Bay Estate vs The Meriva Collection: two beachfront projects on Dubai Islands
Bay Estate by Nakheel and The Meriva Collection by Ellington both sit on Dubai Islands with beach access, but with different developers, typologies and published pricing. A fact based comparison, house against beachfront apartments and signature residences.
Two developers, two beachfront concepts
Bay Estate and The Meriva Collection are both beachfront projects on Dubai Islands, but they come from different developers with different products. Bay Estate, by Nakheel, is a low-rise community of townhouses, villas and land plots. The Meriva Collection, by Ellington, combines residential buildings, signature homes and a hotel directly on the shoreline. This guide compares what each publishes today, without ranking either developer.
The two projects at a glance
| Bay Estate | The Meriva Collection | |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Nakheel | Ellington |
| Typology | Townhouses, semi-detached villas, garden villas, land plots | 1 to 4 bedroom apartments and penthouses, selected 3 and 5 bedroom beachfront residences |
| Payment plan | Roughly 20/40/40 across eight instalments to an estimated January 2031 handover; land plots on a separate schedule | On request |
| Price | Average prices published, AED 5.9M to AED 10M average for houses, AED 18 to 20M average for land plots | On request |
| Amenities | Two swimmable lagoons, beach club, marina and promenade, two clubhouses, sports courts, mosque | Adult and children's pools, outdoor fitness stations, children's play areas, outdoor dining, mini golf, pet park |
| Handover | Estimated January 2031 | On request |
What Bay Estate publishes
Bay Estate's price list, shared with Orven on 27 September 2026, gives average prices across seven unit types, from a 3-bedroom townhouse at an average AED 5.9 million to a garden villa at an average AED 10 million, plus beachfront and beach land plots at an average AED 18 and 20 million. The payment schedule for villas and townhouses runs roughly 20/40/40 across eight instalments to an estimated January 2031 handover. Our Bay Estate project guide and payment plan guide set out the full detail, including the Cala waterfront district, closest to the beach among Bay Estate's three neighbourhoods.
What The Meriva Collection publishes
The Meriva Collection combines residential buildings with selected 3 and 5 bedroom beachfront residences directly on the shoreline, plus a hotel component. Ellington has not yet published a starting price or a payment plan for the project. Its amenity list includes adult and children's pools, outdoor fitness stations, children's play areas, outdoor dining and barbecue areas, a mini golf course and a pet park. Our Meriva Collection guide and Meriva Collection for beachfront buyers guide cover what has been confirmed so far.
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What each answers
- A buyer with a confirmed budget today has more to work with at Bay Estate, where seven average prices and a full payment schedule are already public.
- A buyer set on a house with a garden, or a plot to design and build a custom home, finds that only at Bay Estate; The Meriva Collection is an apartment and signature residence format.
- A buyer looking specifically for a residence directly on the sand, rather than within a lagoon and beach club community, should compare The Meriva Collection's selected beachfront residences once Ellington publishes pricing.
- A buyer comparing amenities finds Bay Estate built around a shared community, two lagoons and clubhouses, against The Meriva Collection's more intimate outdoor fitness, dining and pet-friendly spaces closer to the water.
Both projects sit on the same Dubai Islands masterplan, described by Nakheel as five islands covering around 17 square kilometres, with more than 20 kilometres of beaches, including one Blue Flag beach, connected by the Infinity Bridge.
Neither price nor plan should be assumed
Where a figure is not published, Orven does not estimate it. The Meriva Collection's price and payment plan are on request today; anything found elsewhere describing them should be checked against Ellington's own documents before you act on it. The same discipline applies to Bay Estate: its averages are a reference point per unit type, not a quote for a specific plot.
Talk to Orven before you compare further
Send your budget and whether a house or a beachfront apartment fits your plan on WhatsApp at +971 52 776 1939 or by email to sales@orvenproperties.com. Orven confirms current availability and pricing on both the Bay Estate project page and The Meriva Collection. Start from Find Your Home if you are still weighing the two.
FAQ
Does The Meriva Collection have published prices yet? No. Its starting price and payment plan are on request. Bay Estate publishes average prices for seven unit types, confirmed by Nakheel on 27 September 2026.
Which project is closer to the beach? Both describe beachfront positioning. Bay Estate's Cala district runs along the waterfront within its own community; The Meriva Collection places selected 3 and 5 bedroom residences directly on the shoreline. Neither publishes a measured distance to the sand beyond this description.
Can I buy a house at The Meriva Collection? No. The Meriva Collection is an apartment and signature residence format with a hotel component. Bay Estate is the house, villa and land plot option between the two.
Is one developer more established than the other on Dubai Islands? Nakheel is the master developer of Dubai Islands itself, as well as Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali. Ellington is one of several developers building within the Dubai Islands masterplan. Orven does not rank either as a better choice.
Do I need to visit Dubai to compare these two projects? No. Your Orven advisor sends floor plans, current availability and confirmed pricing remotely, and reservation and escrow payments are handled without a trip to Dubai.
ORVEN PROPERTIES
Talk to an Orven adviser
Leave your number: an adviser calls you back or replies on WhatsApp, in your language. No commitment.
Frequently asked questions
Does The Meriva Collection have published prices yet?
No. Its starting price and payment plan are on request. Bay Estate publishes average prices for seven unit types, confirmed by Nakheel on 27 September 2026.
Which project is closer to the beach?
Both describe beachfront positioning. Bay Estate's Cala district runs along the waterfront within its own community; The Meriva Collection places selected 3 and 5 bedroom residences directly on the shoreline. Neither publishes a measured distance to the sand beyond this description.
Can I buy a house at The Meriva Collection?
No. The Meriva Collection is an apartment and signature residence format with a hotel component. Bay Estate is the house, villa and land plot option between the two.
Is one developer more established than the other on Dubai Islands?
Nakheel is the master developer of Dubai Islands itself, as well as Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali. Ellington is one of several developers building within the Dubai Islands masterplan. Orven does not rank either as a better choice.
Do I need to visit Dubai to compare these two projects?
No. Your Orven advisor sends floor plans, current availability and confirmed pricing remotely, and reservation and escrow payments are handled without a trip to Dubai.
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