Brand new flagship
Emperor Explorer II
New in 2026 and the largest boat Emperor has ever run in the Maldives. Fibreglass hull, four decks, four guides and a 24m dive dhoni.
- 44mLength
- 26Guests
- 2026Built
- 4Dive guides
Emperor Fleet • Maldives
Compare the Emperor Maldives fleet
Five Maldives liveaboards run by one experienced dive operation — from the brand-new 44m Explorer II to the small-group Virgo. Same free nitrox, same dhoni diving, very different boats.
Not sure which suits you? Call us — we will match the boat, route and cabin to your diving.
- Free nitrox
- Park, port & fuel fees included
- Glass of wine with dinner
- UK flights on request
Find your boat
Five boats, one dive team
Every Emperor boat dives from its own dhoni, includes free nitrox and follows the same routes around the central atolls. The differences are size, how many divers are on board, cabin layout and the specialist routes each boat sails.
Brand new flagship
Modern and spacious
Emperor Serenity
A new 40m fibreglass Serenity joined the fleet in 2024. Same guest numbers as Explorer II, four guides, a 24m dhoni and two roomy main-deck cabins.
- 40mLength
- 26Guests
- 2024Built
- 4Dive guides
Light, bright, with a jacuzzi
Emperor Leo
A classic 34m wooden Maldivian liveaboard, refitted in 2025. Four guides for 24 guests, a large upper-deck double cabin and a jacuzzi on deck.
- 34mLength
- 24Guests
- 2025Refit
- 4Dive guides
Great-value classic
Emperor Voyager
The smallest-hulled boat in the fleet at 30m, refitted in 2025. A relaxed, friendly boat for 20 guests with three guides — a favourite for value.
- 30mLength
- 20Guests
- 2025Refit
- 3Dive guides
Smallest group on board
Emperor Virgo
Just 18 guests in nine cabins, refitted in 2025. The smallest group in the fleet, three guides and a lower-deck family room for three.
- 32mLength
- 18Guests
- 2025Refit
- 3Dive guides
Also in the Maldives
Or the Carpe fleet?
We also sell Carpe Diem, Carpe Vita and Carpe Novo — including the only Maldives boat we offer with dedicated single suites. Compare them on their own page.
Side by side
The important differences
The diving, the dhoni system and what is included are the same across the fleet. These are the details that may help you decide.
| Compare | Explorer II | Serenity | Leo | Voyager | Virgo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The boat | |||||
| At a glance | Brand-new flagship, the largest in the fleet | Modern and spacious, same capacity as Explorer II | Classic wooden boat with a jacuzzi | Relaxed, great-value classic | Smallest group, most personal feel |
| Length | 44m | 40m | 34m | 30m | 32m |
| Built / refit | New 2026 | New 2024 | Refit 2025 | Refit 2025 | Refit 2025 |
| Hull | Fibreglass | Fibreglass | Wood | Wood | Wood |
| Guests on board | 26 | 26 | 24 | 20 | 18 |
| Jacuzzi | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Cabins | |||||
| Cabins | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
| Upper deck | 4 twin/double | 3 twin, 1 double | 1 large double, 2 twin/double, 1 twin | 2 twin | 2 twin/double |
| Main deck | 2 twin/double | 2 twin/double | None | 1 twin | 2 twin |
| Lower deck | 1 double, 6 twin/double | 2 double, 5 twin/double | 2 double, 6 twin | 3 double, 4 twin | 1 double/family room, 4 twin |
| Cabin fan | A/C only | A/C only | A/C + fan | A/C + fan | A/C + fan |
| Travelling solo | All five boatsNo dedicated single cabins on any Emperor boat. We can pair you with a same-sex share, or ask us about a cabin to yourself. For true single cabins, see Carpe Novo. | ||||
| Diving | |||||
| Dive guides | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Dive dhoni | 24m | 24m | 19.8m | 19.8m | 16.6m |
| Courses on board | Try dives, referrals, Advanced, adventure dives & specialties | Try dives, referrals, Advanced, adventure dives & specialties | Adventure dives & selected specialties | Advanced, adventure dives & specialties | Adventure dives & selected specialties |
| Nitrox | All five boatsFree nitrox for certified divers, from two Coltri compressors plus a nitrox system on every boat | ||||
| Tanks | All five boats11-litre (80 cu ft) aluminium tanks and weights included. Larger tanks must be pre-ordered and carry a charge | ||||
| Photographers | All five boatsCamera rinse tank and charging station, 220V and 110V sockets | ||||
| Rebreathers | All five boatsRebreather and twinset friendly. Technical diving is not permitted in the Maldives | ||||
| Routes & booking | |||||
| Routes sailed |
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| Why choose it? | The newest, biggest boat with the most space | Modern comfort and four guides | A jacuzzi, a big upper-deck double and four guides | The best value in the fleet | The smallest group and a family cabin |
Routes vary by season and departure — check the individual trip for the exact itinerary.
Whichever you choose:
Diving from a dedicated dhoni
Free nitrox for certified divers
Port, fuel & marine park fees and green tax included
Glass of wine with dinner
Return airport transfers
The short answer
Which boat is right for you?
If you would rather not read a whole table, start here.
