Most popular residential islands of Abu Dhabi
Beyond its idyllic blend of the traditional, the modern and the futuristic, Abu Dhabi is also admired for the enticing island living it provides. The capital is made up of more than 200 islands, many of which are easily accessible and offer a glitzy lifestyle with world-class facilities. If an upscale island lifestyle appeals to you, we have shortlisted the most sought-after residential islands in Abu Dhabi to make your search for a home easier.
Here are the best destinations to buy or rent island properties in Abu Dhabi based on consumer interest.
POPULAR RESIDENTIAL ISLANDS IN ABU DHABI TO RENT OR BUY APARTMENTS
Searching for apartments to rent in Abu Dhabi? Tenants interested in island living can consider these areas, famous for their luxury apartments:
Areas | Average Rent Price Studio | Average Rent Price 1-Bed APT | Average Rent Price 2-Bed APT | Average Rent Price 3-Bed APT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Areas Al Reem Island | Average Rent Price Studio AED 43,000 | Average Rent Price 1-Bed APT AED 57,000 | Average Rent Price 2-Bed APT AED 85,000 | Average Rent Price 3-Bed APT AED 129,000 |
Areas Yas Island | Average Rent Price Studio AED 51,000 | Average Rent Price 1-Bed APT AED 67,000 | Average Rent Price 2-Bed APT AED 96,000 | Average Rent Price 3-Bed APT AED 135,000 |
Areas Saadiyat Island | Average Rent Price Studio AED 45,000 | Average Rent Price 1-Bed APT AED 108,000 | Average Rent Price 2-Bed APT AED 191,000 | Average Rent Price 3-Bed APT AED 277,000 |
Areas |
Those looking for more permanent accommodation on investment opportunities can check out these famous residential islands in Abu Dhabi for buying apartments:
Areas | Average Sales Price Studio | Average Sales Price 1-Bed APT | Average Sales Price 2-Bed APT | Average Sales Price 3-Bed APT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Areas Al Reem Island | Average Sales Price Studio AED 574,000 | Average Sales Price 1-Bed APT AED 828,000 | Average Sales Price 2-Bed APT AED 1,295,000 | Average Sales Price 3-Bed APT AED 1,962,000 |
Areas Yas Island | Average Sales Price Studio AED 639,000 | Average Sales Price 1-Bed APT AED 933,000 | Average Sales Price 2-Bed APT AED 1,495,000 | Average Sales Price 3-Bed APT AED 2,225,000 |
Areas Saadiyat Island | Average Sales Price Studio AED 665,000 | Average Sales Price 1-Bed APT AED 2,152,000 | Average Sales Price 2-Bed APT AED 2,938,000 | Average Sales Price 3-Bed APT AED 4,651,000 |
Areas |
AL REEM ISLAND
UAE’s capital city is home to many stunning island projects, but the luxurious address of Al Reem Island consistently ranks as the most popular waterfront development in Abu Dhabi. With sleek residential towers, retail complexes and a wealth of amenities, Al Reem Island is a prime choice for potential investors and tenants.
Some of the most popular areas to rent in Al Reem Island includes Marina Square, Shams Abu Dhabi and Shams Gate District. The apartments in Al Reem Island for rent come in a variety of configurations.
The average price of renting studios in Al Reem Island is AED 43k, while 1-bedroom flats are available for AED 57k. For a 2-bedroom apartment in the community, you have to pay AED 85k, whereas 3-bedroom apartments can be rented for AED 129k on average.
Meanwhile, those keen to invest in this coveted address will find that average prices for buying studios are AED 574k. For AED 828k, you can get a 1-bed flat, while a spacious 2-bed apartment is available for AED 1.29M. Similarly, 3-bedroom apartments average at AED 1.96M.
YAS ISLAND
Yas Island is one of the most popular communities for apartments on islands in Abu Dhabi. Perfect for those who want to be in the middle of the action, Yas Island is the most happening location in the capital!
There are endless attractions in the community, including waterparks, theme parks, a golf course, a car-racing circuit, beaches, malls and the trendiest restaurants and hotels. There’s never a boring day with exciting destinations like Warner Bros. Abu Dhabi and Ferrari World located nearby.
