Emperor Explorer FAQs

The M/V Emperor Explorer comfortably accommodates 26 passengers in 13 large double staterooms, all of which have private bathroom facilities, and 7 of which can be configured to accommodate a couple or two singles. The staterooms are located on three of the vessel’s four decks. The topmost deck is the sun deck, which offers both shaded and full-sun areas for relaxation with deck chairs and bean bags. The upper deck includes a lounge and bar, suites 11 & 12, staterooms 13 & 14, a small lounge area and the bridge.

The large main deck contains the air-conditioned dining and lounge area, TV viewing area with DVD/CD music system, video library, common restroom, suites 9 & 10, galley, camera charging station and a large camera table. There are two sets of stairs accessing the swim platform where two in-water ladders hang for easy access to and from the water for a refreshing swim when the vessel is at anchor. Staterooms 1-3 & 5-8 are located on the lower deck, accessed via stairs from the lounge.

The Emperor Explorer is also equipped with a wireless router providing internet connection for a fee but connection can be slow. Cellular phone and internet access are available when in proximity to many of the islands if your phone is so equipped. If you need to upload/download or give internet video calls, we invite you to purchase a local SIM card upon your arrival at the airport. The vessel’s location determines the reliability of access to the internet. The vessel uses 220 V and 110 V AC power (UK 3 pin electrical sockets throughout;  some charging outlets can accept the European style 2 pin plugs). Recharging station for strobes, batteries, etc. You should bring your own adapters. No charging is allowed in the cabins when unattended– there is a charging station in the salon.

The weather in the Maldives is tropically pleasant with a year-round sea breeze. Air temperatures range from lows around 78° F (26C) to highs in the upper 80s to low 90s (30-34C). There are two distinct but mild monsoon seasons in this equatorial country and each is named after the prevailing wind direction during that time of year. The northeast monsoon runs from December to April and brings relatively consistent, fair weather, but also often brings significant currents. The southeast monsoon from May through October brings a bit more wind and occasional rain (usually short-lived), but generally not as much current.

The vessel’s itineraries are designed to take advantage of the changing conditions and to provide guests the best diving for the different seasons. The visibility is usually at its peak in December and January — sometimes well over 100 feet (30 meters)! Mantas can be seen throughout the year with the best feeding-station encounters typically during the May to November timeframe. Whale sharks are also seen most every month of the year, with the highest concentration seen in the monsoon transition months of April, May, October and November. Water temperatures remain a toasty 80-85º F (27-29C) throughout the year. Most divers are comfortable with at most a 3mm wetsuit.

You don’t need a minimum number of dives for the “Best of Maldives” and “Northern Highlights” itineraries 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 prior to to the trip or directly on board, to maximize your enjoyment. Inexperienced and beginner divers may find some dives challenging and may be asked by the Cruise Director to skip dives that are not suitable for their diving experience. All diving is made from dhonis to give precise entry and exit points.

For “Deep South”, “Southern sharks” and “Sharkastic” itineraries, an Advanced Open Water certification is required and we strongly recommend a minimum of 100 logged dives.  

For more information, please check our Seasons & Itineraries page. 

All of the dives aboard the Emperor Explorer are offered at scheduled times, up to 4 times daily including 1-2 night dives per charter (weather & itinerary permitting). This is to allow adequate surface intervals, provide the option for guided dives on as many sites as possible, and to allow the vessel to travel on schedule to different locations. Please note that Maldivian regulations limit the maximum depth for all dives to 100 feet (30 meters). Given the prevalence of drift diving in the area, your dives will be done from a large custom-built diving dhoni (tender). This is no ordinary tender! The dhoni is 78.7 feet (24m) long and has ample space for all divers, cameras, and gear. There are individual gear bins for each diver, separate camera and wetsuit rinse tanks and a bathroom with toilet and hot water shower plus two fresh water showers on the dive platform. Both the air and nitrox compressors are on the dhoni as well.