Choose Explorer II if…
- You want the newest boat in the Maldives fleet, launched in 2026
- You like plenty of room — at 44m it is the largest Emperor boat
- You want four guides and the biggest dive dhoni
- You want to take a course on board, including Advanced
Choose Serenity if…
- You want a modern fibreglass boat, new in 2024
- You like a main-deck cabin with a view — there are two
- You want four guides and a 24m dhoni
- You fancy Hanifaru Bay and the northern atolls in season
Choose Leo if…
- You want a jacuzzi after the last dive of the day
- You are a couple after the large upper-deck double
- You like a traditional wooden boat, freshly refitted in 2025
- You want four guides for 24 divers
Choose Voyager if…
- You want the best value in the Emperor fleet
- You like a smaller, relaxed boat with 20 guests
- You want the Sharktastic route
- You like a fan in the cabin as well as air-con
Choose Virgo if…
- You want the smallest group — just 18 divers
- You are a family or three friends — there is a lower-deck family room
- You want the widest choice of specialist routes
- You like a quieter, more personal week
Still torn? Pick the route and dates first and let them choose the boat — you will have a superb week on any of them. Talk it through with us →
Choose your space
Cabins on each boat
Every cabin on every Emperor boat is en-suite with individually controlled air-conditioning and a mini safe. The lounge and bar are on the main deck and the sun deck is on top.
Explorer II
13 cabins for 26 guests
- Upper deck
- 4 twin/double
- Main deck
- 2 twin/double
- Lower deck
- 1 double, 6 twin/double
Serenity
13 cabins for 26 guests
- Upper deck
- 3 twin, 1 double
- Main deck
- 2 twin/double
- Lower deck
- 2 double, 5 twin/double
Leo
12 cabins for 24 guests
- Upper deck
- 1 large double, 2 twin/double, 1 twin
- Main deck
- No cabins
- Lower deck
- 2 double, 6 twin
The upper-deck double is the largest cabin on Leo, with a 203 × 185cm bed.
Leo dates & pricesVoyager
10 cabins for 20 guests
- Upper deck
- 2 twin
- Main deck
- 1 twin
- Lower deck
- 3 double, 4 twin
Virgo
9 cabins for 18 guests
- Upper deck
- 2 twin/double
- Main deck
- 2 twin
- Lower deck
- 1 double/family room, 4 twin
The lower-deck family room has a double bed plus a single — ideal for a family or three friends.
Virgo dates & pricesHonest advice
Which deck suits you?
There is no single best cabin — it depends on what matters to you. Here is how we would describe each deck to a friend.
Lower deck
Best for anyone prone to seasickness
- You feel the least movement down here — the boat is steadiest at the waterline
- Usually the best-value cabins on board
- The most cabins, so the most choice of date
- Small portholes
- Nearer the engines, so a little more background noise
Main deck
Best for easy access to everything
- Steps from the lounge, the bar and the dining area
- Windows and natural light
- A good balance of comfort and stability
- Only a couple of cabins per boat — and none on Leo
- Close to the social areas, so not the quietest
Upper deck
Best for light, views and privacy
- The best light and views on board
- Close to the sun deck
- Often the larger cabins — including Leo’s big double
- You feel a little more movement in a swell
- More stairs down to the dhoni pick-up
Dates, prices & cabins
Find the week that works for you
See every Emperor and Carpe Maldives departure in one list, or pick a boat above. Tell us the cabin you want and we will check it and hold it while you decide.
- 1Choose your boatCompare size, cabins and routes
- 2Choose a departureRoute, date and price
- 3Choose your cabinWe will check and hold it for you
- 4Add flights if you likeFrom your nearest UK airport
Good questions
Emperor Maldives FAQs
The questions our team is asked most often about the Emperor Maldives fleet.
What is the difference between the Emperor Maldives boats?
Mainly size and group size. Explorer II (44m, new 2026) and Serenity (40m, new 2024) are the two big fibreglass boats, each carrying 26 guests with four guides. Leo (34m, 24 guests, four guides) has a jacuzzi. Voyager (30m, 20 guests) and Virgo (32m, 18 guests) are the smaller wooden boats with three guides each. Leo, Voyager and Virgo were all refitted in 2025.
Which Emperor boat is newest?
Emperor Explorer II, which is new for 2026 and the largest boat Emperor has run in the Maldives. Serenity is the next newest, a new boat in 2024.
Do any of the Emperor boats have single cabins?
No. None of the Emperor Maldives boats has dedicated single cabins. If you are travelling on your own we can pair you with a same-sex share, or ask us about having a cabin to yourself. If a single cabin matters to you, Carpe Novo in the Carpe fleet has two single suites.
Is nitrox included?
Yes. Nitrox is free for certified divers on every Emperor boat. Tanks and weights are included; larger tanks need to be pre-ordered and carry a charge.
Are international flights included?
Maldives liveaboard prices are for the boat only, with return transfers between Male airport and the boat. We can add flights from your nearest UK airport for a small booking fee — please wait until we have confirmed your boat space before booking flights yourself.
What is included in the price?
Seven nights full board with drinking water, tea and coffee and a glass of wine with dinner, guided diving from the dhoni with tanks, weights and free nitrox, port, fuel and marine park fees, the local green tax, and return airport transfers. Other drinks, equipment hire, wifi data packages and crew tips are paid on board; a 17% sales tax and 10% service charge apply to on-board purchases.
Which boat is best for a smaller group?
Emperor Virgo, with just 18 guests in nine cabins, followed by Voyager with 20. Both have three guides and a more personal feel than the larger boats.
Are the boats suitable for underwater photographers?
Yes. Every boat has a camera rinse tank and a charging station, with 220V and 110V sockets. Because you dive from a separate dhoni, your dive kit stays on the dhoni between dives, keeping the main boat clean and dry.
Can I dive a rebreather or twinset?
All five boats are rebreather and twinset friendly. Technical diving, however, is not permitted in the Maldives.
Is there wifi on board?
Yes, as paid data packages bought on board. There are no computers for guest use.
Still deciding?
Talk to a team that knows the Maldives
Scuba Travel has been arranging dive holidays since 1995 and the Maldives is one of our specialist destinations. We can match the boat, route and cabin to your diving experience, your dates and the kind of week you want.