Yas Island serves as a tourist hotspot and the top entertainment zone in Abu Dhabi’s emirate. It provides visitors with various activities, high-end hotels, exclusive shopping spots, and upscale residential homes. The area is a man-made island spanning 2,500 hectares in eastern Abu Dhabi. Builders created it by carving out a section of the mainland through a sea channel. Aldar Properties started developing Yas Island real estate in 2006.
They oversee the island’s overall management and growth. They’re putting up schools, hospitals, malls, and housing areas, aiming to build a place where people can live, work, and enjoy their free time.
Around 1,700 hectares of the island are used to create living spaces and entertainment spots. This includes a ship harbor, theme parks, a beach, Yas Mall, which is Abu Dhabi’s biggest shopping center, and the famous Yas Marina Circuit, one of the world’s top racetracks. The island also features many types of homes.
In recent years, Yas Island has experienced a steady rise in residential property values. During the first half of 2025, apartment prices rose by 5.8%. On average, Yas Island property prices show an annual growth of 4% to 6%.
As more people choose to live in a place, its housing prices tend to climb. Yas Island follows this trend as it gains popularity among residents.
This Yas Island Real Estate guide covers the types of properties you can buy here, including apartments and villas. It also explores the available amenities and examines whether investing in Yas Island is a good idea.
Why Investors Should Keep Their Eye on Yas Island?
Yas Island stands out because of its location. It sits 10 minutes away from Abu Dhabi International Airport and about 30 minutes from Downtown Abu Dhabi. The island is also linked to Dubai using the E11 highway. This makes getting between the two cities easy for people who commute or visit on weekends.
What makes Yas Island unique is its ability to meet all your needs in one place. People living there get access to almost everything nearby. Whether it’s workplaces, schools, malls, hospitals, or fun activities, nothing is too far from home.
Some of the top features include:
- Shopping: Yas Mall, the biggest mall in Abu Dhabi, sits right on Yas Island. It includes a Carrefour supermarket along with many other shops.
- Education: Families in the area have access to top schools like Sabis International School, Yas American Academy, and Blossom Nursery.
- Healthcare: Medeor Medical Centre can be found inside Yas Mall, while NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City is just a 20-minute car ride.
- Transportation: Public transport options feature the 190 buses traveling between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Drivers prefer using the Yas Island Tunnel, which links to the E10 exit on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway.
Yas Island real estate combines great connectivity, excellent amenities, and an active lifestyle. This combination has made it a popular choice for investments.
Real Estate Trends and Prices on Yas Island
Yas Island includes various property options such as studios, apartments, villas, duplexes, and townhouses. These come in a mix of sizes and can be owned or rented. There is housing here to suit everyone’s need. Below is an overview of the property types.
Apartments
If you want to buy an apartment in Yas Island real estate, you have plenty of choices available. Apartments here range from simple studio units to luxurious penthouses.
Studio apartments are basic. They offer one main room combined with a small kitchen. These work well for individuals or couples. One-bedroom apartments, on the other hand, are bigger and include a separate bedroom, living space, and kitchen. They suit small families or couples who want a bit more room to live.
Two-bedroom apartments come with two distinct bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. Families or groups of friends who want to stay close together often choose these.
Penthouses, on the other hand, are the biggest and fanciest apartments available. They include several bedrooms, bathrooms, and spacious areas for living and cooking.
The usual size of apartments in Yas Island real estate varies. Studio apartments are about 750 sq ft, while two or three-bedroom apartments often measure over 1,200 sq ft. Bigger spaces like penthouses can go beyond 2,000 sq ft. The costs to purchase or rent apartments on Yas Island are:
| Apartment Type | Average Sale Price | Average Annual Rent | Rental Yield |
| Studio | AED 980,000 | AED 75,000 | 7.65 |
| 1 BHK | AED 1,460,000 | AED 95, 000 | 6.51 |
| 2 BHK | AED 2450000 | AED 130, 000 | 5.31 |
| 3 BHK | AED 3,100, 000 | AED 160, 000 | 5.16 |
Villas
Yas Island has many villas to suit various tastes and ways of living. People can find anything from a simple cozy house to a high-end getaway.
