World Islands Apartments for Sale: Prices & Projects 2026

Looking for an apartment in The World Islands? Around 40 to 50 projects are there in different stages of construction, with prices ranging from about AED 1.5 million to AED 7 million. Homes run from compact studios to 4 bedroom apartments and penthouses. Almost all stock is off-plan, so you pay in stages during construction. This guide covers prices, plans and handover dates.

Key facts

• 40 to 50 projects on sale: Apartment projects are available across The World Islands, including Dubai Islands.
• Prices from about AED 1.5M to AED 7M: Some new launches are Announcing Soon.
• Studios to 4 beds Residences : Compact studios suit first-time island buyers, while family apartments and penthouses suit larger households.
• Almost all off-plan: You pay in stages while the homes are built. A few resale options exist for a quicker purchase.
• Freehold for eligible buyers: Foreigners can buy in designated zones, so confirm the title type for each project.
• Island access: Heart of Europe and the other World Islands are about 15 minutes by boat from Jumeirah 1, while Dubai Islands are reached by road.

Last updated: 19 October 2026.

Apartment projects for sale in The World Islands

Apartments here come in many forms. Some are resort-style hotel residences, others are branded island homes, and a few are small boutique buildings with only a handful of units. Samana, Ellington and Nakheel are among the developers with projects on offer, and each one brings a different mix of unit types, prices and handover dates. Almost every project is off-plan, so you pay in stages while construction is under way. Below, you will find the developer, island, unit types, starting price, payment plan, handover date and standout features for each project, so you can compare them easily.

Samana Collecta

Samana Collecta is the biggest new launch on The World Islands, with 840 residences planned for buyers who want a full-time island home. Entry pricing is expected below AED 2 million, which is unusually low for the archipelago.

• Developer: Samana Developers
• Island: (Samana has bought about six island plots)
• Unit types: Studios to 4 bedroom apartments, plus seven floating villas and two tree villas
• Starting price: Expected below AED 2 million
• Payment plan: Announcing Soon
• Handover: Four years from the start of construction
• Standout feature: A lagoon, beach club and year-round services, with sea views planned for every residence

Samana Island

Samana Island is another Samana address on The World Islands. Details are still thin, so register interest and ask Samana whether it is part of the Collecta launch before you commit.

• Developer: Samana Developer
• Unit types: Announcing Soon
• Starting price: Announcing Soon
• Payment plan: Announcing Soon
• Handover: Announcing Soon
• Standout feature: Waterfront residences from a developer with 54 launched projects in Dubai

Le Chateau Pietrus by Mr Eight

Le Chateau Pietrus is a boutique, fully furnished waterfront building on the first line of the Central Island Marina, with only 86 residences. There are no studios or one-bedrooms, so it suits families who want a large, private home with a yacht-club feel.

• Developer: Mr Eight Development
• Island: Central Island Marina, Dubai Islands
• Unit types: 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments, plus a single signature 4 bedroom penthouse
• Starting price: AED 3.6 million for a 2 bedroom apartment
• Payment plan: 35:65 (20% on booking, 15% during construction, 65% on handover)
• Handover: Q3 2028
• Standout feature: A private Riva Yacht Lounge with direct marina access, and interiors with Loro Piana fabrics

Ellington Sands (Dubai Islands)

Ellington Sands has the lowest confirmed entry price on this list, at AED 1.7 million, with a standard payment plan and a handover as early as Q4 2028. It is on Island A of the Dubai Islands, so you reach it by road instead of by boat.

• Developer: Ellington Properties
• Island: Island A, Dubai Islands (Deira)
• Unit types: 1 to 4 bedroom apartments, duplexes and penthouses (one-beds are 720 to 980 sq ft)
• Starting price: AED 1.7 million for a one-bedroom, with two-beds from AED 2.6 million and three-beds from AED 4 million
• Payment plan: 70:30 (20% on booking, 50% during construction, 30% on handover)
• Handover: Q4 2028
• Standout feature: Low-density beachfront living with private beach access

Meriva Signature by Ellington (Dubai Islands)

Meriva Signature is the boutique choice, with only 11 residences, for buyers who want exclusivity over volume. It sits on Island B of Dubai Islands and hands over in Q2 2030.

