Dubai Islands — Off-Plan Properties for Sale by Nakheel

Dubai Islands is an 18.6 sq km waterfront mega-development by Nakheel, comprising five interconnected islands off the Deira coast in Dubai. The masterplan will deliver 49,000 homes across apartments, villas, townhouses, and penthouses, alongside 86 hotels, 9 marinas, and 21 km of Blue Flag beaches — with capacity for 231,000 residents at full build-out by 2030. It is aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.

Dubai Islands is widely considered a strong investment opportunity for several reasons: early-stage pricing with capital appreciation potential as infrastructure completes through 2030; rental yields of 11–13% for short-term rentals in 2026; full freehold ownership for foreign buyers; Golden Visa eligibility from AED 2M; zero property tax and capital gains tax in Dubai; and active infrastructure investment confirmed — Nakheel awarded a AED 527M infrastructure contract for Island B in April 2026, signalling continued capital deployment into the masterplan.

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, a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate and the developer behind Palm Jumeirah and The World Islands. Individual residential projects within the masterplan are delivered by private developers including Chaimaa Holding, Imtiaz Developments, Ellington Properties, AYS Developers, Samana, Avenew Development, and others.

Dubai Islands is located off the Deira coastline in northern Dubai, connected to the mainland via three bridges as part of the Al Shindagha Corridor. Dubai International Airport is approximately 10 km away. Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa are around 15 km by car. 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 — the widest selection of off-plan projects. 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 championship golf courses. Island E (Elite Island) is a limited ultra-luxury enclave with private villas and marina access.

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. Dubai has no annual property tax, no capital gains tax, and no inheritance tax on real estate.

As of June 2026, entry-level studios start from AED 750,000 (e.g. Ellington Cove, DO Hotels & Residences). One-bedroom apartments start from AED 1,000,000. Two-bedroom apartments from AED 1,700,000. Villas start from AED 2,600,000 for podium configurations. Penthouses from AED 3,500,000. Prices vary by project, island, floor, and developer. Specific pricing is listed on each individual project page.

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 Grove Residences, Bay Villas), Ellington Properties (Ellington Sands 2, The Meriva Collection, Ellington Cove), Imtiaz Developments (Sea Cliff, Beach Walk, Cotier House, Wynwood, Sunset Bay), Samana Developers, AYS Developers, Avenew Development, Chaimaa Holding, LIV Developers, WELL Concept, Beyond Developments, and others. New project launches are ongoing as the masterplan phases progress.

Yes. Dubai offers two property-linked residency options. A 2-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 — including Rixos Dubai Islands Hotel & Residences — are scheduled for Q4 2026. The majority of current off-plan launches are delivering between 2027 and 2029. Bay Grove Residences Phase 1 is on track for Q1 2028. 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.

In 2026, well-managed sea-view apartments on Dubai Islands are achieving 11–13% gross short-term rental yield, driven by the beachfront location, 10 km proximity to Dubai International Airport, and growing resort infrastructure. Long-term rental yields average 8%+ per annum. Actual returns vary by project, unit type, and floor — beachfront and branded residences typically achieve the upper range.

Both are developed by Nakheel, but Dubai Islands is three times larger (18.6 sq km vs 5.6 sq km) with significantly lower entry prices and higher projected yields. Studios on Dubai Islands start from AED 750K vs AED 1.2M+ on Palm Jumeirah. Villas from AED 2.6M vs AED 15M+. Short-term rental yields on Dubai Islands reach 11–13% vs 5–7% on Palm Jumeirah. Palm Jumeirah is fully mature with established rental demand and premium pricing. Dubai Islands offers early-stage pricing with greater appreciation upside as 49,000 homes and 86 hotels deliver through 2030.