Townhouses are basic villas that come with two or three bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, and private parking. These work well for smaller families or anyone wanting a budget-friendly home with a bit more room.
Larger homes, like three- and four-bedroom villas, have additional space. They often include big kitchens, separate dining and living areas, and private gardens. These are perfect for families that are growing or anyone wanting a more spacious place to live.
Luxury Yas Island villas for sale represent the peak of upscale living. They include more than four bedrooms, large living spaces, private pools, and top-tier finishes. These homes offer a luxurious way of life paired with an array of amenities and breathtaking views.
On Yas Island, villa sizes start at 1,800 square feet for smaller townhouses and go beyond 4,000 square feet for bigger high-end villas. The size often depends on the number of bedrooms. The typical sales and rental prices of villas on Yas Island are:
| Villa Type | Average Sale Price | Average Annual Rent | Rental Yield |
| 3 Bed | AED 4,150,000 | AED 255,000 | 6.14% |
| 4 Bed | AED 5,650,000 | AED 320,000 | 5.66% |
| 5 Bed | AED 6,590,000 | AED 355,000 | 5.39% |
| 6 Bed | AED 9,990,000 | AED 430,000 | 4.30% |
If you want an affordable home for your family or something luxurious like a high-end villa, Yas Island provides a variety of options to match your needs.
Luxury Homes in Yas Island
Most properties on Yas Island are high-end. You can find villas near the northern side or the coast, two-to-five-bedroom townhouses, fancy penthouses, and apartments in modern communities. Exclusive homes with unique designs are located in the west. Many Yas Island villas for sale come with perks like private pools, home theatres, golf courses, or even mangrove views.
Property buyers or residents on Yas Island enjoy benefits such as:
- Green parks
- Shopping at Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi’s biggest mall
- Sports grounds and gyms
- Live shows and nightlife
- Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World, and Yas Marina Circuit
- Boating and yacht trips
- Golf memberships
- Clean and beautiful beaches
Why Should You Buy Property on Yas Island?
Yas Island offers great property investment opportunities with the chance to earn on all property types like villas or apartments, finished or under construction. Many reasons attract both local and foreign investors to this location.
- Rapid Construction and Growth: Yas Island is growing. Global investors and big companies are showing increased interest, boosting the need for both homes and rentals.
- Attractive off-plan properties: Buyers can get off-plan properties for around 20% to 30% less than finished ones. This gives them great deals now to buy property in Yas Island and also room for future price growth.
- Steady Property Prices: Property prices on Yas Island rise, increasing by about 6% yearly. This shows how attractive the area has become and how reliable it is as a long-term investment spot.
- Tourist Attraction: With top attractions like beaches, theme parks, yacht clubs, racing events, shopping areas, and a buzzing nightlife, Yas Island attracts many tourists. This makes short-term rentals a very good money-making option.
- Tax-Free Return: Investors do not pay taxes on rental income or property ownership, no matter how big or expensive the property is.
- Complete Property Rights to Foreigners: Foreign investors investing in Yas Island hold full property rights. They can rent, sell, gift, or pass on their properties without restrictions. UAE laws offer strong safeguards to ensure security during every step of the transaction.
Final Thought
Yas Island might seem like it’s all fun and recreation at first, but there’s a lot more happening than meets the eye. Behind its iconic attractions, a booming real estate market is emerging. This growth stems from careful planning and a focus on long-term goals.
Investing in Yas Island has become a top choice for investors in the UAE, providing an unusual mix of convenience, lifestyle, and good financial benefits. Whether someone wants a main home, a profitable rental unit, or a solid long-term investment, Yas Island meets those needs.