The average price for renting studios on Yas Island is AED 51k. 1-bedroom flats in the community can be rented for AED 67k, while you can get a luxury 2-bed apartment on Yas Island for AED 96k. The average rent for a spacious 3-bedroom apartment is AED 135k.
Keen on investing in Yas Island? The average price for buying a studio apartment is AED 639k. Those interested in 1-bedroom apartments need to have a budget of around AED 933k to buy property in this community. 2 and 3-bedroom flats on Yas Island are available for AED 1.49M and AED 2.25M, respectively.
SAADIYAT ISLAND
One of the most prestigious Abu Dhabi waterfront developments, Saadiyat Island has carved its niche as a cultural hub in the capital. Apart from housing the famous Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island offers a wealth of other cultural experiences through art fairs, exhibitions, workshops and more.
The island has a mix of townhouses, villas and apartment communities with gorgeous waterfront views. Tenants looking for apartments for rent in Saadiyat Island will be spoilt for choice.
Studio apartments on Saadiyat Island can be rented at AED 45k, whereas for 1-bedroom apartments tenants have to pay AED 108k per year. You can rent 2-bedroom apartments on Al Saadiyat Island for AED 191k and 3-bedroom flats for AED 277k on average.
Investors, on the other hand, can get a studio apartment for the price of AED 665k and 1-bedroom flats for sale are available for an average price of AED 2.15M. There are also many spacious 2-bedroom flats in the neighbourhood that cost around AED 2.93M. Have a big family? Pay AED 4.65M and you get a luxury 3-bedroom apartment in the beautiful community.
AL MARYAH ISLAND
Fancy an island home that’s surrounded by turquoise sea waters? Then consider living in one of the popular residential islands in Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island. Also known as the capital’s new business district, Al Maryah Island sits just off the mainland and close to Al Reem Island.
The Galleria is a massive shopping mall in the area that is home to renowned brands and trendy eateries. Cleveland Clinic is one of Abu Dhabi’s leading multi-speciality hospitals located on the island for residents’ healthcare needs. It provides residents access to some of the world’s best healthcare and medical facilities.
Al Maryah Island is home to upscale waterfront apartments in Abu Dhabi. When it comes to Al Maryah Island studio apartments for rent, countless options are available for rentals starting from AED 43k. The starting price to rent a 1-bed apartment here is AED 65k. Tenants can find luxury 2-bedroom flats in the area available at the starting price of AED 90k and a 3-BHK flat is available for a minimum rent of AED 163k.
Redefining luxury, apartments in the opulent residential towers on the island are also available for sale. The Al Maryah Island apartments for sale come with excellent amenities. Get your hands on a studio for AED 380k. The sale price of 1-bed and 2-bed apartments is AED 540k and AED 1.04M respectively. The 3-BHK apartment on Al Maryah Island is available for AED 1.44M.
POPULAR RESIDENTIAL ISLANDS IN ABU DHABI TO RENT OR BUY VILLAS
When it comes to rental villas on islands in Abu Dhabi, the following communities are on the top of the list:
Areas | Average Rent 3-Bed Villa | Average Rent 4-Bed Villa | Average Rent 5-Bed Villa | Average Rent 6-Bed Villa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Areas Saadiyat Island | Average Rent 3-Bed Villa AED 300,000 | Average Rent 4-Bed Villa AED 397,000 | Average Rent 5-Bed Villa AED 498,000 | Average Rent 6-Bed Villa N/A |
Areas Yas Island | Average Rent 3-Bed Villa AED 224,000 | Average Rent 4-Bed Villa AED 264,000 | Average Rent 5-Bed Villa AED 304,000 | Average Rent 6-Bed Villa N/A |
Investors interested in purchasing villas in Abu Dhabi should look into the popular choices given below:
Areas | Average Sales 3-Bed Villa | Average Sales 4-Bed Villa | Average Sales 5-Bed Villa | Average Sales 6-Bed Villa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Areas Saadiyat Island | Average Sales 3-Bed Villa AED 6,204,000 | Average Sales 4-Bed Villa AED 8,345,000 | Average Sales 5-Bed Villa AED 13,439,000 | Average Sales 6-Bed Villa AED 16,727,000 |
Areas Yas Island | Average Sales 3-Bed Villa AED 3,590,000 | Average Sales 4-Bed Villa AED 5,203,000 | Average Sales 5-Bed Villa AED 6,730,000 | Average Sales 6-Bed Villa N/A |
SAADIYAT ISLAND
Families will adore this beautiful address with a nursery, school and the famed New York University campus on the island. It’s also located close to the mainland and well-connected by the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Highway.
