Dubai Islands
Dubai Islands is a five-island waterfront district by Nakheel, located off Deira on Dubai’s northern coastline. It is planned as a large coastal area with beaches, resorts, marinas, parks, retail, and residential projects. It also benefits from its closeness to Deira and the airport.
A Community with a Purpose
Dubai Islands is designed as a district with five separate islands, each set up to play a different role. Central Island is expected to carry much of the retail activity, helped by the presence of Souk Al Marfa. Marina Island is planned around waterfront promenades and boat access. Shore Island focuses on beachfront leisure and resort use. Golf Island is planned around golf-led living with sea views. Elite Island is positioned as a more premium residential area. This split allows development to roll out in stages without relying on a single centre.
Key Features and Amenities of Dubai Islands
Dubai Islands combines established attractions with a wider masterplan aimed at tourism, leisure, and day-to-day living. The offer is built around long beaches, open space, waterfront routes, and hospitality, supported by retail and future marina facilities.
- Five islands: Central, Marina, Shore, Golf, and Elite
- Over 21 km of planned beaches, including already operational Blue Flag beach
- Over 60 km of waterfront across the district
- Around 2 sq km of planned parks and open space
- 9 Marinas distributed across all islands
- Waterfront promenades planned across key zones
- Walking and cycling paths planned as part of the public realm
- Only Islands in the world with both 9-Hole and 18-Hole golf courses
- Beachfront resorts already open, including Hotel Riu Dubai and Centara Mirage
Built For The Future
Dubai Islands is being delivered in phases, with long-term infrastructure and place planning treated as the foundation. Resorts and hotels are intended to be a major driver of activity, while parks, promenades, beaches, and retail provide the supporting layer. Access is also being upgraded through major Deira-side road projects, including additional bridges and improved corridor links, which are meant to keep entry and exit practical as the district expands.
Phased growth across five islands, with separate focus areas
Beaches, parks, and waterfront promenades planned as core public assets
Hospitality-led development, with a large pipeline of hotels and resorts
Road access strengthened through new bridges and Deira corridor upgrades
Learn About Community Living
Dubai Islands suits people who want a waterfront address on the Deira side of Dubai, with direct access to beaches and a shorter drive to DXB than many coastal districts. The area is still in an expansion stage, so the experience depends on the exact location, especially near active resorts and retail zones. Over time, the planned marinas, parks, golf offering, and wider hotel mix are expected to shape a fuller neighbourhood feel.
FAQ
Dubai Islands is a Nakheel development made up of five islands off Deira, planned around beaches, resorts, marinas, parks, retail, and residential communities.
The district is split into Central, Marina, Shore, Golf, and Elite islands, with each island intended to focus on a different mix of uses and amenities.
Key on-ground attractions include Souk Al Marfa and operating beachfront resorts such as Hotel Riu Dubai and Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai.
It is closer to Deira and DXB, and it includes a large waterfront marketplace alongside resort development, which is not typical in most beach-focused areas.
Access is being improved through major Deira-side transport upgrades linked to the wider Al Shindagha Corridor works, including new bridges designed to connect directly to Dubai Islands.
It works well for residents who want beachfront living closer to the airport, visitors looking for resort stays near Deira, and buyers interested in a hospitality-led district with long-term expansion planned.
