Dubai Islands or Dubai Maritime City?
Side by side on published prices, yields, new developments and drive times.
Pictured: The Meriva Collection by Ellington 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 Islands averages AED 2,744 per sq ft against AED 3,128 in Dubai Maritime City, about 12% less (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
Lower entry price
The lowest developer price we list in Dubai Islands is AED 1,050,000 at DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands, against AED 1,650,000 at Shahrukhz Residences by Danube in Dubai Maritime City.
Closer to Downtown Dubai
Dubai Maritime City is about 20 minutes from Downtown Dubai by car, against about 24 minutes from Dubai Islands.
Side by side
| Measure | Dubai Islands | Dubai Maritime City |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Tenure | Freehold | Freehold |
| Price per sq ft | AED 2,744Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 4,788 sales | AED 3,128Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,671 sales |
| Developments we list | 8 | 4 |
| Lowest developer price | AED 1,050,000DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands | AED 1,650,000Shahrukhz Residences by Danube |
| Drive to Dubai International Airport | about 20 minutes | about 20 minutes |
| Drive to Downtown Dubai | about 24 minutes | about 20 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. 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 Islands
- DO Hotels & Residences Dubai IslandsOne DevelopmentAED 1,050,000
- Azizi WaselAzizi DevelopmentsAED 1,680,000
- Ellington SandsEllington PropertiesAED 1,700,000
- Hado by BeyondBeyond DevelopmentsAED 2,200,000
- The Meriva CollectionEllington PropertiesAED 2,700,000
- Samana Ocean BaySamana DevelopersAED 2,887,000
Dubai Maritime City
- Shahrukhz Residences by DanubeDanube PropertiesAED 1,650,000
- Chelsea ResidencesDAMAC PropertiesAED 2,457,000
- Soulever by BeyondBeyond DevelopmentsAED 2,500,000
- Harbour Lights by de GRISOGONODAMAC PropertiesAED 6,666,000
What each area is like
Dubai Islands
Five Nakheel-reclaimed islands off Deira in old Dubai, now the emirate's busiest launch zone for mid-rise beachfront apartments, with most handovers falling between 2027 and 2031.
Who it suits
- Buyers wanting beachfront at a lower entry price
- Frequent flyers using Dubai International Airport
- Investors comfortable with a long build-out
- End-users who prefer low-rise buildings
In its favour
- More than 20 km of beaches and 60 km of waterfront, according to Nakheel
- About 20 minutes to Dubai International Airport
- Mid-rise and low-rise buildings rather than towers
Worth weighing
- Heavy supply pipeline: Property Finder listed 2,796 homes for sale on 12 November 2026, 1,366 of them added in the previous 30 days. Expect competition on resale and rent when buildings complete.
- Most of the islands will be a construction site into the 2030s; published handover dates on current projects run from late 2026 to Q1 2031.
Dubai Maritime City
A reclaimed peninsula between Mina Rashid and Dubai Dry Docks, turning from a stalled maritime business zone into a dense cluster of waterfront apartment towers due from 2026 to 2030.
Who it suits
- Investors seeking sea-view apartments near the city centre
- Buyers comfortable with an emerging district
- Professionals working in DIFC or Downtown
In its favour
- Open-sea frontage about 15 to 20 minutes from Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport
- Projects from established names: DAMAC, Beyond (Omniyat group), Select Group, Danube
- Next to Mina Rashid's marina and cruise terminal
Worth weighing
- Concentrated supply: nearly every tower was launched between 2022 and 2026 and is scheduled to hand over between late 2026 and 2030. Many are one- and two-bedroom investor units competing for the same tenants.
- Property Finder's community panel showed average sale prices in Maritime City down 11.7% year on year when checked on 12 November 2026.
Dubai Islands or Dubai Maritime City: quick answers
Is Dubai Islands or Dubai Maritime City cheaper per square foot?
Dubai Islands is cheaper on the published figures: AED 2,744 per sq ft against AED 3,128 in Dubai Maritime City (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 is closer to Dubai International Airport, Dubai Islands or Dubai Maritime City?
Both are about 20 minutes from Dubai International Airport by car. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Which is closer to Downtown Dubai, Dubai Islands or Dubai Maritime City?
Dubai Maritime City, at about 20 minutes by car against about 24 minutes from Dubai Islands. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai Islands and Dubai Maritime City?
Dubai Islands is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Dubai Maritime City 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 Islands and Dubai Maritime City?
In Dubai Islands: DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands from AED 1,050,000, Azizi Wasel from AED 1,680,000, Ellington Sands from AED 1,700,000 and Hado by Beyond from AED 2,200,000. In Dubai Maritime City: Shahrukhz Residences by Danube from AED 1,650,000, Chelsea Residences from AED 2,457,000, Soulever by Beyond from AED 2,500,000 and Harbour Lights by de GRISOGONO from AED 6,666,000.
More area comparisons
- Dubai Creek Harbour vs Dubai Islands
- Dubai Islands vs Rashid Yachts & Marina
- Dubai Islands vs Palm Jumeirah
- Business Bay vs Dubai Maritime City
- Downtown Dubai vs Dubai Maritime City
- Dubai Maritime City vs Rashid Yachts & Marina
- City Walk vs Dubai Maritime City
- Dubai Creek Harbour vs Dubai Maritime City
- Dubai Harbour vs Dubai Maritime City
- Dubai Maritime City vs Nad Al Sheba
- Dubai Maritime City vs Palm Jumeirah
- Dubai Marina vs Dubai Maritime City
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
