up to 3 dives per day all from the dive dhoni
12 liter alu tanks (DIN & INT valves)
15 liter alu tanks (at extra cost)
scuba gear rental (by advance request)
nitrox & rebreather friendly
water temperature: 78 - 82F, 25 - 28C ... 3mm wetsuit recommended
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dive liveaboard specialists .... the world's finest diving
Emperor Virgo
Emperor Virgo offers a variety of itineraries, including Central Atolls, Central South Atolls & Deep South Atolls. She takes 18 divers in her spacious 32 meters (105 feet) of length.
A word from Dom: "Another fine vessel from Emperor Maldives. Virgo is always a good choice for those who prefer a slightly smaller number of divers. She takes a maximum of 18 in ample surroundings and always gets good reviews. She includes free nitrox, a nice plus." ... Dominick Macan
ON BOARD EMPEROR VIRGO
2 upper deck DOUBLE/TWIN cabins accommodation & diving international & domestic airfare
1 king size bed or 2 twin beds & picture window
2 main deck DOUBLE/TWIN cabins
1 king size bed or 2 twin beds & picture window
5 lower deck DOUBLE/TWIN cabins
large double or 2 twin beds & port window
All cabins have air conditioning, a private bathroom and plenty of storage space.
meals, snacks, water, tea & coffee
glass of wine with dinner
compressed air, tanks, weights & weight belts
airport transfers
trip to Malé on the last day
alcoholic beverages, soft drinks & juices
scuba rental gear (by advance request)
supplement for certain cabins
international telephone calls
spa treatments
GREAT SPACE, SUPER COMFORT
MV Emperor Virgo offers divers 4 decks of spacious living. The stunning sun deck is set up with plenty of loungers if you want to work on your tan ... or you can kick back in the air-conditioned lounge, decorated in light wood and contemporary style. Plenty of comfy sofas and a barwhich is fully licensed so you can enjoy your favourite drink as the sun sets.
The meals are a mix of international and Asian and you'll find a well-stocked bar for relaxed evening moments and a free glass of wine with dinner. For many divers that relaxation wouldn't be complete without a dip in the on board Jacuzzi. WiFi internet is available on board (for an extra fee) though the availability and signal strength depend on the area.
As with all Maldives boats, there is a separate diving dhoni so that guests enjoy more space on board Nitrox is included in the price and the boat is rebreather friendly.
LAYOUT & SPECS
DECK PLAN
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Wooden hull
Length: 32 meters (104 foot)
Beam: 9.1 meters (30 foot)
DIVING FACILITIES
Compressors: 2 x Coltri + Nitrox
Nitrox diving: FREE
SMB, dive computer & reef hooks are required on all dives
SMBs and reef hooks are complimentary
large diving dhoni, fully equipped with compressors, tanks & oxygen kits
charging stations, air gun, rinse tanks & camera table
MACHINERY
Engine: 500 HP Mitsubishi
Water Makers: 9500 liters/day
NAVIGATION
GPS chart plotter
COMMUNICATIONS
VHF radio
Telephone
Mobile
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Oxygen
Medic First Aid Kit
ITINERARIES
Itineraries depart from Male, including their Best of Maldives trips and January/February shark trips to the south.
The final itinerary is, of course, always dependant upon weather, sea conditions and where the best animal sightings are at any particular time of year
Best of the Maldives: central atolls
Rasdhoo Atoll: Hammerhead dive, beautiful reef with pelagics
North Ari Atoll: Grey reef sharks, maaya thila night dive, multiple manta cleaning stations
South Ari Atoll: Whale sharks, beautiful pinnacles
South Male Atoll: Grey reef sharks, eagle rays, other pelagics, wreck.
Vaavu Atoll: Beautiful channels with soft corals and pelagics.
North Male Atoll: Pinnacles
Sharktastic: This itinerary is not for beginners. Most dives will involve going to depth and currents can be strong. We recommend you have 30 logged dives and are certified for Deep Diver/Advanced Open Water or equivalent.
