Panoramic Oceanfront Penthouse Pool & Housekeeping Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 4.88 - Revenue
- KES 3.4M
- Occupancy
- 68.2%
- Daily rate
- KES 13,161
Airbnb market data · 202612 months to October 2026
The average Airbnb in Shella ward brought in KES 721,822 over the 12 months through October 2026, about 45% less than the Kilifi County average of KES 1,318,418.
The short answer
Shella ward is priced below the Kilifi County average. Listings averaged KES 11,658 a night, about 36% less than that average of KES 18,300, and were booked on 27% of available nights, close to its 28% occupancy.
Timing matters: in December, usually the best month, the average listing earns about 3.2 times as much as in May, usually the slowest.
With 57 active listings, Shella ward is the seventh-largest of 16 Kilifi County markets AirROI tracks. From a year earlier, average revenue fell 10% while the number of active listings shrank 31%.
Browse the live Shella ward Airbnb market See Every Shella ward ListingRevenue
Gross bookings per Shella ward listing averaged KES 721,822 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 Shella ward listing brings in KES 175,000 in December, its best month, and KES 54,800 in May, its slowest. The three strongest months bring in 35% 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 4.6 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.
December earns about 3.2 times what May does
Average revenue per active listing, by month, October 2024 to September 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, KES 105,000. 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.
December 2025 led on revenue and bookings; nightly rates peaked in September 2026.
| Month | Avg. Revenue | Occupancy | Avg. Nightly Rate | RevPAR | Booking Lead Time | Avg. Length of Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | KES 86,413 | 31.7% | KES 16,228 | KES 2,788 | 30 days | 3.6 nights |
| Nov 2025 | KES 122,406 | 36.4% | KES 16,059 | KES 4,080 | 46 days | 8.9 nights |
| Dec 2025 | KES 178,897 | 41.3% | KES 17,427 | KES 5,771 | 75 days | 6.7 nights |
| Jan 2026 | KES 111,744 | 27.6% | KES 17,222 | KES 3,605 | 94 days | 8.1 nights |
| Feb 2026 | KES 102,047 | 39.7% | KES 16,401 | KES 3,645 | 63 days | 6.6 nights |
| Mar 2026 | KES 83,717 | 24.4% | KES 16,261 | KES 2,701 | 38 days | 3 nights |
| Apr 2026 | KES 129,535 | 31.5% | KES 16,350 | KES 4,318 | 26 days | 3.9 nights |
| May 2026 | KES 55,740 | 21.2% | KES 16,606 | KES 1,798 | 16 days | 4.7 nights |
| Jun 2026 | KES 74,152 | 25.9% | KES 16,556 | KES 2,472 | 24 days | 3.9 nights |
| Jul 2026 | KES 96,835 | 25.8% | KES 19,126 | KES 3,124 | 69 days | 4 nights |
| Aug 2026 | KES 120,401 | 35.5% | KES 19,706 | KES 3,884 | 45 days | 3.5 nights |
| Sep 2026 | KES 92,755 | 25.0% | KES 19,844 | KES 3,092 | 34 days | 2.5 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 Shella ward listing earns about KES 67,700 a month, but one property can land well above or below that. The Airbnb income calculator gives a range for a specific address, built from the comparable listings around it.
Profit
Yes, when it's run well. The average Shella ward Airbnb took in KES 721,822 in the 12 months to October 2026, an average that counts every active listing, including those open only part of the year. A listing in the top quarter took in about KES 1,516,100, and run by its owner at everyday costs, about KES 93,800 a month of that is left after running costs, so a home that costs less than that to own or rent makes money.
