| Yas Riva Reserve at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Aldar |
| Location | The private, northeast side of Yas Island, Abu Dhabi |
| Homes | 292 villas: 247 inland villas and 45 waterfront villas |
| Prices | 4-bed from AED 7.9M, 5-bed from AED 9.3M, 6-bed from AED 10.5M |
| Payment plan | 50/50: 50% during construction, 50% on handover |
| Handover | Q3 2030 |
| Launch incentives | 2% ADM fee waiver and a 5-year service charge waiver |
| Ownership | Freehold for all nationalities |
What is Yas Riva Reserve?
Yas Riva Reserve is Aldar's latest premium villa community on the private side of Yas Island, designed around the idea of "life along the water." It brings together generous villa plots, contemporary architecture, landscaped surroundings and a family-focused lifestyle, with a limited collection of waterfront homes.
The gated community sits on the northeast waterfront, opposite Aldar's original Yas Riva, and connects to the rest of Yas Island through a new bridge. Residents get the privacy of a quiet waterfront address with Yas Island's attractions minutes away.
Yas Riva Reserve villas and prices
The community has 292 villas in total: 247 inland villas and 45 waterfront villas.
| Villa | Built-up area | Plot | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 bedrooms | About 437 sqm (4,704 sqft) | About 711 sqm (7,653 sqft) | AED 7.9M |
| 5 bedrooms | About 482 sqm (5,188 sqft) | About 828 sqm (8,913 sqft) | AED 9.3M |
| 6 bedrooms | About 538 sqm (5,791 sqft) | About 936 sqm (10,075 sqft) | AED 10.5M |
| 5 and 6-bedroom waterfront | Limited collection of 45 homes | Releasing soon |
Approximate sizes and launch prices. Availability changes quickly, so ask for the current price list.
The plots are generous for Yas Island, with every inland villa sitting on well over 700 sqm of land.
The waterfront villas
The 45 waterfront villas are the rarest homes in the community: 5 and 6-bedroom villas with direct access to the water, with an option to add a private pontoon for mooring a boat. They're releasing soon, and they're likely to sell first. Register your interest to hear as soon as they're available.
Yas Riva Reserve payment plan
Yas Riva Reserve is offered on a 50/50 payment plan: half the price during construction in scheduled instalments, and half on handover.
| Instalment | Due |
|---|---|
| 5% | On booking |
| 5% | March 2027 |
| 5% | August 2027 |
| 5% | January 2028 |
| 5% | June 2028 |
| 5% | November 2028 |
| 10% | April 2029 |
| 10% | September 2029 |
| 50% | On handover (Q3 2030) |
On a 4-bedroom villa at AED 7.9M, that's AED 395,000 on booking and AED 3.95M in total before handover, with the remaining AED 3.95M due at handover. Many buyers fund the handover payment with a mortgage.
Launch incentives and service charges
- 2% ADM fee waiver. Aldar is covering Abu Dhabi's 2% registration fee, a saving of about AED 158,000 on a AED 7.9M villa.
- 5-year service charge waiver. Service charges are set at AED 6.21 per sq ft in year one (2030) and AED 6.33 per sq ft in year two (2031). On a 4-bedroom villa of about 4,704 sq ft, that's roughly AED 29,000 a year, which you won't pay for the first five years.
Launch incentives are time-limited and subject to Aldar's terms, so confirm them when you book.
Masterplan and amenities
The masterplan is built around three lifestyle pillars: MOVE, PLAY and community connection, with interconnected linear parks and pocket gardens throughout.
MOVE: fitness and sport
- Jogging track and a community-wide cycling track
- Indoor and outdoor fitness areas
- Padel courts
- Outdoor table tennis
PLAY: children and family
- Indoor and outdoor kids' play areas
- A kids' swimming pool and splash pads
- Sand playground and climbing play areas
- Neighbourhood, pocket and linear parks
- Water features and picnic lawns
Community connection
Shared green spaces and a new bridge link the community to the rest of Yas Island, and to Yas Mall, Ferrari World, Yas Marina and Yas Bay just beyond.
The Yas Riva family
Yas Riva is Aldar's canal-side district on Yas Island, and it now has three parts:
- Yas Riva (2024): the original collection of 151 canal-front and canal-accessible 4, 5 and 6-bedroom villas, now under construction.
- Yas Riva Residences (2025): a resort-inspired apartment development built around pavilion amenities, including waterside spa areas, family pools, a boating and water sports hub, and canal-side cafés.
- Yas Riva Reserve (2026): the newest launch, a gated community of 292 villas opposite the original Yas Riva.
Why Yas Island
Yas Island is Abu Dhabi's leisure and entertainment hub, home to Yas Mall, Yas Marina Circuit, Ferrari World, Yas Bay Waterfront and Yas Marina. It's popular with families and professionals, and sits between Abu Dhabi city and Dubai.
Is Yas Riva Reserve a good investment?
Strong recent demand. Aldar's Yas Island launches have sold quickly. Gulf News reported that Orchids townhouses at Yas Acres sold out for over AED 680 million in June, and The Canopies at Yas Point generated AED 1.5 billion at launch in July.
