Fahid Island or Saadiyat Island?
Side by side on published prices, yields, new developments and drive times.
Pictured: Fahid Beach Terraces by Aldar
Where each one leads
Drawn only from published figures and the developments we list, each with its source.
Lower price per sq ft
Saadiyat Island averages AED 3,003 per sq ft against AED 3,899 in Fahid Island, about 23% less (Bayut, from advertised asking prices, October 2026).
Lower entry price
The lowest developer price we list in Saadiyat Island is AED 2,950,000 at Sei Saadiyat, against AED 4,588,027 at The Beach House Fahid in Fahid Island.
Closer to Yas Island
Fahid Island is about 15 minutes from Yas Island by car, against about 20 minutes from Saadiyat Island.
Side by side
| Measure | Fahid Island | Saadiyat Island |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi |
| Tenure | Freehold | Freehold |
| Asking price per sq ft | AED 3,899Bayut, October 2026 | AED 3,003Bayut, October 2026 |
| Developments we list | 3 | 7 |
| Lowest developer price | AED 4,588,027The Beach House Fahid | AED 2,950,000Sei Saadiyat |
| Drive to Yas Island | about 15 minutes | about 20 minutes |
| Drive to Zayed International Airport | about 15 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. Read 12 November 2026.
New developments in each
Fahid Island
- The Beach House FahidAldarAED 4,588,027
- Fahid Beach TerracesAldarAED 6,484,900
- Fahid Beach ResidencesAldarAED 6,637,310
Saadiyat Island
- Sei SaadiyatAldarAED 2,950,000
- Mandarin Oriental Residences, Saadiyat Cultural DistrictAldarAED 7,285,952
- The Row SaadiyatAldarAED 7,648,800
- Mamsha GardenAldarAED 8,117,568
- TalayAldarAED 13,500,000
- Baccarat Residences SaadiyatAldarAED 16,000,000
What each area is like
Fahid Island
A 2.7 million sq m island between Yas and Saadiyat that Aldar is developing as a wellness-themed beach community. Entirely off plan: first apartments are due in 2029.
Who it suits
- Buyers who want beach access between Yas and Saadiyat at lower prices than Saadiyat
- Families attracted by King's College School Wimbledon
- Investors willing to wait until 2029 or later for completion
- Second-home buyers focused on outdoor and fitness amenities
In its favour
- Listed as a designated investment zone; sold freehold to foreign nationals
- 11 km coastline with 4.6 km of beach, per Aldar's masterplan
- Between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, each within 15 minutes by car (Aldar)
Worth weighing
- Nothing is complete. The first homes are due in 2029 and the island's school, hotels and retail will follow their own timetables
- A single developer controls the island, its pricing, its service charges and the pace of future releases
Saadiyat Island
Abu Dhabi's most expensive residential address: a natural island of beaches, museums and schools just off the city. Suits buyers paying a premium for culture, coastline and scarcity.
Who it suits
- Buyers who want beach and museums within walking distance
- Families using Cranleigh, NYU Abu Dhabi and other island schools
- Second-home owners with larger budgets
- Long-term holders who value scarcity over yield
In its favour
- Designated investment zone: freehold ownership is open to foreign nationals
- Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum and teamLab Phenomena are all open
- AED 13.3 billion of residential sales in H1 2026 (ADREC)
Worth weighing
- Premium pricing: entry prices are several times those on Al Reem Island or Yas Island, which compresses rental yields
- Marsa Al Saadiyat is planned for more than 58,000 residents. It is a multi-year construction programme and a large future supply of homes
Fahid Island or Saadiyat Island: quick answers
Is Fahid Island or Saadiyat Island cheaper per square foot?
Saadiyat Island is cheaper on the published figures: AED 3,003 per sq ft against AED 3,899 in Fahid Island (Bayut, from advertised asking prices, October 2026). Averages move with the mix of homes sold, so compare like with like before relying on the gap.
Which is closer to Yas Island, Fahid Island or Saadiyat Island?
Fahid Island, at about 15 minutes by car against about 20 minutes from Saadiyat Island. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Which is closer to Zayed International Airport, Fahid Island or Saadiyat Island?
Fahid Island, at about 15 minutes by car against about 20 minutes from Saadiyat Island. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Can foreigners buy property in Fahid Island and Saadiyat Island?
Fahid Island is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Saadiyat Island is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Sales in Abu Dhabi are registered with the ADREC.
Which new developments can I buy in Fahid Island and Saadiyat Island?
In Fahid Island: The Beach House Fahid from AED 4,588,027, Fahid Beach Terraces from AED 6,484,900 and Fahid Beach Residences from AED 6,637,310. In Saadiyat Island: Sei Saadiyat from AED 2,950,000, Mandarin Oriental Residences, Saadiyat Cultural District from AED 7,285,952, The Row Saadiyat from AED 7,648,800 and Mamsha Garden from AED 8,117,568.
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
