Beach Front Coastal Elegance Entire home · 4 bedrooms Rated 4.77 - Revenue
- KES 12M
- Occupancy
- 65.8%
- Daily rate
- KES 50,162
Airbnb market data · 202612 months to October 2026
The average Airbnb in Kilifi brought in KES 1,255,678 over the 12 months through October 2026, in line with the Kilifi County average of KES 1,318,418.
The short answer
Kilifi is priced below the Kilifi County average. Listings averaged KES 16,325 a night, about 11% less than that average of KES 18,300, and were booked on 26% of available nights, close to its 28% occupancy.
Timing matters: in February, usually the best month, the average listing earns about twice as much as in June, usually the slowest.
With 74 active listings, Kilifi is the fifth-largest of 16 Kilifi County markets AirROI tracks. From a year earlier, average revenue rose 15% while the number of active listings grew 6%.
Browse the live Kilifi Airbnb market See Every Kilifi ListingRevenue
Gross bookings per Kilifi listing averaged KES 1,255,678 over the 12 months to October 2026 (Kilifi County average: KES 1,318,418), before cleaning, platform and management costs and taxes.
In a typical year, the average Kilifi listing brings in KES 313,000 in February, its best month, and KES 149,000 in June, its slowest. The three strongest months bring in 33% of a full year's revenue, where an even calendar would give any three months 25%.
In a typical month, a top-quarter listing earns at least 5.8 times as much as a bottom-quarter one.
These are monthly figures for listings active in each month. The annual average above also counts listings that operated for only part of the year, so it runs below twelve times these figures.
February earns about twice what June does
Average revenue per active listing, by month, October 2024 to September 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, KES 215,000. Each point is one month as recorded, averaged over the listings active in it. The best and slowest months in the text average each calendar month over the past two years, so they can differ from the highest and lowest points here.
Latest 12 months in the October 2026 data. October's figures are still coming in, so the rows run to September.
February 2026 led on revenue and bookings; nightly rates peaked in December 2025.
| Month | Avg. Revenue | Occupancy | Avg. Nightly Rate | RevPAR | Booking Lead Time | Avg. Length of Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | KES 205,471 | 31.4% | KES 14,638 | KES 6,628 | 48 days | 5.6 nights |
| Nov 2025 | KES 244,312 | 42.5% | KES 14,587 | KES 8,144 | 19 days | 5.9 nights |
| Dec 2025 | KES 212,698 | 31.3% | KES 15,459 | KES 6,861 | 79 days | 5.4 nights |
| Jan 2026 | KES 180,983 | 28.9% | KES 15,022 | KES 5,838 | 44 days | 7 nights |
| Feb 2026 | KES 380,527 | 56.2% | KES 14,471 | KES 13,590 | 69 days | 7.6 nights |
| Mar 2026 | KES 296,074 | 37.5% | KES 14,575 | KES 9,551 | 41 days | 4.4 nights |
| Apr 2026 | KES 281,726 | 44.3% | KES 14,802 | KES 9,391 | 48 days | 5.8 nights |
| May 2026 | KES 150,628 | 26.8% | KES 14,823 | KES 4,859 | 15 days | 4.2 nights |
| Jun 2026 | KES 179,427 | 32.5% | KES 14,254 | KES 5,981 | 33 days | 5.3 nights |
| Jul 2026 | KES 306,948 | 41.5% | KES 14,107 | KES 9,902 | 29 days | 5.4 nights |
| Aug 2026 | KES 220,345 | 35.3% | KES 14,391 | KES 7,108 | 48 days | 5.7 nights |
| Sep 2026 | KES 237,241 | 36.2% | KES 14,133 | KES 7,908 | 56 days | 5.1 nights |
Averages per active listing in each month. Highlighted: the highest-revenue month of the 12. RevPAR is the month's revenue spread over its nights, booked or not. Booking lead time is the days between booking and check-in, and length of stay the nights per booking, for stays in that month.
