500 meters of the east coast of Abu Dhabi City lies Abu Dhabis most prestigious development - Saadiyat Island. Saadiyat Island is expected to become Abu Dhabis cultural center. Saadiyat will be home to Abu Dhabis Louvre and Guggenheim Museums as well as a museum dedicated to the founding father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Saadiyat Island is being developed by the Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), at a cost of AED 100 billion ($ 27 billion). It is expected to be completed in 2018.

In addition to Saadiyat, Al Reem Island will be one of the largest and most impressive tourist developments in the world. It is currently being developed by Sorouh, Reem Investments and Tamouh. The island will house hotels, restaurants, gardens, museums and an amusement park. It will cost over AED 110 billion to develop. In total, at least 22, 000 residential units are planned on Reem Island with the first buildings expected to be completed by 2009.

Other major developments in West Abu Dhabi include: Marina Village, Capital Centre and Al Mina. Lulu Island and Suwwah Island are two more planned island projects planned for West Abu Dhabi, however details are yet to be released.