Living on Hudayriyat Island
Modon's freehold island next to the city, home to Surf Abu Dhabi and the Velodrome, and Abu Dhabi's top market by sales value in H1 2026.
About Hudayriyat Island
Hudayriyat Island lies just off Abu Dhabi city, opposite Al Bateen. Modon is developing its freehold neighbourhoods, starting with Nawayef and Al Naseem, launched in March 2024, followed by Nawayef Village townhouses in May 2025 and the Wadeem villa plots.
It was Abu Dhabi's biggest market by home sales value in H1 2026, with AED 19 billion, or 27% of the emirate's total (ADREC). Residents get Surf Abu Dhabi, Velodrome Abu Dhabi and Marsana on the island.
Your guide to Hudayriyat Island
Buying in Hudayriyat Island
- Hudayriyat recorded AED 19 billion of home sales in H1 2026, the most of any Abu Dhabi district (ADREC).
- Homes include villas and mansions in Nawayef, the low-density Al Naseem community, and 3 and 4-bedroom townhouses and 5-bedroom twin villas at Nawayef Village (WAM).
- Foreign buyers can own freehold in Abu Dhabi's investment zones under Law No. 13 of 2019. We confirm every unit's status on DARI before you pay anything.
- Budget for the one-off 2% ADREC registration fee. It is a purchase cost, not a yearly tax.
- In H1 2026, 61% of ready-home purchases in Abu Dhabi were paid in cash and 89% of sales value was off-plan (ADREC).
- Homes worth AED 2 million or more can qualify for the UAE 10-year Golden Visa, off-plan included. The authorities make the final decision.
Renting in Hudayriyat Island
- Most homes are still off-plan, so rentals are limited until handovers begin.
- Since 2 June 2026, ADREC has frozen rent increases until further notice: renewals stay at 0%, and a new lease on a previously rented unit cannot go above its last registered Tawtheeq rent.
- Every lease is registered on Tawtheeq. Tenants also pay the 3% municipal housing fee on the annual rent.
Investing in Hudayriyat Island
- Hudayriyat is one of the six districts set to deliver most of Abu Dhabi's new homes up to 2030 (ADREC). Plan around each phase's payment schedule and handover date.
- Abu Dhabi recorded AED 70.4 billion in home sales in H1 2026, against AED 25.3 billion a year earlier. Repeat-sale prices rose 20% for apartments and 12% for villas (ADREC).
- Individuals' rental income from UAE property is outside UAE Corporate Tax (Cabinet Decision No. 49 of 2023), and there is no annual property tax.
- Keep the rent freeze in your numbers: rents on existing and re-let units cannot rise while it lasts.
Selling or letting in Hudayriyat Island
- Off-plan owners can resell before handover, subject to Modon's resale terms. We check your contract first.
- Repeat-sale prices rose 20% for apartments and 12% for villas year on year in H1 2026 (ADREC), so check today's value before you set a price.
- Most sales value now goes to off-plan launches, so a ready home has to stand out on price, condition and photos. We handle all of that for you.
Lifestyle and amenities
Sport
Surf Abu Dhabi and Velodrome Abu Dhabi on the island.
Beach
Marsana and the island's beaches and leisure areas.
Parks
The island will hold the emirate's largest urban park (Modon).
Club
Al Naseem has its own country club with a gym, spa, pool and mosque.
Getting around
- Al Bateen · across the water
- Abu Dhabi city · next door
- Corniche · nearby
- Saadiyat Island · via E12
Hudayriyat Island FAQs
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- ADREC – Abu Dhabi Real Estate Market Report H1 2026 (press release, 18 Aug 2026)
- Gulf News – Modon launches freehold Nawayef and Al Naseem on Hudayriyat Island (Mar 2024)
- WAM – Modon launches first townhouses at Nawayef Village (6 May 2025)
- Gulf Construction – Modon unveils Wadeem plots, Hudayriyat Island
- Khaleej Times – Abu Dhabi rent freeze guide (ADREC measure from 2 June 2026)
Thinking about Hudayriyat Island?
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