Emperor Explorer II Liveaboard Overview

DIVEIN Team
By DIVEIN Team
Emperor Explorer II liveaboard at anchor on calm blue water in the Maldives, dark hull with white upper decks
Diver with a torch peering through colorful orange and pink soft corals on a reef
Image Credit: Steve Frink
Whale shark feeding at the surface with its mouth open in clear turquoise water
Image Credit: Steve Frink
Manta ray gliding over a reef with a scuba diver and rising bubbles in the blue water behind it
Image Credit: Steve Frink
Dining salon with marble-topped tables and upholstered chairs, a lounge area and TV in the background
Cabin with a double bed and a single bed made up with folded towel decorations beside a large window with sea view
Indoor salon with cream sofas, black marble tables and a wall-mounted TV under blue ceiling lighting
Row of black sun loungers on a covered upper deck facing a coastline with buildings in the distance
Shaded teak side deck with dark woven sofa and armchairs and a long bench looking out to sea

Where to book

Explorer Ventures, in partnership with Emperor Maldives, has announced the launch of the Emperor Explorer II, a new flagship liveaboard, which began operations in the Maldives earlier this year. Purpose-built for liveaboard diving, the 144-foot (44 m) vessel comfortably hosts 26 guests across 13 air-conditioned staterooms, all with ensuite bathrooms.

Large windows, multiple indoor lounges, and expansive outdoor deck space are designed to create a relaxed, well-balanced rhythm between dives, while diving itself runs from a dedicated 78-foot (24 m) dhoni crewed by up to four dive guides. Complimentary nitrox for certified divers and an onboard camera charging station round out a streamlined dive setup.

The Emperor Explorer II runs a rotation of established Maldives itineraries year-round, crossing two distinct monsoon seasons that bring different currents, visibility, and marine life to the fore, from manta ray cleaning stations and whale shark encounters to fast-moving channel dives and vibrant reef life.

Let’s dive into our review of the Emperor Explorer II.

About this overview

To help you decide whether this liveaboard fits your dive style, budget, and comfort needs, we’ve researched the boat, itinerary, onboard experience, diving setup, and overall value.
We review liveaboards based on the details that matter most during a multi-day dive trip, including cabins, food, crew support, dive operations, safety, route quality, and how the boat compares with similar options in the destination.

Disclosure: We are reader supported, and may earn affiliate commissions when you buy through us.

Things we like:

  • Brand-new build (2026) with large windows and generous indoor/outdoor social spaces
  • Spacious cabins with ensuite bathrooms and individually controlled air conditioning
  • Complimentary nitrox for certified divers
  • Dedicated 78-foot (24 m) dive dhoni with individual gear bins and air/nitrox compressors
  • Year-round diving across two distinct seasons

Things we don't like:

  • Wi-Fi is available but costs extra and connection can be slow depending on location
  • Rental dive equipment is available but costs extra
  • Some itineraries require AOW certification and a recommended 100 logged dives, limiting them to experienced divers

Diving on the Emperor Explorer II

Diver with a camera rig hovering above a reef while a bannerfish with yellow fins swims in the foreground
Whale shark with open mouth swimming near the surface as several divers and snorkelers watch around it
Diver with a torch behind a coral-encrusted ship propeller on a wreck, framed by an opening in the hull

The Maldives ranks among the world’s top liveaboard destinations, and the Emperor Explorer II is built to make the most of it. The vessel runs a rotation of four established itineraries, including Best of the Maldives, Deep South & Southern Sharks, Sharktastic, and Northern Hi-Lights, crossing central, southern, and outer atolls depending on the season and charter.

Divers can expect up to four dives per day, including one to two night dives per charter (weather and itinerary permitting), with a typical day starting with a light breakfast around 6:00 am ahead of the first dive. A full breakfast, a second morning dive, lunch around noon, one or two afternoon dives, and dinner around 6:30–7:00 pm round out each day.

The Maldives has two distinct monsoon seasons that shape the diving. The Southwest season (May–October) brings more current on the west side of the atolls and the best manta ray feeding-station action, despite reduced visibility from increased plankton. The Northeast season (November–April) brings calmer, clearer conditions with strong currents further south and more shark activity on the east side of the atolls. Manta rays and whale sharks are present year-round.