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 703,022 | KES 1,476,500 |
| Cleaning fees guests pay3% of Shella ward bookings | KES 18,800 | KES 39,600 |
| Gross bookings | KES 721,822 | KES 1,516,100 |
| Running costs | ||
| Airbnb's feeAbout 12%: 15.5% for the 75% of Shella ward listings on Simplified Pricing, 3% for the rest | −KES 89,700 | −KES 188,400 |
| Cleaning and laundryPaid for by the cleaning fee; KES 0 if you clean yourself | −KES 18,800 | −KES 39,600 |
| Utilities and internetAbout 5% of bookings | −KES 36,100 | −KES 75,800 |
| Guest suppliesToiletries, coffee, paper goods: about 2% | −KES 14,400 | −KES 30,300 |
| Repairs and upkeepIncluding linens and small replacements: about 3% | −KES 21,700 | −KES 45,500 |
| Short-term rental insuranceOne policy, on top of Airbnb's free AirCover | −KES 7,200 | −KES 7,200 |
| Permit and registrationWhere one is required | −KES 3,600 | −KES 3,600 |
| 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 24% of bookings, plus cleaning paid for by the cleaning fee | −KES 191,500 | −KES 390,400 |
| Left for housing costs, then profit | KES 530,322about KES 44,200 a month | KES 1,125,700about KES 93,800 a month |
| Housing costs | ||
| Mortgage or rent, property tax, home insurance, building or condo fees | Depend on the home | |
The estimate starts from Shella ward'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 Shella ward 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 126,300 a month, against KES 60,200 for the average one.
Occupancy
Shella ward listings were booked on 27% of the nights they were open over the past year, in line with the Kilifi County average and 3 percentage points below the Kenya average (30%). In a typical year, occupancy climbs to 44% in December and falls to 21% in May.
The busiest tenth of listings are booked about 4.7 times as often as the bottom quarter.
December is usually the busiest month in Shella ward, May the quietest
Share of open nights booked, by month, October 2024 to September 2026
The 12-month rate of 27% 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 Shella ward, known as ADR (average daily rate), was KES 11,658 over the past year, about 36% below the Kilifi County average of KES 18,300 and about 9% above the Kenya average of KES 10,700. Averaged month by month over the past two years, rates peak in August and September at about KES 17,800 and bottom out in October and November at about KES 13,400.
Prices span a wide range: the top 10% charge about 6.6 times the rate of the bottom quarter.
August rates run 33% above November's
Average nightly rate (ADR), by month, October 2024 to September 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, KES 15,200. The 12-month ADR of KES 11,658 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 Shella ward it averaged KES 3,410 over the past year, from about KES 1,770 in a typical May to about KES 5,650 in a typical December.
A small group of listings earns several times more per open night than the rest.
December RevPAR is about 3.2 times May's
Revenue per open night (RevPAR), by month, October 2024 to September 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, KES 3,460.
Seasonality
Shella ward has two high seasons, August and December–January, which makes it a moderately seasonal market. Business is slowest from May to July and slows again in September and October.
Average revenue by month in Shella ward
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 105,000.
| Month | Season | Revenue per listing |
|---|---|---|
| January | High season | KES 140,000 |
| February | Shoulder season | KES 103,000 |
| March | Shoulder season | KES 99,500 |
| April | Shoulder season | KES 101,000 |
| May | Low season | KES 54,800 |
| June | Low season | KES 75,100 |
| July | Low season | KES 96,600 |
| August | High season | KES 127,000 |
| September | Low season | KES 94,000 |
| October | Low season | KES 83,800 |
| November | Shoulder season | KES 113,000 |
| December | High season | KES 175,000 |
| Season | Revenue per month | Occupancy | Nightly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| High seasonDecember–January | KES 158,000 | 40% | KES 14,496 |
| High seasonAugust | KES 127,000 | 39% | KES 17,797 |
| Shoulder seasonFebruary–April, November | KES 104,000 | 34% | KES 14,266 |
| Low seasonMay–July, September–October | KES 80,900 | 27% | KES 15,810 |
Guests book Shella ward stays 54 days ahead on average (about eight weeks). January stays are booked furthest out, about 66 days ahead, and May stays closest to arrival, about 13 days. A typical January booking is made in early November.
