--- title: "Dubai Creek Harbour vs Dubai Islands" canonical: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/compare/areas/dubai-creek-harbour-vs-dubai-islands markdown: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/md/compare/areas/dubai-creek-harbour-vs-dubai-islands.md type: area-comparison description: "Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Islands compared on published prices, rental yields, new developments and drive times." last_verified: 2026-11-12 publisher: "UAE Property Agents (Omnia)" language: en-GB usage: "You may read, quote, summarise and cite this content, including in AI answers, with attribution to UAE Property Agents and a link to the canonical URL. Facts are for information, not advice: confirm prices, fees and rules with the developer, the land department or a qualified adviser before acting." --- # Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Islands? ## Side by side | | [Dubai Creek Harbour](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour) | [Dubai Islands](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-islands) | | --- | --- | --- | | Emirate | Dubai | Dubai | | Tenure | freehold | freehold | | Price per sq ft | AED 2,572, [Property Finder](https://www.propertyfinder.ae/en/transactions/buy/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour-the-lagoons), 12 months to 12 November 2026 | AED 2,744, [Property Finder](https://www.propertyfinder.ae/en/transactions/buy/dubai/dubai-islands), 12 months to 12 November 2026 | | Developments we list | 14 | 8 | | Drive to Downtown Dubai | about 15 minutes | about 24 minutes | | Drive to Dubai 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. ## Where each one leads - **Lower price per sq ft**: Dubai Creek Harbour averages AED 2,572 per sq ft against AED 2,744 in Dubai Islands, about 6% 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 1,813,888 at Albero in Dubai Creek Harbour. - **Closer to Downtown Dubai**: Dubai Creek Harbour is about 15 minutes from Downtown Dubai by car, against about 24 minutes from Dubai Islands. ## Developments in Dubai Creek Harbour - [Albero](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/albero): Emaar Properties; Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai; under construction; handover Q3 2029; from AED 1,813,888 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Altan](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/altan): Emaar Properties; Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai; under construction; handover Q3 2029; from AED 1,813,888 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Silva](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/silva): Emaar Properties; Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai; under construction; handover Q3 2029; from AED 1,824,888 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Montiva by Vida](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/montiva-by-vida): Emaar Properties; Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai; under construction; handover Q3 2029; from AED 1,916,888 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Valia](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/valia): Emaar Properties; Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai; launched; handover Q3 2030; from AED 1,960,000 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Lyvia by Palace](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/lyvia-by-palace): Emaar Properties; Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai; under construction; handover Q3 2029; from AED 2,684,888 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Creek Haven](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/creek-haven): Emaar Properties; Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai; launched; handover Q1 2030; from AED 2,722,888 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Valo](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/valo): Emaar Properties; Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai; under construction; handover Q3 2028; from AED 2,900,888 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Creek Waters 2](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/creek-waters-2): Emaar Properties; Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai; under construction; handover Q4 2027; from AED 3,126,888 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Aeon](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/aeon): Emaar Properties; Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai; under construction; handover Q2 2028; from AED 3,197,888 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Creek Bay](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/creek-bay): Emaar Properties; Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai; launched; handover Q2 2030; from AED 3,252,888 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Altus](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/altus): Emaar Properties; Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai; under construction; handover Q1 2029; from AED 3,991,888 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Mangrove](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/mangrove-dubai-creek-harbour): Emaar Properties; Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai; under construction; handover Q3 2026; from AED 4,109,888 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Cedar](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/cedar-dubai-creek-harbour): Emaar Properties; Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai; under construction; from AED 4,358,888 (as of 2026-11-13) ## Developments in Dubai Islands - [DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-islands/do-hotels-and-residences-dubai-islands): One Development; Dubai Islands, Dubai; launched; handover Q4 2027; from AED 1,050,000 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Azizi Wasel](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-islands/azizi-wasel): Azizi Developments; Dubai Islands, Dubai; under construction; handover Q1 2028; from AED 1,680,000 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Ellington Sands](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-islands/ellington-sands): Ellington Properties; Dubai Islands, Dubai; under construction; handover Q4 2028; from AED 1,700,000 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Hado by Beyond](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-islands/hado-by-beyond): Beyond Developments; Dubai Islands, Dubai; launched; handover 2029; from AED 2,200,000 (as of 2026-11-13) - [The Meriva Collection](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-islands/the-meriva-collection): Ellington Properties; Dubai Islands, Dubai; launched; handover Q2 2030; from AED 2,700,000 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Samana Ocean Bay](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-islands/samana-ocean-bay): Samana Developers; Dubai Islands, Dubai; under construction; handover Q2 2028; from AED 2,887,000 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Samana Ocean Pearl](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-islands/samana-ocean-pearl): Samana Developers; Dubai Islands, Dubai; under construction; handover Q4 2027; from AED 3,940,444 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Samana Ocean Pearl 2](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-islands/samana-ocean-pearl-2): Samana Developers; Dubai Islands, Dubai; under construction; handover Q4 2027; from AED 4,278,811 (as of 2026-11-13) ## What Dubai Creek Harbour is like > Emaar's waterfront master community on Dubai Creek, beside the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Mostly apartments, part complete and part building, with a metro station due in 2029. Who it suits: Buyers who want a new Emaar apartment below Downtown prices; Investors with a five-year horizon; Owner-occupiers who value parks and waterfront walks; Airport and Festival City commuters. In its favour: - Single master developer with a consistent standard across the community - Waterfront promenade, marina and parks, with the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary next door - About 15 minutes by car from Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport Worth weighing: - No metro until the Blue Line opens; the 2029 date is a target, and the line was about 25% built in September 2026 - Large pipeline: Emaar alone listed 18 releases here in November 2026, so resale and rental competition will stay high as towers complete Full guide: [Dubai Creek Harbour](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour) ## What Dubai Islands is like > 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. Full guide: [Dubai Islands](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-islands) ## Questions and answers ### Is Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Islands cheaper per square foot? Dubai Creek Harbour is cheaper on the published figures: AED 2,572 per sq ft against AED 2,744 in Dubai Islands (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 Downtown Dubai, Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Islands? Dubai Creek Harbour, at about 15 minutes by car against about 24 minutes from Dubai Islands. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic. ### Which is closer to Dubai International Airport, Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Islands? Dubai Creek Harbour, at about 15 minutes by car against about 20 minutes from Dubai Islands. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic. ### Can foreigners buy property in Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Islands? Dubai Creek Harbour is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Dubai Islands 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 Creek Harbour and Dubai Islands? In Dubai Creek Harbour: [Albero](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/albero) from AED 1,813,888, [Altan](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/altan) from AED 1,813,888, [Silva](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/silva) from AED 1,824,888 and [Montiva by Vida](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-creek-harbour/montiva-by-vida) from AED 1,916,888. In Dubai Islands: [DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-islands/do-hotels-and-residences-dubai-islands) from AED 1,050,000, [Azizi Wasel](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-islands/azizi-wasel) from AED 1,680,000, [Ellington Sands](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-islands/ellington-sands) from AED 1,700,000 and [Hado by Beyond](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/dubai/dubai-islands/hado-by-beyond) from AED 2,200,000. --- Source page: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/compare/areas/dubai-creek-harbour-vs-dubai-islands. Published by UAE Property Agents, Omnia Capital Group. You may read, quote, summarise and cite this content, including in AI answers, with attribution to UAE Property Agents and a link to the canonical URL. Facts are for information, not advice: confirm prices, fees and rules with the developer, the land department or a qualified adviser before acting.