Large plots. Plots from about 711 sqm give you more land than most new villa communities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai at this price.
Low early costs. With the 2% fee and five years of service charges waived, and only 50% due before handover, the upfront and holding costs are lower than usual.
Golden Visa. Every villa here exceeds the AED 2 million threshold for the 10-year UAE Golden Visa. See the Golden Visa guide.
Location and connectivity
Yas Riva Reserve is on the northeast side of Yas Island, linked by a new bridge that adds another entry point onto the island. The wider Yas Riva area is reported to be around 30 minutes from Zayed International Airport and 50 minutes from Dubai. See the exact location on Google Maps.
Who is Yas Riva Reserve for?
- Families who want a large villa and plot, with parks, play areas and pools on their doorstep.
- Boat owners and water lovers, especially for the 45 waterfront villas with a pontoon option.
- Investors looking for Aldar's track record on a proven, high-demand island.
- Dubai-based buyers who want to stay within easy reach of Dubai.
Yas Riva villas: waterfront or inland?
Waterfront villas carry a premium, but they're the scarcest homes in the community and usually the easiest to resell. Inland villas offer a lower entry price, larger choice and the same community amenities.
How it compares with other Abu Dhabi launches
| Project | Developer | Homes | Reported price from | Reported handover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talay, Marsa Al Saadiyat | Aldar | 351 standalone villas, 4 to 6 bed | AED 13.5M | 2029 to 2030 |
| Four Seasons, Saadiyat Beach | ALAIN | 56 villas and 60 suites | About AED 18M (suites) | 2029 |
| Yas Riva Reserve, Yas Island | Aldar | 292 villas, 4 to 6 bed | AED 7.9M | Q3 2030 |
| Wadeem Gardens, Hudayriyat Island | Modon | Villas in 3 gated clusters, 4 to 6 bed | AED 8.7M | Q2 2031 |
Reported launch figures. Prices and dates change, so confirm before you commit.
What to weigh
Handover is in Q3 2030, so this is a long-dated purchase, with 50% due on handover. Only 45 homes are on the waterway, and several villa communities are launching along the same corridor, including West Yas and Yas Acres, so choose your position carefully. Launch incentives can end without notice.
Buying off-plan in Abu Dhabi: registration fee and costs
Abu Dhabi's government registration fee is 2% of the price, half of Dubai's 4% Dubai Land Department fee. Off-plan sales are registered with the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) through the DARI platform, and your payments go into a regulated escrow account tied to construction. If you use a mortgage at handover, add a mortgage registration fee of 0.1% of the loan. At launch, Aldar is waiving this fee on Yas Riva Reserve, a saving of about AED 158,000 on a AED 7.9M villa. For the full process, documents and costs, read how to buy off-plan property in Abu Dhabi.
Looking for a real estate agent in Abu Dhabi? I can compare every current launch for you.
Compare other Abu Dhabi launches
- Talay at Marsa Al Saadiyat
- Wadeem Gardens on Hudayriyat Island
- Four Seasons Private Residences, Saadiyat Island
Prices, payment plans and handover dates are launch figures published by the developer or reported by the market, and can change. Contact me for current availability. This article is general information, not financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is Yas Riva Reserve?
Yas Riva Reserve is Aldar's gated villa community on the private, northeast side of Yas Island, with 292 villas: 247 inland villas and 45 waterfront villas, in 4, 5 and 6-bedroom layouts.
How much do Yas Riva Reserve villas cost?
Launch prices start from AED 7.9 million for 4 bedrooms, AED 9.3 million for 5 bedrooms and AED 10.5 million for 6 bedrooms. Waterfront villas are releasing soon.
What is the Yas Riva Reserve payment plan?
A 50/50 plan: 5% on booking, instalments totalling 45% between March 2027 and September 2029, and 50% on handover.
When is the Yas Riva Reserve handover?
Handover is scheduled for Q3 2030.
What are the Yas Riva Reserve service charges?
AED 6.21 per sq ft in year one (2030) and AED 6.33 per sq ft in year two (2031). At launch, Aldar is waiving service charges for the first five years.
Are there launch incentives at Yas Riva Reserve?
Yes. At launch, Aldar is offering a 2% ADM registration fee waiver and a 5-year service charge waiver, subject to its terms.
What are the plot sizes at Yas Riva Reserve?
About 711 sqm for 4 bedrooms, 828 sqm for 5 bedrooms and 936 sqm for 6 bedrooms, with built-up areas of about 437, 482 and 538 sqm.
What is the difference between Yas Riva and Yas Riva Reserve?
Yas Riva is Aldar's original 2024 collection of 151 canal-front and canal-accessible villas. Yas Riva Reserve is the 2026 launch of 292 villas opposite it, connected to the island by a new bridge.
RERA-licensed real estate consultant at Aeon & Trisl, specialising in off-plan and investment property, with AED 600M+ in closed deals and 100+ clients worldwide.