Al Marjan Island or RAK Central?
Side by side on published prices, yields, new developments and drive times.
Pictured: Taj Wellington Mews by BNW Developments
Where each one leads
Drawn only from published figures and the developments we list, each with its source.
Lower entry price
The lowest developer price we list in RAK Central is AED 1,120,000 at Radisson Blu Residences RAK Central, against AED 1,500,000 at Taj Wellington Mews in Al Marjan Island.
Closer to Dubai International Airport
RAK Central is about 50 minutes from Dubai International Airport by car, against about 60 minutes from Al Marjan Island.
Side by side
| Measure | Al Marjan Island | RAK Central |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Ras Al Khaimah | Ras Al Khaimah |
| Tenure | Freehold | Freehold |
| Developments we list | 11 | 1 |
| Lowest developer price | AED 1,500,000Taj Wellington Mews | AED 1,120,000Radisson Blu Residences RAK Central |
| Drive to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport | about 25 minutes | about 25 minutes |
| Drive to Dubai International Airport | about 60 minutes | about 50 minutes |
Each figure is shown as its publisher states it, with the period it covers. A row appears only where both areas have a figure.
New developments in each
Al Marjan Island
- Taj Wellington MewsBNW DevelopmentsAED 1,500,000
- Tonino Lamborghini ResidencesBNW DevelopmentsAED 1,690,000
- FashionTV AcaciaBNW DevelopmentsAED 1,960,000
- PelagiaBNW DevelopmentsAED 2,300,000
- Dolce Residences by WyndhamBNW DevelopmentsAED 2,400,000
- Costa MareEllington PropertiesAED 2,800,000
RAK Central
- Radisson Blu Residences RAK CentralBNW DevelopmentsAED 1,120,000
What each area is like
Al Marjan Island
Four man-made islands off the Ras Al Khaimah coast, with beach hotels, a dense pipeline of branded apartment towers and the Wynn resort due in September 2027. Suits holiday-let investors who accept catalyst risk.
Who it suits
- Holiday-let investors
- Second-home buyers who want a beach
- Buyers comfortable with off-plan risk
- Branded-residence buyers
In its favour
- Freehold for all nationalities; listed as a freehold area by Ras Al Khaimah Municipality.
- 7.8 km of beaches and operating resorts by Rixos, Hilton, Radisson and Mövenpick.
- Wynn Al Marjan Island, about 1,530 rooms, scheduled by its operator to open in September 2027.
Worth weighing
- Pricing leans on a single catalyst. The Wynn opening has already slipped from Q1 2027 to September 2027.
- Marjan plans 18,650 homes on the island, most of them small apartments, so competition for tenants and resale buyers will be heavy.
RAK Central
A new mixed-use business district beside Al Hamra Village, planned by Marjan with offices, hotels and apartment towers. Lower entry prices than Al Marjan Island, on an unfinished site.
Who it suits
- Buyers seeking lower entry prices
- Investors targeting long-let tenants
- Buyers who accept an unfinished district
In its favour
- Listed as a freehold area by Ras Al Khaimah Municipality.
- Entry prices well below Al Marjan Island: studios listed from about AED 800,000.
- Planned by Marjan with offices, hotels and a university campus, not housing alone.
Worth weighing
- The district is a construction site. Offices are due from 2027 and the first residential towers from late 2028.
- Tenant demand depends on offices filling and the Wynn resort opening; neither has happened yet.
Al Marjan Island or RAK Central: quick answers
Which is closer to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, Al Marjan Island or RAK Central?
Both are about 25 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport by car. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Which is closer to Dubai International Airport, Al Marjan Island or RAK Central?
RAK Central, at about 50 minutes by car against about 60 minutes from Al Marjan Island. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Can foreigners buy property in Al Marjan Island and RAK Central?
Al Marjan Island is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. RAK Central is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Sales in Ras Al Khaimah are registered with the RAK Municipality.
Which new developments can I buy in Al Marjan Island and RAK Central?
In Al Marjan Island: Taj Wellington Mews from AED 1,500,000, Tonino Lamborghini Residences from AED 1,690,000, FashionTV Acacia from AED 1,960,000 and Pelagia from AED 2,300,000. In RAK Central: Radisson Blu Residences RAK Central from AED 1,120,000.
Not sure which area fits?
Tell us your budget, your timing and whether you will live there or let it, and we will set the two areas against each other for you.
- Current price list and availability, direct from the developer
- No fee to you on off-plan purchases: the developer pays us
- One salaried adviser, not on commission, from first call to handover
