Off-plan property in Dubai Islands

Dubai Islands is a group of five reclaimed islands off the Deira coast, on the northern, older side of the city. Nakheel is the master developer and names the islands Central, Marina, Shore, Golf and Elite. Its figures are more than 20 kilometres of beaches, including one with Blue Flag certification, and over 60 kilometres of waterfront. The islands connect to the mainland by road bridge, and Nakheel points to the Infinity Bridge as the link onward into the city.

A small part is open, including the Souk Al Marfa market and a Blue Flag public beach. Almost everything residential is still being built. Nakheel sells its own projects here (Bay Grove Residences, Bay Villas, Bay Estate, Rixos Hotel & Residences) and has also sold plots to private developers, which is why the choice is so wide. Ellington has Cove, Sands and The Meriva Collection; Beyond has Hado and Siora; and a long list of smaller developers are building mid-rise blocks on the inner plots.

The appeal is price and position. One-bedroom apartments from the better-known developers start at about AED 2 million, well below beachfront stock on the Palm or at Dubai Harbour, and Dubai International Airport is around 20 minutes away. Buildings are low and mid-rise rather than towers, and many plots have beach access.

The counterweight is supply. Property Finder showed 2,796 homes listed for sale on Dubai Islands on 12 November 2026, with 1,366 of those added in the previous 30 days, at a median asking price of AED 3.38 million. Scheduled handovers run from late 2026 to 2031, so owners completing in the middle of that window will be letting or selling alongside many similar apartments. The location also faces the opposite way from the new-Dubai centres most overseas buyers know: Downtown is about 25 minutes away and Dubai Marina considerably further.