Marsa Al Saadiyat is a new waterfront development by Aldar on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. The project was launched in July 2026 as the final phase of the Saadiyat Island masterplan.
The development has a gross development value of AED 100 billion. Aldar will develop projects worth AED 60 billion within the masterplan. The full development covers about 6.4 million sq. m and extends across 8 km of waterfront. Residential launches are planned from the second half of 2026.
Future residents can expect a large mixed-use community with homes, beaches, parks, walking and cycling routes, schools, healthcare, sports facilities, retail, dining and a marina.
What Is Aldar Marsa Al Saadiyat?
Aldar Marsa Al Saadiyat is planned as a major waterfront community on Saadiyat Island.
Its main numbers show the scale of the project:
| Feature | Planned figure |
|---|---|
| Development value | AED 100 billion |
| Area | 6.4 million sq. m |
| Waterfront | 8 km |
| Natural beaches | 5.6 km |
| Marina | Up to 350 berths |
| Walking paths | About 140 km |
| Cycling track | 46 km |
| First residential launches | H2 2026 |
The project is being developed around the natural waterfront of Saadiyat Island. The plan also includes public spaces and facilities designed for daily use.
Waterfront Living at Marsa Al Saadiyat
The waterfront will be one of the main features of the community.
Marsa Al Saadiyat will have 8 km of waterfront and about 5.6 km of beaches. This gives the development a large amount of direct access to the coast.
The plan also includes a marina with up to 350 berths for sailing boats and luxury yachts.
For residents, this means access to beaches, waterfront areas and marina facilities within the wider community.
The final details of the residential buildings and their exact distance from the water will depend on the individual projects released by Aldar.
Parks and Green Spaces
Marsa Al Saadiyat is planned with a strong focus on outdoor space.
The development will have about 140 km of connected walking paths and a 46 km cycling track. These routes are planned to connect different parts of the community.
The masterplan also includes parks, children’s play areas and sports facilities.
This means residents should have access to outdoor spaces without needing to travel to another part of Abu Dhabi.
Walking and Cycling
Walking and cycling are a major part of the Marsa Al Saadiyat plan.
The project includes:
- About 140 km of walking paths
- A 46 km cycling track
- Parks and open spaces
- Sports areas
- Children’s play areas
- Waterfront routes
The size of the planned network is important. It shows that walking and cycling are not limited to a small park or promenade. They are planned as part of the wider community layout.
Schools and Education
Families will have access to education facilities within the Marsa Al Saadiyat masterplan.
The plan includes three schools. The wider Saadiyat Island also has established education facilities, including Cranleigh Abu Dhabi and NYU Abu Dhabi. Aldar also identifies Cranleigh Abu Dhabi as one of the key facilities close to its Saadiyat developments.
Having schools within the masterplan can reduce travel time for families.
However, Aldar has not yet released full details on the operators, school fees or opening dates for the three planned schools. These details should be checked when more project information becomes available.
Healthcare Facilities
Healthcare is also included in the Marsa Al Saadiyat masterplan.
The development is planned to have premium healthcare facilities along with community services. The exact operators and opening dates have not yet been announced.
This is relevant for residents because healthcare access is part of the wider community plan rather than an add-on facility.
Sports and Leisure Facilities
Marsa Al Saadiyat will include facilities for sports and outdoor activities.
The plan includes sports courts, community clubhouses, outdoor swimming pools and children’s play areas.
The large walking and cycling network adds another option for daily exercise.
Residents will also have access to the beaches and waterfront areas planned across the development.
Retail and Dining
The development is planned to include retail and dining spaces.
A waterfront promenade will provide space for shops, restaurants and leisure uses. The marina will also add a focus on waterfront activity.
The exact retail brands and restaurant operators have not been confirmed yet.
This is important for buyers. The masterplan shows what is planned, but individual operators can change before completion.
Marina and Yacht Facilities
The marina is one of the largest planned features of Marsa Al Saadiyat.
It will have up to 350 berths for sailing boats and luxury yachts. The official project announcement describes it as Abu Dhabi’s largest marina.
The marina can support the development’s wider waterfront offering.