All diving is done from the Emperor Explorer II‘s dedicated 78-foot (24 m) dive dhoni, which carries individual gear bins, separate camera and wetsuit rinse tanks, its own bathroom, and its own air and nitrox compressors, keeping entries, exits, and gear handling separate from the main vessel. Dive depth is capped at 100 feet (30 m) per Maldivian regulation, and most dives are drift dives, with the dhoni providing precise entry and exit points.

Experience requirements vary by itinerary. The Best of the Maldives route has no minimum dive requirement, though divers should be comfortable with drift diving and unpredictable currents. The Deep South & Southern Sharks and Sharktastic itineraries call for Advanced Open Water certification and a recommended 100 logged dives, given the stronger currents and channel diving involved.

Highlights:

  • Up to four dives daily, including night dives, from a purpose-built 24 m dive dhoni
  • Year-round manta ray and whale shark sightings across two distinct monsoon seasons
  • A choice of itineraries ranging from beginner-friendly reef diving to advanced channel and shark diving

Onboard the Emperor Explorer II

Indoor salon with cream sofas, black marble tables and a wall-mounted TV under blue ceiling lighting
Spacious cabin with a double bed, a single bed, a wardrobe and a desk chair under blue accent lighting
Cabin with a double bed dressed with folded towels, a wardrobe, a vanity desk and wall-mounted air conditioner
Twin-bed cabin with one double and one single bed, towel art, wooden headboard panels and a door on the right
Cabin with a double bed and a single bed made up with folded towel decorations beside a large window with sea view
Bright cabin bathroom with a stone-topped sink, large mirror, toilet, hand shower and small round porthole window
Open-air deck lounge with dark woven chairs and round tables overlooking blue water and a distant shoreline
Row of black sun loungers on a covered upper deck facing a coastline with buildings in the distance
Shaded teak side deck with dark woven sofa and armchairs and a long bench looking out to sea

Launched in 2026, the Emperor Explorer II is a 144-foot (44 m) vessel accommodating up to 26 guests. Thirteen air-conditioned staterooms spread across three of its four decks, all with ensuite bathrooms.

The topmost sun deck offers a mix of shaded and open lounging space, which is ideal for relaxing between dives or taking in uninterrupted views of the atolls. The upper deck houses the alfresco dining area, bar, and lounge, along with suites 11–14, each fitted with one queen bed and one single bed, plus the bridge.

The main deck is the vessel’s social hub, with an air-conditioned lounge and dining area, an entertainment space with a music and video library, a camera charging station, and access to outdoor seating. Suites 9 and 10 are located here, each with one king bed and one single bed, offering some of the largest layouts along with easy access to the main living areas and dive operations.

The lower deck holds the remaining staterooms, offering a quieter, more value-oriented option, each with a private ensuite bathroom and individual air conditioning.

Wi-Fi is available onboard via a satellite router for an additional fee, though speed and reliability depend on the vessel’s location. Guests who need reliable data are advised to pick up a local SIM card in Malé on arrival.

Highlights:

  • 13 cabins each offer individually controlled air conditioning and en suite bathrooms
  • Four decks including a sun deck, al-fresco dining/bar area, and a dedicated camera charging station
  • Suites with king or queen beds available on the upper and main decks

Dining onboard the Emperor Explorer II

Dining salon with marble-topped tables and upholstered chairs, a lounge area and TV in the background
Curved onboard bar with hanging wine glasses, a wine rack and buffet warmers beside windows overlooking the sea
Smiling crew member in a blue shirt behind a row of orange welcome drinks in wine glasses with orange slices

Meals aboard the Emperor Explorer II are served three times daily plus snacks, with a mix of Western and light local dishes. Breakfast typically includes eggs, beef bacon, sausages, pancakes, French toast, potatoes, cereal, and fruit, while lunch and dinner rotate through vegetables, rice, pasta, soup, and chicken, beef, or fish, with occasional local specialties offered as options.

Vegetarians are well accommodated, and dietary restrictions can be arranged in advance. Specialty or hard-to-source ingredients are limited in the Maldives, so guests with strict requirements may want to bring supplemental food.

Water, tea, coffee, and a complimentary glass of wine or beer with dinner are included. Additional alcohol, soft drinks, and fresh juices are charged to the onboard bill, largely due to the cost of importing alcohol and produce into the Maldives. Pork and pork products are not served on board in line with local customs.

Highlights:

  • Three meals daily plus snacks, with vegetarian dietary needs accommodated
  • Complimentary glass of wine or beer with dinner
  • Additional alcohol and soft drinks available for a fee
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