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The minimum certifiable age for divers is 10 for most scuba certification agencies; normally, the agencies restrict 10- and 11-year-olds to a maximum depth of 40 feet (12 meters). Emperor Explorer, therefore, allows children as young as 10 years to participate in our trips, with the following restrictions:

1. All children under the age of 15 must travel and dive with their parent or guardian unless undergoing active training with an instructor. Minors must be accompanied onboard by a guardian at all times.
2. Our itineraries offer very few diving opportunities at depths less than 40 feet (12 meters); diving opportunities for 10- and 11-year-olds will be significantly less than those for older divers. For this reason, a minimum age of 12 for divers is strongly suggested.
3. A parent/legal guardian will be required to sign the liability release on behalf of a child under the age of 18.

To ensure your safety, the vessel requires the following of all divers:

1. All divers must be certified as open water scuba divers by an internationally recognized certification organization.
2. We recommend that divers log at least one dive within the 12 months prior to boarding the vessel, or are encouraged to participate in a refresher course before traveling (no refresher course is available onboard).
3. All divers must adhere to the buddy system.
4. All divers must log in and out of the water with a member of the diving staff.
5. A dive computer, SMB and reef hooks are required (SMB and reef hooks can be borrowed on board)
6. Dive lights are required for night dives.
7. By local regulations, decompression and solo diving are not allowed under any conditions. The maximum allowed depth is 100 feet (30 meters).
8. Diving activities must cease when the consumption of alcohol begins.
9. Please note that due to a combination of staff and equipment logistics, insurance requirements and local diving regulations, rebreathers, diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs) and multi-cylinder configurations (except for a small pony bottle) may not be used aboard Explorer Ventures Fleet vessels.
10. Dive accident insurance (DAN, DiveAssure or equivalent) is required. If you arrive without proof of a policy that covers recompression chamber treatment and medical evacuation, you’ll be required to purchase a short-term policy (which has very limited coverage) valid for the duration of your stay in the Maldives. A per day policy and weekly policies are available. The cost is US$7/day or US$22/week (prices subject to change, due to currency fluctuations and whether it is pre-paid or paid onboard).  Please note that local short-term policies may not be available for divers 75 years of age or older, so a policy must be obtained in advance of the trip.

The vessel provides tanks, hard weights and weight belts for your use. If you prefer to rent the rest of your equipment from us, we have all of the equipment that you will need. Please indicate on your application form what equipment (and size) you will require. Otherwise, the following items are the diver’s responsibility:

• Application/liability release forms
• Certification cards
• Proof of DAN (or similar) dive accident insurance (required)
• Diving log book (strongly encouraged)
• Mask *
• Snorkel *
• Fins *
• Booties (if you wear them)
• Dive computer (required) *
• Buoyancy Control Device *
• Regulator w/alternate air source *
• Submersible pressure and depth gauges *
• Underwater time piece
• Dive light (required for night dives)*
• Tank Marker Lights (suggested for night dives)
• Shorty Wetsuit – 3 mm *
• Repair kit w/ spare parts
• Safety sausage/SMB (required and complimentary)
• Reef hook (required and complimentary)

* Available for rent on board. Rental/Course Pricing (PDF)

Nitrox is available and included in the package price for certified nitrox divers.

If your trip requires a domestic flight in the Maldives, please note that the current baggage allowance is 25 kg (55 pounds) per passenger. The excess charge is is 60 MVR + 16% GST between Male and Gan; and 48 MVR + 16% GST between Male and Koodoo. Those prices are subject to change.

Packing for a liveaboard trip is much easier than packing for a land-based vacation. Dress aboard the vessel is very casual. The climate doesn’t require much more than shorts, T-shirts, and swimsuits. Please bring at least one set of more modest clothing if visiting the town or villages. In town, local custom dictates that the body be covered from at least the shoulders to the knees, with short sleeves being preferable to sleeveless tops.

Soft luggage is recommended as it takes up very little space when empty. Reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, and a visor or hat are strongly recommended. In case of rough weather or if you have a tendency toward seasickness, come prepared with motion-sickness medications or Transderm patches from your doctor. Feel free to bring your favorite CDs and DVDs.