The typical Kilifi listing earns about KES 105,000 a month, but one property can land well above or below that. The Airbnb calculator gives a range for a specific address, built from the comparable listings around it.
Profit
Yes, when it's run well. The average Kilifi Airbnb took in KES 1,255,678 in the 12 months to October 2026, and run by its owner at everyday costs, about KES 76,000 a month of that is left after running costs, so a home that costs less than that to own or rent makes money. A listing in the top quarter leaves about KES 185,000 a month.
Cleaning it yourself keeps the KES 43,000 a year guests pay in cleaning fees, for about KES 80,000 a month. Handing the listing to a co-host at about 10% of nightly bookings still leaves about KES 66,000 a month.
These amounts come before housing costs. Where the mortgage or rent is less each month, the difference is profit; a home owned outright keeps it all after property tax, home insurance and any building or condo fees.
| Line | Average listing | Top-quarter listing |
|---|---|---|
| Money in | ||
| Nightly bookings | KES 1,212,678 | KES 2,895,000 |
| Cleaning fees guests pay3% of Kilifi bookings | KES 43,000 | KES 103,000 |
| Gross bookings | KES 1,255,678 | KES 2,998,000 |
| Running costs | ||
| Airbnb's feeAbout 12%: 15.5% for the 72% of Kilifi listings on Simplified Pricing, 3% for the rest | −KES 150,000 | −KES 358,000 |
| Cleaning and laundryPaid for by the cleaning fee; KES 0 if you clean yourself | −KES 43,000 | −KES 103,000 |
| Utilities and internetAbout 5% of bookings | −KES 63,000 | −KES 150,000 |
| Guest suppliesToiletries, coffee, paper goods: about 2% | −KES 25,000 | −KES 60,000 |
| Repairs and upkeepIncluding linens and small replacements: about 3% | −KES 38,000 | −KES 90,000 |
| Short-term rental insuranceOne policy, on top of Airbnb's free AirCover | −KES 13,000 | −KES 13,000 |
| Permit and registrationWhere one is required | −KES 6,000 | −KES 6,000 |
| ManagementKES 0 when you run it; co-hosts charge from about 10% of nightly bookings | KES 0 | KES 0 |
| Pricing and messaging toolsOptional; Airbnb's own tools are free | KES 0 | KES 0 |
| Lodging taxesAdded to the guest's bill and passed on | KES 0 | KES 0 |
| Total running costsAbout 23% of bookings, plus cleaning paid for by the cleaning fee | −KES 338,000 | −KES 780,000 |
| Left for housing costs, then profit | KES 917,678about KES 76,000 a month | KES 2,218,000about KES 185,000 a month |
| Housing costs | ||
| Mortgage or rent, property tax, home insurance, building or condo fees | Depend on the home | |
The estimate starts from Kilifi's average listing, run by its owner. Change how the listing performs, who runs it and who cleans to see what is left for the mortgage or rent.
To work out the profit on one Kilifi home, with its price, its mortgage or rent and your own costs, use the Airbnb profit calculator. It starts from the comparable listings around the address.
What a listing keeps comes down to the figures this page measures: nightly rate, nights booked and the months it's open. A listing at the top-quarter mark takes in about KES 250,000 a month, against KES 105,000 for the average one.
Occupancy
Kilifi listings were booked on 26% of the nights they were open over the past year, 2 percentage points below the Kilifi County average (28%) and 4 points below the Kenya average (30%). Counting only the listings booked in each month and averaging each month over two years, occupancy swings from 27% in June to 52% in February.
The busiest tenth of listings are booked about 5.3 times as often as the bottom quarter.
February is usually the busiest month in Kilifi, June the quietest
Share of open nights booked, by month, October 2024 to September 2026
The 12-month rate of 26% averages each listing's whole year, slow months included; each month here counts only the listings booked in it.
Nightly rates
The average nightly rate in Kilifi, known as ADR (average daily rate), was KES 16,325 over the past year, about 11% below the Kilifi County average of KES 18,300 and about 53% above the Kenya average of KES 10,700. Averaged month by month over the past two years, rates barely change through the year, staying between about KES 13,500 and KES 14,600.
