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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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Length overall: 144 ft (44 meters)
Beam: 33.8 ft (10.3 meters)
Main engines: Doosan Daewoo; 800 hp
Generators: 2 x 64 KW
Cruising Speed: 10 knots
Water Makers: 15 tons daily
Accommodations: 26 passengers in 13 air-conditioned cabins across multiple decks, all with private bathrooms and showers.
Dive Guides: Up to 4 dive guides.
Safety Equipment: First aid kit, oxygen kit; life jackets; fire fighting system, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors; fire alarms; VHF radio, CB radio, satellite phone, GPS, compass
Air Systems: 2 x Coltri Compressors + Nitrox
Accessories: Diving Equipment
The sun deck is the topmost level of the vessel, offering a mix of shaded and open areas with comfortable seating – ideal for relaxing between dives, sunbathing, or taking in uninterrupted views of the Maldivian atolls.
The upper deck features the al-fresco dining area, bar, and lounge space, along with Suites 11–14 (all equipped with one queen-sized bed and one single bed). These elevated cabins offer easy access to shared spaces and open views, making this a popular choice for guests. The bridge is also located on this deck.
The main deck is the heart of the vessel, with a spacious air-conditioned lounge and dining area, entertainment space, and access to outdoor seating. It also houses suites 9 & 10 (equipped with one king-sized bed and one single bed), offering larger layouts and a more premium onboard experience, along with convenient access to all main living areas and dive operations.
The lower deck is dedicated to guest accommodations, featuring staterooms 1–8 (cabins 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 are equipped with with one double bed and one single bed, while cabin 5 is equipped with one double bed). These well-appointed cabins offer a quiet, comfortable retreat between dives, all with ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning – a great option for guests looking for value without compromising on comfort.
