The World Islands, Dubai

The World Islands is an artificial archipelago of roughly 260 to 300 sand-dredged islands arranged in the shape of a world map, about 4 km off the coast of Dubai. The whole development sits inside a protective breakwater and is reached only by water or air. It is one of Dubai's most distinctive and exclusive waterfront addresses, and one of its most unusual: a place where buyers purchase an island, not a plot in a neighbourhood. 

The archipelago is shaped into continents and individual country clusters, so each island has its own identity and position on the "map". Islands are sold in different categories, including:

• Private homes: smaller islands for a single residence.
• Estate homes: larger islands for a main residence with guest villas and staff accommodation. 
• Dream resorts: islands intended for hotels, resorts, and branded developments. 
• Community islands: islands planned for multiple residences or shared amenities. 

The water between islands gives each plot privacy and its own shoreline, and makes boat access to your own jetty or marina a feature of daily life. 

Location and Connectivity

The World Islands sit about 4 km off the Jumeirah coast, opposite the Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah stretch of coastline. There is no bridge or road. Access is by private boat or yacht, water taxi or ferry, or helicopter. Boat transfers from the mainland take roughly 10 to 20 minutes, including the Heart of Europe’s own water taxi service, and helicopter transfers take about 5 minutes and typically cost AED 2,000 or more per trip. Plans for a full-service marina hub, additional helipads and other transport links have been discussed but are not in place.

Because every guest, delivery and service visit needs a boat or aircraft, day-to-day logistics are very different from a mainland community. Check the current transfer schedule, cost and operating hours with the specific project.

Property Types and Prices

Options are limited and mostly ultra-prime. Prices vary widely by project, island, product type and handover stage, so treat these as indicative, and note that sources differ.

Studios and 1-bedrooms (hotel-managed, e.g. Côte d’Azur): From roughly 5,000,000

2-bedroom and larger apartments: Roughly 8,000,000 to 15,000,000

Floating Seahorse villas: Roughly 15,000,000 to 25,000,000

Branded and limited editions (e.g. Bentley Floating Seahorse): Roughly 30,000,000 and above

Private island plots: From roughly 30,000,000, and 100,000,000 or more with approvals or partial construction.

Rental Yields

Reliable yield data is limited because there are few operating units and a short track record:

• Projected net yields: about 3% to 5% through hotel rental-pool programmes, based on limited history. By comparison, Palm Jumeirah apartments typically yield about 4% to 6%.
• Hotel-managed units: many Heart of Europe units sit in management or rental pools, with owner holiday allowances (for example, around 14 days of personal use a year in some structures). Income depends on hotel occupancy and the operator’s terms.
• Service charges: managed units typically carry charges of around AED 30 to 50 per sq ft, covering maintenance, security, ferry services and utilities.
• Island owners: undeveloped or privately owned islands face shoreline protection, security and utility costs that can reach AED 1 to 3 million a year, depending on size.
• Best use case: capital preservation, lifestyle use and trophy ownership, rather than yield.

Schools and Nurseries

There are no schools or nurseries on the islands. Families would rely on mainland options in Dubai Marina, Al Sufouh, Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim, all reached via a boat transfer plus a school run. For most buyers, the islands suit second-home, holiday or investment use rather than full-time family living.

Healthcare

There are no hospitals on the islands, and on-site medical support is limited to what individual projects or hotels provide. Full hospitals and clinics are on the mainland, including in Dubai Marina, Al Sufouh and Jumeirah, reached by boat or helicopter. Confirm the emergency arrangements, the nearest A&E and your insurer’s network before buying or staying long-term.

Lifestyle and Amenities

• Resort living: The Heart of Europe’s themed islands include Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, St. Petersburg, Main Europe and Honeymoon Island, with hotels such as Portofino and the Côte d’Azur resort, and further hospitality brands announced.
• Floating Seahorse villas: three-level villas that sit partly below the waterline, with an underwater bedroom looking onto the marine life.
• Beaches and leisure: Hive Beach, private beaches, water sports and day-trip destinations such as Lebanon Island’s beach club.
• Climate-controlled streets: Sweden Island’s cooled outdoor spaces, designed to make summer more comfortable.
• Dining and retail: restaurants and shops within the Heart of Europe, which are still being rolled out.
• Community feel: private, exclusive and resort-style, with a mix of ultra-high-net-worth owners, holiday guests and short-stay visitors.

Who Should Buy on The World Islands

A good fit for:

• Ultra-high-net-worth buyers who want a trophy, collectible or second-home address with genuine scarcity.
• Investors with a long time horizon, high risk tolerance and capital they do not need to access quickly.
• Buyers who value privacy, resort living and a boat-only lifestyle.

Less suited to:

• Investors who prioritise yield, liquidity or a quick exit.
• Families who want schools, hospitals, parks and a normal commute close by.
• Buyers who are uncomfortable with development-delay risk and limited infrastructure.

Key Considerations for Buyers

• Development stage: most of the archipelago is undeveloped, so check what is operating today and what is only planned.
• Developer and delays: the Heart of Europe has slipped past several deadlines, so review the developer’s track record, handover timeline and payment terms.
• Access and logistics: everything depends on boats or helicopters, so confirm the transfer schedule, cost and emergency arrangements.
• Liquidity: the resale market is thin, with few comparable sales and a small buyer pool, so plan on a long hold.
• Running costs: service charges, shoreline protection and security can be well above mainland levels.
• Management agreements: for hotel-managed units, read the rental-pool terms, owner-use limits and operator obligations carefully.
• Title checks: confirm ownership, plot or unit details, escrow arrangements and approvals through the Dubai Land Department, Nakheel and the developer.