Not many holiday destinations in the Maldives self-style themselves as being the one that ‘strives to protect, conserve and preserve the natural setting and rich biodiversity of surrounding waters with minimum intrusion for future generations.’

However, the nine uninhabited islands that form the region’s first ever Marine National Park in the Edu Faru, Noonu Atoll area of the Maldives happens to do just this and with a fair measure of success at that.

This is an area that has remained pretty much untouched by the less appealing consequences of tourism, an ecosystem rich in marine life that has in effect become the poster boy for biodiversity in the Maldives.

The upkeep of the Marine National Park is overseen by a consortium of partners and supporters throughout the Noonu Atoll community. At its core, the Park seeks to preserve pure Maldivian cultural traditions whilst at the same time promoting tourism via educational activities which inform visitors as to the history of the islands and the richness of the marine life that is to be found.

One of these supporters is the neighbouring five-star Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort & Spa, a secluded and stunning retreat that provides tourists with the best of Maldivian hospitality and an attractive range of leisure activities including trips to the Marine National Park.

Recognising the need to protect the environment around the Edu Faru and with strict adherence to the pledge to preserve the Park for future generations, the Hilton Maldives resort regularly arranges excursions to the site so that tourists can experience the delights of the Park in all its natural glory.

These excursions include a fun-filled catalogue of activities which include ever popular snorkelling and diving trips to the ancient coral reefs where underwater adventurers can experience a wealth of sea-life – nature at its most comprehensive.

For a trip to the Marine National Park is truly a dip into genuine Maldivian culture and nature. Tourists can learn from the experience of generations of fishermen on the islands as they attempt to land a big fish using only recognised traditional methods. No easy thing for the novice, but second nature for a true Maldivian.

Further popular excursions available through the Hilton Maldives include an invigorating dolphin watching jaunt whilst for those non-monophobia sufferers who may be present, a stop off on a ‘deserted’ island for a Robinson Crusoe experience is also up for grabs.

‘We are pleased to offer our guests a comprehensive selection of a la carte activities’ is the view of Hilton Maldives bosses. Acutely aware of the importance of the park to the Maldives as a top tourist attraction, Hilton chiefs are keen for the Park to be seen by as many visitors as possible so that its beauty can be admired, its diversity celebrated, and its future safeguarded.

For philanthropically, the Hilton Maldives also donates every $10 spent by its guests to the Marine National Park Foundation Fund – a gesture mirrored by others in the consortium and a significant contribution to the on-going preservation of the Park.

As the opening paragraph of this article suggests, a holiday destination’s biodiversity credentials are unlikely to be the reason most people would cite for booking a holiday to any part of the world, never mind the Maldives. Yet if the ethics pertaining to biodiversity were to go unrecognised, how can we be at all sure that the beauty of the natural life found in places such as the Marine National Park will survive to be admired and enjoyed in decades to come?