Evolution Liveaboards · Wednesday departures from Nov 2027 · Updated 8 November 2026 · By Abdulla Maseeh
Evolution Eclipse is a 35-metre Maldives liveaboard for just 18 guests in nine en-suite cabins, the former Emperor Virgo, sailing for Evolution Liveaboards from 3 November 2027. Unlike almost every other boat she leaves Malé on a Wednesday, so the Best of Maldives dive sites are quieter, with no more than six divers per guide and free nitrox. 7-night prices start at US$2,998 per person with all taxes included.
The Best of Maldives route is the busiest in the country because almost every boat runs it on the same weekly rhythm. Evolution Eclipse shifts the week by three days.
Arriving at Fish Head, Maaya Thila or the Ari manta stations midweek means the crew can time dives around the boats that started on the weekend, so groups often have a site with fewer bubbles. Evolution Liveaboards is clear that it cannot promise an empty site every time, but the routes run north to south or south to north depending on where the other boats and the marine life are.
Wednesday travel has a practical side too: the check-out on the following Wednesday morning leaves time for a few days on a resort or local island before flying home, which we can add to the same booking. Free airport transfers leave at 12:00 and 16:00 on check-in day, and check-out is at 07:00.
Evolution Eclipse is the boat many divers know as Emperor Virgo. Charley Williams and Noah Rudofsky, both from the diving industry, have renamed her and reworked the interior in light wood. They continue to work closely with Emperor Divers. Departures until 30 October 2027 are still sold as Emperor Virgo.
Every published departure, with the price per person on each deck. The schedule opened in November 2026, so every week is open, including for full-boat charters. On any boat, Christmas, New Year and the short shark season are the weeks that sell first.
| Departs | Itinerary | Nights | Lower deck | Main deck | Upper deck |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Nov 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 10 Nov 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 17 Nov 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 24 Nov 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 1 Dec 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 8 Dec 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 15 Dec 2027 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 22 Dec 2027 | Best of Maldives, Christmas | 7 | US$3,245 | US$3,535 | US$3,570 |
| 29 Dec 2027 | Best of Maldives, New Year | 7 | US$3,245 | US$3,535 | US$3,570 |
| 5 Jan 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 12 Jan 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 19 Jan 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 26 Jan 2028 | Discover Sharks | 10 | US$4,303 | US$4,722 | US$4,768 |
| 5 Feb 2028 | Discover Sharks | 11 | US$4,720 | US$5,193 | US$5,244 |
| 16 Feb 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 23 Feb 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 1 Mar 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 8 Mar 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 15 Mar 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 22 Mar 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 29 Mar 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 5 Apr 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 12 Apr 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 19 Apr 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$3,128 | US$3,419 | US$3,454 |
| 26 Apr 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 3 May 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 10 May 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 17 May 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 24 May 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 31 May 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 7 Jun 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 14 Jun 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 21 Jun 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 28 Jun 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 5 Jul 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 12 Jul 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 19 Jul 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 26 Jul 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 2 Aug 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 9 Aug 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 16 Aug 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
| 23 Aug 2028 | Best of Maldives | 7 | US$2,998 | US$3,302 | US$3,338 |
7 nights · about 17 dives · Open Water
Rasdhoo, North and South Ari, Vaavu and North and South Malé: the classic central loop, with no minimum logged dives.
10 or 11 nights · 26 to 29 dives · Advanced recommended
Late January and February 2028, when reef sharks school along the walls. Built around the best shark sites in the central atolls.
7 nights or more · up to 18 guests
Take the whole boat for US$50,544 to US$54,380 for a week, or US$79,508 for an 11-night shark trip, and choose the route with the cruise director. A new schedule means preferred dates are still free.
