Al Bandar
Al Bandar, Al Raha Beach — Complete Community Guide (2026)
Developer: Aldar Properties
Completed: December 2010
Ownership type: Freehold — available to all nationalities
Property types: Studios, 1–4 bedroom apartments, 4BR split-level duplexes, 4–5 bedroom penthouses
Total units: 510 across four residential buildings (Al Naseem A, B, C — 366 units; Al Barza — 132 units; Al Manara — 12 units)
Marina: 131 berths, 6.5m–24m, with 220m visitor pontoon; managed by Aldar Marinas LLC
Al Bandar — Overview
Al Bandar is Aldar Properties’ flagship residential and marina development within Al Raha Beach — the sub-community built on an artificial peninsula projecting into the Arabian Gulf, centred on a 131-berth marina that was the first to be completed in the entire Al Raha Beach district. Completed in December 2010, Al Bandar established the benchmark for waterfront community living in Abu Dhabi that subsequent Al Raha Beach sub-communities measured themselves against, and it has maintained its position as the most commercially active and socially vibrant part of the district for over a decade.
The community is built on a peninsula that is genuinely surrounded by water on three sides — the Al Raha Canal, the marina basin, and the Arabian Gulf beyond. This geometry gives Al Bandar a waterfront character that is distinct from communities where the waterfront is simply one edge: from the residential towers and the marina promenade, water is visible in almost every direction. The marina basin itself, flanked by a promenade of restaurants, cafes, and retail, is the social centre around which daily community life orbits.
Al Bandar comprises four residential buildings — Al Naseem Residences (towers A, B, and C), Al Barza, and Al Manara — together delivering 510 residential units across the full range from studios to 5-bedroom penthouses. The Al Bandar Marina, the Clubhouse, Spinneys supermarket, and the marina promenade form the community’s commercial and leisure spine, with HealthPlus Family Clinic Al Bandar providing in-community primary healthcare. The Al Hadeel residential development, positioned at the western waterfront edge of the Al Bandar precinct, on the city-facing side of the peninsula, completes the sub-community.
Al Bandar is the social and commercial heart of Al Raha Beach — the community built around Abu Dhabi’s first residential marina, with a promenade of waterfront dining, a clubhouse, and 510 freehold apartments on a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides.
The Residential Buildings
Al Naseem Residences — Towers A, B, and C
Al Naseem Residences are the three defining towers of Al Bandar — cascading high-rise buildings with large wrap-around glass balconies that give each unit sweeping views across the marina, the Al Raha Canal, and the Arabian Gulf. The three towers collectively deliver 366 apartments: 24 one-bedroom apartments in Tower A, 28 in Tower B, and 32 in Tower C; 57 two-bedroom apartments in A, 63 in B, and 64 in C; 4 four-bedroom apartments each in A and B, 5 in C; and seven 4-bedroom split-level duplexes across the complex. All units are equipped with video intercom systems, fully fitted kitchens with appliances, and maid’s quarters. Two-bedroom and larger units have balconies or large sun decks. The 160 storage units available for rent (6–12 month terms, 5–8 sqm each) serve residents across towers A, B, and C.
The wrap-around balcony design is the defining architectural feature of the Al Naseem towers — balconies that span across the corner of each unit, framing the marina and canal views that make them some of the most sought-after waterfront apartments in the Al Raha Beach development. Units sizes range from approximately 848 sq ft for 1-bedroom to approximately 4,777 sq ft for the largest premium configurations.
Al Barza
Al Barza is the mid-rise building of the Al Bandar complex — a 6-floor building of 132 apartments (studios, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom units) that adjoins the distinctive Al Manara glass-cube tower and overlooks the marina piazza directly. It was also completed in 2010 and is distinguishable by its exposed brickwork exterior, which gives the building a warmer, more traditional character that contrasts with the glass-heavy towers of Al Naseem. Al Barza contains all 28 studios available in the Al Bandar complex, along with 30 one-bedroom and 72 two-bedroom apartments. Studio units range from 520–690 sq ft; 1BR from 848–925 sq ft; 2BR from 1,365–1,880 sq ft. The 3-bedroom penthouses in Al Barza are approximately 2,000 sq ft.
