Maldives Liveaboard Diving

Liveaboard diving in the Maldives is a must-do for every avid scuba diver. A dreamy tropical oasis above and below, the Maldives atoll offers world-class diving experiences wowing with an abundance of marine life and spectacular coral reefs. Made up of nearly 1,200 islands, the inner and outer reefs are a haven for wildlife. Scuba divers will have the opportunity to see congregating sharks, manta rays, and whale sharks – year-round. As well as marvel at the unique underwater pinnacles and thila.

Yacht Emperor Explorer II® offers four Maldives liveaboard itineraries depending on the season, destination, and what you’d like to see. Whichever direction you choose to cruise, there’s no doubt you’ll want to head on a Maldives dive trip again and again.

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Diving Highlights

Up to 4 dives daily from a dhoni (tender).
Dive the ‘Best of the Maldives’ to see it all!
World’s largest known population of reef manta rays.
Whale sharks can be seen year-round.
Oceanic blacktips, tiger sharks, thresher sharks, and hammerheads.
Thilas, caverns, walls, and drift diving in channels.
Unique underwater topography of inner and outer reefs.
Copious amounts of reef fish – turtles, rays, flatworms, anemones, and more.

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Four Maldives Liveaboard Itineraries

Liveaboard scuba diving in the Maldives is the only way to experience the many otherwise inaccessible corners of these exotic atolls. Diving in the Maldives is year-round with two distinct seasons, each bringing the opportunity to see the same creatures, BIG and small. Choose from four incredible itineraries based on these seasons, plus currents, and marine life: The Best of the Maldives, Deep South & Southern Shark Adventure and Sharkastic. Join us for sharky dives, or see manta ray feeding stations and whale sharks. Dive electrifying channels, or experience it all on our ‘Best of the Maldives’ cruise. Explore our itineraries and find the adventure that’s right for you.

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Package Overview

  • 7, 10 & 14 nights trips on Emperor Explorer II
  • Up to 4 dives daily (weather and itinerary permitting)
  • Accommodation, meals, snacks, and beverages
  • Complimentary glass of beer or wine with dinner
  • Around the clock service from an experienced, multi-language crew
  • Onboard diving amenities; rental gear, air and Nitrox
  • Optional land visit and beach barbecue (when possible)
  • Scheduled airport transfers on the days of embarkation/disembarkation
  • Excellent value – see pricing

For certified divers with an Open Water (or equivalent) and 30 logged dives. Advanced certification (or equivalent) is strongly recommended for Southern itineraries.

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Emperor Explorer II

About Emperor Explorer II

Scuba diving in the Maldives

Explorer Ventures, in partnership with Emperor Maldives, is introducing Emperor Explorer II, a next-generation liveaboard arriving in the Maldives.

Designed specifically for liveaboard diving, Emperor Explorer II sets a new standard for comfort, safety, and onboard experience. Spacious cabins with ensuite bathrooms, open lounge areas, large windows, and multiple outdoor decks create a relaxed, well-balanced experience between dives.

Onboard amenities include a modern dive deck, complimentary Nitrox for certified divers, and a fully equipped 24m dive dhoni supported by experienced crew and dive guides — ensuring smooth, consistent diving throughout each trip.

From manta encounters and channel dives to coral reefs and pelagic action, the Maldives remains one of the world’s premier dive destinations — and Emperor Explorer II offers a refined way to experience it.

A great Maldives liveaboard trip is as much about the people onboard as the diving itself. Aboard Emperor Explorer II, experienced dive guides, attentive service and a dedicated crew help make every day run smoothly, from the first dive briefing to dinner at the end of the day.

For this returning guest, the experience exceeded expectations:

Our Second Trip With Explorer Beat Expectations

Emperor Explorer Ii is a fantastic vessel. But what really made our trip special was the crew. The dive guides are experienced and passionate about diving and ocean ecology. One of the dive guides, Yaqui, is also the boat manager and he went above and beyond to ensure each guest was satisfied. Safety was taken very seriously throughout the trip. The dhoni crew provided great drops and prompt pickups and were always at hand to assist with dive gear issues. The Explorer boat crew kept the vessel tidy, and the kitchen crew pumped out some really excellent cuisine. This is our second trip with Explorer Ventures, and they will always be out first choice!

- Mark J, September 3, 2026

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Photographer Amenities Aboard Emperor Explorer II

The Maldives is a wide-angle photographer’s playground. Manta rays, sharks, schooling fish and sweeping underwater scenes dominate many dives, while Emperor Explorer II and its dedicated dive dhoni provide space for preparing, charging and handling camera equipment throughout the trip. Maldives is best for photographers capturing graceful manta rays, cruising sharks and enormous schools of fish, with thrilling blue-water encounters, dramatic wide-angle opportunities and colourful Maldivian reefs teeming with marine life.

Camera Facilities 

Camera workspace: Dedicated camera charging area in the main salon   Dhoni camera table: Dedicated camera table aboard the dive dhoni   Charging: Multiple international 220V sockets, with additional charging areas available when needed   Camera rinse: Dedicated camera rinse tank aboard the dhoni   Drying: Air hoses available aboard the main vessel   Camera handling: Dhoni crew experienced in carefully passing larger camera systems to and from divers  

Drone Usage 

Drone requires official government permits and explicit local permissions.

Photography and drone information is provided for general guidance only. Photographers and drone operators are responsible for verifying and complying with all applicable local regulations and permit requirements. Regional policies and restrictions may change without notice and may vary by location, site, species, or governing authority

What Underwater Photographers Can Shoot 

The Maldives is particularly strong for wide-angle underwater photography. Manta rays, sharks, large schools of fish and blue-water action provide the headline subjects, with different itineraries through the Central Atolls and farther south bringing their own mix of marine life and underwater scenery. 

Emperor Explorer II at a Glance

Everything you need to know about Emperor Explorer II, from accommodations and onboard amenities to the dive deck and technical specifications.

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