Emperor Serenity Liveaboard Overview

diver with an underwater camera rig facing a manta rayDIVEIN contributor Rebecca Strauss taking a selfie near a city canal
By
Sally Lockman
diver with an underwater camera rig facing a manta ray
Contributor at DIVEIN.com
Born and raised on a tiny island in the Middle East, Sally has always been passionate about the ocean. After finally leaving the corporate and banking...
Rebecca Strauss
DIVEIN contributor Rebecca Strauss taking a selfie near a city canal
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Rebecca has been an avid traveler and scuba diver for many years. She began her editorial career by updating travel guides, which took her all over...
Emperor Serenity liveaboard yacht anchored in turquoise water near a tropical island
Built in 2016, the Emperor Serenity is a spacious, contemporary 131-foot (40 m) yacht that comfortably accommodates 26 guests in 13 air-conditioned en-suite cabins.
Emperor Serenity liveaboard moored alongside its dive dhoni in calm water off a palm-lined Maldivian island
Diving takes place from a 78-foot (24 m) dhoni, equipped with three staff and plenty of space for gear.
The Emperor Serenity anchored near a palm-fringed island from above
Located in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives comprises 26 atolls and more than 1,200 islands, of which only around 200 are inhabited.
School of yellow-striped snapper swimming over the reef
The Maldives offers dreamy white sand beaches, incredible reefs, and abundant marine life.
Table coral formations spreading across a sunlit reef
Hard coral gardens are bursting with life.
Colorful soft coral and sponges covering a sunken wreck as divers explore nearby
With up to four dives a day, four guides, and 13 crew members on board, divers are well catered to above and below the water.
Manta ray gliding beneath divers silhouetted against the surface
August to November is considered the best time of year to see manta rays and whale sharks.
Aerial view of the Emperor Serenity moored close to a tropical island
Emperor is one of the top-rated fleets in the Maldives.
Twin cabin aboard the Emperor Serenity with wardrobe and striped towels
All cabins are ensuite and feature air conditioning, hair dryers, and a TV.
Cabin aboard the Emperor Serenity with a blue accent wall and fish artwork
Four spacious suites on the upper and main decks are equipped with king-sized beds.
Bar and lounge area aboard the Emperor Serenity with sofas and dining tables
While a complimentary glass of wine is offered with dinner, guests can opt for beer, wine, spirits, or cocktails from the internationally stocked bar at an extra charge.
Reef bursting with pink and orange soft coral and small reef fish
Far-flung dive sites promise lots of life without the crowds.

The white sandy beaches and warm, crystal-clear waters of the Maldives are every diver’s dream. Located in the Indian Ocean, this archipelago nation comprises 26 atolls and more than 1,200 islands, of which only around 200 are inhabited.

Underwater there’s a wealth of marine biodiversity, from large pelagics such as sharks and manta rays to tiny nudibranchs and shrimp. The Maldives is also one of the world’s best destinations to see whale sharks.

The best way to travel between the far-flung islands and dive sites is on a liveaboard, where the mantra is “eat, dive, sleep, repeat” for several days. Emperor is one of the top-rated fleets in the Maldives, with boats in Egypt and Indonesia as well. Emperor’s fleet features five vessels in the Maldives, including the Emperor Serenity, which we will cover in this review.

Built in 2016, the Emperor Serenity is a spacious, contemporary 131-foot (40 m) yacht that comfortably accommodates 26 guests in 13 air-conditioned en-suite cabins.

Offering year-round diving the diverse itinerary includes famous diving destinations such as North and South Male Atolls, Baa, and Rasdhoo, where divers can visit shallow lagoons and manta cleaning stations.

So, let’s dive into our review of the Emperor Serenity.

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.

Recommended in: Liveaboards in Maldives

Things we like:

  • Attentive crew
  • Knowledgeable guides
  • Great food variety
  • Spacious cabins

Things we don't like:

  • There may be an odor in some rooms due to humidity

Diving on the Emperor Serenity

Two nurse sharks resting on the seabed lit by a dive torch at night
Diver watching a manta ray glide past overhead
Diver observing an octopus perched on a coral outcrop
Giant moray eel peering out from a coral reef

The Maldives offers dreamy white sand beaches, incredible reefs, and abundant marine life, so it’s no wonder that it’s a top diving destination. With a tropical climate and year-round warm temperatures, divers can enjoy leisurely drift dives as the Indian monsoon currents sweep the islands. Water temperatures range from 80 to 86 F (26 to 30 C).

