There’s nothing that says luxury quite like owning a waterfront villa. Waking up and staring out at a crystal-blue ocean is a great way to start your day – even better if you can then walk along the beach and swim in the water. When it comes to waterfront villas, mansions, and apartments, Dubai is redefining what it means to live in luxury, consistently attracting global investors to its sunshine shores.
For many, waterfront living is no longer simply about property ownership. It is about status, lifestyle, and long-term value. It is “a rare blend of tranquillity and exclusivity,” says Liam Ure, Global Property Expert at Sotheby’s.
Many of the waterfront properties in the pipeline will allow residents to enjoy private beach access, panoramic sea views, yacht marinas, and resort-style amenities – all within minutes of the city’s key business and leisure hubs. “It’s about the lifestyle on offer: waking up to the sound of the sea, dining with a view of the water, and having a year-round holiday feel,” adds Ure.
World-famous Palm Jumeirah continues to lead Dubai’s waterfront market, supported by limited supply and sustained global demand. Andrew Cummings, Head of Residential Agency at Savills Middle East, highlights Emaar Beachfront in Dubai Harbour and Bluewaters Island as highly sought-after for their exclusivity. Palm Jebel Ali has also seen strong sales since its relaunch, signalling demand for larger-scale master-planned waterfront living.
Add in Dubai Marina and JBR and you have a wide choice of waterfront properties attracting buyers for both residential and investment purposes. Savills’ recent Prime Residential World Cities Index shows Dubai continues to sit at the top of global growth tables. “We are also fielding more enquiries for the Dubai Canal, Peninsula, and Dubai Islands as new launches accelerate,” says Cummings.
Premium values
Waterfront properties consistently command a premium – typically 30 to 60 per cent higher than comparable inland developments, according to experts. In prime locations such as Palm Jumeirah, many villas and branded residences have seen year-on-year price growth exceeding 20 per cent, far outpacing inland areas.
Beachfront communities in Dubai are seeing strong demand for both sales and rentals. Ready communities such as Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Bay Island, and La Mer command significant premiums due to their exclusivity and limited supply. On the off-plan side, Dubai Maritime City, Dubai Islands, and Palm Jebel Ali are attracting tremendous interest from investors and end users.
Sand between your toes
Direct waterfront access can command a 20 to 40 per cent premium, depending on the development. In apartments, a front-row sea view can add 15 to 25 per cent compared to partial or non-sea-facing options in the same tower.
On Jumeirah Bay, a beachfront house can sell for about 50 per cent more than a comparable waterfront house without beach access. And in Port de La Mer, the same uplift applies between sea-view and non-sea-view apartments: the non-seaview two-bed may trade in the mid-AED 3 million range, while the seaview fetches around AED 5 million, according to experts.
Brand power
Top priorities for buyers include unobstructed sea views, private beach access, and the prestige of branded residences such as Bulgari, Six Senses, One&Only, and The Royal Atlantis. Marinas and yacht facilities also rank highly, especially among HNWIs. Developers offering curated lifestyle amenities – beach clubs, wellness centres, concierge services – achieve stronger interest and absorption rates.
Globally, branded developments sell at a 25 to 35 per cent premium over comparable non-branded stock. In Dubai, the uplift can be even greater – often 25–50 per cent, depending on the brand strength and quality of amenities. Current branded waterfront projects creating a buzz include Bugatti Residences, Waldorf Astoria Residences Palm Jumeirah, Armani Beach Residences, and Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co.
Six Senses Residences Palm Jumeirah has recorded notable capital gains even before handover. Buyers associate these brands with quality, design and service, making them safer long-term investments. Resale values are often 10–20 per cent higher than non-branded properties in the same location. “Some specific units in Six Senses Residences on Palm Jumeirah have achieved up to 70 per cent increases in value since the off-plan price,” adds Ure. A strong brand conveys exclusivity and global recognition, and buyers expect elevated specifications and service standards.
The next wave
Key projects to watch for include Dubai Harbour Residences, a new hub for investors and homebuyers, and Dubai Islands by Nakheel – a transformative development redefining the Deira coastline with branded projects like Omoria Private Residences. The relaunched Palm Jebel Ali is a mega-project offering ultra-luxury beachfront villas and resorts.
Further up the coast in Ras Al Khaimah, developments such as Anantara Mina Residences and the Hard Rock Hotel and Residences are introducing branded beachfront homes with resort-level facilities, private access, and strong international brand appeal.
As Ure concludes: “Their focus on design, branding, and exclusivity ensures that values will hold. These developments are setting new benchmarks but will also elevate expectations in existing communities.” Up until recently, the desire to live on the beachfront could only be fulfilled by Palm Jumeirah. Now, a new generation of waterfront locations is beginning to take shape.