If you are looking for villas in Saadiyat Island for rent, the 3-bed variant is available for AED 300k, while 4-BHK villas are available for AED 397k. Rental homes with 5 bedrooms are leased out for an average price of AED 498k per annum.
The sales prices of a 3-bedroom house average at AED 6.2M, whereas home buyers have to pay AED 8.3M for 4-bedroom villas. AED 13.4M is the price of a 4-BHK house in the community. For a luxury 5-bedroom villa, you have to pay AED 16.7M.
YAS ISLAND
Well-connected to the Abu Dhabi mainland, Yas Island offers excellent amenities to residents. Apart from the retail and entertainment options, families can benefit from the schools, clinics and mosques in the community. Unsurprisingly, Yas Island holds some of the hottest waterfront properties in Abu Dhabi.
The Bayut and dubbizle market report for Q3 2021 Abu Dhabi sees Yas Island ranking well for luxury villa rentals. Villas in the community are available in different configurations. The island offers 3-bedroom rental villas for AED 224k, 4-BHK houses for AED 264k and 5-bedroom villas for AED 304k.
Properties are available for sale on Yas Island as well. Buy a 3-bed villa for AED 3.59M, 4-BHK house for AED 5.2M and a 5-bedroom home for AED 6.73M.
NURAI ISLAND
Our final mention for properties on the islands of Abu Dhabi is perfect for those in search of opulent and private seaside homes. Nurai Island has gained fame as one of Abu Dhabi’s lavish island development.
A 10-minute boat ride from Saadiyat Island, homes here has sweeping views of lagoon waters. The villas for sale on Nurai Island make the perfect holiday homes and offer a break from the fast-paced city life. The swanky Zaya Nurai Island resort has made the development popular with tourists as well.
Nurai Island has two exclusive villa communities, Beachfront Residences and Water Villas. However, the latter is more popular with the island’s high-profile investors. For those interested in the Nurai Island villas for sale, these sumptuous homes come with a price tag to match. The starting sale price for a 4-bed villa on Nurai Island stands at AED 12.8M, but the expansive villa’s high-end finishing and jaw-dropping views are worth the money.
For a 6-bedroom house in the area, home buyers and investors need to have a budget of at least AED 45M.
FAQS
WHERE TO BUY SEA VIEW VILLAS IN ABU DHABI?
If you’re looking for a dream property with water views in Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Al Raha Beach, Al Bateen, and Marina Village are among the best places to look at.
WHAT ARE THE BEST AREAS TO RENT IN SAADIYAT ISLAND?
When it comes to communities to rent in Saadiyat Island, popular choices include Soho Square, Saadiyat Beach and Park View. If you want to live in a villa, HIDD Al Saadiyat and Jawaher Saadiyat have excellent options. Already interested in calling this place your home? Familiarise yourself with the pros and cons of Saadiyat Island before you make the final decision.
WHAT ARE THE BEST THINGS TO DO ON YAS ISLAND?
Yas Island is one of Abu Dhabi’s most popular tourist destinations, with everything from motorsports to shopping malls and theme parks. The iconic Yas Mall, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World are among the many attractions on Yas Island.
So, that’s our list of the most popular residential islands in Abu Dhabi. These stunning destinations offer powder-white sandy beaches, excellent entertainment options, lush landscapes and world-class amenities to residents. If you are looking to buy apartments in Abu Dhabi as an investment, these areas should be near the top of list.
Looking for more accommodation options in the capital city? Khalifa City A is an excellent community in the heart of the city that offers the best facilities to residents. A comparison between Mohammed Bin Zayed City vs Khalifa City A can help you decide between the two popular neighbourhoods of Abu Dhabi.
