Attractions and Facilities
Some of the key attractions and facilities at Dubai Islands include:
- Deira Islands Mall – The massive entertainment, leisure and shopping destination.
- Souk Al Marfa – Dubai’s largest night market, offering street food and retail.
- Beaches– Over 50km of pristine beaches for sunbathing, watersports, and activities.
- Waterparks – As part of hotels like Riu Dubai and Centara Mirage.
- Luxury Spas – Offered at hotels and resorts like Rixos and Anantara.
- Golf Courses – Al Badia Golf Club with waterfront views.
- Marinas – Providing boat docking, yacht clubhouses, water activities etc.
- Parks and Trails– Over 2 sq km of green spaces, parks, jogging and cycling tracks.
- Observation Wheel– A huge observation wheel, similar to the London Eye, is planned on Central Island.
- Nakheel Marinas Dubai Islands – the new marina with 13 superyachts
Schools and Healthcare
Several schools are planned within dedicated education clusters on the Dubai Islands. For now, there are many options within a 10-15 minute drive, including:
- The Elite English School
- Al Ittihad Private School Mamzar
- Amna Bint Wahab School for Girls
- Sabari Indian School
Little Flower English School
Healthcare facilities such as clinics, specialist centers, and hospitals will also be part of the development. Nearby hospitals accessible within 10-15 minutes include:
Dubai Hospital
- Kuwait Hospital
Shopping, Dining and Nightlife
As a self-contained community, Dubai Islands will offer extensive shopping, dining and leisure choices, including:
Shopping
- Deira Mall – Dubai’s largest shopping mall
- Souk Al Marfa– Traditional Arabic souk
- Retail stores, boutiques, supermarkets
Dining
- Skye & Walker Healthy Food, International AED 164
- Farmhouse Cocktails & Cuisine Indian, Asian, Continental, Kebab AED 150
- Maharaja Bhog Indian, Rajasthani, Gujarati AED 105
- Rasoi Ghar Indian, Gujarati, Rajasthani AED 116
- Namma Local Adda South Indian, Indian, Hyderabadi, Biryani AED 1000
- Food Masti Maharashtrian, Indian, North Indian, Street Food, Fast Food AED 75
Nightlife
- Rooftop lounges, bars, shisha places
- Bebemos
- Eve Penthouse and Lounge
- Cu-ba
Beach clubs, pool parties
- Live entertainment venues & hotel
- Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai
- Hotel RIU Dubai
Cinemas
- Vox Cinemas at City Centre Shindagha
- Vox Cinemas Burjuman
- Vox Cinemas at City Centre Deira
Location and Connectivity
Dubai Islands is located off the coast of Deira, near Dubai International Airport. It is currently connected via a road from Abu Hail Road. An additional bridge is under construction from the Abu Baker Al Siddique Road which will be the main access point.
Once complete, the islands will be interconnected through road bridges. Public transport access is planned via the Dubai Metro, water taxi, abras, and water bus services. The RTA has also announced a new 6-lane bridge linking Dubai Islands to Bur Dubai, significantly enhancing connectivity.
Construction Status and Completion Timelines
Infrastructure construction commenced in 2014, with extensive land reclamation and marine works underway. This includes over 23km of coastline and breakwaters.
The first residential buildings launched were Centara Mirage Resort and RIU Hotel in 2018 on Central Island and Marina Island, respectively. Construction on Deira Mall also began the same year.
In 2021, the Souk Al Marfa retail and entertainment zone was opened. Several new hotel projects were announced in 2022 – including Rixos Residences, Anantara Desaru and Jumeirah Iznad.
The first luxury villa launches – Bay Villas and Beach Villas – were announced in early 2023. Infrastructure work is progressing rapidly, with interconnecting bridges between the islands now visible.
The project will be delivered in multiple phases over 10 to 15 years. The initial residential and hospitality offerings are slated for completion before 2025.
Why Invest in Dubai Island?
Dubai Islands is well-positioned to capitalize on Dubai’s strong tourism, hospitality, retail and residential demand drivers.
Its extensive beachfront and leisure offerings cater perfectly to Dubai’s booming hotel and tourism sector. Branded residences allow investors to tap into this demand while enjoying hassle-free returns.
For end-users, the apartment options offer accessibility and affordability compared to prime central areas. The villa communities target aspirational luxury home buyers.
With new supply constrained in established areas, Dubai Islands offers investors and residents the opportunity to get in early on Dubai’s next landmark destination.
So in short, Dubai Islands has all the ingredients to become one of the most prominent master-planned developments in the Emirates. Its diverse mix of hospitality, High ROI, retail, recreational, and residential offerings will cement its status as a thriving waterfront city. With milestones marked rapidly, Dubai Islands is the next investment hub, following in the footsteps of Palm Jumeirah.