August to November is considered the best time of year to see manta rays and whale sharks, while January to April offers great visibility and the warmest months. From December to March, the water currents flow through the atolls from east to west, creating incredible visibility of roughly 65 to 98 feet (20 to 30 m) along the eastern atolls. On the western side, visibility is about 49 to 65 feet (15 to 20 m).

The Emperor Serenity’s diverse itinerary allows divers to explore most of the well-known dive sites in the Maldives, such as Rasdhoo Atoll, where Madivaru and Hammerhead Point are located, North and South Ari Atolls, and South Male Atoll.

The itinerary also includes Vaavu Atoll, where you’ll find Fotteyo Falhu, the largest unbroken barrier reef in the Maldives. This 31-mile (50 km) reef is the ideal place for manta rays and whale shark sightings, depending on the time of year.

With up to four dives a day, four guides, and 13 crew members on board, divers are well catered to above and below the water. Diving takes place from a 78-foot (24 m) dhoni, equipped with three staff, compressors, oxygen, comprehensive First Aid, and AED. Additionally, nitrox is free for certified divers.

Highlights:

  • Healthy reefs and abundant marine life
  • Outstanding visibility up to 100 feet (30 m)
  • Manta ray feeding stations
  • Free nitrox
  • Dedicated facilities for photographers

Onboard the Emperor Serenity

Emperor Maldives flag flying from the top deck at dusk
Dining saloon and bar area aboard the Emperor Serenity
Cabin bed aboard the Emperor Serenity decorated with a heart-shaped towel design
Twin cabin aboard the Emperor Serenity with striped towels and wood interior

The Emperor Serenity is a 131-foot-long (40 m) liveaboard that comfortably accommodates up to 26 guests in 13 well-equipped cabins. Four spacious suites on the upper and main decks are equipped with king-sized beds; the rest of the cabins feature single or double beds. All are ensuite and feature air conditioning, hair dryers, and a TV.

With maximum comfort for guests and divers in mind, the air-conditioned salon is a perfect spot to relax on one of many sofas. There’s an entertainment system, TV, board games, and a library stocked with books, music, and movies. WiFi data packages are available for purchase on board for those who want to stay connected.

The upper deck of the Emperor Serenity features both a shaded and an open area, ideal for unwinding or enjoying a little stargazing in the Maldivian night sky. During the day, lounge on bean bags and sunbeds.

Since diving takes place from a spacious and fully equipped diving dhoni, there’s more space on board for guests to move around freely and safely.

Highlights:

  • Air-conditioned cabins
  • Covered and open-air deck spaces for relaxing
  • Fully equipped diving dhoni
  • WiFi packages available for an extra charge

Dining on the Emperor Serenity

Dining saloon and bar area aboard the Emperor Serenity
Bar and lounge area aboard the Emperor Serenity with sofas and dining tables

Guests can recharge and stay energized throughout the day with three meals and snacks in between dives. The meals are served buffet-style with varied menus, including local and Western food with vegetarian options. As an added bonus, guests can also delight in a tasty barbecue while visiting one of the deserted islands. 

While a complimentary glass of wine is offered with dinner, guests can opt for beer, wine, spirits, or cocktails from the internationally stocked bar at an extra charge. Special dietary requests can be catered to, however, requests must be made at the time of booking.

Highlights:

  • Great variety of food
  • Island barbecue
  • Complimentary wine with dinner
  • Alternative alcoholic drinks are available at extra cost

Things we like:

  • Attentive crew
  • Knowledgeable guides
  • Great food variety
  • Spacious cabins

Things we don't like:

  • There may be an odor in some rooms due to humidity
Key facts
Year built: 2016
Max divers: 26
Rental equip: Yes ($)
Camera station: Yes
Internet: Yes ($)
Min logged dives: No minimum
Nitrox: Yes (free)
Aircon: Yes
Trip length: 5-7 Nights
Price range: Mid-range
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments