MV Leo dive boat review
Step aboard Emperor Leo
MALDIVES LIVEABOARD GUIDE
Emperor Leo: Included Nitrox and upper-deck cabin choices
24 guests · 12 cabins
Emperor Leo combines a 24-guest layout with a separate 20 m dhoni and included Nitrox for certified divers. Upper-deck cabins offer a different setting from the eight lower-deck rooms; confirm the actual bed layout.
Check dates & cabin availability →
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Emperor Leo: vessel profile
Emperor Leo is a 35 m wooden-hulled yacht with a 9.4 m beam. Twelve cabins accommodate 24 guests. The partner records construction in 2009 and renovation in 2012; no claim is made that 2012 was its latest maintenance. A 20 m dhoni supports the diving.
Which cabin should you book?
| Deck | Cabin choice | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Lower | 2 doubles + 6 twins | Two twins convert to doubles |
| Upper | 1 double Suite + 3 twins | Two twins convert to doubles |
Cabins have air-conditioning and private bathrooms. Specify whether you need separate beds, a double, a view or sole occupancy; a category name alone does not settle those details.
Life aboard Emperor Leo
Onboard you will find a spacious sun deck with ample sun loungers and a fully licensed bar for when the day’s diving has finished. Also, if you feel you would like to go in the water again, there is an outdoor Jacuzzi to relax in. Wi-Fi is available depending on location; check the current package.
Let the operator know about dietary needs before booking. Ask which drinks and internet package are included; connectivity at sea should not be treated as a reliable work connection.
Travelling with a non-diver on Emperor Leo?
Acceptance and activities: Emperor Maldives accepts non-diving companions. Leo’s lounge and deck spaces provide time aboard, but the diving schedule does not guarantee daily surface excursions. Guided snorkeling depends on conditions and guide availability, and a flotation aid is required. A private snorkeling guide is a paid advance arrangement; confirm equipment and excursion costs.
Non-diver price: the non-diver fare and any discount need to be confirmed for your departure. Request a written quote for your dates, cruise length, cabin and occupancy, stating currency, taxes, transfers and activity extras. Do not assume that unused dives are refunded.
Diving, routes and experience
Emperor includes Nitrox for certified divers. Computer, SMB and reef hook are required; a torch is needed for night dives.
Check the itinerary attached to your departure. Malé–Malé routes avoid the domestic-flight logistics of many southern trips. Currents can change the site order and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. See the Maldives diving guide for seasons and atolls.
Emperor recommends allowing at least 24 hours between the final dive and flying. Its Deep South trips require at least 100 logged dives and the appropriate advanced/deep qualification; do not apply a central-atoll entry requirement to those routes.
Emperor Leo itinerary map
Best of Maldives is a flexible central-atoll cruise. The loop below illustrates how the regions fit together; arrows do not promise a daily order. The captain chooses the route for weather and conditions. Malé is the joining area, not a guaranteed marina berth.
Leo itinerary map
Select the documented route example below. Zoom to inspect the islands and reefs, and select a numbered stop for its name. The actual sailing programme must be confirmed with the operator.
Lines show indicative connections between regions, not navigation tracks. Arrows show the example direction; departures can run in reverse, and stops vary with weather, currents and the chosen cruise.
Routes at a glance
- Central Atolls: Malé / North Malé → Rasdhoo → Maaya Thila / North Ari → South Ari / Maamigili → Vaavu / Alimatha → South Malé area → Malé / North Malé. Indicative regional connections from the route described on this page. Confirm the actual departure, direction and stops; this is not a navigation track.
Confirm ports, transfers and any domestic flights before booking.
Geographic references and route sources
Regional markers use the references below. See the boat-specific itinerary sources accompanying this map; no extra route is implied by the destination guide.
Malé / North Malé · Rasdhoo · Maaya Thila / North Ari · South Ari / Maamigili · Vaavu / Alimatha · South Malé area ·
Route areas: Malé → Rasdhoo → North Ari → South Ari → Vaavu → South Malé → Malé, in a variable order. Atoll markers are approximate reference areas. Maaya Thila is plotted from its mapped reef location; Alimatha uses the island position, not an exact entry point.