Al Manara
Al Manara is the fourth and most exclusive building of the Al Bandar complex — a distinctive glass-cube tower offering only 12 four-bedroom apartments and one five-bedroom penthouse, each occupying its own full floor. All Al Manara apartments are entirely on one level (unlike the duplexes in Al Naseem), giving each resident a private floor of approximately 3,200–4,777 sq ft with 360-degree views of the Arabian Gulf, the marina, and Al Raha Beach. Al Manara is the premium address within an already premium development — the tower’s boutique scale and full-floor configuration make it one of the more exclusive apartment addresses in Abu Dhabi.
Al Hadeel (Al Bandar)
The Al Hadeel residential development sits at the western waterfront edge of the Al Bandar precinct, on the city-facing side of the peninsula, offering apartments and townhouses with direct sea views. While the Al Hadeel sub-area designation also covers a broader section of the eastern Al Raha Beach corridor, the Al Hadeel buildings within Al Bandar are the closest in the sub-community to the open Gulf frontage rather than the marina basin. The combination of sea exposure and Al Bandar’s community amenities makes the Al Hadeel buildings a popular choice for residents who want waterfront living with access to the marina social scene.
Al Bandar Marina
The Al Bandar Marina is the defining amenity of the community — 131 berths ranging from 6.5 metres to 24 metres, with 220 metres of visitor pontoon accommodating larger vessels. Managed by Aldar Marinas LLC (previously ART Marine Marinas), the marina operates 24 hours a day and provides deep-water access to Abu Dhabi’s protected canal network and open waterways. Services include shore power and water connections, pump-out, 24/7 security, and on-call marina staff. The marina was the first to be completed on Al Raha Beach and remains the most central residential marina address in the Al Raha corridor.
The location of the marina on Abu Dhabi’s canal and waterway network is one of its most practical advantages for boating residents. From the Al Bandar Marina, vessels can reach the Eastern Mangroves nature reserve, the Abu Dhabi Corniche waterfront, the channels around the outer islands, and Yas Island‘s marina facilities directly by water — in most cases in less time than the equivalent road journey. For residents with working boats or regular day-sail habits, Al Bandar provides a proximity to the water that no road-based address can replicate.
Alongside the residential berths, the marina’s visitor pontoon provides mooring for overnight and temporary visits, supporting a charter and visiting boat traffic that keeps the marina active and varied throughout the year. The Halla Walla Watersports Club operates from the marina, offering waterskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing trips for residents and visitors throughout the cooler season.
The Clubhouse
The Al Bandar Clubhouse is the community’s private residents’ facility — a full-service social and fitness hub open exclusively to residents of the Al Bandar towers. Facilities include a fully equipped gymnasium, an outdoor swimming pool with jacuzzi, squash courts, a dance studio, billiards room, children’s playroom and play area, changing rooms, juice bar, and lounge areas. The Clubhouse is the social focal point for a community that attracts a young professional and international demographic: it provides the on-site leisure infrastructure that the compact apartment floor plans don’t accommodate individually, and its facilities are consistently well-maintained under Aldar’s community management.
The Marina Promenade — Dining and Retail
The marina promenade is Al Bandar’s most distinctive public space — a continuously active waterfront strip of restaurants, cafes, and retail that wraps around the marina basin and gives the community its social energy. The promenade is accessible to all residents of Al Raha Beach and to day visitors who arrive by road or water, creating a commercial vitality that is rare in suburban residential communities and that makes Al Bandar the natural social centre for the wider district.
Pacifico Tiki Dining & Lounge — on the waterfront terrace — is consistently cited as one of the best waterfront restaurant settings in Abu Dhabi’s suburban zone, with its Mediterranean-influenced menu and direct marina views. Leopold’s of London brings a British brasserie sensibility to the promenade, popular for weekend brunches and casual evening dining. Ornina in the marina is a popular Arabic shisha lounge with waterfront views. The licensed venues within Al Raha Beach Hotel, directly adjacent to the Al Bandar precinct, extend the dining and nightlife geography available to residents without leaving the immediate community.
Spinneys supermarket anchors the community’s daily grocery provision — consistently rated among the premium supermarket operators in Abu Dhabi and providing the quality and range that the community’s international professional demographic expects. Additional retail within the Al Bandar complex includes healthcare, beauty, fitness, and specialty services. Al Raha Mall, directly connected to Al Raha Beach Hotel via Channel Street, extends the retail catchment for major shopping and cinema.
