Main page
Yas Island is an artificial island developed and managed by Miral, located around 25 kilometers from the heart of Abu Dhabi. Originally built as a venue for entertainment during the 2009 Formula 1 Grand Prix, it has grown to become one of Abu Dhabi's busiest residential locations. As a designated investment zone, the island is freehold — foreign nationals can purchase property with the same ownership rights as UAE nationals. In 2025, Yas Island accounted for approximately 12% of Abu Dhabi's total residential sales value (up from 7% in 2022), generating around AED 9 billion.
Yas Island at a glance
The island is approximately 10 minutes from Zayed International Airport and 25–30 minutes from Abu Dhabi city centre. From Dubai, it is roughly 50–70 minutes depending on traffic. Yas Island is also an emerging office destination, having added approximately 20% of Abu Dhabi's new office gross leasable area since 2022.
The island currently has 5,018 apartments and 3,562 villas, with 11,137 additional units planned by 2030. Apartment prices range from AED 17,000–33,000/sqm and villa prices from AED 12,000–20,000/sqm. Rental yields run at 6–7% for apartments and 4–5% for villas. The highest villa lease rate on the island is in Mayan at AED 1,317/sqm annually.
Off-plan properties
Gardenia Bay
The most in-demand off-plan launch in Abu Dhabi in 2025. The first phase of 210 units sold out within 24 hours, with around 80% of buyers purchasing an Aldar property for the first time. Located along 1 kilometre of canal frontage opposite Yas Park, Gardenia Bay sits at the lowest entry price point among current Aldar launches on the island. The development's design centres on wellness and natural materials — yoga pods, fitness trails, organic forms, and high plant biodiversity throughout the communal areas.
View Gardenia Bay
Waldorf Astoria Residences Yas
Abu Dhabi's first Waldorf Astoria Residences and the first hotel-branded development on Yas Island. The 133 fully furnished units overlook Yas Links Golf Course on one side and Yas Marina Circuit on the other. Interiors are by London-based KZ Design Services. Residents have access to a 24/7 personal concierge, a Peacock Alley-inspired residents' lounge, a private spa and pool, simulator room, and cinema. A complimentary one-year Yas Links Country Club membership is included on handover. The development targets a 3 Pearl Estidama rating, with buildings designed to be 35% more energy efficient than standard.
View Waldorf Astoria Residences
NOVAYAS
NOVAYAS occupies one of the most strategically positioned addresses on the island — among the closest residential projects to the confirmed Disney theme park resort site on Yas North. Ferrari World, SeaWorld, and Warner Bros. World are all within a 5–10 minute walk. Amenities include an outdoor cinema, rooftop lounges, adult and children's pools, fitness areas, and kids' play zones. The project sits at the lower end of the price range for new launches on the island, with 1–4 bedroom apartments and penthouses available. Handover date is to be confirmed.
View NOVAYAS
Sama Yas Penthouse
The final phase of Sama Yas, one of Aldar's landmark projects on Yas Island. Three full-floor penthouses, each at 13,670 sq. ft., with direct elevator access, a private infinity pool overlooking Yas Park, and kitchens designed by chef Izu Ani. This is the most exclusive residential offering currently on the market on Yas Island, with only three full-floor residences available.
View Sama Yas Penthouse
Manchester City Yas Residences
Manchester City's first branded residential development anywhere in the world, launched in February 2026 at a total development value of USD 4.1 billion. The masterplan spans approximately 170 hectares on Yas Canal, comprising nearly 1,700 villas and townhouses alongside 654 apartments, with over 55% of the site dedicated to open green space. The development follows a low-rise concept with buildings limited to G+7. On-site facilities include a Manchester City-branded sports academy with professional training methodology, rooftop football pitches, hydrotherapy suites, altitude and heat training rooms, a crystal lagoon, and a canal promenade with retail and cafés.
