Al Marjan Island vs Dubai South

Al Marjan Island5 projectsDubai South19 projectsMed. yield8.0% vs 7.5%Entry fromAED 1.8M vs AED 560KMed. AED/sqft379 vs 1057

Al Marjan Island and Dubai South are two off-plan submarkets in Dubai. Al Marjan Island has 5 active off-plan projects in our catalogue; Dubai South has 19. Al Marjan Island shows a higher median estimated yield (8.0%) than Dubai South (7.5%).

Entry prices: Al Marjan Island from AED 1.8M, Dubai South from AED 560K. Median price-per-sqft: Al Marjan Island AED 379, Dubai South AED 1057. Top developers in Al Marjan Island: Ellington, Emaar Properties, Damac Properties. In Dubai South: Emaar Properties, Azizi Developments. Use the side-by-side breakdown below to compare yields, prices, payment plans and amenities before shortlisting.

Al Marjan Island vs Dubai South: at a glance

  • Cheaper entryWinner Dubai SouthAED 560K vs AED 1.8M (69% cheaper).
  • Higher yieldWinner Al Marjan Island8.0% vs 7.5% median est. (+0.5 pp).
  • More projectsWinner Dubai South19 vs 5 active off-plan projects.
  • Earlier handoverWinner Dubai SouthQ2 2026 vs Q4 2027 (nearest handover).

Dubai South wins on cheaper entry, more projects, earlier handover; Al Marjan Island wins on higher yield.

Developers building in both Al Marjan Island and Dubai South

1 developer currently have active off-plan inventory in both submarkets — the cleanest brands to compare the two areas at portfolio level, since the same developer's build quality, payment plan and finish are held constant across the choice.

DeveloperAl Marjan IslandDubai South
Emaar Properties1 project (from AED 1.8M)11 projects (from AED 1.1M)
MetricAl Marjan IslandDubai South
Active off-plan projects519
Median est. yield8.0%7.5%
Top est. yield8.0%7.5%
Price rangeAED 1.8M – AED 5.3MAED 560K – AED 45M
Median price/sqftAED 379AED 1057
Median appreciation to handover11%14%
Handover spreadQ4 2027 – Q3 2028Q2 2026 – Q1 2030
Top developersEllington, Emaar Properties, Damac PropertiesEmaar Properties, Azizi Developments
Distinct developers32
Top amenitiesChildren's Play Area, Indoor Swimming Pool, GymnasiumGymnasium, Children's Play Area, Restaurants
Configurations offeredstudios, 1-bed, 2-bed, 3-bed, 4-bed, 5-bed, 6-bedstudios, 1-bed, 2-bed, 3-bed, 4-bed, 6-bed, 7-bed, 8-bed
Browse by area: All Al Marjan Island projects, all Dubai South projects
Other Dubai comparisons: Al Marjan Island vs Dubai Land, Dubai South vs Dubai Investment Park, Al Marjan Island vs Palm Jebel Ali, Dubai South vs Umm Al Quwain Marina, Al Marjan Island vs Business Bay
11 off-plan projects
Al Marjan Island
Emaar Properties
Address Residences Al Marjan Island
Al Marjan Island · Dubai
8% yield+11% apprec.Q1 2028
AED 1.80M+
Al Marjan Island
Ellington
Costa Mare
Al Marjan Island · Dubai
8% yield+14% apprec.Q3 2028
AED 2.78M+
Al Marjan Island
Damac Properties
Elite Beachside Luxury Living
Al Marjan Island · Dubai
8% yield+10% apprec.Q1 2028
Price on request
Al Marjan Island
Ellington
Playa Del Sol
Al Marjan Island · Dubai
8% yield+10% apprec.Q4 2027
AED 3.29M+
Al Marjan Island
Ellington
Playa Del Sol Phase 2 By Ellington
Al Marjan Island · Dubai
8% yield+30% apprec.TBA
Price on request Hot
Dubai South
Azizi Developments
Azizi Venice
Dubai South · Dubai
7.5% yield+5% apprec.Q4 2026
AED 747K+
Dubai South
Azizi Developments
Azizi Venice 12
Dubai South · Dubai
7.5% yield+7% apprec.Q3 2027
AED 650K+
Dubai South
Azizi Developments
Azizi Venice 13
Dubai South · Dubai
7.5% yield+7% apprec.Q3 2027
AED 670K+
Dubai South
Azizi Developments
Azizi Venice 14
Dubai South · Dubai
7.5% yield+5% apprec.Q2 2026
AED 785K+
Dubai South
Azizi Developments
Azizi Venice 15
Dubai South · Dubai
7.5% yield+6% apprec.Q2 2027
AED 560K+ Hot
Dubai South
Azizi Developments
Azizi Venice 16
Dubai South · Dubai
7.5% yield+6% apprec.Q2 2027
AED 640K+ Hot

Frequently asked questions

Which area has more off-plan projects, Al Marjan Island or Dubai South?
Dubai South has more active off-plan projects (19) than Al Marjan Island (5). Counts are pulled from our live Dubai off-plan catalogue.
Is Al Marjan Island or Dubai South cheaper to buy off-plan?
Entry pricing in Al Marjan Island starts from around AED 1.8M, versus AED 560K in Dubai South — Dubai South is cheaper to enter.
What's the price-per-sqft difference between Al Marjan Island and Dubai South?
Al Marjan Island is cheaper per square foot (AED 379/sqft) than Dubai South (AED 1057/sqft).
Which has the higher rental yield, Al Marjan Island or Dubai South?
Al Marjan Island shows a higher median estimated gross rental yield (8.0%) than Dubai South (7.5%). Yields are derived from current advertised rentals against projected handover pricing and should be treated as an estimate.
Which area has more upside between launch and handover?
Dubai South shows a higher median expected appreciation to handover (14%) than Al Marjan Island (11%).
When do off-plan projects in Al Marjan Island and Dubai South hand over?
Al Marjan Island handovers run from Q4 2027 to Q3 2028; Dubai South handovers run from Q2 2026 to Q1 2030.
Which developers are most active in Al Marjan Island versus Dubai South?
Most active in Al Marjan Island: Ellington, Emaar Properties, Damac Properties. Most active in Dubai South: Emaar Properties, Azizi Developments.
Which developers build in both Al Marjan Island and Dubai South?
Emaar Properties currently have active off-plan projects in both Al Marjan Island and Dubai South. Picking a brand that operates in both submarkets makes the area choice a like-for-like decision because build quality, finish and payment-plan structure are held constant across the two options.
Which is better for investment, Al Marjan Island or Dubai South?
Al Marjan Island leads on median estimated rental yield (8.0% vs 7.5%); Dubai South shows stronger median expected appreciation to handover (14% vs 11%). Yield favours cash-flow investors, appreciation favours buy-and-hold; the better area depends on which lens matters more to your hold plan.