Quick answer
- Dubai’s main waterfront districts for 2026 are La Mer, Palm Jebel Ali, Emaar Beachfront, Dubai Harbour, Dubai Islands, Rashid Yachts & Marina and Dubai Creek Harbour.
- Creek and marina apartments start around AED 2M; beachfront towers from about AED 3.6M; villas and beach residences from AED 14M+.
- Prices are developers’ published starting prices checked on 6 October 2026 by Imperial Realty, Business Bay.
Living on the water is one of the strongest reasons buyers choose Dubai. This guide from the Imperial Realty Dubai team covers the waterfront districts with new launches in 2026, from creek-side apartments around AED 2 million to beachfront villas, with each developer’s current starting price.
Dubai Creek Harbour: waterfront living near Downtown
Emaar’s creek-side city is minutes from Downtown Dubai and DXB airport, with apartments overlooking the water and the wildlife sanctuary.
- Creek Haven at Dubai Creek Harbour: from AED 2.72M, handover Mar 2030
- Valia at Dubai Creek Harbour: from AED 1.96M, handover Aug 2030
- Creek Bay at Dubai Creek Harbour (Emaar Properties, from AED 3.25M)
- Mangrove At Dubai Creek Harbour (Emaar Properties, from AED 4.11M)
Emaar Properties · Dubai Creek HarbourCreek Haven at Dubai Creek HarbourFrom AED 2.72M · Handover Mar 2030
Rashid Yachts & Marina: a new marina at Port Rashid
Emaar’s marina community at Port Rashid sits next to the QE2 and the historic heart of the city.
- Sera 2 at Rashid Yachts & Marina (Emaar Properties, from AED 2.11M)
- Baystar by Vida at Rashid Yachts & Marina (Emaar Properties, from AED 2.18M)
- Seascape (Emaar Properties, from AED 3.58M)
Emaar Beachfront and Dubai Harbour: beach towers by the marina
A private beach between Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, popular with holiday-home investors.
- Bayview by Address Resorts at Emaar Beachfront (Emaar Properties, from AED 3.59M)
- Grand Bleu Tower (Emaar Properties, from AED 5.67M)
- DAMAC Bay by Cavalli (DAMAC Properties, from AED 3.94M)
Dubai Islands: the new island district off Deira
- Samana Ocean Pearl (Samana Developers, from AED 3.94M): handover Q4 2027
- Samana Ocean Pearl 2 (Samana Developers, from AED 4.28M)
Dubai Maritime City: branded towers on the water
- Chelsea Residences 2 by DAMAC: Chelsea FC-inspired residences from AED 2.16M, handover Dec 2029
Palm Jebel Ali: the next Palm
Nakheel’s Palm Jebel Ali is roughly twice the size of Palm Jumeirah and is being delivered in phases.
- Palm Central Private Residences: apartments and townhouses from AED 2.7M, handover Sep 2030
- Palm Jebel Ali Villas — Frond B: beachfront villas from AED 18.1M, handover Jan 2028
La Mer, Jumeirah: beachfront in the city
- Solaya by Meraas by Meraas: residences from AED 14.2M, handover Jun 2029
Meraas · La Mer, JumeirahSolaya by MeraasFrom AED 14.2M · Handover Jun 2029
What to check before buying on the water
- Which way the view faces. Sea, marina, creek or skyline views can change the price of the same layout by a wide margin.
- Beach access. Is it a private beach for residents, a public beach nearby, or a view only?
- Service charges. Waterfront towers with pools, beach clubs and concierge services have higher charges per square foot.
- Holiday-home rules. Check whether the building allows short-term letting before you plan on it.
- Phase and handover. In new districts, ask which roads, schools and retail open before your handover date.
Tour Dubai’s waterfront with Imperial Realty
Imperial Pacific Real Estate arranges viewings of show apartments and sites across every waterfront district, in person or by live video. Speak to an advisor at our Business Bay office, message us on WhatsApp, or compare every project on the Live Map at imperialrealty.ae.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best waterfront area in Dubai to invest in?
It depends on the goal. Dubai Creek Harbour and Rashid Yachts & Marina offer water views at lower entry prices; Emaar Beachfront and Dubai Harbour combine beach access with strong holiday-home demand; Palm Jebel Ali and La Mer are long-term trophy addresses. Imperial Realty compares them for your budget.
Are waterfront properties in Dubai more expensive?
Generally yes. Direct beach or water frontage carries a premium over inland apartments in the same community. Use the rental yield guide on imperialrealty.ae to check whether the premium still fits your return target.
Can foreigners buy waterfront property in Dubai?
Yes. All the waterfront districts in this guide are freehold areas where international buyers can own property outright.
Does Imperial Pacific Real Estate sell Palm Jebel Ali villas?
Yes. Imperial Pacific Real Estate advises on Nakheel’s Palm Jebel Ali villas and Palm Central Private Residences. Contact our Business Bay office for current availability.
Sources: emaar.com · damacproperties.com · samanadevelopers.com · Developer brochures for Meraas and Nakheel projects
Imperial Realty (Imperial Pacific Real Estate L.L.C) is a Dubai real estate agency at The Exchange Tower, Business Bay. Prices quoted are starting prices published by developers on the date of writing and can change; an advisor confirms the latest figures before you reserve.
