Al Marjan Island Projects (Ras Al Khaimah), the investor guide to what is actually happening, and what to watch next

The simple version is this, Al Marjan is turning into a tourism, lifestyle, and second-home hub, fast. The less simple version, and the one that matters for investors, is that not every project benefits the same way. Some will win because they are genuinely differentiated, view, layout, brand, operator, access. Others will look great on a brochure and then struggle in the real rental market.

I think that is why a “projects list” is not enough anymore. What you really want is a way to sort projects into buckets that match your strategy.

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Quick Answer

Al Marjan Island’s biggest growth driver is Wynn Al Marjan Island, scheduled to open Spring 2027, supported by major infrastructure like the 548m Wynn Bridge targeted for completion in late 2026. The island is also aligned with Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism target of 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030.

Where this market is heading

There are three forces that keep showing up, even when you ignore the marketing.

1) The Wynn effect, not just hype, an actual timeline

Wynn Al Marjan Island is presented as an integrated resort scheduled to open Spring 2027. On Wynn’s own site, the hotel tower is described as a 70 storey tower rising 352 meters above the sea. That scale matters because it usually pulls in hospitality demand, retail demand, events, and the kind of visitor mix that pays premiums for branded and waterfront stays.

Also, the licensing story is real. Reuters reported Wynn received the UAE’s first commercial gaming operator’s license from the federal regulator. Whether you love that or hate it, it changes the tourism narrative.

2) Access and infrastructure, the boring part that decides occupancy

Wynn’s own construction update says Wynn Bridge is 548 meters long, connecting via Wynn Boulevard to E311 and E611, with completion targeted for late 2026. Wynn Resorts’ pressroom repeats the same bridge specs.

If you have ever watched a resort location underperform simply because it feels “far”, you know why this matters.

3) RAK is openly targeting tourism scale

RAKTDA states a goal of attracting 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030. They also reported 1.35M overnight visitors in 2025, which signals momentum, not just ambition.

That combination, anchor resort, access improvements, tourism targets, is why developers are rushing to plant flags now.

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Major Developments and Projects (a useful way to compare, not just a name dump)

Before we go project by project, here is the practical reality: most buyers on Al Marjan end up choosing between (a) branded lifestyle and short stay appeal, or (b) calmer long stay fundamentals. Sometimes you can get both, but you have to be picky.

Al Marjan Island projects at a glance (shortlist logic)

This table is intentionally not exhaustive. It is a filter. Later in the article, we will add “how to choose” scoring so you can map projects to your own strategy.

Wynn Al Marjan Island, the anchor that everything else is orbiting

If you only remember one detail, remember the timing. Wynn’s site says Spring 2027. That gives you a planning window for handovers, furnishing, and rental setup.

It is also worth noting the scale Wynn itself communicates. The 70 storey tower rising 352 meters above the sea is not a subtle resort. This is a skyline level, regional destination play, and that is why nearby projects keep pushing “Wynn view” as a headline.

One more thing people skip, infrastructure. Wynn’s bridge update is unusually specific, length, road connections, and late 2026 target.
When you are buying off plan, that level of detail is actually comforting. Not perfect, but comforting.

Address Residences Al Marjan Island, a “clean” branded option

Emaar’s positioning here is exactly what you would expect, modern luxury, sea views, beaches, green spaces, infinity pools.

Why it matters from an investor point of view is not the adjectives, it is the buyer pool. A globally recognized hospitality brand tends to widen the resale audience. It can also make long stay tenants feel more comfortable, even if they have never lived in Ras Al Khaimah before.

Nobu Hotel, Restaurant, and Residences, lifestyle first, numbers second

Nobu’s official page frames the project as hotel plus residences plus a full lifestyle stack, spa, fitness, pools, beach club, and it explicitly mentions 300 branded Nobu residences.

That is a clear signal of intent, they are building a community around the brand, not just a building.

From a pure investment lens, this usually performs best when you lean into what the brand sells, short stay demand, premium nightly rates, and a guest who chooses “Nobu” on purpose.

Manta Bay, the kind of concept that either wins big, or gets copied

On the official site for Manta Bay, the standout feature is direct: a rooftop beach at a height of 80 meters.

That is not a small amenity. It is the whole marketing hook, and in a resort market, hooks matter because photos and reviews drive bookings.

My cautious note is this, concept projects are sensitive to execution. The promise is amazing, but you want to see quality, management, and a realistic furnishing spec, otherwise the idea does not translate to rates.

