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Al Reem Island

Al Reem Island is a natural island in Abu Dhabi, about 600 metres off the emirate's northeastern coast and linked to the mainland by several bridges over the Khor Al Maqta channel. Development began in the 2000s and is led mainly by Aldar Properties, following its 2013 merger with Sorouh Real Estate, and the island now combines high-rise residential towers, offices and waterfront promenades across sub-districts including Shams Abu Dhabi, Najmat Abu Dhabi and Marina Square.

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Strengths

  • Waterfront island setting only about 600m from the mainland, connected by several bridges, close to central Abu Dhabi.
  • Reem Hospital on the island since 2020, plus schools including Repton British International School and the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi campus.
  • Two new marine bridges, opened in March 2026, link the island directly to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Highway (E-12), cutting peak-hour travel times by up to 15 minutes.
  • Mix of established sub-districts, Shams Abu Dhabi, Najmat Abu Dhabi, Marina Square, with towers, retail and waterfront promenades.

Limitations

  • No metro station; Abu Dhabi has no metro system at all, so residents rely on cars or buses for trips off the island.
  • Traffic onto the mainland used to bottleneck at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street and Mina Road before the March 2026 bridges opened, and some routes can still be busy at peak hours.
  • As a still-developing island, some plots and towers remain under construction alongside completed sub-districts.

Lifestyle

Life on Al Reem Island centres on its waterfront promenades and high-rise towers rather than a single low-rise core: residents walk along the Corniche-style walkways in Shams Abu Dhabi and Najmat Abu Dhabi, shop at Reem Mall and neighbourhood retail strips, and use Reem Central Park as open green space. The island houses Repton British International School and the international campus of Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and Reem Hospital opened on the island in 2020.

Transport

Al Reem Island has no metro station, and Abu Dhabi has no metro system of its own, so residents rely on cars or buses for trips off the island. The island connects to the mainland over several bridges across the Khor Al Maqta channel; in March 2026 the Department of Municipalities and Transport opened two new marine bridges (an AED 450 million project spanning about 1.5km) linking Al Reem Island directly to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Highway (E-12), designed to cut peak-hour travel times by up to 15 minutes and ease congestion on Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street and Mina Road.

Schools

Al Reem Island is home to Repton British International School (British curriculum) and the international campus of Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, alongside nurseries within the Shams Abu Dhabi and Najmat Abu Dhabi sub-districts.

Healthcare

Reem Hospital, operated by the VAMED Group, opened on the island in 2020 opposite the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi campus, alongside multiple clinics and pharmacies across the residential sub-districts.

Area guides

Al Reem Island: What the Area Actually Is

Developers building here

Aldar Properties

Frequently asked

Where is Al Reem Island located?
It is a natural island about 600 metres off Abu Dhabi's northeastern coast, connected to the mainland by several bridges over the Khor Al Maqta channel.
Is there a metro station on Al Reem Island?
No. Abu Dhabi has no metro system, so residents rely on cars or buses.
Who developed Al Reem Island?
Development is led mainly by Aldar Properties, following its 2013 merger with Sorouh Real Estate, which built the Shams Abu Dhabi sub-district.
What new road link opened in 2026?
In March 2026 the Department of Municipalities and Transport opened two marine bridges connecting Al Reem Island directly to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Highway (E-12).
Are there hospitals and schools on the island?
Yes, Reem Hospital (opened 2020) and Repton British International School are both on Al Reem Island.