Prices span a wide range: the top 10% charge about 8.4 times the rate of the bottom quarter.
Average nightly rate by month in Kilifi
Average nightly rate (ADR), by month, October 2024 to September 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, KES 14,300. The 12-month ADR of KES 16,325 averages each listing's own rate across its whole year; the monthly points average listings month by month, so the two differ.
RevPAR, or revenue per available night, divides a listing's income by every night it was open to book, so it rises with both price and bookings. In Kilifi it averaged KES 5,360 over the past year, from about KES 4,970 in a typical June to about KES 11,200 in a typical February.
A small group of listings earns several times more per open night than the rest.
February RevPAR is about 2.2 times June's
Revenue per open night (RevPAR), by month, October 2024 to September 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, KES 7,100. The 12-month RevPAR of KES 5,360 averages each listing's whole year, slow months included; each month here counts only the listings booked in it.
Seasonality
Kilifi has two high seasons, February–April and July, which makes it a moderately seasonal market.
Average revenue by month in Kilifi
Average revenue per active listing, each calendar month averaged over the past two years
The dashed line is the average of the 12 calendar months, KES 215,000.
| Month | Season | Revenue per listing |
|---|---|---|
| January | Low season | KES 190,000 |
| February | High season | KES 313,000 |
| March | High season | KES 284,000 |
| April | High season | KES 245,000 |
| May | Low season | KES 158,000 |
| June | Low season | KES 149,000 |
| July | High season | KES 262,000 |
| August | Shoulder season | KES 207,000 |
| September | Low season | KES 185,000 |
| October | Shoulder season | KES 205,000 |
| November | Low season | KES 190,000 |
| December | Low season | KES 195,000 |
| Season | Revenue per month | Occupancy | Nightly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| High seasonFebruary–April, July | KES 276,000 | 43% | KES 14,439 |
| Shoulder seasonAugust, October | KES 206,000 | 35% | KES 14,067 |
| Low seasonMay–June, September, November–January | KES 178,000 | 31% | KES 14,330 |
Guests book Kilifi stays 48 days ahead on average (about seven weeks). December stays are booked furthest out, about 74 days ahead, and May stays closest to arrival, about 18 days. A typical December booking is made in early October.
December stays are booked furthest ahead
Average days between booking and check-in, by month of stay, October 2024 to September 2026
The 12-month figure of 48 days averages each listing's year as a whole; each month here averages only the listings with stays in it.
Permits
None of the 74 active listings in Kilifi display a registration, permit or license number. That doesn't mean no rules apply: some places don't ask hosts to show a number on the listing, and listing data doesn't capture every scheme.
Registration, permit, zoning and tourist-tax rules vary by address and change often, so confirm them with the local authority before buying or listing in Kilifi.
Neighborhoods
AirROI's area guide picks six Kilifi neighborhoods that draw short-term rental guests, led by Kilifi Creek, Bofa Beach and Mnarani. The picks reflect guest appeal, not earnings data or permit eligibility, so check local permit rules for a specific address before buying.
| Area | Who it suits | Landmarks nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Kilifi Creek | A serene location perfect for relaxation and water activities. It's known for its scenic views and is ideal for tourists looking for a calm retreat. | Kilifi Creek, Mnarani Ruins, Bofa Beach, Kilifi Bridge, Sandy shores |
| Bofa Beach | Renowned for its white sandy beaches and clear waters, Bofa Beach is ideal for families and couples looking for a beach getaway. | Bofa Beach, Beachfront resorts, Water sports, Local dining spots, Beach bars |
| Mnarani | A tranquil area known for its beautiful landscapes and proximity to Kilifi. It's great for visitors looking for peace and nature. | Mnarani Ruins, Kilifi Bay, Local artisan markets, Cultural tours, Birdwatching spots |
| Gedi | Famous for the ancient ruins of Gedi, it attracts history buffs and those interested in Swahili culture and heritage. | Gedi Ruins, Gedi National Monument, Nature trails, Cultural tours, Local guides |
| Dongo Kundu | A developing area with potential for investment, known for its beaches and close-knit community feel. | Dongo Kundu Beach, Local fishing villages, Nature walks, Water activities, Community crafts |
| Amani Estate | A quiet neighborhood ideal for longer-term stays, attractive for those seeking tranquility and a slower pace of life. | Nature retreats, Local markets, Gardens, Community events, Cultural experiences |
Area descriptions are AI-assisted from public sources and are not checked against zoning.
