UAE waterfront property markets recorded strong annual asking-price growth across several leading destinations in September 2026, with premium developments in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah posting increases of up to 39.78 per cent, according to new Property Finder data.
Abu Dhabi led the four emirates surveyed, recording a 21.11 per cent year-on-year increase in average asking prices per listing, followed by Dubai at 7.14 per cent and Sharjah at 6.18 per cent.
Among individual waterfront developments, The Crescent on Palm Jumeirah recorded a 39.78 per cent increase to AED22.2m ($6.04m), while Sharjah Waterfront City saw average asking prices rise 21.14 per cent to AED3m ($817,000).
Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi recorded growth of 13 per cent to AED5.7m ($1.55m), while Dubai Islands posted a 5.5 per cent increase to AED5m ($1.36m).
The findings highlight the different price points available across the UAE’s waterfront property markets, ranging from less than AED1m ($272,000) in parts of Sharjah to tens ofms of dirhams in Dubai.
Dubai waterfront property: Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Islands and luxury homes
The analysis compares September 2026 with September 2025 and measures advertised asking prices rather than completed property transactions. Performance varied between locations, with some developments recording declines.
Dubai’s average asking price per sale listing increased 7.14 per cent year on year to AED5.7m ($1.55m), according to Property Finder’s emirate-wide data.
Palm Jumeirah remained among the country’s most expensive waterfront destinations, with 4,870 waterfront properties listed for sale and an average asking price of AED24.2m ($6.59m), up 1.12 per cent.
Within Palm Jumeirah, The Crescent recorded one of the strongest increases in the report, with average asking prices climbing 39.78 per cent to AED22.2m ($6.04m).
Garden Homes recorded a 17.44 per cent increase to AED50.5m ($13.75m), while Signature Villas rose 4 per cent to AED78m ($21.24m).
Dubai Islands also recorded growth, with average asking prices increasing 5.5 per cent to AED5m ($1.36m) across 5,143 waterfront listings.
Dubai Harbour recorded an increase of 3.52 per cent to AED9.1m ($2.48m), while Sobha Seahaven within the district posted growth of 23.76 per cent to AED8.5m ($2.31m).
Dubai Marina remained unchanged at AED4.7m ($1.28m) across 6,440 waterfront sale listings.
Other locations recorded declines. Palm Jebel Ali’s average asking price per listing fell 28.13 per cent to AED30.7m ($8.36m), while Emaar Beachfront declined 3.77 per cent to AED5m ($1.36m).
Abu Dhabi leads UAE property asking-price growth
Abu Dhabi recorded the strongest emirate-wide growth among the four markets surveyed, with average asking prices per listing rising 21.11 per cent to AED4.3m ($1.17m).
Saadiyat Island recorded a 13 per cent increase to AED5.7m ($1.55m) across 2,983 waterfront sale listings.
Yas Island recorded an average asking price of AED2.8m ($762,000), unchanged year on year, while Yas Acres posted growth of 7.22 per cent to AED7.8m ($2.12m).
Al Jubail Island also remained unchanged, with an average asking price of AED11m ($3m).
Within Al Reem Island, Shams Abu Dhabi recorded a 5.88 per cent increase to AED1.8m ($490,000).
Other Abu Dhabi locations showed weaker performance. Al Reem Island’s overall average asking price declined 1.97 per cent to AED1.9m ($517,000), while Al Hudayriat Island recorded a 34.4 per cent fall to AED5.4m ($1.47m).
Najmat Abu Dhabi declined 26.47 per cent to AED2.5m ($681,000), while Saadiyat Lagoons fell 3.06 per cent to AED9.5m ($2.59m).
Sharjah waterfront property prices rise more than 21%
Sharjah recorded a 6.18 per cent annual increase in average asking prices per listing across the emirate, reaching AED3.7m ($1.01m).
Sharjah Waterfront City was among the strongest-performing waterfront locations, recording a 21.14 per cent increase to AED3m ($817,000) across 2,319 sale listings.
Ajmal Makan City, within Sharjah Waterfront City, posted growth of 21.28 per cent to AED3m ($817,000).
Al Majaz recorded a 16 per cent increase to AED870,000 ($237,000), offering a lower average asking-price point than the major waterfront destinations surveyed in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Within Al Majaz, average asking prices rose 15.08 per cent in Al Majaz 2 to AED725,000 ($197,000) and 12.5 per cent in Al Majaz 3 to AED922,500 ($251,000).
Al Mamzar recorded growth of 7.41 per cent to AED1.5m ($408,000), while Al Khan increased 1.77 per cent to AED1.2m ($327,000).
Al Khan Lagoon performed more strongly, with average asking prices increasing 12.33 per cent to AED1.3m ($354,000).
Ras Al Khaimah waterfront developments attract thousands of listings
Ras Al Khaimah’s waterfront market recorded contrasting price movements across its major destinations.
Al Hamra Village posted a 5 per cent increase in average asking prices to AED2.1m ($572,000), while Mina Al Arab recorded growth of 2.86 per cent to AED1.8m ($490,000).
Al Marjan Island accounted for 5,602 waterfront sale listings, with an average asking price of AED2.6m ($708,000).
Property Finder’s data showed an 8.76 per cent annual decline in average asking prices on Al Marjan Island, while the emirate-wide average asking price per listing fell 6.25 per cent to AED5.4m ($1.47m).
Al Mairid recorded a 10.71 per cent decline to AED1.8m ($490,000), while Ras Al Khaimah Waterfront fell 18 per cent to AED2.1m ($572,000).
Individual developments included Marjan Beach, with an average asking price of AED4.4m ($1.2m), and Waldorf Astoria Residences in Al Hamra Village, at AED20m ($5.45m). Year-on-year comparisons were not provided for those two developments.
UAE waterfront properties command significant premiums
Cherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer at Property Finder, said waterfront developments are contributing to economic activity beyond residential property sales.
“Waterfront developments have become one of the most powerful real estate contributors to the UAE’s economy, and our September data shows that the opportunity now stretches across all four emirates rather than sitting in Dubai alone,” Sleiman said.
Property Finder’s analysis also highlighted the premiums commanded by waterfront addresses compared with broader property markets.
On Palm Jumeirah, the typical asking price of AED9m ($2.45m) was four times Dubai’s emirate-wide figure of AED2.25m ($613,000).
Saadiyat Island’s typical asking price of AED5.65m ($1.54m) was approximately double Abu Dhabi’s AED2.73m ($743,000).
Sharjah Waterfront City recorded a typical asking price of around AED3m ($817,000), approximately 60 per cent above the Sharjah-wide figure of AED1.85m ($504,000).
On Al Marjan Island, the typical asking price of AED2.6m ($708,000) was around 24 per cent higher than Ras Al Khaimah’s AED2.1m ($572,000).
“Waterfront addresses also carry a clear price premium, and it varies sharply by emirate,” Sleiman said.
He attributed the appeal of waterfront communities to their limited availability, access to beaches and the presence of hotels, marinas, dining and leisure facilities.
Property Finder said these developments also support construction, hospitality, retail, tourism and property management activity.
The report indicates that waterfront property demand and asking-price performance are developing differently across the UAE, with established luxury destinations, cultural districts and resort communities offering distinct propositions to buyers and investors.
