7-NIGHT MALDIVES EMPEROR EXPLORER LIVEABOARD

• 7 nights trips on Emperor Explorer®
• 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 included
• Optional land visit and beach barbecue (when possible)
• Scheduled airport transfers on the days of embarkation/disembarkation

Where: Rasdhoo, North & South Ari, Vaavu and North & South Male Atolls 
When: All year
Trip Length: 7 nights
Airport code: Male (MLE)

There’s a reason this is the most often requested and often run Maldivian liveaboard itinerary! Fish life galore (over 1000 species are found in the Maldives), nudibranchs, sea turtles, whale sharks, and more mean something for everyone’s wish list. Photographers will be hard-pressed to decide between macro and wide-angle lenses! On this popular itinerary, divers experience a sampling of the many extraordinary types of sites including lush thilas (reef mounts), manta cleaning stations and deep channel dives. It’s easy to see why many guests choose this for their first Maldivian adventure and then return!

You don't need a minimum number of dives for this itinerary but you should be comfortable with drift diving, as currents can be unpredictable and strong. If you are an Open Water Diver, some dives are below 18m therefore we recommend having advanced experience or taking your PADI Advanced Open Water course to maximize your enjoyment.

Scuba diving in the Maldives is among the world’s best – hard and soft corals, swim-throughs, and 25 species of sharks. Particularly, the Maldives’ waters support the world’s largest known population of reef manta rays, and whale sharks are also seen year-round. Making it a dream destination for divers from all over the world.

Liveaboard scuba diving adventures here are remote, exotic, and exciting. The Republic of the Maldives consists of 1192 exquisite coral islands in the Indian Ocean, naturally divided by the equator into 26 small chains of islands, or atolls. It is an Asian country southwest of Sri Lanka and India, disconnected from the world and not easily found on most world maps. Each island has its own unique characteristics and all are protected from the deep waters of the Indian ocean with a surrounding healthy barrier reef and unique underwater topography encompassing outer and inner reefs, small coral pinnacles known as thilas, caverns, and walls. Divers will experience many awe-inspiring moments with life underwater ranging from the largest living fish species, the whale shark, to beautifully colored flatworms, anemones, turtles, and copious amounts of reef fish.

With hundreds of dive sites, liveaboard diving in the Maldives has something to please even the most discerning and well-traveled divers. Abundant, vibrant, and prolific sites make for stunning photographers and videographers. In addition to the bucket-list central atoll itineraries, this large, comfortable vessel offers specialty itineraries that feature remote atolls, exhilarating channel diving, and the chance to see elusive thresher sharks!

Scuba diving in the Maldives is outstanding year-round, and temperatures vary only slightly. Being located on the equatorial belt, severe storms are rare, however, there are two distinct monsoon seasons. Our specially designed central atoll itinerary cruises between the East and West sides of the islands during the Northeast monsoon season (November-April). The four daily dives, will convince you that the Maldives’ reputation as a premier diving destination is well merited. It is little wonder why divers return home basking in amazement from the beauty in the Maldives.

Liveaboard scuba diving in the Maldives is the only way to experience the many inaccessible corners of these exotic atolls. Immerse yourself in mesmerizing outlying reefs, shark encounters, or electrifying channel dives. Or, all of the above!

Please note that itineraries are examples only and will change depending on weather and logistics at the Captain's discretion.

Days aboard Emperor Explorer generally involve a cold breakfast from 6:00 am followed by a first morning dive, full breakfast, second morning dive, lunch around 12:00 pm, one or two afternoon dives (depending on the itinerary), and dinner at 6:30 or 7:00 pm. On the day or days when night dives are offered, dinner is typically around 8:00 pm.

The Northeast season from November-April is the Maldivian summer though there is little difference in temperatures from season to season. Conditions are drier, visibility is generally very good and the reef life is usually colorful. Current can be very strong dependent upon itinerary. Due to currents flowing from the northeast, there can be a lot of shark action on the east side of the atolls. During this season, the manta and whale sharks will mostly be found on the west side of the atolls.

Currents: On average, the currents begin to flow in November and get stronger through January. As we move into February they begin to subside a bit and April has more slack currents. But, it depends a great deal on what itinerary you are on – the further south you go, the stronger the current due to the amount of channel diving. In addition, April and November are months where the currents start changing therefore making them more difficult for the dive guides to predict.

Visibility: Should be very good on the east side of the atolls; can be a little reduced on the west side but that's where you're more likely to find the mantas and whale sharks.

Sealife: As mentioned above, same creatures year-round but there will be more species of sharks the further south you go. The mantas will be found mostly on cleaning stations rather than feeding in lagoons. The reef life can be beautiful. Good photo opportunities but it can be very challenging on itineraries with strong currents, especially with a large housing with strobes.