Oystra by Zaha Hadid Architects, when architecture is the strategy

Zaha Hadid Architects describes Oystra as sculptural 20 storey waterfront towers within a 42,000 square meter site, including landscaped areas, pools, beach club, plus rooftop restaurant and a 360 degree infinity pool.

Architectural rarity can create demand that ignores typical comps. Not always, but it can.

"Not everyone buys for yield, some buy for scarcity”

I will be a little blunt upfront. Al Marjan Island is not one market. It is multiple micro markets sitting next to each other, each with different demand drivers. So the smartest move is to sort projects by “what demand they are built to capture”, then shortlist.

The simple map in your head, four project buckets

Bucket A, the Wynn orbit (prime for short stay)

These are projects that lean heavily on the Wynn opening window and the tourism demand it pulls in. Wynn Al Marjan Island is scheduled to open Spring 2027, and Wynn Bridge is described as 548m long, linking to E311 and E611, targeted for completion in late 2026.

This is the cluster where “view corridors” and access matter more than people expect, because short stay guests buy the photo first, then the location, then the experience.

Bucket B, branded lifestyle residences (strong for resale liquidity)

These are branded names that often widen your resale audience. Think Address, Nobu, W branded residences, and other hospitality-linked products.

Address Residences Al Marjan Island is positioned by Emaar specifically as an investment and lifestyle product in RAK.
Nobu’s official page for Al Marjan describes the hotel concept and also references branded residences as part of the offering.

Bucket C, concept-driven “Instagram amenities” (high upside, execution risk)

Manta Bay is the obvious example here, the project is marketed around a rooftop beach concept, and local press has covered it as a record-style attraction and a major build.

These can perform extremely well in short stay if executed properly, but they can also get copied fast, which dilutes the advantage.

Bucket D, community-style clusters with villas and townhouses (more long-stay friendly)

Danah Bay is a clear example, it is presented as a bay community with a mix from apartments to larger villas.

These tend to attract end users and longer lets more naturally, assuming the surrounding retail, beach access, and daily-life convenience are there.

Major projects, what they sell, and how investors actually use them

Wynn Al Marjan Island, the anchor that sets the timeline

Wynn’s own site states it is scheduled to open Spring 2027, and the project updates page tracks milestones toward that opening.

Also, Reuters reported Wynn received the UAE’s first commercial gaming operator licence from the federal regulator.
That matters, not because everyone cares about gaming, but because it signals regulatory intent, and it tends to pull in a different visitor profile, higher spending, more events, more “long weekend” demand.

Investor lens: If your strategy is short stay, the Wynn timeline helps you plan handover, furnishing, and launch. If your strategy is resale, it helps you time your exit window, but you still have to avoid overpaying for “future hype”.

The Wynn Bridge, the boring detail that impacts occupancy

Wynn describes Wynn Bridge as 548 meters long, connecting via Wynn Boulevard to E311 and E611, with completion targeted for late 2026.
If you have ever managed a holiday home, you already know, friction kills bookings. Bridge, road access, easy arrival, it all quietly pushes occupancy.

Address Residences Al Marjan Island, “clean” branded positioning

Emaar’s Address page frames the project as a prime investment opportunity, tied to amenities and a resort lifestyle narrative.

Investor lens: This tends to work best for buyers who want broad appeal and less “explain the concept” work later. It often helps on resale because the brand does the trust-building for you.

Nobu Hotel, Restaurant, and Residences, lifestyle first

Nobu’s Al Marjan page positions the project as a lifestyle destination, not a standard residential building.
This is a big deal because the tenant, or guest, chooses “Nobu” on purpose. That can support stronger short stay pricing if the operating experience matches the promise.

Investor lens: Buy this only if you are happy leaning into short stay or premium lifestyle tenant demand. If you plan to run it as a basic long-let unit, you might be paying for a brand advantage you do not use.

W Al Marjan Island and W Residences, a 2027 branded arrival

Marriott’s press release states W Al Marjan Island is slated to open in Q1 2027.
Dalands also says construction began and references delivery targets, with residences co-located with the hotel, targeting Q4 2027.

Investor lens: W tends to skew toward experiential hospitality, which can be good for premium short stays. But ask yourself a boring question, will the unit layout still be easy for a family to use for a week? If yes, you can run both short and mid-term strategies.

