Asking prices for waterfront homes in the UAE increased across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah in the year to September 2026, according to data analysis by Property Finder.
The company said its latest assessment compares the period September 1 to 30, 2026 with September 1 to 30, 2025, using its listings data for waterfront developments. Property Finder’s Chief Revenue Officer Cherif Sleiman said the opportunity is no longer confined to Dubai, pointing to rising prices in all four emirates.
Price growth varies by emirate
Property Finder reported that Abu Dhabi recorded the strongest year-on-year rise in typical asking prices among the emirates it tracks, with typical asking prices up 21%. Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah also showed movement, though the direction and magnitude differed.
- Dubai: Property Finder cited typical asking prices rising by 7.14% year on year.
- Abu Dhabi: Typical asking prices increased by 21.11% year on year.
- Sharjah: Typical asking prices increased by 6.18% year on year.
- Ras Al Khaimah: Property Finder reported a -6.25% year-on-year change in typical asking prices.
Some waterfront communities saw close to 40% increases
The data highlighted sharper gains in particular waterfront projects and sub-areas. Property Finder said typical asking prices at The Crescent on Palm Jumeirah rose to show movement of almost 40%, alongside increases at Sharjah Waterfront City and Saadiyat Island of 21% and 13% respectively, based on its analysis.
The report also described waterfront developments as a contributor to the wider economy, arguing they help bring in international capital and sustain activity through construction and ongoing services. It also said completed projects support roles in areas such as hospitality, retail, leisure and facilities management.
Waterfront price premiums and emirate benchmarks
Property Finder said waterfront locations carry a premium that varies sharply by emirate. It gave examples including:
- Palm Jumeirah (Dubai): a typical asking price of AED 9 million, said to be four times the Dubai-wide figure of AED 2.25 million.
- Saadiyat Island (Abu Dhabi): a typical asking price of AED 5.65 million, described as roughly double Abu Dhabi’s AED 2.73 million.
- Sharjah Waterfront City: a typical asking price of around AED 3 million, about 60% above the Sharjah-wide figure of AED 1.85 million.
- Al Marjan Island (Ras Al Khaimah): a typical asking price of AED 2.6 million, around 24% higher than Ras Al Khaimah’s AED 2.1 million.
Typical asking prices and listing volumes
Property Finder included an overview of waterfront development listings and asking values across the four emirates. It listed waterfront sale listings counts and total asking-value footprints, alongside typical asking prices per listing, for the period under review.
Dubai was shown with 199,616 waterfront sale listings and a typical asking price per listing of AED 5.7 million, while Abu Dhabi had 23,013 listings with a typical asking price per listing of AED 4.3 million. Sharjah recorded 40,690 listings with a typical asking price per listing of AED 3.7 million, and Ras Al Khaimah had 14,576 listings with a typical asking price per listing of AED 5.4 million.
What Property Finder expects next
Looking ahead, Property Finder said it expects waterfront development to remain a key driver of growth across the UAE. It singled out Dubai for continuing to set the benchmark at the top end of the market, said Abu Dhabi has the strongest price momentum, and described Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah as developing waterfront living with different mixes of price accessibility and resort-style communities.