Launched in the Autumn of 2019, Emperor Explorer sees 2 world class fleets combine their knowledge and expertise into one stunning liveaboard. Offering contemporary and spacious accommodation, she will wow with the excellent service both fleets are known for. Sail away on this beautiful boat for a 7 or 10 night itinerary around the best sites the Maldives has to offer. She will be one of the only liveaboards to offer up to 4 dives a day, plus free nitrox and wine with your evening meal. What's not to love?
At 42m from bow to stern, Emperor Explorer accommodates 26 divers with room to spare. The upper deck has two suites with a double bed and two twin cabins. The main deck carries two suites with double/single bed. The lower deck contains five double/twin cabins with double/single bed and two cabins with a double bed. There are 3 main cabin grades to chose from. All twin cabin options are side by side beds, not bunks.
Our from price is based on a lower deck double cabin. Emperor do charge more for twin lower deck cabins, as well as main deck and upper deck cabin upgrades. Simply ask your travel consultant at the time of booking if you have a specific cabin request and they will advise the current price supplement.
As all of your diving takes place from the large dhoni tender, the communal spaces on board are generous and well thought out. The upper deck boasts a covered, open area ideal for watching photos and footage from your diving or just relaxing, star gazing and soaking up the wonderful Maldivian ambience. The sundeck is perfect for catching those sunrays or having a reviving nap. Enjoy open air dining area at the stern of the main deck. Several sofas and tables await you inside the air-conditioned saloon for relaxing or watching TV. And of course, there is a spa service on the main deck (additional charges apply locally)
Are you planning to snorkel not dive? Enjoy a free snorkelling kit + $50 voucher to spend on board.
Enjoy the best upgrade on the boat! There are 2 upper deck cabins with a double bed and 2 twins
There are 2 main deck cabin with a single bed as well as a double. Ideal for couples or buddy pairs
The lower deck cabins on board are large, with 5 cabins with a double bed and single bed alongside and a further 3 with just a double bed. All are modern in design with TV, small desk, en-suite and air con. - The lower deck cabins all have portholes.
All cabins have air con and a hairdrier
Please note these prices may not include flights. Click select for the full holiday details
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 %GST (sales tax) applied to all local payments.
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 $30 but coverage may be intermitent. If you need internet, we recommend you make arrangements with your provider in the UK.
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.
We offer a very wide range of rental equipment onboard Emperor Explorer.
Emperor Explorer can teach a wide range of courses on board. These must be prebooked and are paid for on board. Please speak to your travel consultant for current course prices and options
At the moment there are no boat specific souvenirs for sale onboard Serenity. More generic Maldivian souvenirs will be available to buy at the airport.
Free of charge for certified divers, subject to fill availability on board
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.
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.
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
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.
Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices
The Best of the Maldives does just what it says on the tin - you dive the best and most famous dive sites of the Maldives in a single week of sublime liveaboard diving across Male and Ari atolls. This is a dive holiday in the Maldives to remember tha... Learn more about Best of the Maldives
Sharktastic is a special itinerary packed with sharks, manta and whalesharks. Focusing on Male as well as Vaavu, Meemu and South Ari atolls, this seasonal itinerary has been designed with plenty of big fish action as you visit the Maldives' famous c... Learn more about Sharktastic
The Seven Southern Atolls itinerary is an action packed pelagic adventure in the Maldives filled with speedy drift dives, manta and sharks action. Dive no less than 7 atolls in total! Our exclusive Maldivian liveaboard stops at nothing to ensure th... Learn more about Seven Southern Atolls
Our Deep South Southern Sharks itinerary will take you to down to the the southerly atolls in the Maldives on a liveaboard holiday that is anything but ordinary. Get in on the shark action of the secluded southern dive sites around Huvadhoo area. S... Learn more about Deep South Southern Sharks
Visit the famous north Male atoll in the Maldives as well as the northern atolls on Baa and Lhaviyani on a single itinerary, which has been carefully timed around the New Moon phases July-October to try to optimise your chances of plankton feeder and... Learn more about Hanifaru and North
from £1675Emperor Explorer is a luxury Maldives liveaboard with a difference, offering up to 4 dives a day and 7 or 10 night classic Maldives diving itineraries. Ideal for divers and snorkellers alike.
Call us or email to bookWe would be more than happy to help you. Our travel advisors are at your service to help you.
01483 411590
Tour Operator of the Year 12 times - Voted by you!
For 100% financial protection and peace of mind
Before during and after your holiday. 24hr contact support