January 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 54 days averages each listing's year as a whole; each month here averages only the listings with stays in it.
Permits
None of the 57 active listings in Shella ward 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 Shella ward.
Neighborhoods
AirROI's area guide picks six Shella ward neighborhoods that draw short-term rental guests, led by Mida Creek, Kikambala and Gede. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mida Creek | A serene tidal creek with stunning natural beauty. It’s popular for its rich biodiversity and as a serene getaway, perfect for tourists looking to escape to nature. | Mida Creek Boardwalk, Watamu Marine National Park, Turtle Bay Beach, Local fishing villages, Diverse birdwatching opportunities |
| Kikambala | Kikambala offers a mix of pristine beaches and luxury resorts making it an appealing destination for tourists seeking both adventure and relaxation. | Kikambala Beach, Beach resorts, Local markets, water sports activities |
| Gede | A historical site with archaeological significance, known for its ancient ruins. This attracts tourists interested in culture and history. | Gede Ruins, Gede Museum, Nature walks, Cultural tours, Birdwatching |
| Takaungu | A small coastal area with stunning beaches and clear waters. It is perfect for those looking for a quiet vacation away from busy tourist hotspots. | Takaungu Beach, Snorkeling spots, Fishing excursions, Local cultural experiences |
| Sands at Nomad | A luxurious beachfront location popular with travelers looking for high-end vacation rentals and direct beach access. | Sands at Nomad Beach Resort, Gorgeous beachfront views, Fine dining, Water sports activities |
| Ushongo Beach | A remote and exquisite beach destination that offers an authentic experience of coastal Kenya with local fishing boats and beautiful landscapes. | Ushongo Beach, Coral reefs, Local fishing activities, Quiet and tranquil environment |
Area descriptions are AI-assisted from public sources and are not checked against zoning.
Listings
Entire homes make up 82% of listings in Shella ward, alongside 10 private-room listings (18%). Apartments and condos are the most common property type at 65%, about 2.2 times the share of houses (30%).
Mostly entire homes, with a private-room segment
Shella ward Airbnb listings by room type
| Room type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Entire home | 82.5% | 47 |
| Private room | 17.5% | 10 |
Listings by property type
Shella ward Airbnb listings by property type
| Property type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment/Condo | 64.9% | 37 |
| House | 29.8% | 17 |
| Hotel/Boutique | 3.5% | 2 |
| Others | 1.8% | 1 |
Shella ward's homes run small: studios and one-bedrooms make up 57% of entire homes, and only 17% of homes have three or more bedrooms. Shares are of the 46 entire homes that give a bedroom count; rented rooms are left out.
Shella ward 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 | 17.4% | 8 |
| 1 bedroom | 39.1% | 18 |
| 2 bedrooms | 26.1% | 12 |
| 3 bedrooms | 8.7% | 4 |
| 4 bedrooms | 4.3% | 2 |
| 5+ bedrooms | 4.3% | 2 |
A typical one-bedroom home in Shella ward earned KES 198,000 over the past year, against KES 644,000 for a two-bedroom home.
| Home size | Listings | Typical annual revenue (median) | Average annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 18 | KES 198,000 | KES 512,000 | KES 7,847 | 27% |
| 2 bedrooms | 12 | KES 644,000 | KES 971,000 | KES 12,257 | 31% |
Most Shella ward listings are sized for couples and small families: 78% sleep four guests or fewer, and just 10% take eight or more. Shares are of the 50 listings with a guest capacity on file (88% of the market).
Shella ward 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 | 52.0% | 26 |
| 3 guests | 4.0% | 2 |
| 4 guests | 22.0% | 11 |
| 5 guests | 6.0% | 3 |
| 6 guests | 4.0% | 2 |
| 7 guests | 2.0% | 1 |
| 8+ guests | 10.0% | 5 |
Shella ward hosts set up an average of 2 beds per listing, close to one bed per bedroom. Only 32% of listings show their exact location on the listing map; the rest show an approximate area.
