Emperor Leo | Maldives Liveaboard | Scuba Diving Holiday | Scuba Travel

Emperor Leo | Maldives Liveaboard | Scuba Diving Holiday - Indian Ocean

  • Guests 24
  • Rooms 12
  • Restaurants Main deck restaurant
  • Food and Drinks Western buffets meals served on the main deck
  • Facilities35m
  • Diving Up to 3 dives a day
  • Diving Extras Ask about rental gear and courses on booking
  • Internet Access Wifi available onboard - local charges apply

Emperor Leo | Maldives Liveaboard | Scuba Diving Holiday

Leo is light and bright Maldives liveaboard that runs weekly departures to dive the classic Best of the Maldives. She's a popular choice for those looking for a great, affordable liveaboard. Free nitrox is just one of the reasons divers love the on board package. Measuring 35m, she happily accommodates 24 divers in 12 ensuite cabins with double and twin arrangements.

Leo is a stylish boat, with contrasting wooden decor throughout the entire vessel including the cabins. There are 2 double and 2 double twin/ and 4 twin cabins on the lower deck. 3 double/twin cabins are found on the upper deck, along with the executive cabin, the largest on board. All of the cabins have air con, with en suite with hair dryers available.

The communal areas on board Leo are generous, with a large air conditioned saloon and dining area with bar. All meals and briefings are here. Spend your surface intervals drinking in the sun's ray on the fly deck. As all diving on Leo is done from the large 19.8m dhoni tender that will get you in the perfect spot for all that pelagic action each and every time. She is one of the few rebreather friendly Maldives liveaboards. Snorkellers are also welcomed on board, and will receive a free snorkelling kit and $50 on board voucher to spend. Morning, noon and night your every need is looked after onboard Leo - discover this Maldivian liveaboard for yourself.



Executive suite

The executive suite on Leo is found on the upper deck and is the largest on board. It's simple, stylish decor is open and airy, with plenty of light coming into the cabin from the surround windows. It has a large double bed with separate seating area and en-suite bathroom.

Upper deck

There are 3 upper deck cabins, all benefiting from the gorgeous sea views out of over the Indian Ocean. 2 cabins can be arranged as either a double or twin beds. 1 is a twin

Lower deck standard

The 8 lower deck standard cabins on Leo all benefit from the same decor as throughout the boat, with en suite and port hole windows. 2 cabins have double beds, 4 cabin have twin beds and the last 2 can be arranged as either a twin or double.

Boat plan

All cabins are en suite, have AC plus a fan. Hair dryers are available on board. Wifi is available for $20 per week (local charge)

Please note these prices may not include flights. Click select for the full holiday details

James & Jessica

Just a quick, slightly belated message from James and myself to thank you for your help over the last couple of years (!) in organising our trip to the Maldives. We LOVED it! The diving was incredible and the boat and crew fantastic, it really was worth the wait! Our only complaint was we should have gone for 2 weeks! Hopefully we can book another diving trip soon. Thanks again, Jessica and James .

Frequently Asked Questions

Location

The Maldives is in the Indian Ocean, a 10-14hr flight from the UK, around 370 miles southwest of Sri Lanka. It is made up of 1200 islands, stretching over 500 miles from north to south. The main arrival airport for all flights to the Maldives is Male's airport island (MLE). The Maldives is famous for its great snorkelling, manta cleaning stations, whalesharks, shark dives and fast drift dives through channels. The water remains a constant 27-28 C year round.

Covid Travel Information

View entry requirements here on UK FCDO

A PCR test is no longer required to enter Maldives.

Entry requirements for Maldives are the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

All travellers must submit a self-declarative health declaration within 96 hours prior to travel online portal of Maldives Immigration, "Imuga", imuga.immigration.gov.mv.

From 18th March, when you travel to England from abroad you:
do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive
do not need to fill in a UK passenger locator form
do not need to quarantine when you arrive
This applies whether you are vaccinated or not.

It includes people who are transiting through England.
Updated 8 JUL 2022

Weather and Climate

Whilst there are 2 monsoon seasons (Nov-Apr & May-Oct), the diving remains excellent year round. Diving operators will changes their dive sites in each season to find the best hot spots for the big fish! Traditionally, our summer months tend to be windier with a higher chance of rain, whilst the winter months are flatter. However, the seasons are much less predictable in reality and its a fabulous place to dive whatever time of year!

Travel

Flight options

Our holidays to the Maldives can be quoted with most major airlines. If you would like to depart from a regional UK airport (eg. Glasgow/Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham or Gatwick) or have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. If you make your own flight arrangements to Male, please check the transfer arrangements before confirming your flights. Please do not finalise any flight arrangements yourself before your liveaboard space is confirmed as being held.

Stopovers

As most flights are not direct, it is simple to add a stop over en route - simply ask your travel consultant for a quote. Sri Lanka is our most popular, up coming destination - with beautiful beaches, it's a great alternative to staying in the Maldives resorts. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, why not head into the jungle for look for elephants and leopards. Or if you are a culture vulture, we highly recommend a Kandy city tour. The choice is yours! As we are able to book most major airlines to the Maldives, you can also add a stop to break up your flight. Popular locations include Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi.

Arrange before you go

Visa requirements

UK passport holders are able to obtain a free 30 day visa on arrival. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: Please review current FCO advice click here . If transiting via Sri Lanka you must have a visa prior to travel click here to review

Insurance

Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.

Immunisations

Your covid proof of vaccination must match your passport name and flight ticket name. Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on updating your NHS details or for other travel immunisations: click here to go to the NHS

Preparing to fly

Seating

You will be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.

