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MV Emperor Atoll dive boat review
Emperor Divers, a long established dive operation, promote themselves as ‘The Divers’ Choice’. And, although based in Egypt, they operate vessels for divers globally; including the MV Emperor Atoll liveaboard which tours the Maldives.
The Maldives is widely considered as one of the greatest scuba diving destinations on the planet. Millions of years of geological evolution has sculpted the area into a series of atolls and islands in the Indian Ocean. With swirling currents and nutrient rich waters, the area is famous for it’s breathtaking marine life.
You can check the availability, schedule and prices for this liveaboard here.
Emperor Atoll is smaller, more intimate, more personal diving safari vessel sailing from Male.
Built in 1988 but refitted in Dry Dock in 2014, MV Emperor Atoll is only 26m long and with a beam of 7m. A smaller vessel to accommodate a compliment of 12 guests compared to more expensive competition from MV Virgo or MV Duke of York. Structurally, with only one ‘proper’ deck, Emperor Atoll diving boat is very stable and rolls less than comparatively sized twin-decked vessels.
Boat Layout & Cabins
MV Emperor Atoll Floor Plan
The Emperor Atoll liveaboard has 6 Double/Twin cabins. Each cabin has ensuite bathroom facilities. Each has a double bed with a single directly above. Each cabin has air-conditioning and a fan. Despite the reasonable price of this Maldives liveaboard each is well trimmed, airy and comfortable. Quality has not been compromised.
MV Emperor Atoll Twin Cabin
Moving outside of your cabin and onto the main deck there is a saloon or relaxing area. It has a 38inch TV and home cinema system, media centre and comfortable seating for those wanting to relax, watch a film or review their photos.
There is also a DVD library and a selection of books on marine life should you wish to identify what you’ve seen for the precious log book.
As you would expect, there is complimentary tea, coffee and drinking water available throughout the day. Food is plentiful and when the weather is favorable meals of western and local cuisine are enjoyed outside.
MV Emperor Atoll Saloon
To the aft of the MV Emperor Atoll there is a partially covered sun deck and a swim platform for those wishing to slide in the water and snorkel when the boat is stationary.
On this deck you will also find fresh water showers and somewhere to rinse your photography equipment.
Scuba Diving onboard Emperor Atoll
All dives are thoroughly briefed by the Cruise Director onboard before diving from either the main vessel or accompanying dhoni. 2 guides are onboard for those less experienced Scuba divers who would prefer to have the benefit of a guide.
MV Emperor Atoll Exterior Relaxing Area
Being a boat for divers, Nitrox is free for those qualified and is a great facility to make use of on repetitive dives. The vessel is also ‘rebreather friendly’.
Equipment and further training is available on Emperor Atoll and there is a price incentive for pre-booking.
MV Emperor Atoll Dhoni
Liveaboard itineraries
One of the great things about this offering is (weather and season dependent) the choice of three different itineraries; the ‘Best of the Maldives’, ‘Sharktastic’ or ‘Pelagic Magic’. This means, whatever you’re hankering to see – you can book the appropriate voyage to give yourself the best opportunity.
Prices range from USD1,400 to USD2,000 depending on season and itinerary. This makes her one of the more affordable cruises in the region for divers who want to focus on their diving.
Where does this liveaboard dive boat go?
Check out the fabulous places where this dive boat travels to.
Note: some destinations may not be listed below, please enquire for more details.
destination of the monthMaldives
Great Drift Dives, amazing place for underwater photography. Good chance of spotting Manta Rays and Whale Sharks!
- If you have been diving on board this liveaboard dive boat in Maldives, please share your review and let us know what you thought. Please post your comments in the review section below, by doing so you will help fellow divers to plan their next diving trip
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Other Liveaboard Reviews in Maldives
I’ve just spent a week on Atoll with a group of 12 divers, so we had exclusive use of the boat.
Let’s set the base line; if you want 5* floating luxury, then this isn’t the boat for you. However, if you want a decent, reasonably priced diving base, look no further.
The accommodation is ample, air conditioned cabins with en-suite shower. There isn’t a great deal of ‘wardrobe’ space but you’re on a live aboard boat?
The crew are very pleasant and the food that we were served up was outstanding, a true testament to the ability of the chef; having undertaken numerous live aboard trips over the past 15 years, the fact that not a single person had a ‘bowel’ problem, was in itself remarkable.
The Dhoni support was very good, lacking only tea/coffee facilities which was a bit of a bind but can be resolved simply with the issue of some thermos flasks.
The dive guides were excellent and very knowledgeable and all in all the trip was far better than I ever anticipated. Like most (i suppose if people are honest) I wasn’t exactly over the moon when I saw the pictures of the boat as opposed to the floating ‘gin palaces’ that are available, but we were there to dive, not to lounge and Atoll more than ‘ticked’ all the boxes.
Would I go back? Certainly and am already looking at doing so. Thanks Emperor Divers.
I have recently returned from a week on the Emeror Atoll. The trip was poorly organised, the guide was unprofessional and at time ignorant of potentially dangerous situations. The Atoll boat crew were great and could not do enough to help make the trip the best they could. The food was well prepared and delicious. The cabins were small but clean and well maintained. The dhoni was disorganised, it failed to show up on the first day and we were forced to spend the first 24hrs of the trip moored in the bay at Male. Once they arrived, it was discovered they did not have enough weights, so another few hours went by as they returned to Male to purchase more weights. Problems with the compressor made the timing of the dives awkward. We were doing a night dive at 9pm and it was taking 3+ hrs to refill the one tank we were each allocated. There were no spares so if the tanks was filled with less than 200bar, it was swapped with the guides. The advertising of nitrox was incorrect as analysis showed that were were close to diving on air rather than nitrox.
Responses from management acknowledged the problems but brushed it off as being a fairly new company and just working on getting things right.
I would not go back to this company but would look for a more established organisation that cared a little more about their clients and were willing to correct issues rather than let them carry on for a whole weeks diving.