The Dubai Islands, a colossal undertaking by developer Nakheel, are a sprawling archipelago of five interconnected man-made islands covering approximately 17 square kilometers off the northern coast of Dubai, near Deira. The project was originally known as Deira Islands but was officially rebranded to Dubai Islands in 2022.
The entire development is envisioned as a world-class destination that combines luxury residential living, extensive tourism offerings, and leisure amenities, aligning closely with the city's 2040 Urban Master Plan for expanding public spaces and waterfront access.
The archipelago is composed of five distinct islands:
Central Island
Shore Island
Oasis Island (sometimes referred to as Golf Island)
Elite Island
Marina Island
Each island is planned to have a unique purpose, ranging from exclusive residential communities to expansive resort and leisure zones.
The master plan is comprehensive, featuring a mix of uses across the 17 sq km area:
Hospitality: Over 80 hotels and resorts are planned, covering diverse concepts such as luxury, wellness, boutique, family, and eco-friendly stays. Some hotels, including Hotel RIU Dubai and Centara Mirage Beach Resort, are already operational.
Residential: Approximately 38,000 residential units are slated for development, encompassing a wide variety of property types like villas, luxury apartments, duplexes, and beach houses.
Beaches & Open Spaces: The development will add about 20 to 21 kilometers of beaches (both public and private), including certified family beach zones. Furthermore, over 2 square kilometers of parks, landscaped promenades, and green belts are planned, promoting a walkable and sustainable lifestyle.
Leisure & Retail: Major leisure components include at least one 18-hole and one 9-hole golf course, multiple marinas (nine planned) for yachts, mixed-use commercial towers, malls (like Deira Mall), and boutique retail destinations.
Connectivity: The islands will be linked to the mainland and each other by modern infrastructure, including the Infinity Bridge and a planned network of water and road transport options.
Current Progress: Central Island is seeing one of the fastest development rates, with handovers for some projects expected around Q3 2025.
Long-Term Project: Given its massive scale, the full development of all elements—residential, leisure, and infrastructure—is expected to be phased over several years.
Key Selling Points: The Dubai Islands are positioned to offer a unique blend of resort-style waterfront living with urban convenience. The project's emphasis on green design, wellbeing, and sustainable communities aims to attract both residents and investors, who benefit from the strong capital appreciation seen in early phases.
The project is viewed as a major future investment hub, offering waterfront luxury at a competitive entry point compared to other prime coastal areas in Dubai.
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