Dubai Harbour or Dubai Marina?
Side by side on published prices, yields, new developments and drive times.
Pictured: DAMAC Bay by Cavalli by DAMAC Properties
Where each one leads
Drawn only from published figures and the developments we list, each with its source.
Lower price per sq ft
Dubai Marina averages AED 2,632 per sq ft against AED 4,066 in Dubai Harbour, about 35% less (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
Higher gross yield
Dubai Marina shows a gross yield of 5.88% against 5.16% in Dubai Harbour (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026). Gross yield is before service charges and empty months.
Higher average rent
New tenancy contracts in Dubai Harbour average AED 196,771 a year against AED 128,305 in Dubai Marina (Property Finder, from registered tenancy contracts, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
Lower entry price
The lowest developer price we list in Dubai Harbour is AED 3,300,888 at Bayview by Address Resorts, against AED 4,467,888 at Marina Shores in Dubai Marina.
Side by side
| Measure | Dubai Harbour | Dubai Marina |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Tenure | Freehold | Freehold |
| Price per sq ft | AED 4,066Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 741 sales | AED 2,632Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,150 sales |
| Gross rental yield | 5.16%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 741 sales | 5.88%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,150 sales |
| Average annual rent | AED 196,771Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 1,589 contracts | AED 128,305Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 15,781 contracts |
| Developments we list | 6 | 3 |
| Lowest developer price | AED 3,300,888Bayview by Address Resorts | AED 4,467,888Marina Shores |
Each figure is shown as its publisher states it, with the period it covers. A row appears only where both areas have a figure. Property Finder’s figures are averages across home types, so they mix studios and large homes. Read 12 November 2026.
New developments in each
Dubai Harbour
- Bayview by Address ResortsEmaar PropertiesAED 3,300,888
- Dubai Harbour ResidencesH&H DevelopmentAED 3,900,000
- DAMAC Bay by CavalliDAMAC PropertiesAED 3,939,000
- DAMAC Bay 2 by CavalliDAMAC PropertiesAED 8,886,000
- Beach MansionEmaar PropertiesAED 9,513,888
- SeaHaven Sky EditionSobha RealtyAED 21,132,340
Dubai Marina
- Marina ShoresEmaar PropertiesAED 4,467,888
- Marina CoveEmaar PropertiesAED 4,575,888
- Six Senses Residences Dubai MarinaSelect GroupAED 5,760,000
What each area is like
Dubai Harbour
A yacht-marina and cruise-terminal district on reclaimed land between Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters, with Emaar Beachfront at its centre and several high-priced towers under construction.
Who it suits
- Second-home buyers wanting sea and marina views
- Yacht owners
- Buyers of branded residences
- Investors in prime short-let stock
In its favour
- Sea-front position between Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters, next to Dubai Marina
- Large yacht marina and two cruise terminals
- Emaar Beachfront's completed towers show what the finished district looks like
Worth weighing
- At least eight projects are scheduled to complete between 2027 and the end of 2029, most of them large apartment towers aimed at the same buyer.
- High entry prices: the lowest launch price among projects with developer stock on Property Finder in November 2026 was AED 3.7 million.
Dubai Marina
Dubai's established high-rise waterfront district, built by Emaar around a three-kilometre canal. Mature, well connected by metro and tram, with only a handful of new towers left to come.
Who it suits
- Buy-to-let investors
- Young professionals
- Buyers who want metro and tram access
- Second-home owners wanting a lively, walkable base
In its favour
- Fully built waterfront district with a promenade, mall, restaurants and beach access nearby
- Red Line metro station and Dubai Tram within the district
- Established rental market: the district has been occupied since the mid-2000s
Worth weighing
- Older stock varies in quality. A fire in the 67-storey Marina Pinnacle in June 2025 displaced thousands of residents; check a tower's cladding, maintenance history and owners' association finances before buying a resale.
- New launches are priced well above neighbouring completed apartments, which caps resale upside until the gap closes.
Dubai Harbour or Dubai Marina: quick answers
Is Dubai Harbour or Dubai Marina cheaper per square foot?
Dubai Marina is cheaper on the published figures: AED 2,632 per sq ft against AED 4,066 in Dubai Harbour (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026). Averages move with the mix of homes sold, so compare like with like before relying on the gap.
Which has the higher rental yield, Dubai Harbour or Dubai Marina?
Dubai Marina, on the published figures: a gross yield of 5.88% against 5.16% in Dubai Harbour (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026). Gross yield is before service charges, empty months and fees, so the net return is lower.
What is the average rent in Dubai Harbour and Dubai Marina?
New tenancy contracts average AED 196,771 a year in Dubai Harbour and AED 128,305 in Dubai Marina (Property Finder, from registered tenancy contracts, 12 months to 12 November 2026). Both averages mix small and large homes.
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai Harbour and Dubai Marina?
Dubai Harbour is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Dubai Marina is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Sales in Dubai are registered with the DLD.
Which new developments can I buy in Dubai Harbour and Dubai Marina?
In Dubai Harbour: Bayview by Address Resorts from AED 3,300,888, Dubai Harbour Residences from AED 3,900,000, DAMAC Bay by Cavalli from AED 3,939,000 and DAMAC Bay 2 by Cavalli from AED 8,886,000. In Dubai Marina: Marina Shores from AED 4,467,888, Marina Cove from AED 4,575,888 and Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina from AED 5,760,000.
More area comparisons
- Dubai Harbour vs Jumeirah Lake Towers
- Dubai Harbour vs Palm Jumeirah
- Dubai Harbour vs Palm Jebel Ali
- Downtown Dubai vs Dubai Harbour
- Dubai Harbour vs Dubai Maritime City
- Dubai Harbour vs Nad Al Sheba
- Downtown Jebel Ali vs Dubai Marina
- Dubai Marina vs Jumeirah Golf Estates
- Dubai Marina vs Jumeirah Lake Towers
- Dubai Marina vs Jumeirah Village Circle
- Dubai Marina vs Palm Jumeirah
- Dubai Marina vs Wasl Gate
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
