Dubai's coastline is set to grow again. Nakheel is upgrading 3km of the western shoreline at Dubai Islands and adding 320 metres of brand-new beach frontage near Bay Villas, as one of the city's most ambitious waterfront projects moves into its next phase.
The works are part of a wider push on Island B, where construction, infrastructure and coastal development are now progressing side by side.
For residents, buyers and investors watching Dubai's waterfront market, it is a clear sign that the island is moving steadily from masterplan to reality.
Here is what the new contract includes, how it fits into the bigger picture, and what it could mean for property in the area.
The New Marine and Beach Contract
Nakheel has appointed Mar Marine & Building Contracting to carry out marine and beach works on Island B at Dubai Islands. The project is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2027.
The scope of work covers several key elements:
New breakwaters to protect the coastline and create calmer waters along the shore
Removal of existing rock revetments, the protective stone barriers currently lining parts of the coast
Formation of a new beach near the Bay Villas community
Refurbishment and remedial works across several existing beach areas on the western side of Island B
The goal is to bring the new and upgraded sections together into one continuous, connected stretch of coastline. Rather than a series of separate beach pockets, the western side of Island B will offer a more unified waterfront experience.
Why Breakwaters and Beach Formation Matter
Coastal engineering may not sound glamorous, but it plays a major role in how a waterfront community looks, feels and performs over time.
Breakwaters reduce the force of incoming waves, which helps protect the shoreline from erosion and creates calmer, safer water for swimming and leisure. Replacing rock revetments with sandy beach frontage also changes the character of the coast entirely. Instead of a hard, rocky edge, residents get open, usable beach space they can actually enjoy.
Refurbishing the existing beaches at the same time means the whole western shoreline will be brought up to the same standard. This kind of joined-up approach tends to deliver a more polished final result, both visually and practically.
Supporting the Bay Villas Community
The beach upgrade is closely linked to Bay Villas, a new community of 636 villas and townhouses on Island B.
Nakheel awarded a Dh2.6 billion construction contract to Fibrex Contracting last August to build the community. With the homes already under construction, the marine works now allow the surrounding waterfront to take shape in parallel. That means the beach, the coastline and the homes are all being developed on a coordinated timeline, rather than one after the other.
For future Bay Villas residents, this is significant. A dedicated new beach right next to the community adds direct lifestyle value, and makes the homes some of the most attractive family properties on the island.
Infrastructure Already Underway
The new marine contract follows another major award earlier this year. In April 2026, Nakheel awarded a Dh527 million contract to Al Nasr Contracting Company for primary infrastructure and utilities works on Island B.
Taken together, the three contracts paint a clear picture of how Island B is being built:
Infrastructure and utilities: Dh527 million contract, awarded April 2026
Bay Villas construction: Dh2.6 billion contract, awarded last August
Marine and beach works: new contract, with completion expected in Q4 2027
Roads, utilities, homes and coastline are all moving forward at once. This is often one of the strongest indicators that a master-planned development is on track, since buyers can see the essential groundwork being delivered alongside the homes themselves.
A Coastline Designed to Grow With the Masterplan
Khalid Al Malik, CEO of Dubai Holding Real Estate, of which Nakheel is a part, said the upgrades are designed to create a high-quality coastal environment that develops in step with the wider masterplan.
Nabil Abou Rjaili, general manager of Mar Marine, explained that the project combines new breakwaters and beach formation with the renewal of existing coastal areas. He added that the company's marine engineering experience will help it coordinate these different elements and deliver the next stage of the island's waterfront.
The message from both sides is consistent: the coastline is not an afterthought. It is being built as a core part of the island's identity.
Dubai Islands at a Glance
Dubai Islands is one of the largest waterfront developments in the emirate. Located off the historic Deira coastline, it is designed to bring a new wave of residential, hospitality and leisure destinations to the northern side of the city.
Key facts about the masterplan:
Size: 18.6km across five man-made islands
Location: Connected to the historic Deira waterfront
Residents: More than 230,000 planned
Homes: Around 62,000
Hotel keys: More than 11,000
Branded residences: More than 4,000
Its connection to Deira gives Dubai Islands a unique position. Residents are close to one of the city's oldest and most characterful districts, with its souks, creekside heritage and established neighbourhoods, while living in a brand-new coastal setting.
Why Waterfront Living Keeps Winning in Dubai
Beach access has long been one of the strongest value drivers in Dubai real estate. Waterfront homes consistently attract strong interest from both end users and investors, and for good reason.
Lifestyle appeal. Living steps from the beach is one of the main reasons people choose Dubai in the first place. Morning swims, sunset walks and weekend beach days are a daily reality rather than an occasional outing.
Limited supply. Dubai's natural coastline is finite. Every new stretch of beach frontage adds to a relatively small pool of genuine waterfront property, which helps support long-term demand.
Rental demand. Waterfront homes are popular with long-term tenants and holiday-home guests alike, particularly during the peak tourist season from October to April.
Resale value. Properties with beach access tend to hold their value well over time, and often stand out in the resale market when buyers compare similar homes.
What It Means for Buyers and Investors
For anyone considering property at Dubai Islands, the latest contract offers some useful signals.
First, it shows the development is moving forward on several fronts at the same time. Infrastructure, homes and coastline are all progressing, which gives buyers greater visibility on how the island will look once completed.
Second, the 2027 completion date for the beach works gives a clear timeline. Buyers looking at Bay Villas or nearby projects can expect the waterfront to be in place around the time the community begins welcoming residents.
Third, the scale of the wider masterplan, with more than 230,000 planned residents and thousands of hotel keys, points to a fully fledged coastal destination rather than a standalone residential project. Over time, that scale tends to bring retail, dining, schools and services that further support property values.
As always, buyers should review project timelines, payment plans and handover dates carefully, and consider how a property fits their own goals, whether that is a family home, a long-term rental or a holiday-home investment.
The Bottom Line
The upgrade of 3km of shoreline and the addition of a new beach near Bay Villas mark another important step for Dubai Islands.
Combined with the major contracts already awarded for infrastructure and housing, the project is building momentum on the ground.
With completion of the marine works expected by the end of 2027, Island B is set to offer one of the most complete waterfront environments on the island, and Dubai Islands as a whole continues to take shape as one of the city's most exciting new coastal addresses.
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