View Manchester City Yas Residences
STELLAR by ELIE SAAB
A collaboration between Emirates Developments and the Elie Saab fashion house, comprising 144 bespoke residences at Yas Bay. The collection includes one- to three-bedroom apartments, three- and four-bedroom garden villas, and two five-bedroom duplex penthouses spanning over 7,800 sq. ft. with private rooftop pools, separate show and work kitchens, and private gyms. Common areas throughout the development are furnished with pieces from the Elie Saab Maison collection, designed with Carlo Colombo and crafted in Italy. The architecture features clean geometries, expansive glass façades, and natural materials including white travertine and light oak. STELLAR is positioned in Yas Bay with sea and park views, 13 minutes from Zayed International Airport.
View STELLAR by ELIE SAABReady to move in
West Yas
West Yas sits on the quieter western edge of Yas Island, offering 4–5 bedroom villas with direct views over the mangrove reserve. The community is established and fully operational, with landscaping, schools, and daily amenities in place. West Yas is one of the few options on the island that delivers outdoor space, natural surroundings and immediate occupancy.
View West Yas
Yas Acres
The largest established villa and townhouse community on Yas Island, built around a beachfront golf course on the northern coast. With 1,422 units across a range of configurations from 2-bedroom townhouses to 7-bedroom villas, Yas Acres has the deepest resale market on the island. Rental yields for 2-bedroom townhouses run at approximately 6%, with average annual rents starting from AED 180,000.
View Yas Acres
The Dahlias
The final phase of the Yas Acres community, comprising 120 units — 2-bedroom townhouses, 3–4 bedroom duplexes, and 4–6 bedroom villas. Each property includes the option to add a private pool, a balcony or terrace, and parking for two or more cars. The development offers four interior design schemes and incorporates sustainability features including solar hot water systems, high solar reflectance roofing, and energy and water consumption metering. Community facilities include a golf course, tennis court, basketball court, gymnasium, and cycling track.
View The Dahlias.avif)
Noya Luma
The third phase of the Noya community on the northern end of Yas Island, comprising 189 villas with 3 to 5 bedrooms. Units come with landscaped gardens, terraces, maid's rooms, and storage areas. The development incorporates solar panels, high-performance window glazing, LED lighting, and water-saving plumbing throughout — sustainability features built into the specification. Community amenities include parks and gardens, swimming pools, a gym, a skate park, a splash zone, and a school planned within the community. Ferrari World, SeaWorld, and Yas Links are all within 15 minutes.
View Noya LumaLeisure and infrastructure
Yas Island's leisure base is among the most concentrated in the region. The following covers what exists today and what is confirmed for the coming years.
Existing
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi — the world's largest indoor theme park, home to Formula Rossa, the fastest roller coaster on the planet.
- Yas Waterworld — completed a major expansion in July 2025, adding 3.3 km of new slides and the UAE's tallest slide. Guest capacity up 20%.
- Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi — indoor theme park with DC and Looney Tunes zones. Consistently among the UAE's most visited attractions.
- SeaWorld Abu Dhabi — the world's first SeaWorld without killer whales, opened in 2023. Focused on marine education and conservation.
- Yas Marina Circuit — home to the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix. Open year-round for driving experiences and cycling.
- Etihad Arena — Abu Dhabi's largest indoor arena, capacity approximately 18,000. Hosts concerts, combat sports and large-scale events.
- Yas Links Golf Club — 18-hole links course by Kyle Phillips, rated among the top courses in the Middle East. Host to the Abu Dhabi Championship on the DP World Tour.
- Yas Mall — over 370 retail outlets and a cinema complex. Directly connected to Ferrari World via an internal walkway.
- Yas Bay Waterfront — dining, retail and entertainment district adjacent to Etihad Arena, with an outdoor concert space.
- Yas Beach — white-sand beach with swimming, watersports and beachfront dining.
Upcoming
- Disney Theme Park Resort — Yas North — confirmed in May 2025. The seventh Disney theme park resort globally and the first in the Middle East, developed by Miral under a Disney licensing agreement. If the timeline progresses as planned, Disneyland Abu Dhabi could welcome visitors by 2032 or 2033.
