Three Aldar communities now sit along the same canal on the north side of Yas Island. They share the Yas Riva name, but each one suits a different buyer. One has the earliest expected handover, one offers apartments at a lower entry price, and one is the newest and largest villa community of the three.

Here is a simple guide to help you tell them apart and pick the right fit.

Looking at Yas Riva, Yas Riva Residences or Yas Riva Reserve? Chat with PSI on WhatsApp for the latest prices and available units.

Where Is Yas Riva on Yas Island?

Yas Riva and Yas Riva Residences sit side by side on the north coast of Yas Island. Yas Riva Reserve is just across the canal, facing Yas Riva, and comes with a new bridge that adds another way on and off the island.

From here, you are a short drive from Yas Mall, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Yas Marina Circuit. Main roads also connect you to Zayed International Airport, Saadiyat Island and Abu Dhabi city.

Yas Riva: Canal-Front Villas You Can Move Into First

Yas Riva was the first of the three, launched by Aldar in September 2024.

  • Homes: 151 villas with 4 to 6 bedrooms
  • Waterfront perk: canal-front villas come with their own private dock
  • Expected handover: Q3 2028

It sold out within 24 hours, with more than AED 1.4 billion in sales. That means you can no longer buy from Aldar directly. Your only option is resale, where an owner sells their unit before or after handover. Expect to pay more than the launch price, but you also get the earliest move-in date of the three.

Yas Riva Residences: The Most Affordable Way In

If you like the canal setting but don't need a villa, Yas Riva Residences is worth a look. Aldar launched it in November 2025, right next to Yas Riva.

  • Homes: 950 apartments in six mid-rise buildings
  • Unit types: studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms (about 506 to 2,013 sq ft)
  • Down payment: 5% at booking
  • Expected handover: Q4 2029

The amenities are built around four pavilions for sports, family time and waterfront activities, plus a café and a shared social kitchen. Property portals now show the launch units as sold out, so most buyers today will also go through resale.

Yas Riva Reserve: The Newest and Largest Villa Community

We have covered Yas Riva Reserve in full in Discover Yas Riva Reserve and The Private Side of Yas. Here is how it compares with its neighbours.

  • Size: 292 villas, almost double the number at Yas Riva
  • Waterfront homes: only 45 villas sit right on the water, with the option to add a pontoon for a private boat
  • Expected handover: Q3 2030

Sales opened on 26 September 2026. Call us today at PSI to check the latest figures before you plan your budget.

Is Demand on Yas Island Still Strong?

So far, yes. Aldar's recent Yas Island launches have sold quickly, including Waldorf Astoria Residences Yas in May 2025 and The Canopies at Yas Point, which brought in AED 1.5 billion in July 2026.

Yas Riva Reserve continued that trend. Together with Talay on Saadiyat Island, it passed AED 5 billion in sales, and 69% of buyers were expats or overseas investors.

What this means for you: new launches on Yas move fast, so have your documents and budget ready early. Keep in mind that strong past sales don't promise future price growth.

Which Yas Riva Community Should You Choose?

For Families Who Need a Villa

Choose Yas Riva if you want to move in sooner and don't mind paying a resale price. Choose Yas Riva Reserve if you want more villas to pick from and more time to pay before handover.

For First-Time Buyers and Investors

Yas Riva Residences gives you the Yas Riva address at a much lower entry price. Smaller units close to Yas Island's attractions also tend to attract tenants.

For Boat Owners

Focus on Yas Riva's canal-front villas with private docks, or the 45 waterfront villas at Yas Riva Reserve. These are limited, so they are usually the first to go.

Buying a Resale Unit: What to Check

Since Yas Riva and Yas Riva Residences are sold out at launch, many buyers will be looking at resale units. Before you sign, ask about:

  • How much the seller has already paid to Aldar
  • How much is still left to pay, and when
  • Aldar's transfer approval and fees
  • How much extra you are paying above the original price
  • The exact unit location, since canal-front and inland homes differ a lot in value

Yas Island is one of Abu Dhabi's investment zones, so foreign buyers can own property here on a freehold basis. You can also check your monthly payments with our mortgage calculator.

Find Your Home on the Yas Riva Canal with PSI

Whether you want a villa with a private dock, your first apartment on Yas Island or a brand-new villa at Yas Riva Reserve, our team can show you what is available now and guide you through each step.

Call us on 600 548 200 or +971 2 205 2888, or message us on WhatsApp to see current listings and book a consultation.