Ras Al Khaimah is known for its outstanding natural beauty, adventure tourism and authentic cultural heritage. However, from 2027, the northernmost emirate in the United Arab Emirates will also be known for Wynn Al Marjan Island — a landmark integrated resort destination set to open in spring that year. The resort will feature its own dedicated marina, developed in partnership with Marina Solutions International and operated by IGY Marinas.
Each of the seven emirates in the UAE has its own purpose. Abu Dhabi, for example, is the political capital whose sprawling deserts make up over 80 percent of the country’s territory. Meanwhile, Dubai is known for its international business, extravagant nightlife and contemporary architecture. Sharjah, on the other hand, is known as the country’s cultural capital.
In contrast, Ras Al Khaimah boasts an eclectic range of mountains, beaches, mangrove forests and deserts, making it a regional hub for adventure tourism. However, despite boasting some 64km of pristine coastline, what was missing was a world-class, fully integrated resort and marina complex to welcome clientele who arrive in the emirate to enjoy both its natural beauty and man-made attractions.
Hence the construction of the first resort and marina complex of its kind in the UAE: Wynn Al Marjan Island. Scheduled to open in early 2027, this $5.1 billion USD development is described as “an opulent and entertaining beachside destination for discerning guests to play and relax”, with a 70-storey hotel tower, restaurants, amenities, nightlife and a marina designed by Marina Solutions International (MSI) and operated by IGY Marinas.
The latest superyacht destination in the UAE
“The new Wynn Al Marjan Island marina in Ras Al Khaimah needed to provide something special, something that’s missing and uniquely different from the ubiquitous local and regional marina mix,” according to James Beaver, director of MSI. “It should draw from the benefits of the existing yachting infrastructure and build a product that complements the unique profile of the upscale landside development.”
Having worked closely with Wynn Resorts and its associates since the beginning of the project in 2022, MSI first conducted a feasibility study, concept design, market insights and a financial assessment, which highlighted the gap in the local luxury marina market and the unique opportunities that a new development would present boat owners, superyacht owners and charterers alike. To that end, the Wynn Al Marjan Island marina is designed to add another string to Ras Al Khaimah’s already burgeoning bow of touristic offerings, making the emirate the latest superyacht destination in the UAE and one of many others currently under construction across the wider region.
Radial berthing
After the initial phase, MSI undertook all the detailed design work with assistance from Jacobs on the structural engineering aspects. The renders of the resort and marina show an unusual, circular marina design built around a central island. Beaver explains the reason: “The marina was designed within the confines of an existing circular basin on Al Marjan Island. As much of the basin circumference is formed of protective breakwater structures, it largely prohibited any traditional run of pontoons around the circumference of the basin which one would normally tend to find in a circular basin configuration.”
The MSI design team therefore decided to create a central island feature as an iconic structure within the basin, and set the berthing layout around that feature, with superyacht docks providing the main focus. This did, however, present a problem.
“Radial berthing in such a configuration creates large areas of fallow water space,” said Beaver. “Therefore, we decided to capitalise on water usage by having the 85m berths interspersed with platforms radiating out from the central island, with each of these platform features accommodating two 50m berths.”
This marina design working within the confines of pre-existing infrastructure both solved the problem of under-utilised empty space and allowed for a wide mix of superyacht berths. “The result is a full-service superyacht marina destination at the heart of Wynn Al Marjan Island, designed to cater to valuable clientele and contribute to the growth of yacht tourism in the UAE,” said Beaver.
Introducing IGY as the marina operator
Once designed and built, this new world-class marina of course needs a world-class marina operator. Aside from the marina’s initial feasibility studies and design, MSI was also commissioned to lead the selection process for a marina management company. Being deemed to have “all the right credentials, operational experience and gravitas required”, according to Beaver, IGY Marinas came out on top.
“IGY is proud to be the exclusive marina operator for Wynn Al Marjan Island,” said Steven English, CEO of IGY Marinas. After opening in the spring of 2027, their role will be to advise on, market and manage the deep-water marina, accommodating yachts up to 85 metres in 111 berths in the marina basin and up to 150 metres in the offshore mooring field. It will be IGY Marinas’ second destination in the Middle East after Sindalah Marina in Saudi Arabia.
He adds that IGY Marinas’ collaboration with MSI has been “highly synergistic”, with MSI bringing “exceptional expertise in marina construction and engineering”, while IGY contributes deep operational knowledge, global service standards and an understanding of what yacht owners and captains expect.
Sustainability
“We’re also focused on protecting the local marine environment by using non-toxic materials, ensuring responsible water management. Long-term, we will adhere to globally recognised sustainability certifications to ensure the marina remains a benchmark for environmental stewardship in the region,” said English.
Pending final approval for design and materials, KodeK decking made from strand-woven bamboo will be used for the central island and gangways in the marina, and pontoons will be constructed using RFP walers instead of traditional timber, significantly extending their lifespan and reducing environmental strain.
The marina floating dock will use Septech/Bellingham’s fibre reinforced polymer waler system, offering an extended design life fully resistant to rot, corrosion and marine degradation. Ashruf Kamel, chief strategy officer at Septech Construction LLC, said that this eliminates “the need for chemical treatments or preservatives that could leach into the coastal environment”.
Rolec will supply the power pedestals to Wynn Al Marjan Island. According to Rolec’s commercial director Holly Brown, their new HEX service pedestals “also incorporate dimmable lighting technology - an energy-saving solution designed to reduce consumption without compromising performance”.
“For every percentage of brightness you reduce, you use less electricity, and the savings become more significant the more you dim. For example, dimming an LED to 50 percent can cut energy use by about 40 percent,” Brown added. On top of this, Rolec’s new redesigned product packaging now uses 100 percent recycled materials and 70 percent of their manufacturing waste is recycled.
“A distinctly Emirati sense of place”
Indeed, yachting and its associated infrastructure have entered an exciting growth phase across the Middle East, with landmark projects either under construction or having been completed in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE. “This trend is being driven by strong tourism investment, visionary masterplans and an expanding base of regional yacht owners,” says English, adding that they are seeing increased demand among larger vessels, as well as a growing appetite for luxury waterfront experiences that match global standards.
Visiting captains, crews and guests rarely look only at the marina itself when choosing and evaluating a destination. Instead, one views the marina and adjoining waterfront as one integrated whole, meaning that attention must also be paid to terra firma when conceptualising and developing a project. “Guests arriving by sea will be able to transition effortlessly into the resort’s world-class amenities — fine dining, entertainment, wellness, retail and even gaming — while enjoying the exclusivity and convenience of a private berth,” English told Marina World. Another major unique selling point for the development was that Wynn Resorts was granted the UAE’s first commercial gaming operator license.
“The challenge, as always,” says English, “is ensuring infrastructure, services and regulations keep pace with market expectations.” Nevertheless, he stresses that the Wynn Al Marjan Island marina will be integrated into IGY’s network of destinations to ensure continuity of service, luxury and a “distinctively Emirati sense of place”.
This article was also published in issue 152 of Marina World magazine. Click here to read the online version.