Listings
Entire homes make up 82% of listings in Kilifi, alongside 13 private-room listings (18%). Apartments or condos (47%) and houses (43%) split the stock almost evenly.
Mostly entire homes, with a private-room segment
Kilifi Airbnb listings by room type
| Room type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Entire home | 82.4% | 61 |
| Private room | 17.6% | 13 |
Apartments and houses split the stock
Kilifi Airbnb listings by property type
| Property type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment/Condo | 47.3% | 35 |
| House | 43.2% | 32 |
| Hotel/Boutique | 5.4% | 4 |
| Cabin/Outdoor | 4.1% | 3 |
Two-bedroom homes are the most common size in Kilifi (26% of entire homes), and 41% have three or more bedrooms. Shares are of the 54 entire homes that give a bedroom count; rented rooms are left out.
Kilifi entire homes by number of bedrooms
Entire homes with each number of bedrooms, of those with a bedroom count on file
| Bedrooms | Share of entire homes with a bedroom count | Entire homes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 11.1% | 6 |
| 1 bedroom | 22.2% | 12 |
| 2 bedrooms | 25.9% | 14 |
| 3 bedrooms | 20.4% | 11 |
| 4 bedrooms | 9.3% | 5 |
| 5+ bedrooms | 11.1% | 6 |
A typical one-bedroom home in Kilifi earned KES 157,000 over the past year, against KES 222,000 for a three-bedroom home.
| Home size | Listings | Typical annual revenue (median) | Average annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 12 | KES 157,000 | KES 658,000 | KES 5,910 | 32% |
| 2 bedrooms | 14 | KES 73,900 | KES 219,000 | KES 10,745 | 19% |
| 3 bedrooms | 11 | KES 222,000 | KES 1,390,000 | KES 19,593 | 24% |
The most common capacity in Kilifi is two guests (34% of listings), and 39% of listings sleep six or more. Shares are of the 62 listings with a guest capacity on file (84% of the market).
Kilifi listings by guest capacity
Share of listings by the number of guests they sleep, of those with a capacity on file
| Guest capacity | Share of listings with a capacity on file | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 2 guests | 33.9% | 21 |
| 3 guests | 4.8% | 3 |
| 4 guests | 21.0% | 13 |
| 5 guests | 1.6% | 1 |
| 6 guests | 12.9% | 8 |
| 8+ guests | 25.8% | 16 |
Kilifi hosts set up an average of 2.9 beds per listing, close to one bed per bedroom. About four in ten listings (39%) show their exact location on the listing map; the rest show an approximate area.
Beach access is common in Kilifi: 61% of listings offer it, and 57% have a pool.
Share of Kilifi listings with each common amenity
Guests
Kilifi runs on foreign visitors: three-quarters of guests who left reviews live outside Kenya. The United Kingdom sends the most guests from abroad, with 23% of reviewers, ahead of the United States at 12%. Guests speak a mix of languages: English leads at 41%, followed by French and Spanish.
74% of Kilifi guests come from abroad
Where guests who left reviews live
Where Kilifi guests come from: top cities
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin city | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Nairobi | 21.7% |
| London | 7.9% |
| Berlin | 2.6% |
| New York | 2.6% |
Where Kilifi guests come from: top countries
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin country | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Kenya | 25.9% |
| United Kingdom | 22.8% |
| United States | 11.9% |
| Germany | 9.3% |
| Netherlands | 4.7% |
Languages spoken by Kilifi guests
Share of guests who left reviews
| Language | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| English | 40.9% |
| French | 15.3% |
| Spanish | 11.2% |
| Swahili | 7.9% |
| German | 6.0% |
Kilifi Airbnbs average 4.72 stars, and 14% of listings hold Airbnb's Guest Favorite badge. Guests are toughest on location: it scores 4.66, against 4.83 for host communication.
