The Emperor Leo is a 35-meter (115-foot) vessel offering accommodation for 24 guests in 12 large, well-appointed cabins. Itineraries include Central Atolls, South Central & the Deep South.
A word from Dom : “One of the vessels operated by our friends at Emperor Maldives, the Leo is always a good choice. She gets fine reviews, includes free nitrox and the 2019 refit has made the boat sparkle. Spacious, classy & comfortable & a good value. Highly recommended.” Dominick Macan
1 upper deck DOUBLE SUITE
double bed & picture windows
2 upper deck DOUBLE / TWIN cabin
2 twin beds or 1 large double… with picture window
1 upper deck TWIN cabins
2 twin beds
4 lower deck TWIN cabins
2 twin beds & port windows
2 lower deck DOUBLE cabins
1 double bed & port windows
2 lower deck DOUBLE / TWIN cabins
double bed or 2 twin beds & port windows
All cabins have en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, a fan & plenty of storage.
up to 3 dives per day all from the dive dhoni
12 liter alu tanks (DIN & INT valves)
15 liter alu tanks (at extra cost)
scuba gear rental (by advance request)
nitrox
water temperature: 78 – 82F, 25 – 28C … 3mm wetsuit recommended
accommodation & diving
meals, snacks, water, tea & coffee
glass of wine with dinner
compressed air, tanks, weights & weight belts
nitrox & airport transfers
trip to Malé on the final day
government tax & bed tax
international & domestic airfare
alcoholic beverages, soft drinks & juices
scuba rental gear (by advance request)
supplement for certain cabins
international telephone calls
spa treatments
Emperor Leo was refurbished in 2019, top to bottom, and the results are excellent. There’s a huge topside deck with bar service & lounging chairs, which is largely uncovered, but you can also sneak a piece of shade when you need to. Plus, you’ll find two more leisure decks, one at the bow of the main deck (where you also find a Jacuzzi) and there’s a covered exterior lounge at the stern of the upper deck. All provide comfortable seating.
The main deck lounge easily accommodates all divers on deliciously comfortable sofas and offers all the normal amenities including an extensive library, video and music collections. The interior dining area is comfortable yet elegant with warm wood paneling and large windows to ensure you don’t miss any of the stunning scenery.
You’ll find a fully-stocked drinks bar, western-style meals and vegetarian options. Four of the cabins are situated on the upper deck and feature large windows. The remaining 8 cabins are on the lower deck.
Diving, as with all Maldives liveaboards, is done from the dhoni … and Leo is rebreather friendly.
Some of the excellent “plus” features are the telescope for stargazers and the steam bath & masseuse for tired divers. If you wish, you can stay in touch with the rest of the world with the onboard wi-fi system when in range.
International flights should be arranged for Male, Maldives. All the transfers to and from Emperor Leo on the check-in day (usually Saturday or Sunday) will be met at Male (Velana) International Airport by an Emperor representative. Transfers depart from the airport to the boat at 11:00, 13:00 and 16:00 and are free of charge. 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. Leo will depart early on the morning following the check-in day.
Upon arrival, after the week’s diving, you’ll be moored in port from mid-afternoon the day before departure until departure time the next morning. 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.
If your route does not start in Male and you require a domestic flight on arrival, you will be met by an Emperor representative and assisted with the check-in formalities for your flight.
Type: Wooden hull
Length: 35 meters (115-foot)
Beam: 9.4 meters (31-foot)
DIVING FACILITIES
Compressors: 2 x Coltri + Nitrox
Nitrox diving: FREE
SMB, dive computer & reef hooks are required on all dives
SMBs and reef hooks are complimentary
large diving dhoni, fully equipped with compressors, tanks & oxygen kits
charging stations, air gun, rinse tanks & camera table
MACHINERY
Engine: 500 HP Mitsubishi
Water Makers: 9500 liters/day
NAVIGATION
GPS chart plotter
COMMUNICATIONS
VHF radio; Telephone; Mobile
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Oxygen/Medic First Aid Kit
The Emperor Leo concentrates on Central Maldives diving – North & South Male & Ari Atoll, but from time to time ventures to the southernmost atolls, Huvadhoo and Addu, where you’ll experience an abundance of shark action.
The final itinerary is, of course, always dependent upon weather, sea conditions and where the best animal sightings are at any particular time of year ……
Best of the Maldives: central atolls
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, wreck.
Vaavu Atoll: beautiful channels with soft corals and pelagics.
North Male Atoll: pinnacles
South Central Atolls: Due to strong currents, we recommend you have 100 logged dives. The boat requires that you are Deep Diver/Advanced Open Water or equivalent. Due to weather and diving conditions, it’s not always possible to visit each atoll. Your cruise director will decide the best ones to visit at the time of diving.
North Male Atoll : beautiful pinnacles & house reefs.
South Male Atoll: grey reef sharks, eagle rays, other pelagics, beautiful macro wreck.
Vaavu Atoll: beautiful channels with soft corals and pelagics.
Meemu Atoll: channels with pelagic action, sailfish, grey reef sharks, eagle rays and beautiful soft corals, manta cleaning station.
Thaa Atoll: hammerhead sharks, whale sharks at night.
Laamu Atoll: fish-filled channels and shark encounters.
Deep South & Southern Sharks: Due to strong currents, we recommend you have 100 logged dives and the boat requires that you are Deep Diver/Advanced Open Water or equivalent. Due to weather and diving conditions, it’s not always possible to visit each atoll. Your cruise director will decide the best ones to visit at the time of diving.
Laamu Atoll: fish-filled channels and shark encounters.
Huvadhoo Atoll: whale sharks at night, abundant grey reef sharks, oceanic black tip sharks, fast and exciting channel dives – silky sharks, great hammerheads, mola-mola and bull sharks seen from time to time.
Foammulah Island/Atoll: tiger sharks, oceanic manta and thresher sharks
Addu Atoll: The most southern atoll of the Maldives, which is located south of the equator and used to be a British Royal Air Force base
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