For residents who own boats or prefer marina-based leisure, this could be a key feature. For other residents, the marina can add restaurants, public spaces and waterfront activity to the area.
The final marina services and operators have not yet been announced.
Connectivity to Abu Dhabi
Marsa Al Saadiyat is also planned with new transport links.
The masterplan includes new roads and tunnels connecting the development with Umm Yifeenah Island and Reem Island. A planned underground Etihad Rail station will also form part of the wider transport network.
These links are designed to improve access between Marsa Al Saadiyat and other parts of Abu Dhabi.
The project will also connect to another Aldar-developed island through a new bridge.
Exact travel times should not be treated as confirmed until the road and rail infrastructure is completed.
Saadiyat Island Location
Marsa Al Saadiyat benefits from its location on Saadiyat Island.
Saadiyat Island already has an established cultural and leisure network. Aldar highlights its access to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Manarat Al Saadiyat. The island also has an 8 km shorefront and walking, cycling and road networks.
This gives future residents access to more than the facilities planned inside Marsa Al Saadiyat.
The location also places residents within the wider Saadiyat Island residential market, which includes existing and new premium developments.
What Kind of Lifestyle Can Residents Expect?
The planned lifestyle at Marsa Al Saadiyat is based on waterfront living and access to outdoor facilities.
Residents can expect the masterplan to offer:
- Beach access
- Marina facilities
- Waterfront spaces
- Parks
- Walking paths
- Cycling routes
- Sports facilities
- Schools
- Healthcare
- Retail
- Dining
- Community clubhouses
The scale of the project also means that many facilities are planned within the community rather than outside it.
What Makes Marsa Al Saadiyat Different?
The main difference is the scale of the masterplan.
Marsa Al Saadiyat is not a single residential building or a small group of buildings. It is a 6.4 million sq. m waterfront development with an AED 100 billion gross development value.
The 8 km waterfront and 5.6 km of beaches give the project a strong coastal focus.
The planned 140 km walking network and 46 km cycling track also show the size of the public infrastructure planned for the area.
Aldar is developing AED 60 billion worth of projects within the AED 100 billion masterplan, with launches starting in H2 2026.
What Is Confirmed and What Is Not Yet Known?
Marsa Al Saadiyat is still in its early development stage. Some details are confirmed, while others will be announced with the individual residential launches.
Confirmed details include:
- AED 100 billion gross development value
- 6.4 million sq. m development area
- 8 km waterfront
- 5.6 km of beaches
- Up to 350 marina berths
- About 140 km of walking paths
- 46 km cycling track
- Three planned schools
- Healthcare facilities
- Planned Etihad Rail station
- First residential launches expected in H2 2026
Details that are still to be confirmed for individual homes include exact prices, payment plans, unit sizes, handover dates and final building specifications.
Buyers should therefore check the official Aldar sales information for each residential project before making a purchase decision.
When Will Residents Be Able to Buy?
Aldar Properties has confirmed that residential launches at Marsa Al Saadiyat will begin in the second half of 2026. Infrastructure works are also planned to begin in Q3 2026.
This means the project is still at an early stage.
As the first residential launches take place, buyers should get more information on:
- Property types
- Prices
- Payment plans
- Unit sizes
- Views
- Expected completion dates
- Service charges
- Community facilities
These details are important when comparing Marsa Al Saadiyat with other properties on Saadiyat Island.
What Future Residents Can Expect!
Marsa Al Saadiyat is planned as a large waterfront community with a strong focus on beaches, outdoor space and daily services.
The most important figures are clear:
- AED 100 billion development value
- 6.4 million sq. m total area
- 8 km waterfront
- 5.6 km beaches
- Up to 350 marina berths
- 140 km walking paths
- 46 km cycling track
- Three planned schools
- Residential launches from H2 2026
The project will also benefit from its location on Saadiyat Island, where residents already have access to major cultural, education and leisure facilities.
For future residents, the main appeal is the combination of waterfront homes, beaches, outdoor space, community facilities and planned transport links.
Marsa Al Saadiyat is still being developed, so buyers should focus on confirmed project information and wait for Aldar to release the full details of each residential phase.
Amoli