Al Marjan Island is a genuinely remarkable feat of land reclamation: four coral-shaped fronds — Breeze, Treasure, Dream and View — built from roughly 3.5 million cubic metres of rock starting in 2004, adding up to 2.7 square kilometres of new land, 7.8 kilometres of beach and 23 kilometres of waterfront. It opened to the public in 2013, but the project that’s put it on the global map is still under construction: Wynn Al Marjan Island, a $5.1 billion resort that will be the UAE’s first and only licensed casino, targeting a 2027 opening after its 283-metre, 70-floor tower topped out in December 2025.
About an hour from Dubai by car, it remains the RAK beach break of the moment right now, as part of our main Ras Al Khaimah guide.
Updated: July 2026 — by Monica Bonalto
Getting your bearings on Al Marjan Island
The island’s four fronds reach into the Gulf off a single spine road, lined with beach resorts, restaurants and the new integrated resort taking shape.
Wynn Al Marjan, coming 2027
Wynn Al Marjan Island briefly paused construction in March 2026 amid regional tensions but has since resumed, with several areas now structurally complete and the signature spire due to finish later this year; the company itself is flagging a possible modest delay past its original spring 2027 target. In late June 2026 it announced Punchdrunk, the UK’s award-winning immersive theatre company, as an entertainment partner — a strong signal of how the resort intends to differentiate itself once open. Treat any exact opening date as provisional and check current status before booking around it. A dedicated 548-metre Wynn Bridge is due to open in late 2026, linking the resort directly to the E311 and E611 highways, and the project has continued moving forward despite regional shipping disruptions slowing some deliveries. In July 2026, Wynn also appointed PHD MENA as its media agency of record ahead of launch, and resort president Max Tappeiner has separately flagged India as a critically important source market, citing its proximity and the profile of today’s Indian traveller.
Where to eat and stay on Al Marjan Island
The island is already lined with beach resorts and their restaurants: Rixos Bab Al Bahr runs as a five-star, ultra all-inclusive property, while DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island alone counts 14 restaurants, two cafes and two bars across its grounds. The island also already draws a party crowd to the Ushuaïa-style Unexpected hotel. Beach clubs and hotel restaurants dominate the food scene for now, with the island’s dining lineup expected to expand fast once Wynn opens, and JW Marriott and Nobu Hotel both due to add further rooms and restaurants through late 2026 and into 2027.
Beach and things to do on Al Marjan Island
Soft sand, genuinely calm water and a full range of watersports run the entire length of the island; see the UAE’s best beaches for more coastline nearby. Once its spire is installed, Wynn’s tower will reach a full 352 metres, making it the tallest structure in Ras Al Khaimah by well over 100 metres, and its casino floor alone is planned at roughly 18,500 square metres, among the largest anywhere in the world.
An hour from Dubai, best for beach season
About an hour from Dubai by car, sitting near the RAK–Umm Al Quwain coast. The cooler months from October to April are ideal for the beaches and watersports.
What’s happening on Al Marjan Island
Barely an hour’s drive from Dubai, Al Marjan Island is genuinely the beating heart of RAK’s tourism boom, with resorts, beach clubs and nightlife opening at a pace few other UAE destinations can match right now — see how it fits the emirate in our Ras Al Khaimah guide.
Top things to do on Al Marjan Island
- The beach resorts, already open — Rixos Bab Al Bahr runs as a five-star, ultra all-inclusive property, one of several resorts already lining the island with their own restaurants and beach clubs.
- Watch Wynn Al Marjan Island rise (not open yet) — a $5.1 billion resort that will be the UAE’s first and only licensed casino, targeting a 2027 opening; its 283-metre, 70-floor tower topped out in December 2025, but it isn’t open to visit yet.
Al Marjan Island, quick questions
When does Wynn Al Marjan Island open? A 2027 opening is still the current official target, though Wynn has openly flagged a modest delay tied to regional disruption — treat any exact date as provisional until closer to launch.
Will Al Marjan Island have a casino? Yes — Wynn Al Marjan Island will be the UAE’s first and only licensed casino resort, part of a $5.1 billion integrated development.
Is Al Marjan Island good for a beach holiday now, before Wynn opens? Yes — the island already has multiple resorts, beach clubs and a full 7.8 kilometres of beach open and fully operating, so there’s no need to wait for the casino to visit.
How far is Al Marjan Island from Dubai? About an hour by car from central Dubai, making it a genuinely realistic day trip or weekend base on the RAK coast.
Explore more of Ras Al Khaimah
Head back to the main Ras Al Khaimah guide to explore more of the emirate.
Is the Wynn casino resort open on Al Marjan Island?
Not yet — Wynn Al Marjan Island is targeting a 2027 opening. The tower topped out in December 2025, but the resort, including the UAE’s first licensed casino, isn’t operational yet; the island’s beach resorts and restaurants are open in the meantime.