Overview
Eden Island is an island in the Seychelles that was built in 2006, about 3 km as the crow flies from Victoria.
What was once a dead coral reef off the coast of Mahé has since been turned into a lavish setting. More than a decade after completion, Eden Island is a luxurious and sought-after place to live. Developing it over so many years has created accommodation as well as tourism and business opportunities.
On an area of 0.57 km² (around 40 hectares of land and 16 hectares of waterways), about 600 units have been built: apartments, semi-detached houses and luxury villas. At times up to 1,000 people live on Eden Island.
In the first three years after completion in 2011 alone, almost 90% of all units were sold by 2014. Today there are still occasional chances to buy new and existing properties. They are sold freehold, and according to the developer, buying entitles the owner and their immediate family to reside in the Seychelles. More on this on the page Investing in the Seychelles.
According to earlier figures, Eden has created around 700 permanent jobs for local people.
Getting there and getting around
Eden Island lies on the east coast of Mahé between Victoria and the airport. The bridge branches off the Providence Highway and is the only way on or off.
| Destination | Distance from Eden Island | By car |
|---|---|---|
| Mahé Airport | approx. 5–7 km | approx. 5–15 minutes |
| Victoria | approx. 5 km by road | approx. 10 minutes |
By taxi, transfer or hire car
The easiest way is by taxi or with your accommodation's transfer. Give "Eden Plaza" as your destination and the driver will drop you right in the public area. For pick-up and prices, see Airport transfer, and if you would rather drive yourself, Car hire. Distances on the island itself are short: even by car, getting from south to north takes just a few minutes.
By bus
According to recent reports, no scheduled bus goes onto the island. The usual way is to take a bus along the coast road, or into Victoria and on by taxi from there. Timetables and stops change, and you will find an overview under Travelling by bus in the Seychelles. With a lot of luggage, a taxi is the better choice.
On foot
You can walk across the bridge itself, and it offers a good view of Victoria and the islands beyond. Walking all the way from Victoria to Eden is not advisable in the heat.
Eden Plaza, marina and evenings out
Eden Plaza
Eden Plaza is the largest shopping centre in the Seychelles, with more than 50 shops, restaurants and services in an open-air layout. You will find a Spar supermarket, ice cream parlours, cafés, boutiques, a pharmacy, currency exchange, a cash machine, a spa and offices. A visit to Eden is worthwhile, especially for shopping or an evening meal near the airport.
Opening hours differ from shop to shop. Shops often close early in the evening and some are shut on Sundays, while restaurants and bars stay open later. For general information on times, see Opening hours in the Seychelles.
Yacht harbour and water sports
The purpose-built marina has room for about 250 boats and yachts, but almost all the berths are taken. Most of the villas also have their own additional mooring, which is extremely convenient for owners, as they can step from the garden or jetty straight onto their boat or yacht. The marina can also take superyachts.
Visitors can stroll along the waterfront promenade and look at the boats, best towards evening. Around the Plaza and marina, several diving, fishing and charter operators have their offices, so you can book trips on the spot. More on the options under Boat trips, Fishing, Diving & snorkelling and Sailing.
In the evening
If you fancy going out in the evening, you will find a good number of smaller restaurants and bars, with cooking that ranges from Creole to Indian to sushi. There used to be a casino in the Plaza too. Reports about whether it is open are inconsistent, so ask locally before making a special trip.
Beaches
The island's four small beaches are in the private Eden Village. For a beach day, other beaches on Mahé are the better choice, and the page Dream beaches in the Seychelles gives an overview. You can also reach the islands of the marine park off Mahé, such as Moyenne, Sainte Anne and Cerf, by excursion boat. Ask the individual operator for departure points and times.
Accommodation and food
The Eden Bleu Hotel opened on Eden in 2018 and adds to the places to stay. It is a modern four-star hotel with almost 90 rooms right on the marina, with a pool, the Marlin Bleu restaurant and the Bourgeois Bar. The Plaza is only a few steps away, and the airport is about 5 to 10 minutes by car.
Owners also rent out many apartments and maisons as holiday accommodation. You can see everything on offer on Eden under Accommodation on Eden Island, with general advice under Booking a hotel and Booking a holiday home. For restaurants on Eden, see Restaurants on Eden Island, and for more tips Restaurant recommendations.
Practical tips
| Topic | What Eden has to offer |
|---|---|
| Money | Currency exchange and ATM at the Plaza, see Money & Banks |
| Shopping | Spar supermarket, pharmacy, boutiques and souvenir shops |
| Doctor | General clinic (to our knowledge under German management) and dental practice, check opening hours on site |
| Emergency | The hospital in Victoria can be reached in about 10 minutes, phone numbers under Clinics & Emergency Numbers |
Day trip or overnight stay?
Two to three hours is enough for Eden: the promenade, some shopping and dinner. An overnight stay makes sense before a flight home or after arrival, if you do not want a long journey, and for self-caterers who need a large supermarket nearby (see Self-catering). Eden is not ideal for a beach holiday. For that, Mahé or Praslin are better options.