Beach access is close to standard in Shella ward: 84% of listings offer it, and 81% have a pool.
Share of Shella ward listings with each common amenity
Guests
Shella ward runs on foreign visitors: two-thirds of guests who left reviews live outside Kenya. The United Kingdom sends the most guests from abroad, with 9% of reviewers, ahead of the United States at 8%. Guests speak a mix of languages: English leads at 44%, followed by Swahili and German.
66% of Shella ward guests come from abroad
Where guests who left reviews live
Where Shella ward guests come from: top cities
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin city | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Nairobi | 29.8% |
| London | 3.5% |
| Brussels | 1.8% |
| Munich | 1.8% |
Where Shella ward guests come from: top countries
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin country | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Kenya | 34.5% |
| United Kingdom | 9.2% |
| United States | 8.4% |
| Germany | 7.6% |
| Italy | 5.9% |
Languages spoken by Shella ward guests
Share of guests who left reviews
| Language | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| English | 44.2% |
| Swahili | 11.5% |
| German | 10.6% |
| French | 9.7% |
| Spanish | 9.7% |
Shella ward Airbnbs average 4.66 stars, and 19% of listings hold Airbnb's Guest Favorite badge. The category scores are tightly bunched, and value for money is the lowest, at 4.68.
Check-in scores highest in Shella ward; value is lowest
Average guest rating out of 5 by category; the bars start at 4.0
| Category | Average rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 4.72 |
| Cleanliness | 4.71 |
| Communication | 4.75 |
| Location | 4.74 |
| Check-in | 4.77 |
| Value | 4.68 |
Booking patterns
Nearly all Shella ward listings are open to guests more than 180 days a year, but only 4% are booked or blocked that many days. The most common booked-or-blocked total is 31 to 90 days a year, covering 35% of listings; blocked nights include any the host closes off.
Days a year Shella ward listings are open to guests
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 271-366 days | 71.9% | 41 |
| 181-270 days | 24.6% | 14 |
| 91-180 days | 3.5% | 2 |
Days a year Shella ward listings are booked or blocked
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 181-270 days | 3.5% | 2 |
| 91-180 days | 26.3% | 15 |
| 31-90 days | 35.1% | 20 |
| 1-30 days | 35.1% | 20 |
The average Shella ward booking lasts 5.5 nights, longest in November and shortest in March. Listings took about 12 bookings each over the year. 44% of 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 Shella ward
Average nights per booking, by month of stay
Two-year average by calendar month.
95% of listings in Shella ward accept stays of one or two nights.
Minimum stay set by Shella ward 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 Shella ward, used by 51% of listings; it refunds guests in full if they cancel at least a day before check-in. Hosts here lean flexible: more than six in ten listings offer Flexible or Moderate terms, against 39% on Firm or stricter ones.
Cancellation policies of Shella ward listings, from most to least flexible
Share of listings by the policy they use
More than a third of Shella ward listings charge a cleaning fee. The typical fee is KES 1,422, and some higher fees lift the average to KES 2,049. Spread over the average stay of 5.5 nights, that adds roughly KES 255 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 Shella ward, a two-bedroom unit, took in KES 3,360,000 over the past year, about 4.7 times the city's average of KES 722,000. Four of the six listings below have two bedrooms or fewer, so size alone doesn't explain the top of this market.
Panoramic Oceanfront Penthouse Pool & Housekeeping Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 4.88
Zuri Luxe 3BR Penthouse- Silversands Beach Malindi Entire home · 3 bedrooms Rated 4.73
Whole Villa Ameera Malindi Entire home · 6 bedrooms Rated 5.00
Sea View Penthouse, Pool, Beach access, cleaning Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 4.90
Stylish Beachfront Villa: King Bed ~ Pool ~ View Entire home · 1 bedroom Rated 4.82
Zuri Luxe 1BR apartment- Silversands Beach Malindi Entire home · 1 bedroom Rated 4.94 Fewer than 1% of Shella ward listings are classed as professionally managed, though 28% of listings have a co-host. Only 23% of listings are run by Superhosts. 65% of listings accept Instant Book, so most stays are confirmed without the host's approval. Airbnb's Simplified Pricing, where the host pays the whole service fee and guests see one price with no separate Airbnb charge, covers 75% of listings.