• Developer: Ellington Properties
• Island: Island B, Dubai Islands (Deira)
• Unit types: Apartments and penthouses
• Starting price: AED 2.7 million on most broker pages (one lists AED 35 million, probably for the signature penthouses)
• Payment plan: 70:30
• Handover: Q2 2030
• Standout feature: A boutique building of only 11 residences

Apartment Projects in The World Islands Compared: Prices, Plans and Handover

Comparing projects side by side is the quickest way to see how much your budget buys. Ellington Sands has the lowest confirmed starting price at AED 1.7 million. Le Chateau Pietrus has the earliest handover, in Q3 2028, and Meriva Signature is the most exclusive, with only 11 residences. Samana Collecta is the one to watch for entry prices below AED 2 million once its payment plan is released. Anything not yet confirmed is marked Announcing Soon.

Here are all five projects side by side, so you can compare price, payment plan and handover at a glance.

How much does an apartment in The World Islands cost?

Apartment prices here start from about AED 1.5 million and rise steeply with size and location. A 1 bedroom starts around AED 1.7 million, and a 2 bedroom starts around AED 2.6 million. Larger homes and penthouses cost far more, so your budget decides which unit type you can realistically look at. Prices for some new launches are not out yet, and those are marked Announcing Soon.

Last updated: 19 October 2026

Price by bedroom count

World Islands Apartments Price per sq ft

Price per sq ft is the fairest way to compare homes, because unit sizes vary so much.

• Entry units: They sit below the Dubai Islands average of about AED 2,514 per sq. ft. which is where the value is.

• Premium units: They sit above it, so you pay extra for the brand and the location.

• Check before you book: These figures are calculated from asking prices, so confirm the exact price per sq ft on the developer’s price list.

Off-plan vs ready apartments

Nearly everything on sale today is off-plan, so you pay in stages and get the keys at handover. Off-plan keeps most of your cash free for years and usually costs less to enter. The trade-off is delivery risk, because the building does not exist yet and island projects can run late. A ready or resale apartment removes that risk and lets you rent sooner. You pay the full price at transfer, though, and have fewer units to choose from.

What living on The World Islands is like

Living here means a daily boat ride instead of a road commute, which is the biggest change from mainland Dubai. The islands sit about 4 to 6 km off Jumeirah, and the crossing takes roughly 15 minutes. Resort amenities are already open on some islands,  groceries are also available nearby the residences but schools and healthcare are all on the mainland today. 

How to get to The World Islands from Dubai

• Boat: This is the main way in, supported by RTA marina points and ferries.
• Air: Tours and transfers operate, and floating helipads are planned for the islands..

Amenities and facilities on The World Islands

• Already open: Resort hotels, beaches, a climate-controlled “raining street” and beach clubs.
• Planned in new developments: Lagoons, pools, beach clubs, water-sports facilities, spas, indoor and outdoor gyms, co-working space and welcome centres.
• Timing: Core residential amenities are planned to be operational from first handover.

Who these apartments suit

Island apartments reward buyers who want privacy, sea views and resort-style amenities, and who accept boat access and mainland shopping. Three kinds of buyers get the most from them: holiday-home buyers, short-let investors and second-home end users. Full-time family buyers should wait until schools, shops and clinics arrive.

Holiday-home buyers

A resort break 15 minutes from Dubai’s coast, with no flight needed.

• Best for: Short stays, long weekends and family getaways.
• Suitable projects: Samana Collecta, for its lagoon, beach club and sea views planned for every residence, and Le Chateau Pietrus, for its fully furnished homes, marina access and yacht-club lifestyle.
• Watch out for: Boat-dependent access on The World Islands and mainland grocery runs.

Short-let investors

Sea-view island stays attract holiday renters, and furnished homes are easier to list quickly.

• Best for: Investors who want rental income and can wait for handover.
• Suitable projects: Ellington Sands, for its lower entry price and beachfront setting, and Le Chateau Pietrus, since its units are fully furnished and it has a private marina lounge. Samana Collecta also suits investors who want a lower entry price, once its prices are released.
• Ask before you buy: Who sets nightly rates, and what any operator takes?
• Check the rules: Dubai requires holiday-home licensing for short-term lets, so confirm the requirements before you list.
• Treat returns carefully: Rental figures are estimates, not guarantees, so read exactly what any agreement says.