- Maaya Thila, North Ari: a compact pinnacle, also known for night diving; current influences the dive plan.
- Alimatha, Vaavu: a sunset/night-dive option associated with nurse sharks.
- Fish Head, Ari: Emperor also highlights this pinnacle; it is not precisely pinned because published coordinates differ.
Route: Emperor Best of Maldives. Geography: GeoNames; Rasdhoo, Maaya Thila, South Ari reference and Alimatha via Mapcarta/OpenStreetMap. Dive context: PADI Maaya Thila. Planning illustration, not a navigation chart.
Watch: Maldives Central Atolls — destination film
Guest film by AROS Pro, February 2026, filmed aboard Emperor Serenity. Destination illustration only: it does not show this boat or establish its facilities. Video source · Watch on YouTube. Illustrative boat photograph.
Budget, inclusions and extras
Current departure listings were checked on 6 October 2026. Obtain a cabin-level quote for your dates. Compare currency, nights, shared or private occupancy, taxes, fuel and service charges before choosing.
| Budget line | Before paying |
|---|---|
| Cruise | Match dates, nights, cabin, currency and occupancy. |
| Mandatory extras | Ask for taxes, fuel/service charges, park fees and compulsory transfers as a written total. |
| Diving extras | Check Nitrox, rentals, larger tanks, courses and private guiding. |
| Travel | Add international flights, any domestic flights, hotels, insurance and optional spending. |
Request a written shared-berth or sole-occupancy quote. Availability in a double cabin does not establish the price for one guest.
Is this the right boat for you?
Emperor Leo combines a 24-guest layout with a separate 20 m dhoni and included Nitrox for certified divers. Upper-deck cabins offer a different setting from the eight lower-deck rooms; confirm the actual bed layout.
What guests say about Emperor Leo
Staff and meals are strengths in these accounts. One guest’s dive-count mismatch is a reason to confirm the planned total, including shortened arrival and departure days.
- Eric R, 8 April 2026: praised the airport pickup, dive team and generous meals.
- Nico W, 19 February 2025: liked the staff and food but reported 17 dives rather than the approximately 20–21 expected from the listing.
- Sean Percival Y, 15 July 2026: appreciated the friendly crew and roomy accommodation.
Paraphrased from dated LiveAboard.com guest reviews, checked 6 October 2026. These partner accounts are separate from Divezone’s reader ratings below.
Emperor Leo: detailed booking FAQ
How many cabins does Leo have now?
The current operator plan lists twelve: eight below and four on the upper deck, for 24 guests.
Which Leo cabins can convert to doubles?
Two lower-deck twins and two upper-deck twins can convert. Ask for the assigned room and confirmed configuration.
Is the upper Suite a twin cabin?
The operator lists it with a double bed. Select a confirmed twin if travelling with a friend.
What if I travel alone?
Emperor guarantees same-sex sharing; if it cannot match you under that policy, it provides a cabin without a single supplement. Voluntary private occupancy is separate.
Is Nitrox included?
Yes for qualified divers, with membrane Nitrox up to 32%. Larger tanks and rentals should be arranged before travel.
Where do divers prepare?
On the separate 20 m dhoni. The main boat has camera charging, rinse and preparation facilities.
How many dives will I get?
Use the exact departure programme. A February 2025 guest reported fewer dives than expected; weather and arrival/departure schedules can affect totals.
Can I use the older rebreather description?
Do not plan a technical trip from that archive wording. Emperor’s current Maldives rules prohibit technical, decompression and solo diving.
Find your Emperor Leo departure
Compare the cabin and final quote for the dates you can travel.
Have you dived with Emperor Leo?
Share your travel date, cabin, diving experience and any practical advice for the next guest. Existing reader reviews remain below.
Editorial check: 6 October 2026. This is a researched update, not a new onboard inspection. Useful original descriptions have been retained and outdated prices and specifications corrected. Sources: operator boat information, departure and cabin listings and Emperor Maldives FAQ.
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
Drift dives, reef sharks, manta rays and whale sharks: choose the right atoll, season and diving style for your Maldives adventure.
- 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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