Nakheel has awarded Mar Marine & Building Contracting L.L.C. a contract to build a new beach and upgrade the western shoreline at Dubai Islands. The marine works are expected to be completed by Q4 2027. The project will add 320 metres of beach frontage near Bay Villas and cover approximately 3km of coastline on Island B
- Location: Island B, Dubai Islands, near Bay Villas
- Developer: Nakheel, part of Dubai Holding Real Estate
- Expected completion: Q4 2027
- Who is affected: Future residents, property buyers and visitors to Dubai Islands
- Project scope: New beach construction and improvements to the existing western shoreline
- What’s next: Marine works will progress alongside residential and infrastructure development
Nakheel is building a new beach at Dubai Islands, with the project expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2027. The developer awarded the marine works contract to Mar Marine & Building Contracting L.L.C. on 8 October 2026. The project will add 320 metres of beach frontage near Bay Villas and upgrade approximately 3km of the western shoreline on Island B.
The work includes constructing breakwaters, forming the new beach and carrying out repairs to existing coastal areas. It will progress alongside residential and infrastructure development on Island B as Nakheel continues to develop Dubai Islands as a waterfront destination.
What will the new Dubai Islands beach project include?
The Dubai Islands beach project will combine new beach construction with improvements to existing sections of the coastline. According to Nakheel, Mar Marine will construct new breakwaters, remove existing protective rock revetments and form a beach near Bay Villas.
The contractor will also refurbish and carry out remedial works across existing beach areas on the western side of Island B. These works will improve the coastline around the planned residential community.
The project covers two main areas:
- 320 metres: New beach frontage planned near Bay Villas.
- Approximately 3km: Length of the western shoreline covered by the upgrade programme.
Nakheel expects the marine works to be completed by Q4 2027. However, the developer has not announced a separate public opening date, visitor facilities or access arrangements for the new beach.
How is the beach project connected to Bay Villas?
The new beachfront will support Bay Villas, a residential community comprising 636 villas and townhouses on Island B at Dubai Islands.
Nakheel awarded Fibrex Contracting an AED 2.6 billion construction contract for Bay Villas in August 2025. The marine works will progress alongside the residential development, improving the surrounding coastal environment as construction continues.
Infrastructure is another part of the development. In April 2026, Nakheel awarded Al Nasr Contracting Company an AED 527 million contract for primary infrastructure and utilities on Island B. This is separate from the residential and marine works contracts.
Together, these projects cover different parts of the development, including housing, essential infrastructure and the surrounding coastline. For future homeowners, progress on these projects will help shape the wider residential setting.
However, the new beach contract does not confirm when individual Bay Villas homes will be handed over. Nakheel has also not announced whether the new beach will be open to the general public.
What else is planned for Dubai Islands?
Dubai Islands is a five-island master-planned destination off Dubai’s northern coastline near Deira. The development spans 18.6 square kilometres and is planned to accommodate residential communities, hotels, branded residences and leisure facilities.
The masterplan is designed to accommodate more than 230,000 residents across approximately 62,000 homes. It also includes plans for more than 11,000 hotel keys and over 4,000 branded residences. These figures represent long-term development targets rather than completed homes or currently operating hotels.
Nakheel has also announced other residential projects at Dubai Islands. In October 2026, the developer unveiled Bay Estate, a gated waterfront community featuring approximately 360 three- and four-bedroom homes, alongside beachfront and waterfront plots.
The new beach is one element of a broader development programme. As more residential and hospitality projects progress, the surrounding coastal environment will form part of Dubai Islands’ planned residential and leisure offering.
How does the project fit Dubai’s wider beach development plans?
Dubai has set long-term targets to improve its coastline and expand public beach access.
In May 2023, Dubai announced plans under its public beach development programme to increase the emirate’s public beach length from 21km to 105km by 2040. The programme includes developing existing beaches, creating new public beach areas and improving facilities for residents and visitors.
The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan also focuses on quality of life, including access to recreational spaces and improved urban environments.
Nakheel’s Dubai Islands project adds to the emirate’s wider waterfront development. However, the new beach near Bay Villas should not automatically be counted as part of the public beach expansion target. Nakheel has not confirmed whether this specific stretch will be publicly accessible.
For residents and visitors, that distinction matters. The construction contract confirms that a new beach is planned, but details about public access and visitor facilities remain undisclosed.
The new Dubai Islands beach is relevant to future Bay Villas residents, property buyers and businesses following Dubai’s waterfront development.
For future homeowners, the project will help shape the coastal environment around the planned residential community. For Dubai Islands, it adds to the wider mix of homes, beaches and leisure facilities included in the masterplan.
The next milestone is the completion of the marine works, expected in Q4 2027. Public access arrangements and the beach’s visitor facilities have not yet been confirmed.
FAQs
When will the new Dubai Islands beach be completed?
Nakheel expects the marine works for the new beach and western shoreline improvements to be completed by Q4 2027.
Where is Nakheel building the new beach?
The beach will be built near Bay Villas on Island B at Dubai Islands, off Dubai’s northern coastline near Deira.
How much coastline will Nakheel upgrade?
The project will add 320 metres of new beach frontage and upgrade approximately 3km of the western shoreline on Island B.
Which company has won the Dubai Islands beach contract?
Nakheel awarded the marine works contract to Mar Marine & Building Contracting L.L.C. The scope includes breakwater construction, beach formation and refurbishment of existing coastal areas.
Will the new Dubai Islands beach be open to the public?
Nakheel has not confirmed whether the new beach will be open to the general public. Details about access arrangements, visitor facilities and the opening date have not been announced.
What is Bay Villas at Dubai Islands?
Bay Villas is a planned residential community on Island B comprising 636 villas and townhouses. Nakheel is developing the community alongside infrastructure and coastal improvement works.
Nakheel’s new beach project marks another step in the development of Dubai Islands. The contract covers 320 metres of new beach frontage and improvements to approximately 3km of coastline near Bay Villas, with completion expected by Q4 2027. Public access details remain unconfirmed.
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