Property in Al Bandar — Prices and Sizes
Sale Prices
Overall range: AED 800,000 to AED 8,750,000* across all unit types
Studios (Al Barza): From approximately AED 770,000–1,060,000*; 520–690 sq ft
1-bedroom apartments: From approximately AED 1,065,000–1,900,000*; 848–925 sq ft
2-bedroom apartments: From approximately AED 2,000,000*; 1,365–1,880 sq ft
3-bedroom apartments/penthouses: From approximately AED 2,700,000–3,900,000*; ~2,000 sq ft
4-bedroom duplexes (Al Naseem): Premium pricing; 4,777 sq ft maximum*
Al Manara full-floor apartments: Premium pricing; 3,200–4,777 sq ft*
All Al Bandar property is freehold. Purchases of AED 2,000,000 or above qualify for the UAE 10-year Golden Visa. Contact Address Point Properties for current availability and unit-specific pricing.*
Rental Prices
Al Bandar averages approximately AED 153,000 per year across all available rental units — the liveliest precinct in Al Raha Beach and consistently the highest-demand sub-community for rental enquiries. By unit type:
Studios: From approximately AED 100,000–105,000 per year*; 520–690 sq ft
1-bedroom apartments: From approximately AED 126,250 per year*; 848–925 sq ft
2-bedroom apartments: Approximately AED 140,000–175,000 per year*; 1,365–1,880 sq ft
3-bedroom penthouses: Approximately AED 200,000–250,000 per year*; ~2,000 sq ft
All figures are indicative asking prices, subject to change. Contact Address Point Properties for current rental listings and verified availability.*
Who Lives in Al Bandar
Al Bandar attracts a distinct demographic profile within the Al Raha Beach community: predominantly younger professionals and couples in the studios and 1-bedroom configuration of Al Barza; established professional couples and small families in the 2-bedroom Al Naseem inventory; and senior executives, senior corporate staff, and boat owners in the 3-bedroom, 4-bedroom, and Al Manara full-floor configurations. The marina access, the licensed dining scene, and the proximity to Abu Dhabi International Airport make Al Bandar a consistently strong address for airline professionals and international corporate relocations.
The community has a notably international character — the marina lifestyle, the licensed venues, and the premium building standards attract a European, North American, and Asian professional demographic that values the combination of waterfront access, good schools within a short drive, and the self-contained daily convenience that the marina promenade provides. Long-term occupancy rates in Al Bandar are high by Abu Dhabi suburban standards: the community’s established character and the scarcity of new comparable supply mean that tenants who move in tend to stay.
Healthcare
HealthPlus Family Clinic Al Bandar is the in-community primary care facility serving Al Bandar residents with general practice, family medicine, and specialist outpatient consultations. For specialist and hospital-level care, Healthpoint Hospital — Aldar’s associated specialist orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital — is accessible within the Al Raha Beach corridor. Burjeel Medical Centre Al Zeina provides specialist outpatient services at the western end of the Al Raha Beach district.
For major hospital care, Khalifa City — approximately 5–10 minutes from Al Bandar via the E10 — hosts Mediclinic Khalifa City and NMC Royal Hospital Khalifa City, providing the full range of secondary and tertiary hospital services. The proximity of Al Bandar to this hospital cluster gives it one of the better acute care access profiles of any waterfront residential address in the Abu Dhabi suburbs.
Schools
Raha International School in Al Raha Gardens — Abu Dhabi’s first IB-accredited school, established 2006 — is accessible from Al Bandar in approximately 5–10 minutes and is the primary school of choice for the community’s professional families. Yasmina British Academy in Al Raha Gardens follows the British National Curriculum and is accessible in the same timeframe. For younger children, Odyssey Nursery operates in the adjacent Al Muneera sub-community and is accessible via Al Raha Boulevard.
Families at the premium schooling end of the market often choose Al Shohub School (approximately 15 minutes) and the wider Khalifa City and Al Raha Gardens school cluster, which includes GEMS American Academy and Al Yasmina Academy. The school run from Al Bandar to the Al Raha Gardens school precinct is straightforward via Al Raha Boulevard and typically runs 5–12 minutes depending on departure time.
Getting to and Around Al Bandar
By Bus
The Al Rahah Street / Al Bandar Street bus stop serves Al Bandar directly and is within a five-minute walk of the residential towers. Bus routes 170 and 175 connect this stop to Abu Dhabi’s central bus station network. The bus stop is one of the three confirmed service points for the Al Raha Beach corridor. Most Al Bandar residents supplement public transport with private vehicles for flexibility, particularly for commuting to Abu Dhabi city centre.
