CALA DEL MAR: Prices in a Boutique Beachfront Project on Al Marjan Island

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Hello everyone. On Al Marjan Island, just a 13 storey, a boutique beachfront scheme with a limited number of apartments. Today, CALA DEL MAR by Ellington is what we are looking at today!

For prices, taxes and the whole buying process, see our guide: Dubai Property Guide

Apartment types, current price range and location: see the project page

Ellington Properties’s second scheme on Al Marjan Island. While Costa Mare has four towers and more than 900 residences, Cala Del Mar carries exactly the opposite positioning: roughly 13 storeys, a boutique scale, a limited number of apartments. A sea themed design, generous balconies, premium interiors. Private beach access, an infinity pool and a clubhouse. Yes, you read that correctly: a scheme on the beach that does not get crowded.

Prices

• Residences: AED 2,295,000and up
• Studio, one, two, three and four bedroom options
• Size: 37 m²and up
• Approximately A 13 storey boutique scheme, a limited number of apartments
• Location: Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah

Important note: This scheme too is not in Dubai but in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. The tax advantages apply exactly as they do (no property tax, no capital gains tax and no tax on rental income) and because the Golden Visa threshold is federal, property here counts as well. Title transactions run through the Ras Al Khaimah land department rather than the Dubai Land Department.

Why Cala Del Mar?

A boutique scale: a rare advantage in beachfront schemes

Most schemes on Al Marjan Island are large in scale with hundreds of residences. Cala Del Mar is 13 storeys and consists of a limited number of apartments. That gives two concrete benefits: the private beach and the pool are shared among fewer people, and at handover hundreds of apartments do not reach the rental market at once and compete with one another.

• Private beach access: The scheme’s own stretch of shoreline
• Ras Al Khaimah International Airport close by
• Dubai about 45 to 60 minutes by car
• Hotel, restaurant and entertainment investment continues on the island
• The Hajar Mountains and the nature routes of Ras Al Khaimah close by

AED 2,295,000: the entry price to the coast in the Emirates

This level is genuinely low for a residence right on the sea. In the coastal districts of Dubai (Palm Jumeirah, JBR) apartments with the same qualities are in far higher bands. The price advantage of Ras Al Khaimah is clearly visible here.

Daily life: boutique living on the coast

A morning walk on your own beach, then breakfast by the infinity pool. The afternoon in the clubhouse or the fitness studio. In the evening on the balcony facing the sea; the restaurants on the island are a few minutes away. At the weekend the mountain routes of Ras Al Khaimah, or Dubai an hour away by car. Not a crowded resort but designed for anyone looking for a quiet life on the coast.

Cala Del Mar rental yield

Rental income on Al Marjan Island works under two models. On long lets the gross yield is typically 6.5% to 7.5% band; because the entry price is lower it sits a notch above Costa Mare. On short holiday lets can go higher depending on the occupancy rate.

The boutique scale is an advantage here too: when the large schemes on the island are handed over, hundreds of apartments will enter the holiday letting market at the same time. In a scheme with a limited number of apartments that pressure is lower. Even so, remember that the short term model carries management costs, cleaning and seasonality risk; do not decide without comparing the two models.

The shared areas and the details that set Cala Del Mar apart

• Private beach access: The scheme’s own stretch of beach, shared with a limited number of residents.
• Infinity pool: Denize bakan sonsuzluk havuzu.
• Clubhouse: A social centre for residents only.
• Fitness studio: A fully equipped sports area with no membership needed.
• Generous balconies: A design that makes the sea view part of daily life.
• Sea themed interior design: Ellington’s design led approach.
• Boutique scale: 13 storeys; the shared areas do not get crowded.
• From studios to four bedrooms: A wide range, from investor to family.

Who is buying?

This project of those looking for a holiday home and of short term letting investors choice. The AED 2,295,000 level is an accessible entry point for a property right on the sea in the Emirates. It is also a realistic alternative for buyers who find Dubai prices high but want to own property in the Emirates. The boutique scale is decisive for anyone who does not want to live in a crowded resort scheme.

Frequently asked questions

Cala Del Mar or Costa Mare? Both are on Al Marjan Island and belong to the same developer. Costa Mare has four towers, more than 900 residences and villa and penthouse options too. Cala Del Mar is 13 storeys and boutique. Costa Mare suits anyone who wants more amenities and more choice, Cala Del Mar anyone who wants quiet and a more affordable entry price.

Can the Golden Visa be obtained here too? Yes. The AED 2 million threshold federal a rule that applies across the whole of the Emirates. The entry price of AED 2,295,000 is not enough on its own, but more than one property can be combined.

