Key takeaways
- Dubai Islands is a 17 sq km district of five islands off Deira, with more than 20 km of beaches, including a Blue Flag beach.
- The master plan includes over 80 resorts and hotels and around 2 sq km of parks and open space.
- Dubai Islands recorded AED 6.1 billion of sales across 1,936 transactions in the first half of 2025, at an average of about AED 2,340 per sq ft.
- A new 1,425-metre, eight-lane bridge will add a second link to the mainland via Bur Dubai.
Dubai Islands is the city’s newest large-scale waterfront district: five islands off the Deira coast, planned around beaches, marinas, resorts and residential neighbourhoods. It is early in its life, which is exactly what draws buyers to it now: waterfront living close to the historic heart of Dubai, at prices that still sit well below the established island addresses.
Five islands, 17 sq km, more than 20 km of beaches.
H1 2025: AED 6.1bn across 1,936 sales, about AED 2,340 per sq ft.
New 1,425 m bridge: eight lanes, 16,000 vehicles an hour.
Where Dubai Islands is
Formerly known as Deira Islands, the district lies along Dubai’s northern coastline, directly off Deira and a short drive from Dubai International Airport, Dubai Creek and the older commercial districts. The master plan, unveiled in 2022, covers 17 square kilometres across five islands.
Today the islands are reached via the Infinity Bridge and Al Khaleej Street. A second link is on the way: a 1,425-metre bridge with four lanes in each direction, capacity for 16,000 vehicles an hour and a pedestrian and cycling track, connecting the islands with Bur Dubai.
What the master plan includes
| Feature | Plan |
|---|---|
| Islands | 5 |
| Total area | 17 sq km |
| Beaches | More than 20 km, including a Blue Flag certified beach |
| Resorts and hotels | More than 80 |
| Parks and open space | About 2 sq km |
| Leisure | Marinas, promenades and golf courses overlooking the Gulf |
The emphasis on beaches, resorts and open space is what sets Dubai Islands apart from inland communities: residents are buying into a coastal lifestyle district rather than simply a residential neighbourhood.
Prices and market activity
Buyer interest has grown quickly. In the first half of 2025, Dubai Islands recorded AED 6.1 billion of sales across 1,936 transactions, according to Gulf News, with apartments averaging about AED 2.9 million and an average price of around AED 2,340 per square foot. That compares with more than AED 3,000 per square foot on Palm Jumeirah. Earlier reporting tracked apartment prices rising from about AED 1,800 per square foot in mid-2023 to AED 2,300–2,400 by early 2025.
For buyers, that gap to established waterfront pricing is the core of the opportunity. As beaches, hotels and the new bridge come into use, the district moves from a plan to a place, and prices in emerging waterfront areas have historically responded to that shift.
What to weigh before buying
Dubai Islands is still being built. More than 10,700 homes were under construction as of mid-2025, so buyers should expect a busy period of new supply around handover, and some amenities will open in phases. That makes the choice of building important: a low-density project with clear views, a credible delivery timeline and a payment plan that fits your finances will stand out as the district matures. As with any off-plan purchase, check that the project is registered with the DLD and that payments go into its escrow account.
What this means for NYX buyers
Calla Isle is our boutique development of 73 residences on Dubai Islands: one- to three-bedroom homes and townhouses from AED 2,000,000 with Burj Khalifa and city skyline views, handing over in Q3 2028 on a 45/55 payment plan. Because Calla Isle prices start at AED 2 million, a single residence meets the value threshold for the UAE’s 10-year Golden Visa; our Golden Visa guide explains how that works for off-plan buyers. For more on the district itself, see our earlier piece on waterfront living on Dubai Islands.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Dubai Islands?
Dubai Islands, formerly Deira Islands, lie off Dubai’s northern coastline next to Deira, close to Dubai International Airport and Dubai Creek. They are reached via the Infinity Bridge, with a new bridge to Bur Dubai under way.
How big is Dubai Islands?
The master plan covers 17 square kilometres across five islands, with more than 20 kilometres of beaches and more than 80 planned resorts and hotels.
How much does property cost on Dubai Islands?
In the first half of 2025, sales on Dubai Islands averaged about AED 2,340 per square foot, with apartments averaging around AED 2.9 million. That is below the AED 3,000-plus per square foot seen on Palm Jumeirah.
Can I get a Golden Visa by buying on Dubai Islands?
Yes, if the property you buy is worth AED 2 million or more. Off-plan property can count, subject to the Dubai Land Department’s current rules on registration and amounts paid.