By Water Taxi
Abu Dhabi Maritime Water Taxi service connects Al Bandar directly to Yas Bay and Yas Marina on Yas Island — a particularly useful option during major Yas Island events when road traffic on the E10 increases. Standard one-way fares are approximately AED 10 per adult. The marina also supports private vessel access for residents with their own boats, making Al Bandar one of the very few Abu Dhabi residential addresses where the commute to Yas Island or the Eastern Mangroves can be made by water in under 20 minutes.
By Car
Al Bandar Street connects to the E10 highway (Al Salam Street / Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street) within approximately two minutes, placing the entire Abu Dhabi road network immediately accessible. Abu Dhabi International Airport is approximately 5–10 minutes via Airport Road — confirmed by multiple sources as one of the shortest airport drives of any residential community in the emirate. Yas Island is approximately 15 minutes. Abu Dhabi city centre is 15–25 minutes in light traffic, increasing to 40–60 minutes at peak hours due to Al Maqta Bridge. Dubai is approximately 50 minutes via E11.
Al Bandar vs Other Al Raha Beach Sub-Communities
Within Al Raha Beach, the choice between Al Bandar and other sub-communities is essentially a question of lifestyle priorities. Al Bandar delivers the strongest marine lifestyle proposition in the district: the marina, the licensed dining, and the most active promenade scene make it the natural choice for professionals who want Abu Dhabi waterfront living with a social atmosphere and boat access. Al Zeina and Al Muneera offer private beach access that Al Bandar does not have as a standard community amenity — residents wanting a direct private beach would typically choose those sub-communities. Al Seef and Al Hadeel offer lower price points for residents who want to be in the Al Raha Beach corridor without the Al Bandar premium. Al Dana occupies the transitional zone between Al Bandar’s marina energy and the quieter eastern communities.
The Aldar HQ Proximity
The Aldar HQ building — the Middle East’s first circular skyscraper, known as The Coin — sits directly on the Al Raha Beach waterfront between Al Muneera and Al Bandar. For Al Bandar residents, it is the most prominent visual landmark of daily life: visible from the marina, from the promenade, and from the upper floors of the Al Naseem towers. Its presence also means that a significant professional population — Aldar Properties staff and the multinational tenants occupying its 48,247 sqm of office space — live and work within the same community corridor, contributing to the professional and corporate character that defines Al Bandar’s tenant demographic.
Investment in Al Bandar
Al Bandar has maintained its position as the most actively transacted sub-community within Al Raha Beach over more than a decade of operation. The scarcity of comparable new-build supply — no new marina-front freehold residential development of comparable scale has been delivered in the Al Raha Beach corridor since Al Bandar’s completion in 2010 — means that the existing stock carries a structural supply constraint that supports values. The average return on investment for properties in the Al Raha Beach corridor sits at approximately 6.72%, with Al Bandar units in Al Naseem and Al Barza typically at the higher end of the yield range given strong rental demand from corporate and airline professionals.*
The freehold ownership structure, the UAE Golden Visa eligibility at the AED 2,000,000 threshold, and the consistent demand from an international professional tenant base make Al Bandar one of the more straightforward investment propositions in Abu Dhabi’s waterfront market. Capital appreciation potential is supported by the district’s ongoing development pipeline and the continuing maturation of Al Raha Beach’s community infrastructure — factors that tend to raise the desirability ceiling of established stock over time. For specific yield projections and current availability by unit type and floor level, contact Address Point Properties.*
Al Bandar in the Broader Al Raha Beach Context
Al Bandar sits at the geographic centre of the Al Raha Beach development — east of the quieter western communities (Al Hadeel, Al Seef, Al Dana) and east of the private-beach communities (Al Muneera, Al Zeina). Its position on the Al Raha Boulevard corridor means all of Al Raha Beach’s amenities are accessible by road or by the promenade cycling and walking network in under 15 minutes from any point in the community.
The presence of the Aldar HQ building directly adjacent to Al Bandar — the corporate headquarters of the master developer — reinforces the sub-community’s identity as the commercial and aspirational heart of the district. The building’s global recognisability, its role as a daily navigation landmark, and the employment it concentrates in the immediate vicinity all contribute to the sustained demand for residential accommodation in the surrounding community. When the Al Raha Gardens sister community is included in the residential calculus, Al Bandar sits at the centre of one of Abu Dhabi’s largest single-developer community ecosystems — a position that, in mature residential markets, typically correlates with pricing resilience and consistent occupancy.*
Frequently Asked Questions — Al Bandar
What buildings are in Al Bandar?