Not sure which central route suits you? Our Central Atolls guide covers every site on the Best of Maldives loop, and the best time guide explains the seasons.
| Deck | Cabins | Beds | Light | 7 nights from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper | 2 | Twin or double | Large picture windows | US$3,338 |
| Main | 2 | Twin or double | Large picture windows | US$3,302 |
| Lower | 4 | Twin or double | Porthole | US$2,998 |
| Lower (family) | 1 | Double + small single for a child or small adult | Porthole | US$2,998 |
Which cabin? The four cabins on the main and upper decks have large picture windows and cost about US$300 to US$340 more for the week than the lower deck. Couples who want to wake up to the sea should book those early. On the lower deck, four cabins have twin beds that can become a double, and one is a family cabin with a double and a small single.
All nine cabins have their own bathroom with a shower, individual air conditioning and good mattresses, and are cleaned every day after the first or second dive. Towels and linen are changed weekly. Sockets are UK three-pin at 220 volts; charging devices unattended is not allowed anywhere on board.
The main deck is one long air-conditioned saloon with a lounge and a dining room surrounded by windows. Upstairs, the outdoor terrace has the bar; above that, the partly shaded sundeck has loungers. Meals are buffets of local and international dishes, and the kitchen handles dietary needs if you tell us before you travel. Wi-Fi works when there is mobile signal, with data packages sold on board.
The 17-metre diving dhoni carries air and nitrox compressors, oxygen, a full first aid kit and an AED, with three crew. Tanks are 11.1-litre aluminium as standard, 13.2-litre on request, with DIN and INT fittings; divers with M26 regulators bring their own adapters. Nitrox up to 32 percent is free for certified divers.
Expect about 17 dives on a 7-night trip and up to 29 on the 11-night shark trip. The Maldives limit is 30 metres; experienced pairs may dive unguided when conditions allow, and the cruise director may ask newer divers to skip the strongest current dives. Bring a computer, an SMB with a 5-metre line, a reef hook and a torch for night dives: all are required.
Photographers get a camera table, charging stations, an air gun and rinse tanks. SSI Advanced Open Water, adventure dives and specialties can be done on board. Our liveaboard diving guide explains currents and check dives.
Yes. Evolution Eclipse is the former Emperor Virgo, a 35-metre liveaboard for 18 guests, now run by Evolution Liveaboards with a new name and a light-wood contemporary interior. Evolution Liveaboards keeps working closely with Emperor Divers. Departures until 30 October 2027 are sold as Emperor Virgo; from 3 November 2027 she sails as Evolution Eclipse.
Published 2027/28 prices per person for 7 nights are US$2,998 to US$3,245 in a lower deck cabin, US$3,302 to US$3,535 on the main deck and US$3,338 to US$3,570 on the upper deck, with the Christmas and New Year weeks the most expensive. The 10 and 11-night Discover Sharks trips cost US$4,303 to US$5,244. All taxes and port fees are included; gratuities of about US$22 a night are optional.
Most Maldives liveaboards start their week on a Saturday or Sunday, so the famous central sites are busiest on the same days. Leaving midweek lets the crew plan dives around the other boats, so groups often have sites such as Fish Head or the manta stations with fewer divers. It is not guaranteed, but it is the point of the schedule.
Open Water with no minimum number of logged dives for Best of Maldives, and Advanced recommended for Discover Sharks. Divers who have not dived for 12 months do a skills review or check dive, and every diver needs a computer, an SMB with at least a 5-metre line and a reef hook. Nitrox up to 32 percent is free for certified divers.
Eighteen guests at most, in nine en-suite cabins, with up to three guides and never more than six divers per guide. That is fewer guests than most 35-metre boats carry.
Yes, and with a new schedule there are plenty of open weeks. A full 7-night charter is published at US$50,544 to US$54,380 for the boat, and US$79,508 for an 11-night Discover Sharks trip. Groups can choose their own dates and route.
Yes. One lower deck cabin has a double bed and a small single bed for a child or small adult. Every other cabin has twin beds that can be made up as a double.
Written by Abdulla Maseeh, HolidayVibe Maldives, Malé. Boat facts, itineraries, inclusions and prices from Evolution Liveaboards’s fact sheet, itinerary sheet and published 2027/28 schedule, checked 9 November 2026. Photos and deck plan: Evolution Liveaboards.