Check in

As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.

Lounge

An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world. click here for more info on Lounge Pass

Parking

Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here for holiday extras

What happens when I arrive?

On arrival in the Maldives, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. You will then be met outside of arrivals by a representative from your liveaboard or resort. They will be holding a board with either your destination or your name on it. If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please turn left from arrivals and go to the information desk at Male airport. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.

Transfers

If your holiday begins in Male you will be met and taken to your boat. The transfer takes around 20mins. Many of our Maldives holidays will include either a domestic flight or seaplane transfer. It takes approx 45mins -1 hour to clear immigration and collect your baggage at Male airport. We endeavour to keep the transit between flights as short as possible and your transfer will normally take place within 3 hours of your international arrival, but please be aware, you may have to wait at the airport between flights. The domestic terminal is right next door to arrivals. This has AC, bathrooms and a small cafe. You will usually be met by a rep, who will assist you in moving between the terminals. The baggage allowance on domestic flights is typically 20kgs hold and 5kgs hand baggage. Excess baggage is charged locally $2-$5/kg. The seaplane check in desk is to your right on exiting the arrivals hall. You will check your bag in here and then be transferred to the seaplane terminal by bus. This has AC, bathrooms, a small cafe and shop. The seaplanes run regularly throughout the day and due to the way the scheduling is organised, the exact time of your seaplane cannot be confirmed prior to arrival in Male. Seaplanes do not run in the dark - the fist seaplane is around 06:00 Male time and ends around 16:00 Male time. The baggage allowance on seaplane flights is typically 20kgs hold and 5kgs hand baggage. Excess baggage is charged locally $2-$5/kg.

Departures

You will be taken back to Male airport in time for your international flight. Domestic flights and seaplanes will arrive in time for you to make your connections. Typically you will arrive at the airport 1 1/2- 2 hours before your flight time. There is currently no departure tax when leaving the Maldives.

Info

Tipping

Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the guides and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.

Currency

The official currency of the Maldives is the rufiyya. However, we generally recommend you take USD as this is the preferred currency for most transactions. Do ensure you have smaller denominations handy as larger notes can be difficult to use. Notes should be in good condition. Credit and debit cards can be used, but do be aware of currency conversions and card surcharges. There is a 16 %GSTsales tax (17% from July 2025) applied to all local payments.

Phone coverage

The Maldives has good mobile phone coverage throughout. You can purchase a local SIM card at the airport if you prefer. Wifi access can be purchased on board for $31 but coverage may be intermittent. If you need internet, we recommend you make arrangements with your provider in the UK.

Plugs and electricity

Electricity is 240V - UK 3 pin plugs are commonplace, although some plugs may have 2pin European connections. Please do not leave batteries charging unattended in your cabins at any time.

Extras

Hire equipment

Emperor offer a range of rental equipment and different sized tanks (including 6lt, 15lt and twinsets) - all kit hire must be prebooked and are paid for on board. Please speak to your travel consultant for current price list

Extras

Emperor instructors can teach a wide range of PADI courses on board. These must be prebooked and are paid for on board. Please speak to your travel consultant for current course prices

Souvenirs

At the moment there are no boat specific souvenirs for sale onboard. More generic Maldivian souvenirs will be available to buy at the airport.

Nitrox/Gas

Free of charge for certified divers, subject to fill availability on board

Payments

Deposits and Balances

This holiday is a boat and Male airport transfer package only. Where needed, domestic flights are also included as part of your transfers. A typical deposit for a Maldives liveaboard is 30% of your holiday cost. This will be due once your holiday has been confirmed. Your balance will then be due 90 days before travel. Depending on your flight option and ticketing deadline, you may need to pay in full for your flight. From time to time, promo trips with lower deposits on boat only spaces may be on sale as a special offer. Your travel consultant will outline the flight payment structure at the time of booking.

Ways to pay

We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. If you would like a pay by link to complete check out via email please let us know and it can be set up for you. We do not take AMEX. All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 3% surcharge. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas bank transfers must add £8 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions or personal cheques.

Group Payments

If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation

Discounts

Repeat Guests

Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers?
Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.

And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.

5% off for repeat customers travelling with Scuba Travel within 24 months
Plus if you have dived with Emperor Divers in the Red Sea or Maldives 5 times or more, then you can enjoy an Emperor gift voucher to spend locally. If you'd like a free 15lt tank or cabin upgrade, just ask at the time of booking so we can check on availability.
Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices

Included

7 nights on board Leo on a full board basis (3 meals daily plus in between dive snacks), drinking water, tea and coffee. Airport transfers will be provided and advised locally. Emperor Maldives includes 1 glass of wine with your evening meal.

You will have 3 dives/day except for the arrival and departure day, 12lt tanks, air fills, nitrox, weights and belts. This will typically include 1 or 2 night dives. Dives are guided.

The local green tax $12 per person per night (as of Jan 2025) are prepaid.

Airport transfers will be provided and run at fixed times between the boat and airport (visa versa). Domestic flights are excluded and will need to be added at time of booking.

Excluded

Please see the on board extras tab for a more comprehensive list of local charges. You can elect to add international flights to your boat package. If you prefer to make your own flight arrangements, you must notify us of your flight arrangements at least 4 weeks prior to travel so we can make local arrangements as required. It is your responsibility to ensure your flights are booked correctly to match your land arrangements. If you are continuing your holiday in the Maldives at a resort, hotel or another liveaboard, your on-going transfers need to be arranged by you from the airport.

Additional kit hire and any on board souvenirs

16% GST is applied to all local purchases in the Maldives (17% as of July 2025)


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