- Harry Potter Expansion — Warner Bros. World — a dedicated Harry Potter-themed area is being added to Warner Bros. World. Opening timeline to be confirmed.
- Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi — planned to be one of the largest natural history museums in the world.
- Tram Line 4 — Airport to Yas Island — confirmed tram connection linking Zayed International Airport Terminal A directly to Yas Island's main attractions.
Abu Dhabi real estate in 2025
Abu Dhabi recorded AED 142 billion in total real estate transactions in 2025, a 44% increase year-on-year and the emirate's strongest performance on record. Residential unit sales reached AED 76.1 billion across 23,600 transactions, with off-plan deals making up 71% of activity and 87% of all transactions completed in cash. Yas Island accounted for approximately 12% of Abu Dhabi's total residential sales value in 2025 — up from 7% in 2022 — generating around AED 9 billion. Combined, Yas Island and Saadiyat Island represented 59% of foreign direct investment sales value across the emirate.
The Abu Dhabi Golden Visa is available to buyers who purchase property valued at AED 2,000,000 or more, providing a 10-year UAE residency. A significant share of projects on Yas Island meet or exceed this threshold.
Market figures sourced from the ADREC 2025 Abu Dhabi Real Estate Market Report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ownership and eligibility
Can foreigners buy property on Yas Island?
Yes. Yas Island is a designated investment zone in Abu Dhabi where foreign nationals can purchase on a freehold basis, with the same ownership rights as UAE nationals. There are no nationality restrictions.
Is Yas Island a freehold area?
Yes. Yas Island is within Abu Dhabi's designated investment zones, meaning freehold ownership is available to buyers of all nationalities.
Prices and investment
What is the minimum budget to buy on Yas Island?
Off-plan apartments start from AED 805,000 in Gardenia Bay. On the secondary market, apartments are available from AED 854,000 in Water's Edge. Villa options on the secondary market start from approximately AED 2,490,000 in The Dahlias.
What are current property prices on Yas Island?
Apartment prices range from AED 17,000 to AED 33,000 per square metre depending on project and location. Villa prices range from AED 12,000 to AED 20,000 per square metre. The highest apartment rate on the island — around AED 33,000/sqm — is in Yas Links Luxury Living. Sama Yas, Yas Riva Residences, and Gardenia Bay cluster around AED 20,000–27,000 per square metre.
What rental yields can investors expect on Yas Island?
Apartments typically yield 6–7% annually. Villas yield 4–5%, with 2-bedroom townhouses in communities such as Yas Acres achieving around 6%. The highest villa lease rate tracked on the island is in Mayan, at AED 1,317 per square metre annually.
Projects and location
What types of properties are available on Yas Island?
The island has studios, 1–5 bedroom apartments, townhouses, villas, penthouses, and branded residences. Developers active on the island include Aldar Properties, Ohana Development, and Emirates Developments, with branded offerings from Waldorf Astoria, Elie Saab, and Manchester City.
How far is Yas Island from Abu Dhabi and Dubai?
Yas Island is approximately 25 kilometres from Abu Dhabi city centre, around a 25–30 minute drive. Zayed International Airport is approximately 10 minutes away. From Dubai, the island is roughly 50–70 minutes depending on traffic.
Are there schools and daily amenities on Yas Island?
Yes. The island has international schools including SABIS International School and West Yas Academy, nurseries, clinics, supermarkets, and parks. Yas Mall is the main retail hub, with over 370 stores and a supermarket.
What is Yas North?
Yas North is the northern waterfront section of Yas Island, currently the confirmed site for the Disney theme park resort. It represents the next major development phase of the island.
Disney theme park
When will the Disney theme park on Yas Island open?
According to Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro, projects of this scale typically take one to two years for design and four to six years for construction. If the timeline progresses as planned, Disneyland Abu Dhabi could welcome visitors by 2032 or 2033.