End users wanting a second home

A private retreat with sea views and amenities, for buyers who want a base for part of the year.

• Best for: Buyers who already live in Dubai or abroad.
• Suitable projects: Meriva Signature, a boutique building of only 11 residences for buyers who want privacy, Le Chateau Pietrus, with only 86 homes and a quiet, family-sized layout, and Ellington Sands, with low-density beachfront living.
• Easier access: Ellington Sands and Meriva Signature are reached by road, which suits buyers who want a quicker trip.
• Think harder if: You need school runs, daily shopping or a commute.

How to buy, step by step, and the costs involved

Buying in Dubai takes five steps, from choosing a unit to paying the final fees. The biggest cost on top of the price is the 4% Dubai Land Department (DLD) fee. On a new off-plan purchase, the developer usually pays the agent’s commission.

How to buy an apartment in The World Islands, step by step

1. Choose your unit. Ask for the current price list, floor plan, payment schedule and handover date.
2. Reserve it. Pay the reservation fee to hold the unit. The amount varies by developer, so confirm it before you pay.
3. Sign the Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA). This is your contract, and off-plan SPAs are registered with the DLD through the Oqood system. Read the delay and refund terms first.
4. Pay the DLD fee (4%). It is 4% of the purchase price, normally due around SPA signing for off-plan. Some developers absorb it in promotions.
5. Pay registration and agency fees. Add the registration trustee fee and, if an agent represents you, their commission. Then follow your payment plan until handover and your title deed.

What does it cost to buy an apartment in Dubai? DLD fee and other charges

Here is what you pay on top of the price, using a AED 2,000,000 apartment as the example.

• Rough total: Budget about 4.4% on top of the price for an off-plan purchase direct from the developer, and about 6.5% to 7% for a resale with an agent.
• Check before you pay: Fee schedules change, so confirm figures with the DLD and your registration trustee. This is general information, not legal or financial advice

Can foreigners buy, and does it qualify for a Golden Visa?

Yes, foreigners can buy here. A purchase worth AED 2 million or more can open the door to a 10-year Golden Visa. Off-plan units are treated differently across sources, so confirm your case with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) before you buy for the visa.

Can foreigners buy property in The World Islands?

Foreign buyers can own property outright in Dubai’s designated freehold zones, with no local partner needed. Broker listings describe island apartments as freehold for all nationalities.

• Check the title type: Ask what title you receive and whether the unit has any usage or rental conditions.
• Before you pay: Confirm the project is registered with the DLD and that your payments go into an escrow account.

Does buying an apartment in Dubai qualify for a Golden Visa?

Property worth AED 2 million or more can qualify for the 10-year Golden Visa, based on the DLD-certified value. 

Which Golden Visa apartments clear the AED 2 million line?

• Meriva Signature (from AED 2.7M): A single unit clears the threshold on price.
• Le Chateau Pietrus (from AED 3.6M): A single unit clears the threshold on price.
• Ellington Sands (from AED 1.7M): One-bedrooms fall short, so visa-minded buyers would look at the two-bedrooms from AED 2.6M and larger.
• Samana Collecta (expected below AED 2M): Entry units may fall short on their own, so check whether combining units works in your case.

Before you rely on a Golden Visa

• Ask the DLD or GDRFA whether your specific unit qualifies, and when.
• Get the answer in writing from your agent or lawyer.
• Rules change, and this is general information, not legal advice.

Conclusion

Apartments in The World Islands offer privacy, sea views and resort-style living within reach of Dubai’s coast. Almost all inventory is off-plan, so you gain flexible payment plans and lower entry prices. Boat access and mainland shopping make these homes a better fit for holiday homes, second homes and short-let investment than for a full-time family base. Compare prices per sq ft, check the payment plan and handover date, and confirm Golden Visa eligibility with the DLD before you book. To get current price lists and floor plans, contact Top Luxury Property.