Investments in Al Marjan in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, delivered a 60% return in just two years

Resort real estate prices on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah have surged by more than 60% over the past two years, underlining the area’s growing appeal to investors.

According to Property Finder, the average annual rental rate increased from approximately $10,900 in April 2023 to around $17,600 by April 2025. This represents growth of about 62% over the two-year period.

The latest data also shows a 12% year-on-year increase from April 2024 to April 2025, following a much sharper jump of 45% in the previous year.

The strongest rental growth was recorded in the apartment and duplex segment, which accounts for roughly 97% of the total rental housing supply on Al Marjan Island.

At present, the average rental rate stands at around $238 per sq. m, with prices ranging from approximately $147 to $353 per sq. m. The average size of a rental unit is estimated at about 71 sq. m.

Compared with other popular residential areas in Ras Al Khaimah — including Al Hamra Village and Mina Al Arab — rental rates on Al Marjan Island remain around 20% higher. Analysts attribute this premium to the island’s rising profile as a beachfront destination, as well as its proximity to major infrastructure projects, including the upcoming Wynn Al Marjan, set to become the Middle East’s first integrated resort of its kind.

According to Fibhah Ahmed, a representative of Bayut & dubizzle, apartments have been the key driver of growth. She noted that rental rates in this segment rose by 42% between the first quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, followed by a further 13% increase by the first quarter of 2025.

The trend is also supported by user demand. Data from Bayut shows that Al Marjan Island consistently attracts around 25% of all apartment rental listing views in Ras Al Khaimah, despite the district’s relatively compact size. Analysts link this both to increased media exposure and to solid underlying demand.

Ankur Aggarwal, founder and chairman of BNW Developments, expects rental rates on the island to rise by an additional 10–15% over the next 12–24 months. He points to sustained international demand, the expansion of the tourism sector and a limited supply of premium properties as key supporting factors, alongside the delivery of large-scale resort projects and supporting infrastructure.