Dubai Canal Properties and Community Guide
Dubai Canal is a 3.2 km waterfront destination that connects Sheikh Zayed Road with Dubai Creek, creating new islands near Downtown Dubai and Jumeirah. The area offers premium waterfront apartments and luxury residences surrounded by jogging tracks, cycling paths, boat tours, and vibrant city attractions.
Dubai Canal is a 3.2 km waterfront destination that connects Sheikh Zayed Road with Dubai Creek, creating new islands near Downtown Dubai and Jumeirah. The area offers premium waterfront apartments and luxury residences surrounded by jogging tracks, cycling paths, boat tours, and vibrant city attractions.
Dubai Canal (often called Dubai Water Canal) is an artificial waterway inaugurated in November 2016. The canal is 3.2 km long, 80–120 m wide, and about 6 m deep, creating new waterfront on both banks and turning parts of Jumeirah, Al Wasl/Safa Park, and Business Bay into an island-linked district on Dubai Creek’s extension.
The canal features promenades with cycling/running lanes, marinas, and landmark pedestrian bridges including the Bridge of Tolerance and the Sheikh Zayed Road waterfall bridge
Downtown Dubai
10 minutes
Business Bay
10 minutes
DXB Airport
20 minutes
Dubai Marina
30 minutes
— Creek-to-sea waterway with continuous waterfront promenades for walking, running, and cycling
— Three signature pedestrian bridges spanning the canal, including the Bridge of Tolerance (the “twisted bridge”)
— Evening waterfall curtain at the Sheikh Zayed Road bridge with boat-sensing automation
— Private marinas, boat tours, and abra/water taxi options along the waterway
— Parks and landscaped courts beside Safa Park and Jumeirah stretches
— Dining terraces and boutique retail lining select canal-front segments and hotel promenades
Dubai Canal has become a prime luxury address for waterfront apartments, penthouses, and limited duplex/sky mansions, mainly across Business Bay (canal side), Al Wasl/Safa Park edge, and Jumeirah fringes. New launches focus on branded, design-led residences with panoramic water and skyline views.
Apartments & Penthouses — high and mid-rise canal-front towers with large terraces, private pools in select units, and direct promenade access
Branded/Serviced Residences — concierge, valet, spa, and hotel-grade amenities integrated into residential towers
Limited Waterfront Villas/Townhomes — scarce, ultra-premium stock near Jumeirah canal mouth and selected embankments
Apartments & Penthouses — high and mid-rise canal-front towers with large terraces, private pools in select units, and direct promenade access
Branded/Serviced Residences — concierge, valet, spa, and hotel-grade amenities integrated into residential towers
Limited Waterfront Villas/Townhomes — scarce, ultra-premium stock near Jumeirah canal mouth and selected embankments
Casa Canal by AHS — ultra-luxury residences directly on the canal; handover targeted Q4 2025 (design by Killa Design; large-format apartments and penthouses)
One Canal / AHS — canal-front luxury by AHS (premium apartments/penthouses)
Cavalli Couture (DAMAC) — designer apartments and penthouses on the Safa edge of the canal, with private pools and resort amenities
DaVinci Tower by Pagani (Dar Al Arkan) — designer tower on the canal in Business Bay, with branded interiors and skyline views
2–3 bedroom high-end canal apartments — typically from ~AED 5–8M
Large 4–5 bedroom residences/sky units — from ~AED 12–18M
Flagship designer penthouses/mega-units — from ~AED 20M+ (Casa Canal/Cavalli Couture tiers)
Rental yields on mainstream canal-adjacent apartments in the Business Bay segment often sit in the mid single digits, while ultra-luxury branded stock trends lower but targets capital appreciation and exclusivity.
— Trophy waterfront positioning along an iconic, supply-constrained corridor
— Strong lifestyle moat: promenades, bridges, waterfall, marinas, and direct SZR connectivity
— Brand-led launches (Cavalli, Pagani, AHS flagships) attracting UHNWI buyer pool
— Yields: c. 4–6% typical in non-branded canal apartments; ultra-luxury stock skewed to capital growth
— Golden Visa pathways available from AED 2M purchase value (policy-based threshold)
The Dubai Canal features scenic waterfront promenades that connect Business Bay to Jumeirah, forming continuous running and cycling loops popular during sunrise and evening hours. Along the water’s edge, residents and visitors can enjoy destination dining terraces, hotel lounges, and boutique retail spaces that create a vibrant leisure atmosphere.
The area provides convenient access to Downtown Dubai’s cultural and retail landmarks as well as nearby Jumeirah beachfront destinations. One of its most recognizable highlights is the illuminated waterfall beneath the Sheikh Zayed Road bridge, complemented by striking pedestrian bridges that offer panoramic skyline views.
The canal runs from Business Bay through Safa Park to Jumeirah, intersecting Sheikh Zayed Road via the waterfall bridge and linking to the Gulf. Access is via SZR/Al Wasl/Safa Park roads, with nearby Metro (Business Bay/Burj Khalifa & Al Safa depending on segment) and water transport options on the Creek/Canal network. Pedestrian bridges and continuous paths enable car-free movement along long stretches of the waterfront.
Schools & Nurseries (near the corridor)
— British curriculum and IB schools within a short drive in Al Wasl, Jumeirah, and Nad Al Sheba catchments
— Multiple nurseries in Business Bay, Downtown, and Jumeirah precincts
Healthcare
— Dubai Healthcare City, Emirates Specialty Hospital (Business Bay), and private clinics across Jumeirah/Al Wasl provide comprehensive coverage
What is the Dubai Canal and who developed it?
The Dubai Canal is a 3.2 km man-made waterway developed by Dubai’s RTA in partnership with Meraas and Meydan. It extends from Business Bay to the Arabian Gulf, creating new waterfront districts and premium residential zones.
Is the Dubai Canal a freehold area?
Yes, the Dubai Canal zone offers freehold ownership, allowing both UAE residents and foreign investors to purchase property with full ownership rights.
What types of properties are available along the Dubai Canal?
The Dubai Canal features high-end apartments, penthouses, and limited waterfront villas within luxury branded developments overlooking the water.
What are the starting prices for properties near the Dubai Canal?
Prices at the Dubai Canal typically begin around AED 5 million for apartments, while designer penthouses and villas can exceed AED 20 million depending on location and view.
What is the investment potential of the Dubai Canal?
The Dubai Canal offers solid investment potential with average rental yields of around 4–6% for canal-view apartments and strong capital appreciation prospects for branded residences. Its prime waterfront location, limited supply of luxury properties, and growing demand for high-end homes in central Dubai make it one of the city’s most desirable investment zones.
What amenities are available around the Dubai Canal?
The Dubai Canal offers promenades with running and cycling paths, dining terraces, marinas, pedestrian bridges, and convenient access to retail and entertainment districts.
Is the Dubai Canal suitable for families?
The Dubai Canal area is well-suited for families, providing a safe, scenic environment with nearby schools, parks, and leisure destinations.
What is life like near the Dubai Canal?
Life at the Dubai Canal combines waterfront tranquility with city energy — residents enjoy stunning skyline views, outdoor activities, fine dining, and easy connectivity to central Dubai.

Yulia Berezhnaya
Senior Sales Advisor
of Metropolitan Premium Properties

+971 58 648 8888
Office 1913, Al Manara Tower
Business Bay, Dubai, UAE