Fahid
Island
Aldar's beach island, sold before it is built.
Fahid Island sits between Yas and Saadiyat, and it is a single-developer project from start to finish. Aldar bought the island for AED 2.5bn in 2023 (ADREC) and launched it in June 2025 as a master plan of 2.7 million square metres with 11 kilometres of coastline and more than 6,000 homes, with about 30% of the land kept as natural space (The National).
Every home sold so far is off-plan, and most are apartments. Abu Dhabi's transaction register (ADX) recorded 505 sales worth AED 3.20bn between January and 2 October 2026, after 1,098 worth AED 5.49bn in 2025, the year the first phases launched. The median price per sq ft was AED 3,736, and ADREC's H1 2026 averages put Fahid apartments second only to Saadiyat in the emirate.
Aldar plans a beach and promenade, a retail boulevard, cycling and running routes and a school. None of it is open, and the first homes are due in 2029. What you buy today is a place in Aldar's delivery schedule.
Fahid moved from launch to second wave. Sales in 2026 to 2 October (505, AED 3.20bn) are below 2025 (1,098, AED 5.49bn) because 2025 held the launch phases, so the drop reflects launch timing. ADREC named Fahid an emerging district with AED 2.9bn of sales in H1 2026 and one of four districts that took 84% of off-plan apartment sales. Across Abu Dhabi, ADREC's repeat-sales index had apartments up 20% year on year to June 2026; Cushman & Wakefield recorded the first quarterly dip in average prices, 1%, in Q2. No index covers Fahid itself.
Data as of October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this guide.
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Illustrative imageRight for you.
Not right for everyone.
Fahid Island is a strong recommendation for the right profile. It's also wrong for investors whose objective doesn't match what the zone delivers. Here is our honest read.
- You have AED 2M to 6M for a beachfront flat and want Aldar as the only developer on the island
- You can hold through construction: first handovers are due in 2029
- You want a Golden Visa from one property: the median studio sits just under AED 2M and a 1-bed clears the value test; for an off-plan unit, at least AED 2M must already be paid
- You want to own early on an island that will have its own beach, retail street and school when built
- You already know Saadiyat prices and want a comparable coastal address from one master developer
- You need rental income before 2029
- You want a measured yield or resale record before buying: there is none yet
- Your budget is under about AED 2M
- You need written confirmation of freehold title without checking it with Aldar and ADREC
Aldar's projects
on the register.
ADX medians for January to 2 October 2026, all bedroom types together. Fahid Beach Residences' launch price is from Aldar's launch coverage in June 2025; current phases may be priced higher.
What is being built,
and when.
- Fahid Island development by Aldar (first residential handovers)Source2029Under construction
- Abu Dhabi to Dubai high-speed rail (stations announced on Yas and Saadiyat)SourceAnnounced 23 Jan 2025; Etihad Rail targets 2030, no official opening dateUnder construction
- Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat IslandSourceOpening 11 Dec 2026Announced
What we actually think about Fahid Island.
Fahid's appeal is the developer and the coast. Aldar controls the whole island, which removes the risk of a weaker developer building next door, and 11 kilometres of coastline between Yas and Saadiyat is a strong base for a residential address. Buyers have agreed: AED 8.7bn of sales across 2025 and 2026 to date (our calculation from ADX).
The price already assumes success. On ADREC's H1 2026 apartment averages Fahid sits at about AED 3,700 per sq ft, close to Saadiyat's about AED 3,900, and Saadiyat is where finished homes, museums and beaches already exist. Every return here depends on handover in 2029 and on what the island looks like then. ADREC counts 1,900 apartments in Fahid's pipeline to 2030, and Knight Frank counts 3,550 units under construction, the second-largest community pipeline in Abu Dhabi, so many owners will be looking for tenants at the same time.
Fahid is not on the original official list of Abu Dhabi investment areas. Aldar sells to all nationalities and ADREC records the sales, but confirm the title type, freehold or long lease, with Aldar and ADREC on DARI before you sign. We have not verified the vehicle access timetable either; ask Aldar for it.
Where is Fahid Island?
Between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. Aldar's master plan covers 2.7 million square metres with 11 kilometres of coastline and more than 6,000 homes (The National, June 2025).
How much does a flat on Fahid Island cost?
ADX recorded median prices of AED 1.97M for a studio, AED 3.72M for a one-bedroom, AED 5.55M for a two-bedroom and AED 10.23M for a three-bedroom between January and 2 October 2026, all off-plan from Aldar.
When will Fahid Island homes be ready?
Aldar's first residential handovers are due in 2029. Until then there are no finished homes, no rents and no resale record to measure.
Can foreigners buy on Fahid Island?
Aldar sells Fahid to all nationalities, and ADREC records the sales. Fahid is not on the original official list of nine investment areas, so confirm the title type, freehold or long lease, with Aldar and ADREC on DARI before buying.
Does a Fahid Island flat qualify for the Golden Visa?
Abu Dhabi grants the Golden Visa for property worth AED 2M or more. If it is mortgaged, AED 2M of equity must be held; for off-plan, at least AED 2M must already be paid. Confirm with ADREC before you rely on it. A one-bedroom or larger passes the value test; off-plan, the visa waits until your payments to Aldar reach AED 2M.
Data as of October 2026
- ADX Interact area analysis: Fahid Island, 1 Jan to 2 Oct 2026; 2025 full year
- ADREC Abu Dhabi Real Estate Market Report H1 2026 (emerging districts, average prices, pipeline, 2023 acquisition), H1 2026
- Knight Frank Abu Dhabi Residential and Office Market Review, Year to June 2026
- Cushman & Wakefield MarketBeat Residential Abu Dhabi Q2 2026, Q2 2026
- The National: Aldar launches Fahid Island, 3 Jun 2025
- Enterprise: Aldar introduces AED 40bn coastal development, 3 Jun 2025
- Voice of Emirates: ADREC approves 8 new investment zones, 18 Jul 2026
- Abu Dhabi Golden Visa for real estate investors (ADDED), Page dated 24 Sep 2026
- Construction Review Online: Abu Dhabi to Dubai high-speed rail, 2026
- Abu Dhabi Media Office: Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Read October 2026
- u.ae: Expatriates buying property in the UAE (Abu Dhabi investment areas), Page updated 28 Sep 2026
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