Dubai Islands by Nakheel

Dubai Islands consists of five named islands: The Central Island (Island A), Shore Island (Island B), Oasis Island (Island C), Golf Island (Island D), and Elite Island (Island E). Each island has a distinct development focus, ranging from urban residential on Island A to ultra-luxury private villas on Island E.

Yes. Dubai Islands was previously known as Deira Islands. Nakheel officially rebranded the development in 2022 to reflect its expanded scale and updated masterplan aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. The location, developer, and five-island structure remain unchanged.

Dubai Islands is a masterplan development by Nakheel, the developer behind Palm Jumeirah and The World Islands. Individual residential projects are delivered by private developers including Chaimaa Holding, Imtiaz Developments, Prestige One, Next Group, and others, all building within the Nakheel masterplan framework.

Dubai Islands is located off the Deira coastline in northern Dubai, connected to the mainland via the Infinity Bridge. Dubai International Airport is approximately 15 minutes away, Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa are around 25 minutes by car, and the Gold Souk in Deira is under 10 minutes.

Island A (Central Island) is the largest zone, with the majority of residential towers, retail, and hospitality. Island B (Shore Island) focuses on beachfront resorts and low-rise living. Island C (Oasis Island) is planned around wellness and green spaces. Island D (Golf Island) features villa communities and golf courses. Island E (Elite Island) is a limited ultra-luxury enclave with private villas.

Yes. Dubai Islands is a designated freehold zone, meaning international buyers can purchase property with 100% ownership, no local partner required. Properties can be bought off-plan directly from developers or as ready units on the secondary market.

Prices start from AED 1,250,000 (approximately $340,000) for one-bedroom apartments. Two-bedroom units start from around AED 2,200,000, and villas and penthouses are priced from AED 5,000,000 and above, depending on the project, island, and floor.

Off-plan projects on Dubai Islands typically offer 40/60, 50/50, or 60/40 payment plans, with a construction-phase schedule and the balance due on handover. Down payments start from 10–20% of the purchase price. Some projects include post-handover payment options extending 12–36 months beyond the handover date.

Active developers on Dubai Islands include Nakheel (Bay Villas, Rixos Residences), Chaimaa Holding (ISLA Private Residences), Imtiaz Developments, Prestige One, Next Group, AYS Developers, and others. New project launches are ongoing as the masterplan phases progress.

Yes. Dubai offers two property-linked residency options. A two-year investor visa is available to sole owners of any completed residential unit, with no minimum property value required. For jointly owned properties, each co-owner must hold a share of at least AED 400,000. The 10-year UAE Golden Visa requires a property value of AED 2,000,000 or above.

The UAE Golden Visa is a 10-year renewable residency permit available to property investors who own real estate valued at AED 2,000,000 or more. Mortgage-financed purchases qualify with a minimum 20% down payment. The visa covers the holder’s spouse, children, and parents, and does not require employer sponsorship.

Handover dates vary by project. The earliest completions are scheduled for Q4 2026, with the majority of current off-plan launches delivering between 2027 and 2029. Project-specific handover dates are listed on each property page.

Yes. Both long-term and short-term rentals are permitted on Dubai Islands. Long-term rentals require a standard Ejari contract registered with Dubai Land Department. Short-term rentals require a Holiday Homes permit issued by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, with an annual fee of AED 1,500 per unit.

Short-term rental yields on waterfront Dubai Islands properties are projected at up to 15% per annum, subject to occupancy rates and management costs. Long-term rental yields average 8%+ annually. Actual returns vary by project, unit type, and floor, with beachfront and branded residences typically achieving the upper range.