Al Bandar comprises four residential buildings: Al Naseem Residences (towers A, B, and C — 366 apartments in total, from 1-bedroom to 4-bedroom duplexes), Al Barza (132 apartments, studios to 3-bedroom penthouses, characterised by its exposed brickwork exterior), Al Manara (12 full-floor 4-bedroom apartments and one 5-bedroom penthouse in a distinctive glass-cube tower), and Al Hadeel (apartments and townhouses on the western waterfront edge of the precinct, on the city-facing side of the peninsula). The complex was completed in December 2010 and developed entirely by Aldar Properties.
Is Al Bandar freehold?
Yes — all property in Al Bandar is freehold, available for purchase by all nationalities. Al Bandar is part of the Al Raha Beach freehold investment zone designated by Abu Dhabi law. Purchases of AED 2,000,000 or above qualify for the UAE 10-year Golden Visa. The freehold designation, combined with Al Bandar’s position as the most actively transacted sub-community in Al Raha Beach, makes it one of the more liquid waterfront investment markets in Abu Dhabi.
What are rental prices in Al Bandar?
Al Bandar averages approximately AED 153,000 per year across all rental listings. Studio apartments start from approximately AED 100,000–105,000 per year. One-bedroom units start from approximately AED 126,250 per year. Two-bedroom apartments range from approximately AED 140,000–175,000 per year. Three-bedroom penthouses command approximately AED 200,000–250,000 per year. All figures are indicative and subject to change. Contact Address Point Properties for current availability.*
Does Al Bandar have a private beach?
Al Bandar does not have a dedicated private beach in the way that Al Muneera and Al Zeina do. The community’s recreational waterfront is the marina and marina promenade rather than a sandy beach. The nearest sandy beach accessible to Al Bandar residents is the Al Raha Beach Hotel‘s beach — open to non-hotel guests for a fee. The Al Zeina and Al Muneera private beaches are accessible via Al Raha Boulevard within a 5–10 minute drive.
How far is Al Bandar from Abu Dhabi Airport?
Al Bandar is approximately 5–10 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport via the E10 / Airport Road. This is among the shortest airport drive times of any residential community in Abu Dhabi. Yas Island is approximately 15 minutes. Abu Dhabi city centre is 15–25 minutes in normal traffic, increasing to 40–60 minutes during peak hours on the Al Maqta Bridge approach. Dubai is approximately 50 minutes via E11.
What sports and leisure facilities are in Al Bandar?
The Clubhouse provides residents with a gymnasium, outdoor pool with jacuzzi, squash courts, dance studio, billiards room, children’s playroom, and juice bar. The Al Bandar Marina provides direct access to the Halla Walla Watersports Club (waterskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing) and to Abu Dhabi’s wider waterway network for sailing and boating. Cobra Fitness, known for martial arts and combat sports training, operates within the Al Bandar community. Cycling and jogging tracks connect along the canal to the wider Al Raha Beach promenade network linking Al Bandar to Al Muneera and Al Zeina.
Summary
Al Bandar is Aldar Properties’ flagship residential marina development within Al Raha Beach, completed December 2010 and built on a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides. It comprises 510 freehold apartments across four buildings: Al Naseem Residences (A, B, C — 366 units, 1BR–4BR duplexes with wrap-around glass balconies), Al Barza (132 units, studios–3BR, exposed brickwork), Al Manara (12 full-floor 4–5BR units), and Al Hadeel (waterfront apartments and townhouses). The 131-berth Al Bandar Marina (6.5m–24m berths, 220m visitor pontoon, 24/7) was the first marina completed in Al Raha Beach. Sale prices range AED 800,000–8,750,000*; rental average approximately AED 153,000 per year*. Airport is 5–10 minutes; Yas Island 15 minutes. HealthPlus Family Clinic Al Bandar provides in-community healthcare. The marina promenade houses Pacifico Tiki, Leopold’s of London, Ornina, and Spinneys. Schools accessible in 5–10 minutes: Raha International School (IB) and Yasmina British Academy.
Prices marked with an asterisk (*) are indicative only, sourced from market research, and subject to change without notice. All Al Bandar property is freehold. Address Point Properties makes no warranty as to the accuracy or currency of the pricing information on this page.