Pullman Resort Al Marjan Island, a real operating hotel baseline

Pullman Resort Al Marjan Island is an operating resort, listed on Accor’s official site.

This matters because operating hotels become comp anchors. They create a price reference for nightly stays, and they pull visitor demand to the area.

Investor lens: When you build your rental model, compare your target nightly rates against what operating hotels offer in shoulder season, not peak season.

Oceano, ultra luxury scarcity play

The Luxe Developers position Oceano as a landmark ultra luxury project, and they reference record Sky Villa sales totalling over AED 180 million.

Investor lens: This is not a yield-first buy for most people. This is scarcity, design, and capital value narrative. If you want predictable yield, you can still do it, but you are buying a different game.

Oystra by Zaha Hadid Architects, signature architecture as strategy

Zaha Hadid Architects’ project page outlines Oystra’s concept and amenities, and it is very clearly positioned as sculptural, branded-by-design waterfront living.

Investor lens: Architectural signature can hold value through cycles, but only if execution quality is high. In your article, it is worth saying that out loud. It makes you sound more credible.

The Astera, Interiors by Aston Martin, branded interiors, longer timeline

DarGlobal’s page for The Astera states it is on Al Marjan Island, with interiors by Aston Martin, and shows an expected completion date of December 2028.

Investor lens: The longer timeline can be good or bad. Good if you want a staged payment plan and you are patient. Bad if your goal is to catch the 2026 to 2027 demand ramp. The key is alignment, not hype.

Manta Bay, concept project with a headline amenity

Local coverage and project marketing focus heavily on the rooftop beach concept, with construction and delivery claims tied to end of 2026 in reporting.

Investor lens: Concept projects are binary sometimes. If it is executed properly, it becomes the listing that always photographs well, which matters more than people admit. If it is not executed well, you end up fighting reviews, discounts, and maintenance.

Danah Bay, a mixed community play

Danah Bay’s official site presents it as a bay community with options ranging from apartments to larger villas.

Investor lens: This is where long-stay and family demand can show up more naturally. If you want stability, look for practical layouts, parking, and access that does not rely on “destination tourism” alone.

The Beach House, boutique scale, limited inventory narrative

Range’s page positions The Beach House as an exclusive waterfront residential project with 88 residences.

Investor lens: Limited inventory sometimes helps protect pricing, especially in short stay, because it reduces direct competition inside the same building. Not guaranteed, but it is a factor.

Comparison table, choose by strategy, not by brochure

The Al Marjan investor checklist, 12 questions that matter.

This is the part many blogs skip because it is not flashy. 

1. What is my exit plan, sell before opening, or hold through opening?

2. Is the project timeline aligned with Wynn Spring 2027, or later like 2028?

3. Do I have a real view corridor, or just a rendering?

4. What is my rental mode, holiday home vs long-let?

5. Who is the operator, and what is the management model?

6. Is access improving, for example Wynn Bridge targeted late 2026?

7. What is my furnishing budget and launch cost, realistically?

8. What is the competitive set, operating hotels like Pullman, plus nearby listings?

9. How many similar units will I compete with in the same building?

10. What are the service charges and operating costs likely to be?

11. If the brand is a key value point, can it be verified contractually?

12. Does this purchase still make sense if growth is slower than expected?

Al Marjan Island is one of those markets where your results depend less on “the island is booming” and more on whether you bought the right micro product for the right demand. That sounds obvious, but it’s easy to forget when every brochure says “Wynn view” in big letters.

What matters most on Al Marjan

1. Wynn is a catalyst, not a guarantee. Wynn Al Marjan Island is scheduled to open Spring 2027, it is the anchor story, but you still need to buy something that works even if demand ramps slower than the marketing suggests.

2. Access is a real variable. Wynn’s own updates describe a 548m bridge, targeted for completion in late 2026, that detail matters because friction hurts occupancy.

3. RAK is pursuing tourism scale. RAKTDA states a target of attracting 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030, that is the “macro tailwind” people cite when they underwrite demand.

The Al Marjan Project Score, a simple scoring model that actually helps you choose

How to use it

• Score each project from 1 to 5 on each factor
  
• Multiply by the weight
• Add up to get a score out of 100
• Shortlist your top 3, then do deeper due diligence

Table, Project Scorecard (weights add to 100)

A quick example, how a buyer would score two fictional options

• Project A (branded, strong view, practical layout) might score 82 to 88

• Project B (concept heavy, but layout weak and supply high) might score 68 to 75

The point isn’t the exact number, it’s that you can defend the choice.