All linens (including sheets, comforters, bath towels, hand towels and dive towels) are provided on board. Soaps and shampoo are provided.

If possible, pack your regulator, dive computer, mask, certification and dive insurance cards, swimsuit, change of clothes and necessary medications and toiletries in your carry-on bag. Having these items will make an unexpected luggage delay far more bearable.

There is a long list of items that are prohibited in the Maldives. This includes, but is not limited to firearms, narcotics, alcohol (including for personal consumption), pornography, pork products and religious idols (except for personal use). Bags are routinely searched by customs agents upon arrival.

• Please list on the application form any dietary needs you have
• A complementary glass of beer or wine with dinner is included

Aboard the Emperor Explorer, evening meals and lunches usually consist of vegetables, rice, pasta, soup, chicken, beef or fish with occasional local specialties offered as additional options. Breakfast is the usual fare of eggs, beef bacon, sausages, pancakes, French toast, potatoes, cereal and fruit. Vegetarians are well accommodated.

If you have any dietary restrictions or requests, please indicate them on your application form. Please be advised that while the chef is careful not to use allergens in the food prepared for sensitive individuals, the boat has only one galley, one set of prep equipment and dishes and one chef, so we cannot completely eliminate the possibility of cross-contamination. If required, please let the crew know the location of any emergency-use medication when you board the boat. Please note that specific brands of drinks, dressings and food are often unavailable in the Maldives, and it can be very difficult for us to find low-fat, gluten-free or soy products, fresh fruit, shellfish and other items common elsewhere. Pork and pork products are not served aboard. While we will do our best to accommodate your requests, please be realistic and consider bringing some of your own foods if the lack thereof may constitute a health risk.

Water, tea, drip coffee and a glass of wine with dinner is complimentary. Due to the difficulty of importing alcohol and fruit into the Maldives, additional beer or wine, freshly made juices or any hard liquor will be added to your onboard bill.

• Vital messages may be passed to guests by calling the booking office at 1.800.322.3577
• Internet access is available aboard, when in service ranges ($31 per 5GB Data Package).

The local agent for Emperor Explorer can be reached from North America via phone at 011.960.764.4995, and will be able to contact the vessel. Cellular phone and internet access are available when in proximity to some of the islands if your phone is so equipped. Internet cards/access and cellular phone cards are also available for purchase at the airport. Wireless routers providing internet connection are available on the vessel with a fee (connection can be slow). The connections are based on 3G network and are good for basic emails, web browsing ad social medias posts but not fast enough for large downloads. If you are a high-level internet user, we advise that you purchase a local data SIM at Male airport upon arrival; your Emperor Explorer representative can help you. US$31 for 5GB can be purchased onboard, or cheapest SIM is US$40 but you do get 20GB. The vessel’s location does determine the reliability of access to the internet.

• US dollars are widely accepted
• Most major credit cards are accepted

In the Maldives, US dollars (cash) and credit cards are widely accepted, as are Euros, although change may be given in the local currency, the Rufiyaa. Be aware that obtaining foreign currency in the Maldives is very difficult, although currency exchange is available at banks in Male and at the airport. Only newer US dollars and Euros with no tears, rips or any markings will be accepted at banks, money exchangers and onboard.

Your bill may be paid at the end of the trip using Visa or Mastercard (4% surcharge will be added), or cash (US dollars, Euros or Sterling). Personal or traveler’s checks are not accepted on board, and we are unable to provide cash for credit card charges more than invoice amounts.

The crew works very hard, 7 days a week and many weeks at a stretch to provide the best possible service for our guests. The industry standard for crew gratuities on dive trips (if of course, you are happy with the service which you have received) is between 10% and 15% of the regular published package price per passenger. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

• Passport required
• Valid return airline ticket
• 30-day free tourist visa issued at airport
• Arrival the day before is encouraged
• Most transfer costs are included
• Arrangements are made to pick you up

The airport code for the international airport in the Maldives is MLE. Please note that a passport is required for all visitors arriving in the Maldives. A valid return or onward airline ticket is also required. All visitors to the Maldives are issued a free 30-day visa. Americans, Canadians, and most other countries’ citizens do not need an advance visa. If in doubt, please contact the nearest consulate. We encourage you to arrive at least a day early so you have a “cushion” if there are flight or luggage delays, and so that you arrive aboard refreshed. Airport transfers on the day of embarkation and disembarkation are included in your package.

