Al Marjan Island leads Ras Al Khaimah’s soaring apartment market in Q3 2025

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November 10, 2025

Buy Home , Buy Property

In Q3 2025, Ras Al Khaimah’s residential property market posted impressive gains — and within it, Al Marjan Island clearly took the lead in the apartment segment. Below is a detailed overview of the dynamics, drivers and outlook.

Market Snapshot: Apartments Surge

According to research by ValuStrat, Ras Al Khaimah’s capital value index for residential rose 14.9 % year-on-year and 4.3 % quarter-on-quarter to a base of 122.2 points (Q1 2024 = 100).

Apartments climbed 15.5 % YoY and 4.9 % QoQ.
Villas rose 13.8 % YoY and 3.3 % QoQ.
On Al Marjan Island specifically, apartments recorded +16.8 % YoY and +6.3 % QoQ.

Such figures underscore how Al Marjan Island is pulling ahead of other districts in Ras Al Khaimah — not only in growth rate but in investor attention.

What’s Driving Al Marjan’s Outperformance?

Here are the key drivers behind the surge:

1. Prime Waterfront Location & Resort-Led Appeal

Al Marjan Island is a purpose-built island development extending into the Arabian Gulf, featuring high-end hotels, service apartments and branded residences.
The imminent opening of the Wynn Resorts-led integrated resort is a major magnet: the resort is expected to significantly boost tourism and short-stay occupancy, which in turn supports demand for apartments (both for living and investment).

2. Strong Rental Yield and Investor Interest

Rental growth has been astounding: median rents on Al Marjan Island rose from AED 40,000 in April 2023 to AED 64,800 by April 2025 — a 62 % rise in two years.
Many of the listings (~97 %) are apartments/duplexes, signalling that this segment is where demand is concentrated.

3. Developer Activity, Off-Plan and Branded Product

Data show that off-plan units dominate Ras Al Khaimah’s market — ~84 % of total residential sales in the first nine months of 2025 were off-plan.
Branded residences and lifestyle-led developments (with hotel-operator backing) are gaining traction — especially on Al Marjan Island.

4. Relative Affordability + Upside Potential

Compared with Dubai or Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah still offers relatively lower entry prices for apartments — making it attractive for both owner-occupiers and investors seeking upside.

Implications for Investors & End-Users

For those looking to buy or rent in the region, here are some implications & pointers:

For Investors: Entry into Al Marjan Island’s apartment market now could capture the next leg of growth — especially with strong rental growth and capital appreciation.
For End-Users/Residents: The lifestyle appeal is rising — waterfront living, resort amenities, and improving infrastructure make it more than just an investment play.
Caveats:
- Supply is ramping up (off-plan pipeline exists), so checking hand-over dates, developer credibility and payment-plan terms is crucial.
- Always assess rental demand and occupancy — the strong yields reported are for units in sought-after projects; lesser quality stock may underperform.
- Location still matters — within Al Marjan Island, beachfront or sea-view apartments command premiums and stronger performance.
Comparison with Alternatives: If you compare with other zones in Ras Al Khaimah — such as Mina Al Arab or Al Hamra Village — Al Marjan Island offers higher growth for apartments in this cycle. For instance, Mina Al Arab’s apartments rose +13.6 % YoY while Al Marjan did +16.8 %.

Looking Ahead: What to Watch

Handover of major resort and hospitality infrastructure (e.g., Wynn) — as these complete, they can significantly elevate demand and prices.
Short-stay / holiday rental regulation — since much of the appeal is convertible to vacation rental income, regulatory clarity will matter.
Supply versus demand balance — even though momentum is strong, large new developments coming on-stream could moderate growth if not absorbed. For example, supply pipelines in Ras Al Khaimah show only around 800 units for delivery in 2025 in select projects.
Broader macro & tourism trends — economic/ travel policies, visa regimes, and regional competition will all play a role.

Final Thoughts

In the Q3 2025 snapshot of Ras Al Khaimah’s property market, Al Marjan Island is clearly the shining star for apartments. With double-digit growth (16.8 % YoY in apartments), strong rental momentum, and a lifestyle + investment driven narrative — it’s a compelling case for those seeking exposure to a growing UAE-coastal market that still offers relative affordability.

That said, as always in real estate: due diligence remains vital. Choose your unit wisely, vet the developer, understand the mix of the project, and align your strategy (investment vs occupancy) with real-world demand.