Communication scores highest in Kilifi; location is lowest
Average guest rating out of 5 by category; the bars start at 4.0
| Category | Average rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 4.70 |
| Cleanliness | 4.74 |
| Communication | 4.83 |
| Location | 4.66 |
| Check-in | 4.82 |
| Value | 4.70 |
Booking patterns
85% of Kilifi listings are open to guests more than 180 days a year, but only 15% are booked or blocked that many days. The most common booked-or-blocked total is 1 to 30 days a year, covering 57% of listings; blocked nights include any the host closes off.
Days a year Kilifi listings are open to guests
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 271-366 days | 77.0% | 57 |
| 181-270 days | 8.1% | 6 |
| 91-180 days | 14.9% | 11 |
Days a year Kilifi listings are booked or blocked
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 181-270 days | 14.9% | 11 |
| 91-180 days | 9.5% | 7 |
| 31-90 days | 18.9% | 14 |
| 1-30 days | 56.8% | 42 |
The average Kilifi booking lasts 5.3 nights, longest in October and shortest in September. Listings took about 10 bookings each over the year. Nearly four in ten listings that give a check-in time set it at 2 p.m., with check-out usually at 10 a.m.
Average length of stay by month in Kilifi
Average nights per booking, by month of stay
Two-year average by calendar month.
About nine in ten listings in Kilifi accept stays of one or two nights.
Minimum stay set by Kilifi listings
Share of listings by the shortest stay they accept, from one night to 30 or more
Flexible is the most common cancellation policy in Kilifi, used by 39% of listings; it refunds guests in full if they cancel at least a day before check-in. Hosts here lean flexible: nearly six in ten listings offer Flexible or Moderate terms, against 42% on Firm or stricter ones.
Cancellation policies of Kilifi listings, from most to least flexible
Share of listings by the policy they use
More than a third of Kilifi listings charge a cleaning fee. The typical fee is KES 1,939, and some higher fees lift the average to KES 2,914. Spread over the average stay of 5.3 nights, that adds roughly KES 365 a night to what guests pay. For listings that charge one, cleaning fees make up about 3% of gross revenue.
Top earners
The top-grossing Airbnb in Kilifi, a four-bedroom home, took in KES 12,000,000 over the past year, about 9.6 times the city's average of KES 1,260,000. Four of the six listings below have five or more bedrooms; the other two have three and four bedrooms.
Beach Front Coastal Elegance Entire home · 4 bedrooms Rated 4.77
Bulloch House Kilifi Entire home · 5 bedrooms Rated 4.75
Cosy Bofa Beach House Entire home · 5 bedrooms Rated 5.00
Wesa house - Large private beachfront Villa & pool Entire home · 6 bedrooms Rated 4.92
Rusty's House Kilifi Entire home · 3 bedrooms Rated 4.93
Maweni Beach House · Pool · Cook · 6 Bedrooms Entire home · 6 bedrooms Rated 4.74 Fewer than 1% of Kilifi listings are classed as professionally managed, though 34% of listings have a co-host. Superhosts run a third of listings. Airbnb's Simplified Pricing, where the host pays the whole service fee and guests see one price with no separate Airbnb charge, covers 72% of listings.
