Dubai Islands
Handover dates and construction progress for Nakheel's own projects on Dubai Islands: Bay Grove Residences, Bay Villas and Rixos Hotel and Residences.
Short answer
Dubai Islands is Nakheel's master community of five islands off Deira, covering 17 sq km with more than 20km of beaches, under a master plan unveiled in August 2022. Nakheel's own residential projects there have separate handover dates. Property Finder lists Rixos Hotel and Residences for Q4 2026, Bay Villas for Q2 2027 and Bay Grove Residences for Q1 2028. Nakheel's own construction tracker put Bay Villas at 16.67% complete and Rixos at between 33% and 56% complete (by cluster) on 11 June 2026.
- Status
- under construction
- Handover
- By project: Q4 2026 to Q1 2028 (Nakheel's own developments)
- Payment plan
- Varies by project. Typically 20% at booking, 50 to 60% during construction, 20 to 30% on handover
- Starting price
- From AED 1.9M at launch (Bay Grove Residences, Dec 2024)
Master plan area
17 sq km
Nakheel, Aug 2022
Bay Villas, contract and homes
AED 2.6bn for 636 homes
Nakheel, 18 Aug 2025
Bay Grove Residences, contract and homes
AED 800m for 537 homes
Nakheel via Gulf News
Bay Villas construction progress
16.67%
Nakheel internal inspection, 11 Jun 2026
When will Nakheel’s Dubai Islands projects be handed over?
Nakheel’s master plan for Dubai Islands covers five islands and 17 sq km off the coast of Deira. Within it, Nakheel is building several of its own residential and hotel projects, each with its own handover date and construction schedule.
| Project | Launched | Listed handover | Construction progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rixos Hotel and Residences | Apr 2024 | Q4 2026 | Beach cluster 33.36%, Bay cluster 55.85% (Nakheel, 11 Jun 2026) |
| Bay Villas | Jul 2024 | Q2 2027 | 16.67% (Nakheel, 11 Jun 2026); 14.74% (RERA, 7 May 2026) |
| Bay Grove Residences | Dec 2024 | Q1 2028 | Not published separately by Nakheel |
Handover dates above come from Property Finder’s project pages. Nakheel’s own construction tracker gives progress percentages but does not state a handover date on the same pages, so buyers should confirm the date in their sale and purchase agreement.
What is the payment plan for Dubai Islands homes?
Payment plans differ by project. Property Finder lists Bay Grove Residences at 20% on booking, 50% during construction and 30% on handover. Bay Villas follows 20% on booking, 60% during construction and 20% on handover. Rixos Hotel and Residences follows the same 20/60/20 split. Check the plan for your specific building before booking, since Nakheel has used more than one structure across its Dubai Islands portfolio.
What do homes on Dubai Islands cost?
| Project | Starting price at launch | Home types |
|---|---|---|
| Bay Grove Residences | From AED 1.9M | 1 to 4 bedroom apartments and penthouses |
| Bay Villas | From AED 4M | 3 to 5 bedroom townhouses and villas |
| Rixos Hotel and Residences | From AED 2.6M | 1 to 4 bedroom apartments and villas |
All three projects are listed as sold out by their developer, with resale units available through property portals.
Who is the developer and what is its handover record?
Nakheel is a Dubai government owned master developer, known for Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali. Its Dubai Islands master plan, unveiled in August 2022, sets out more than 80 hotels and resorts alongside golf courses, a marina and shopping centres, in addition to residential communities. Nakheel awarded an AED 2.6 billion main construction contract for Bay Villas in August 2025 and an AED 800 million contract for Bay Grove Residences, each naming the exact number of homes covered.
What to check before booking
- The exact project name, since Dubai Islands has several similarly themed Nakheel developments (Bay Grove, Bay Villas, Bay Estate) as well as projects from other developers on the same islands.
- The handover date in your sale and purchase agreement, rather than the general Dubai Islands master plan timeline.
- The construction progress figure for your specific project, using Nakheel’s own construction progress pages, which are updated periodically.
- Whether the developer for your unit is Nakheel or a third party, since multiple developers hold plots across the five islands.
Questions buyers also ask
Is Dubai Islands finished?
No. Nakheel's master plan, unveiled in August 2022, covers 17 sq km across five islands. Some hotels already operate there, but Nakheel's own residential communities, Bay Grove Residences, Bay Villas and Rixos Hotel and Residences, are still under construction, with handover dates listed between Q4 2026 and Q1 2028.
When is Bay Grove Residences handed over?
Property Finder lists Q1 2028 (March 2028). It launched on 22 December 2024 with 537 homes under an AED 800 million construction contract, and is now sold out, though resale units are listed.
When is Bay Villas handed over?
Property Finder lists Q2 2027. Nakheel awarded an AED 2.6 billion contract for the 636 home community on 18 August 2025. Nakheel's own tracker put it at 16.67% complete on 11 June 2026, against 14.74% reported by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency on 7 May 2026.
When is Rixos Hotel and Residences on Dubai Islands handed over?
Property Finder lists Q4 2026. Construction started in April 2024. Nakheel's tracker splits the project into two clusters, Beach Residences and Villas at 33.36% complete and Bay Residences and Villas at 55.85% complete, both as of 11 June 2026.
How many hotels are planned for Dubai Islands?
Nakheel's 2022 master plan said Dubai Islands would eventually have more than 80 hotels and resorts, alongside golf courses, a marina and shopping centres.
Is Nakheel the only developer building on Dubai Islands?
No. Multiple developers hold plots across the five islands. The projects above are Nakheel's own residential developments, Bay Grove Residences, Bay Villas and Rixos Hotel and Residences.