South Ari Atoll: Whale sharks, beautiful pinnacles
South Male Atoll: Grey reef sharks, eagle rays, other pelagics, beautiful macro wreck.
Vaavu Atoll: Beautiful channels with soft corals and pelagics.
Meemu Atoll: Beautiful channels with pelagic action, sailfish, grey reef sharks, eagle rays and beautiful soft coral. manta cleaning station.
South Central Atolls: Most dives will involve going to depth and diving in channels with strong currents, which can be challenging, therefore this itinerary is not for inexperienced divers. We recommend you have 100 logged dives to join this trip and require that you are Deep Diver/Advanced Open Water or equivalent. Due to weather and diving conditions, it's not always possible to visit each Atoll. Your Cruise Director will decide the best ones to visit at the time of diving.
North Male Atoll : Beautiful pinnacles & house reefs.
South Male Atoll: Grey reef sharks, eagle rays, other pelagics, beautiful macro wreck.
Vaavu Atoll: Beautiful channels with soft corals and pelagics.
Meemu Atoll: Channels with pelagic action, sailfish, grey reef sharks, eagle rays and beautiful soft corals, manta cleaning station.
Thaa Atoll: Hammerhead sharks, whale sharks at night.
Laamu Atoll: Fish-filled channels and shark encounters.
Deep South & Southern Sharks: Most dives will involve going to depth and diving in channels with strong currents, which can be challenging, therefore this itinerary is not for inexperienced divers. We recommend you have 100 logged dives to join this trip and require that you are Deep Diver/Advanced Open Water or equivalent. Due to weather and diving conditions, it's not always possible to visit each Atoll. Your Cruise Director will decide the best ones to visit at the time of diving.
Deep South & Southern Sharks: Due to strong currents, we recommend you have 100 logged dives and the boat requires that you are Deep Diver/Advanced Open Water or equivalent. Due to weather and diving conditions, it's not always possible to visit each atoll. Your cruise director will decide the best ones to visit at the time of diving.
Laamu Atoll: Fish-filled channels and shark encounters.
Huvadhoo Atoll: Whale sharks at night, abundant grey reef sharks, oceanic black tip sharks, fast and exciting channel dives - silky sharks, great hammerheads, mola-mola and bull sharks seen from time to time.
Foammulah Island/Atoll / Fuvamulah: Tiger sharks, oceanic manta and thresher sharks
Addu Atoll: The most southern atoll of the Maldives, which is located south of the equator and used to be a British Royal Air Force base..
ITINERARY MAP
THE BEST OF THE MALDIVES
SHARKTASTIC
SOUTH CENTRAL ATOLLS
DEEP SOUTH & SOUTHERN SHARKS
TRAVEL & CRUISE LOGISTICS
International flights should be arranged for Male, Maldives. All the transfers to and from Emperor Leo on the check-in day (usually Saturday or Sunday) will be met at Male (Velana) International Airport by an Emperor representative. Transfers depart from the airport to the boat at 11:00, 13:00 and 16:00 and are free of charge. If you do not wish to wait for one of the above transfers or you arrive after the last transfer, taxis are available at the airport. Leo will depart early on the morning following the check-in day.
Upon arrival, after the week's diving, you'll be moored in port from mid-afternoon the day before departure until departure time the next morning. Check out is at 07:00 on the last day of the cruise and guests will be in the airport by 07:30. For guests continuing their holiday in the Maldives at a resort, hotel or another liveaboard, your on-going transfers need to be arranged by you from the airport.
If your route does not start in Male and you require a domestic flight on arrival, you will be met by an Emperor representative and assisted with the check-in formalities for your flight.
FIND AVAILABLE SPACES & BOOK YOUR VIRGO TRIP
DIVE & TRAVEL
INSURANCE
Comprehensive dive insurance
Full travel insurance plans
Pays directly to service providers
24/7 medical hotlines
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