Net yield framework, short stay vs long stay, without pretending we can predict your exact ROI

I’m going to use simple formulas that make sense, and I’ll keep it honest, these are examples, not promises.

Step 1, decide your rental model

Short stay works best when the experience sells itself, photos, views, amenities, and smooth arrival. Al Marjan is building toward that tourism demand narrative, especially with Wynn scheduled for Spring 2027.

Long stay works best when the unit is easy to live in, and when the value proposition is not dependent on weekend tourism.

Step 2, run the basic math

Short stay model (example only)

• Nights sold per year = 365 × occupancy

• Revenue = nights sold × ADR

• Net operating income = revenue − operating costs

Operating costs you must include

• management fee (holiday homes operator)

• cleaning and laundry

• utilities and internet

• furnishings replacement and maintenance

• platform fees and marketing

• vacancy dips and seasonality

A practical note, use operating hotels as a reality check for pricing. Pullman Resort Al Marjan Island is an operating five star resort on Al Marjan, it’s a useful reference point for the guest’s alternative options.

Long stay model (example only)

• Annual rent = monthly rent × 12

• Net operating income = annual rent − service charges − maintenance − vacancy allowance

Long stay is usually less management heavy, but service charges and maintenance still matter. 

Step 3, remember the hidden killer, furnishing and launch costs

If the unit is meant to perform in short stay, furnishing is not optional. It is part of the product.

“On Al Marjan, you are not just buying square meters, you are buying a guest experience.”

FAQs

1) When is Wynn Al Marjan Island opening?

Wynn Al Marjan Island is described on its official site as scheduled to open Spring 2027, which is why many surrounding projects position themselves around a 2026 to 2027 demand ramp.

2) What is Wynn Bridge and when is it expected to complete?

Wynn’s progress update describes Wynn Bridge as a 548 meter bridge linking to E311 and E611, with construction progressing toward completion in late 2026.

3) Why do investors focus so much on the Wynn timeline?

Because it sets a clear demand narrative, and it anchors handover, furnishing, and potential resale timing. But it should be treated as a catalyst, not a guarantee.

4) Is Wynn licensed for commercial gaming in the UAE?

Reuters reported that Wynn Resorts received the UAE’s first commercial gaming operator license from the federal regulator.

5) What is the tourism growth target for Ras Al Khaimah?

RAKTDA states an objective of attracting 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030, this is a common macro argument used to support tourism led real estate demand.

6) Are branded residences better on Al Marjan?

They can be, mainly because brand recognition can widen the resale audience and support premium positioning, but the unit still needs a good layout, credible view, and a workable cost structure.

7) What is a “view corridor” and why does it matter?

It’s the real, protected line of sight to key landmarks or the sea, not just a marketing phrase. In short stay rentals, view and photos often drive bookings, so a real corridor can translate into pricing power.

8) Short stay or long stay, which is safer?

Long stay is often operationally simpler. Short stay can outperform but is more management heavy and sensitive to seasonality and reviews. The safer choice is the one aligned with your risk tolerance and operator quality.

9) How do I sanity check my nightly rate assumptions?

Compare against operating hotels on Al Marjan Island as a baseline, then be conservative in shoulder months. Pullman Resort Al Marjan Island is one example of an operating resort option that guests might compare against.

10) What is the biggest mistake buyers make on Al Marjan Island?

Overpaying for the story, “Wynn is coming”, without verifying the basics like view, layout, handover timing, and realistic operating costs.

11) How do I shortlist projects quickly?

Use a scorecard approach, weigh timing, access, view credibility, layout livability, supply risk, and total cost realism, then shortlist the top 3 and do deeper due diligence.

12) What should I ask for before I reserve a unit?

Ask for the masterplan context, building position, orientation, service charge estimates, payment plan, handover timeline, and any operator or management terms if you plan to do short stay.

Conclusion

If you’re investing on Al Marjan Island, the safest edge you can build is not “knowing the project names”, everyone can google those. The edge is knowing what you are buying the unit for, and being able to defend it with a clear timeline, a realistic net model, and a short list of non negotiables.

If you want, you can message me your budget, target horizon, and whether you prefer short stay or long stay, and I’ll send a shortlist of 3 to 5 options with a scorecard, view corridor notes, and a simple net yield framework.