Nearby markets
Of the eight nearby markets in the table, all within 89 km, Dabaso ward (23 km away) earned the most per listing, about 4.7 times as much as Shella ward.
| Market | Listings | Avg. annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sabaki ward 4 km | 33 | KES 398,447 | KES 9,290 | 22% |
| Malindi 4 km | 219 | KES 764,832 | KES 14,480 | 27% |
| Watamu ward 17 km | 198 | KES 1,466,575 | KES 22,242 | 29% |
| Dabaso ward 23 km | 100 | KES 3,359,910 | KES 27,715 | 39% |
| Kilifi 49 km | 74 | KES 1,255,716 | KES 16,324 | 26% |
| Kilifi North 52 km | 46 | KES 730,055 | KES 16,388 | 27% |
| Junju ward 74 km | 42 | KES 1,454,293 | KES 33,403 | 19% |
| Shimo La Tewa ward 89 km | 49 | KES 328,635 | KES 9,425 | 23% |
See all 16 Kilifi County Airbnb markets
Markets elsewhere in Kenya with a similar nightly rate and occupancy to Shella ward:
FAQ
An active Shella ward Airbnb grossed KES 721,822 on average in the 12 months to October 2026, according to AirROI's tracking of 57 active listings. That is before cleaning, management, taxes and financing. Busier, better-run listings do far better: the top quarter took in KES 142,000 or more in a typical month.
It depends most on the home's size, location and how it's run. The middle half of Shella ward listings earn between KES 30,700 and KES 142,000 in a typical month, and the top tenth KES 232,000 or more. For one home, enter its address and bedroom count in the Airbnb calculator: it compares the home with similar listings nearby.
Listings in Shella ward were booked on 27% of available nights over the past year. That compares with 28% for the Kilifi County average. December is usually the busiest month.
The average booked night in Shella ward cost KES 11,658 before fees. Half of listings charge between KES 6,355 and KES 20,000, so bedroom count and location move the price more than the average suggests.
None of the active Shella ward 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 Shella ward Airbnb grossed KES 721,822 in the 12 months to October 2026, 45% below the Kilifi County average of KES 1,318,418, counting listings open only part of the year. A listing at the top-quarter mark, run by its owner with the cleaning fee covering the cleaner and everyday costs for Airbnb's fee, utilities, supplies, upkeep and insurance, has about KES 93,800 a month left before the mortgage or rent, so a home that costs less than that to own or rent makes a profit. Check a specific home in the Airbnb estimator.
December usually pays best, averaging KES 175,000 per active listing over the past two years, and May usually pays least. The month-by-month table above shows how the latest 12 months played out.
Each night a Shella ward listing was open to book earned KES 3,410 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 8,410 or more.
Shella ward stays were booked 54 days (about eight weeks) before arrival on average over the past year, so most of a month is booked well before it starts.
The average Shella ward Airbnb stay lasted 5.5 nights over the past year. A listing took 12 reservations over the year on average.
Guests rate Shella ward Airbnbs 4.66 out of 5 on average. Guests score check-in highest and value lowest.
Mida Creek, Kikambala and Gede draw the most short-term rental interest in Shella ward. The neighborhood guide explains what brings guests to each.
AirROI counted 57 active Airbnb listings in Shella ward as of October 2026. The closest tracked market is Sabaki ward, 4 km away.
In Shella ward, more than a third of listings add a cleaning fee. The median fee is KES 1,422, and some higher fees lift the average to KES 2,049.
Method
Figures on this page cover 57 active Airbnb listings in Shella ward 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.