Male along with itineraries to more remote locations. Supported by a ‘dive dhoni' carrying all cylinders, equipment and compressors, Maldivian liveaboards are a superb way to see and dive the very best of this Indian Ocean jewel.

The Maldives has so many dive sites to explore, with great scuba diving around each and every atoll. A liveaboard is a fantastic way to see more of the excellent diving on offer, and maybe meet new friends along the way!

Where's the best liveaboard diving in the Maldives?

Underwater highlights on most itineraries include a mix of reef, wreck and channel and drift dives. Expect to dive in warm water and see colourful corals and plentiful fish life. While not guaranteed, encounters with big fish such as reef sharks, nurse sharks, manta ray and if you're lucky, whale shark are relatively common throughout the year in this special diving destination, so keep your eyes peeled on the blue.

Liveaboards out of Male

Diving in the Maldives is spectacular throughout the year. One of the simplest and most satisfying ways to experience the incredible range of world-class dive sites is to hop on a liveaboard departing from Male. Most of our liveaboards offer classic week long diving adventures to the best sites of the nearby atolls. These trips are often known as the ‘Best of Maldives' and follow a flexible itinerary that takes account of local diving conditions. The boats will generally operate in both North and South Male atoll, North and South Ari atoll and include time at Rasdhoo and Vaavu atolls depending on your chosen boat. 

Liveaboard Itineraries Beyond Male

Recent years have seen access to some remote atolls in the Maldives improve dramatically, and our liveaboard portfolio has evolved to cover these exciting new atolls. These include Baa, Raa, Lhaviyani and Rasdhoo in the north and Meemu, Laamu, Huvadhoo and Addu in the south. These atolls bring exciting new opportunities for experienced divers seeking exciting marine life encounters.

Southern Atolls

The south atolls of the Maldives are renowned for their exhilarating shark encounters and many boats sail to this region operating itineraries for the first few months of the year visiting sites in the Laamu and Huvadhoo atolls as well as Fuvamulah and Addu, the most southerly. Many of the trips offer exploratory dive sites that have been seldom dived. This is challenging and pioneering diving, characterised by waters that are abundant in the marine life one expects from the Maldives.

Liveaboard itineraries in the southern atolls often begin and end in the region and involve a domestic flight from Male to reach the boat. In addition, there are some extended itineraries available which begin or end in Male as the boats move to ensure they are in the best locations throughout the year, offering divers the best experiences.

Northern Atolls

Certain liveaboards focus on the north-west of the Maldives between June and September each year, drawn by the promise of whale shark and manta ray in their droves as they feed on the plankton rich waters. Occasionally, itineraries are offered to the far north of the Maldives, promising more exploratory diving.

What to see when

Manta Rays

These elegant nomads are one of the prime reasons for many to visit the Maldives, with sizeable schools of reef manta ray regularly visiting key cleaning stations or feeding sites. Broadly speaking, between December and April, manta rays are sighted on the western side of atolls. From May to September, they're found on the eastern side of atolls. In each case, they're following their primary source of food; plankton.

Liveaboards tailor their itineraries to maximise the chances of good encounters at any particular time of year. One particular highlight is around the Baa Atoll between August and November, when up to 200 are known to gather around the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve called Hanifaru Bay. Our Maldives Manta Ray Extravaganza is an exclusive 10-night liveaboard safari where you can dive the northern atolls and snorkel in Hanifaru Bay amongst the mantas during their annual aggregation. This exclusive adventure is expert led by marine conservationist and cameraman Danny Copeland.

Whale Sharks

Similar to manta rays, whale sharks are filter feeders, and their movements are largely governed by their source of food. One particular hotspot is South Ari Atoll, a feature on many liveaboard itineraries. Sighted throughout the year here, whale shark encounters are often best between November and March in this area, simply because calmer seas make them easier to locate. Later in the year, between August and November, they can also be found in large numbers around the Baa Atoll.

Grey Reef Sharks

The clearer waters of the period from December to April tends to favour those looking for encounters with sharks, and the far south of the Maldives is well known for the best encounters. Grey reef shark are most common, but silky shark, hammerhead shark and even tiger shark can also be seen.

When's the best time to dive the Maldives by liveaboard

The quality of individual dive sites and marine parks is determined by the ebb and flow of seasonal currents, which in turn affects both the underwater visibility and the marine life. Liveaboards follow these seasonal variations, taking divers to the best sites for the time of the year.