If you arrive on boat departure day, you will be met by a boat representative wearing an Emperor Maldives T-shirt and holding a sign displaying Emperor Maldives. Emperor Explorer arranged transfers depart the airport to the boat at 12:00 noon and 4:00 pm and are free of charge. If you arrive after the last transfer, water taxis are available for around $15. If you arrive prior to boat departure day and your trip starts in Male, you should plan on returning to the airport for the 4:00 pm transfer by dhoni to the Emperor Explorer. The dhoni ride from the airport to the vessel is about 15 minutes. 

Domestic flights: Depending on your itinerary, you’ll have to book your domestic flights within the Maldives directly with a local airline. It is highly recommended that travelers arrive 120 minutes before departure for domestic flights. It is also recommended to book either the earliest possible flight to the departure city of the boat or to arrive a day before boarding in case of delays or schedule flight changes. You should check any baggage limitations and weight allowances with the domestic airline at the time of booking to avoid excess charges or your bag being uplifted to a later flight. Explorer Ventures cannot be held responsible or hold the boat’s departure as a result of delays or cancellations of any domestic flights.

If you miss any of your flights and are not able to make it to the Emperor Explorer on schedule, please call the USA booking office at 1.800.322.3577 (US/Canada) or call or WhatsApp the local contact’s cell +960.764.49.95 or the local General Manager’s cell +960.799.6657 or +44.7976.627.123. Notify the crew of your updated arrival time should you have that information, and where you may be reached in the meantime.

The Emperor Explorer arrives at its final destination port on the afternoon of the day prior to disembarkation. An optional land visit may be offered on the final afternoon for itineraries ending near Male. Passengers spend the final night and have breakfast prior to disembarking at 7:00 am. There will be sufficient time to catch a commercial flight out at any time on the day of disembarkation. The dhoni will take you and your luggage to the airport after breakfast (or earlier if you have an early flight). If you have a flight late in the afternoon or in the evening, the airport hotel offers luggage storage and pool/beach/shower use for the day for a fee. If you’ll be staying at one of the outlying resorts after the charter, the dhoni will take you back to the airport so you may meet your resort’s transfer.

For pre/post trip accommodations (one or two nights), we recommend the following:

• Hulhule Island Hotel
  www.hih.com.mv
• Hotel 78
  www.hotel78maldives.com

For longer resort stays, please contact us for recommendations.

• Visit the Maldives Tourism website: https://visitmaldives.com/
• Visit the U.S. Passports and International Travel website for more information on obtaining, renewing, or to apply online for a U.S. Passport.
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control website for current health recommendations.

Packages Include:

• 7 nights/8 days or 10 nights/11 days aboard vessel
• 3 meals daily, plus snacks
• Up to 4 dives daily (weather and itinerary permitting)
• Air fills, weights and belts
• Nitrox fills for certified divers
• Scheduled airport transfers on the days of embarkation/disembarkation
• Water, tea, drip coffee and a glass of wine or beer with dinner is complimentary
• Optional land visit
• Beach barbecue (weather permitting)
• Maldivian GST (General Service Tax)
• Government Green Tax

Packages Do Not Include:

• Rental, instruction and retail charges
• Soft drinks, fresh juices and additional alcohol (cocktails, liquors, wine and beer)
• Dive accident insurance (required)
• Trip insurance (recommended)
• Hanifaru Snorkeling Permit (if applicable)
• Current Onboard Charges
• Crew gratuity

• Visit Maldives Current/Forecast Weather – Provided by Ventusky.com
• Visit Department of Meteorology – Republic of Maldives