UAE to Get the World’s First Longevity and Wellness Island by 2027

The UAE is set to welcome the world’s first dedicated longevity and wellness island, with the first residences expected to be completed in 2027.

The project will combine luxury homes, advanced healthcare, wellness programmes and scientific research, strengthening the UAE’s position as a global destination for health tourism and innovation.

UAE to Get the World’s First Longevity and Wellness Island

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The UAE is preparing to launch a first-of-its-kind destination that blends luxury living with the latest advances in health and wellness. Known as SHA Emirates Island, the development is being built within AlJurf, a coastal master community located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Developed by IMKAN Properties in partnership with the internationally recognised SHA Wellness brand, the project is designed around one goal—helping people live healthier, longer lives. The first phase, including branded residences, is expected to be ready in 2027.

Rather than focusing solely on luxury hospitality, the island will introduce a new concept centred on preventive healthcare, personalised wellness programmes and longevity science.

A new chapter for wellness tourism in the UAE

Wellness tourism has become one of the fastest-growing travel sectors worldwide, and the UAE is positioning itself at the centre of this shift.

SHA Emirates Island is expected to offer a mix of residential properties, medical wellness facilities, spa experiences, fitness programmes and nutrition-focused services. Guests and residents will also have access to personalised health assessments, advanced diagnostics and evidence-based wellness treatments tailored to individual needs.

The project aims to create an environment where healthcare, hospitality and lifestyle come together instead of operating as separate experiences.

Located along the Sahel Al Emarat coastline, AlJurf has already been planned as a nature-inspired destination. The addition of SHA Emirates Island adds another dimension by introducing wellness as the community’s defining feature.

Why the UAE is investing in longevity science?

The project reflects a much bigger trend across the country.

In recent years, the UAE has significantly expanded investments in healthcare innovation, biotechnology and preventive medicine. Instead of focusing only on treating illness, healthcare providers are increasingly promoting early diagnosis, healthy ageing and personalised care.

Dubai recently took another major step by establishing the Dubai Longevity Authority, an initiative announced by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism to support research, innovation and investment in the longevity sector.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi introduced the world’s first licensing framework for Healthy Longevity Medicine Centres. The move aims to create internationally recognised standards for clinics specialising in healthy ageing and preventive healthcare.

Together, these initiatives show that longevity is becoming a strategic priority for the UAE’s future healthcare ecosystem.

What it could mean for residents and visitors?

For UAE residents, the project could eventually expand access to specialised wellness programmes that combine medical expertise with lifestyle coaching, nutrition and fitness.

International visitors may also see the island as a destination for wellness-focused holidays rather than traditional leisure trips. This growing trend, often called medical and wellness tourism, attracts travellers seeking health assessments, recovery programmes and preventive treatments while on holiday.

For expatriates living in the UAE, it adds another example of how the country continues investing in lifestyle-focused infrastructure that extends beyond entertainment and real estate.

As wellness becomes an increasingly important factor when choosing travel destinations, projects like SHA Emirates Island could help attract a new category of international visitors.

A boost for business and the local economy

Beyond tourism, the development could create opportunities across several industries.

Healthcare providers, researchers, hospitality professionals, nutrition specialists, fitness experts and technology companies are all expected to play a role in the growing longevity economy.

The project also complements the UAE’s broader economic diversification strategy, which focuses on expanding knowledge-based industries alongside tourism and real estate.

Luxury branded residences continue to attract international investors, and combining premium homes with specialised healthcare services creates a unique proposition that is still relatively rare worldwide.

For Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the island strengthens their appeal as destinations that combine innovation with high-quality living.

What happens next?

Construction is progressing as part of the wider AlJurf master development, with the first residences expected to welcome owners in 2027.

As more details emerge over the coming months, future announcements are likely to include additional wellness facilities, healthcare partnerships and lifestyle experiences available on the island.

If delivered as planned, SHA Emirates Island could become one of the UAE’s most distinctive developments, bringing together hospitality, healthcare and scientific innovation in a way that has not previously been seen on this scale.

Visit: www.longevityisland.ae/

FAQs

Q: What is SHA Emirates Island?

A: It is a wellness-focused island development at AlJurf that combines luxury residences with preventive healthcare, longevity science and personalised wellness experiences.

Q: Where will the island be located?

A: The project is being developed at AlJurf, on the coastline between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Q: When will SHA Emirates Island open?

A: The first branded residences are expected to be completed and ready for occupation in 2027.

Q: Who is developing the project?

A: SHA Emirates Island is being developed by IMKAN Properties in partnership with the internationally recognised SHA Wellness brand.

Q: Why is the project significant for the UAE?

A: It supports the UAE’s growing focus on healthcare innovation, wellness tourism and healthy longevity, while strengthening its position as a global destination for advanced lifestyle and medical experiences.

The UAE continues to expand beyond traditional tourism with projects that combine innovation, healthcare and luxury living. SHA Emirates Island represents a new direction for the country’s wellness sector, offering a destination where preventive healthcare and hospitality come together in one place.

With completion targeted for 2027, the project is expected to reinforce the UAE’s ambitions to become a global hub for healthy living, medical innovation and wellness tourism.

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