Nearby markets
Of the eight nearby markets in the table, all within 48 km, Dabaso ward (27 km away) earned the most per listing, about 2.7 times as much as Kilifi.
| Market | Listings | Avg. annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilifi North 3 km | 46 | KES 730,055 | KES 16,388 | 27% |
| Junju ward 25 km | 42 | KES 1,454,293 | KES 33,403 | 19% |
| Dabaso ward 27 km | 100 | KES 3,359,910 | KES 27,715 | 39% |
| Watamu ward 33 km | 198 | KES 1,466,575 | KES 22,242 | 29% |
| Shimo La Tewa ward 40 km | 49 | KES 328,635 | KES 9,425 | 23% |
| Mtwapa 42 km | 66 | KES 242,145 | KES 8,618 | 25% |
| Shanzu ward 46 km | 194 | KES 480,024 | KES 8,279 | 26% |
| ziwa La Ng'ombe ward 48 km | 215 | KES 644,471 | KES 11,769 | 26% |
See all 16 Kilifi County Airbnb markets
Markets elsewhere in Kenya with a similar nightly rate and occupancy to Kilifi:
FAQ
An active Kilifi Airbnb grossed KES 1,255,678 on average in the 12 months to October 2026, according to AirROI's tracking of 74 active listings. That is before cleaning, management, taxes and financing. Busier, better-run listings do far better: the top quarter took in KES 251,000 or more in a typical month.
It depends most on the home's size, location and how it's run. The middle half of Kilifi listings earn between KES 42,800 and KES 251,000 in a typical month, and the top tenth KES 770,000 or more. For one home, enter its address and bedroom count in the Airbnb income calculator: it compares the home with similar listings nearby.
Listings in Kilifi were booked on 26% of available nights over the past year. That compares with 28% for the Kilifi County average. February is usually the busiest month.
The average booked night in Kilifi cost KES 16,325 before fees. Half of listings charge between KES 4,395 and KES 17,800, so bedroom count and location move the price more than the average suggests.
None of the active Kilifi listings display a registration, permit or license number. That doesn't mean no rules apply, so confirm registration, permit and tourist-tax rules with the local authority before buying.
Yes, when it's run well. The average Kilifi Airbnb grossed KES 1,255,678 in the 12 months to October 2026, in line with the Kilifi County average. Run by its owner, with the cleaning fee covering the cleaner and everyday costs for Airbnb's fee, utilities, supplies, upkeep and insurance, KES 917,678 a year (about KES 76,000 a month) is left before the mortgage or rent. A home that costs less than that to own or rent makes a profit, and a listing at the top-quarter mark leaves about KES 185,000 a month. Check a specific home in the Airbnb estimator.
February usually pays best, averaging KES 313,000 per active listing over the past two years, and June usually pays least. The month-by-month table above shows how the latest 12 months played out.
Each night a Kilifi listing was open to book earned KES 5,360 on average over the past year, booked or not. That figure, revenue per available night (RevPAR), folds price and occupancy into one number; the top 10% of listings made KES 16,200 or more.
Kilifi stays were booked 48 days (about seven weeks) before arrival on average over the past year, so most of a month is booked well before it starts.
The average Kilifi Airbnb stay lasted 5.3 nights over the past year. A listing took 10 reservations over the year on average.
Guests rate Kilifi Airbnbs 4.72 out of 5 on average. Guests score communication highest and location lowest.
Kilifi Creek, Bofa Beach and Mnarani draw the most short-term rental interest in Kilifi. The neighborhood guide explains what brings guests to each.
AirROI counted 74 active Airbnb listings in Kilifi as of October 2026. The closest tracked market is Kilifi North, 3 km away.
In Kilifi, more than a third of listings add a cleaning fee. The median fee is KES 1,939, and some higher fees lift the average to KES 2,914.
Method
Figures on this page cover 74 active Airbnb listings in Kilifi from November 2025 to October 2026 (trailing twelve months). AirROI refreshes them monthly from listing-level booking and calendar data covering 20+ million properties worldwide. AirROI measures bookings in US dollars; this page shows them in Kenyan shillings at KES 129 per US$, the typical rate from November 2025 to October 2026. Annual revenue averages every listing active during the period, including those listed for only part of it; monthly figures average the listings active in each month; the tier lists show the spread. Neighborhood descriptions are AI-assisted. See the methodology for definitions.
Need this programmatically? The same metrics are available through the AirROI Airbnb Data API and bulk downloads in the data portal.