As such, diving from liveaboard in the Maldives is a year-round affair, and you can always be assured of good diving experiences. Because weather is generally more consistent between December and March, which in turn brings flatter seas, these tend to be the more popular months, however outside these months there can be some attractive offers to ensure superb value for money.

Who is liveaboard DIVING IN THE MALDIVES suitable for?

Diving in the Maldives can be challenging, and as such it's recommended that divers have a minimum qualification of PADI Advanced or equivalent, with 30+ logged dives, although experienced Open Water divers are not precluded. 

Diving is encouraged to be undertaken in individual self-sufficient buddy teams and small groups, though you may of course choose to follow the guide for ease of navigation. Diving in the Maldives is regulated, as such all divers must wear a computer and carry an SMB. At some sites the recommended depth is beyond 18 metres so advanced and/or deep diver certification are required. The maximum depth on any recreational dive is 30 metres. 

Itineraries to the far south of the Maldives are best suited to experienced divers. To join, divers should be Advanced certified, with a minimum of 100 logged dives and experience of diving in current.

Liveaboard and Island Combinations Tailormade

We offer tailormade holidays to the Maldives. This means that we can organise your holiday based on your requirements. We can also offer a twin centre option of a liveaboard and island based holiday in the Maldives. Alternatively, many guests choose to combine the incredible sights in Sri Lanka with either an island or liveaboard in the Maldives.

For Sri Lanka options, click here

GROUPS

For anyone travelling as a group of friends, with a dive club or even an extended family there are often group deals available, along with full charters. To find out the best option for your group or dive club, the experienced and friendly Regaldive team are happy to do the work for you and provide curated recommendations; all part of the service!

Click here for GROUP LIVEABOARD OFFERS

Flight Options

Emirates via Dubai from Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. Other regional departures may be available; supplement may apply. Regaldive's prices are currently based on Emirates. Supplements may or may not apply for other airlines dependant on seat availability.

Sri Lankan via Colombo from Heathrow, Qatar Airways via Doha from Heathrow and Manchester, Oman Air via Muscat from Heathrow, British Airways from Gatwick.

Charter Flights: Flights are direct, once a week for 7 and 14 night durations, usually flying overnight on outbound. Charter flight days may not match all the liveaboard departure days, with the exception of Carpe Diem.

Internal transfers to your liveaboard

Your boat is reached either by sea plane, speedboat transfer or internal flight from Male airport. Transfers are organised as part of your holiday package, unless requested otherwise.

Seaplane and Boat Transfers

Most liveaboards that opearate out of Male will organise a transfer using a dhoni that will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the baot. Liveaboards operating from other areas will have a either a speedbaot transfer, seaplane or pressurised flight.

If you are transferring by seaplane you should be aware of the following:

• Seaplanes do not operate a fixed departure schedule, but are planned daily according to the islands / boats requirements. The planning is carried out locally 24 hours in advance.
• Seaplanes often pick up and drop off guests from a number of islands on a single transfer run.
• Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours, generally 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
• You may have to wait for a short duration after arriving in Male. On departing, the islands will transfer you back to Male as late a local logistics on that day will allow.
• On departing your island resort your return seaplane transfer time will be confirmed the day before departure by your resort.
• If you have a late international flight departing home, it is highly advisable you ask Regaldive to reserve a day use package for you at the Hulhule hotel.
• Seaplanes are not pressurised flights.
• Seaplanes typically operate a strict weight policy of 20kg for hold luggage.
• Excess luggage is currently $2 per kilo to the island and $4 perkilo on the return.

Inter Atoll Flights - Haa Alifu

Transfers to Haa-Alifu in the North involve an internal pressurised flight from Male. This is arranged and costed as part of your travel package to the north of the Maldives, unless otherwise requested.

Hulhule Airport Hotel - Day use & overnights

International and internal flight schedules occasionally make fairly long connection times in Male Airport inevitable. The Hulehule Airport hotel offers inexpensive day packages to non-residents for use of their beach, pool, showers, left luggage and other facilities. Pre-booked packages are available with Regaldive, for day use with and without a room, and overnight stays (refer to separate webpage on Hulehule Airport hotel).

Passports

Passengers travelling to the Maldives must have six months valid on their passport from the date of return to the UK.

Visas

A free 30 day permit is given to British travellers on arrival in Male. Other nationalities should consult their consular website.

Vaccinations

Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic or local GP. Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk. There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to the Maldives, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio.

Itineraries

The Best of the Maldives

Sharktastic

Pelagic Magic

Deep South & Southern Sharks

Reviews