Can I hold full title as a foreign national? Al Marjan Island is a freehold area; foreign nationals can hold full title.

Is reliance on tourism investment a risk? Yes, it should be said honestly. The value of the area depends on the planned hotel and entertainment investment being realised. If it happens it is a strong story; if it is delayed, capital growth will be slower than you expect. Sensible for an investor with a long view.

Total cost: what you actually pay when you buy at CALA DEL MAR

This is where the biggest advantage of the United Arab Emirates shows: no property tax, no capital gains tax, no tax on rental income. While an investor in the United Kingdom deals with stamp duty, income tax and capital gains tax on sale, in the Emirates none of these exists for an individual investor. In return there is a one off transfer cost. Let us calculate on an apartment worth AED 2,295,000:

Government fees come to roughly 4.5% of the price; add the agency commission and the total acquisition cost lands in the 6-7% band. With a mortgage there is also a mortgage registration fee of 0.25% of the loan plus bank charges. On resales the developer’s no objection certificate (NOC) can cost between AED 500 and AED 5,000.

The only recurring item after that is the service charge: In the Emirates this charge is calculated per square foot per year and is supervised by the Ras Al Khaimah Municipality Land Department. It varies a great deal with the quality of the building and its amenities, and because it feeds straight into the net yield you should always ask for the current figure before buying. We obtain it for every apartment on your behalf.

Golden Visa: ten year residency through property

This is the biggest difference between investing in the Emirates and investing in the United Kingdom. Buying property in the UK gives you no right of residence; in the United Arab Emirates, AED 2 million owning residential property worth a ten year Golden Visa. The visa covers your spouse and children as well.

This project meets the threshold. A home at the AED 2,295,000 level is of sufficient value for a Golden Visa application on its own.

The rules were relaxed in 2026, and this matters:

• Mortgaged property is accepted as well. A "paid up amount" or a "50% equity" condition used to apply; now the total value reaching AED 2 million is enough.
• Off plan property counts too (provided it was bought from an approved developer). So you can spread the payments across the build and still reach the threshold.
• The value of more than one property can be added together. You do not have to buy a single expensive apartment.

Visa rules are updated from time to time, so we confirm the current conditions with you before an application. If residency is part of your plan, it belongs at the start of the purchase decision, not at the end.

The CALA DEL MAR buying process, step by step

If you are buying from another country, the process runs like this:

• 1. Choosing the apartment and reserving it. We settle the floor plan, the tower and the aspect. The reservation form is signed and a down payment of usually 5-10% of the price is made.
• 2. Sale and purchase agreement (SPA). The contract with the developer is signed and the payment plan is fixed. The signature can be given remotely.
• 3. Oqood registration. An off plan purchase is registered with the DLD and the 4% DLD fee is paid at this stage. That registration is the official proof that the property is recorded in your name.
• 4. Escrow account. Your payments do not go into the developer’s pocket but into a RERA supervised escrow account, released as construction progresses. This is the single most important protection for an off plan purchase in Dubai.
• 5. Payment plan. Instalments tied to construction milestones, with the balance on handover.
• 6. Handover and title deed. Once the building is handed over the title deed is issued in your name.

You can run the whole process from your own country; you do not have to travel to Dubai. There is no restriction on foreign nationals owning property in freehold areas.

Risks and what to watch for

We have set out the strengths; in fairness there are points to watch as well. For CALA DEL MAR, these are the ones worth pausing on:

• Not Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah: A different emirate and a different market dynamic; do not expect Dubai’s liquidity.
• Reliance on tourism investment: The value of the area depends on the planned hotel and entertainment investment; if it is delayed, capital growth slows.
• Boutique scale, limited amenities: There are not as many social facilities and options as at Costa Mare.
• Short lets bring a workload: Holiday letting raises the gross return, but management, cleaning and seasonality risk are reflected in the net.

None of this makes the project a bad one, but there is a wide gap between buying with your eyes open and finding out afterwards. We give every client this list up front.

How does CALA DEL MAR compare with the alternatives?

Before you decide, it is worth looking at the other projects in the same budget band:

• Costa Mare: The same developer’s four tower scheme on the same island, with more generous amenities.
• SKYHALL by Binghatti: For anyone wanting a city centre address and a more liquid market in Dubai.
• Hoola Royal Docks: For anyone who wants to compare with a similar entry band in London.

We can work out together which project fits your goal, judged on budget, intended use and exit plan. For an overview, our guide to UK property investment for international buyers is worth reading too.

Answers to the most common questions on this topic: Can You Buy Property in Dubai in Instalments? How Payment Plans Work