Beachy Blue - Sea Views. Entire home · 5 bedrooms Rated 5.00 - Revenue
- NZ$80,742
- Occupancy
- 46.6%
- Daily rate
- NZ$501
Airbnb market data · 202612 months to October 2026
The average Airbnb in Waikawa brought in NZ$26,316 over the 12 months through October 2026, about 19% less than the Marlborough average of NZ$32,578.
The short answer
Listings averaged NZ$250 a night, about 9% lower than the Marlborough average of NZ$275, and were booked on 42% of available nights, close to its 44%.
Timing matters: in January, usually the best month, the average listing earns about three times as much as in August, usually the slowest.
With 67 active listings, Waikawa is the third-largest of 5 Marlborough markets AirROI tracks. From a year earlier, the number of active listings grew 16%.
Browse the live Waikawa Airbnb market See Every Waikawa ListingRevenue
Gross bookings per Waikawa listing averaged NZ$26,316 over the 12 months to October 2026 (Marlborough average: NZ$32,578), before cleaning, platform and management costs and taxes.
In a typical year, the average Waikawa listing brings in NZ$4,790 in January, its best month, and NZ$1,640 in August, its slowest. The three strongest months bring in 36% 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 2.7 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.
January earns about three times what August does
Average revenue per active listing, by month, October 2024 to September 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, NZ$2,920. 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.
January 2026 led on revenue, nightly rate and bookings alike.
| Month | Avg. Revenue | Occupancy | Avg. Nightly Rate | RevPAR | Booking Lead Time | Avg. Length of Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | NZ$2,722 | 41.1% | NZ$270 | NZ$88 | 46 days | 3.1 nights |
| Nov 2025 | NZ$2,941 | 45.0% | NZ$275 | NZ$98 | 67 days | 3.3 nights |
| Dec 2025 | NZ$4,005 | 52.9% | NZ$286 | NZ$129 | 95 days | 5.6 nights |
| Jan 2026 | NZ$4,600 | 59.5% | NZ$288 | NZ$148 | 89 days | 3.7 nights |
| Feb 2026 | NZ$4,055 | 57.3% | NZ$282 | NZ$145 | 67 days | 2.6 nights |
| Mar 2026 | NZ$3,621 | 50.5% | NZ$278 | NZ$117 | 59 days | 2.7 nights |
| Apr 2026 | NZ$3,022 | 43.1% | NZ$281 | NZ$101 | 61 days | 3.7 nights |
| May 2026 | NZ$2,105 | 31.2% | NZ$265 | NZ$68 | 34 days | 4.8 nights |
| Jun 2026 | NZ$2,241 | 33.4% | NZ$248 | NZ$75 | 33 days | 4.1 nights |
| Jul 2026 | NZ$2,217 | 33.0% | NZ$245 | NZ$72 | 47 days | 4.7 nights |
| Aug 2026 | NZ$2,010 | 33.2% | NZ$247 | NZ$65 | 45 days | 5.9 nights |
| Sep 2026 | NZ$2,065 | 34.4% | NZ$252 | NZ$69 | 50 days | 3.3 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.
Location, size and how a home is run move its income far more than a city average shows. For a range on one Waikawa address, run it through the Airbnb income calculator.
Profit
Yes, when it's run well. The average Waikawa Airbnb took in NZ$26,316 in the 12 months to October 2026, and run by its owner at everyday costs, about NZ$1,460 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 NZ$2,220 a month.
Cleaning it yourself keeps the NZ$1,850 a year guests pay in cleaning fees, for about NZ$1,620 a month. Handing the listing to a co-host at about 10% of nightly bookings still leaves about NZ$1,260 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 | NZ$24,466 | NZ$36,820 |
| Cleaning fees guests pay7% of Waikawa bookings | NZ$1,850 | NZ$2,780 |
| Gross bookings | NZ$26,316 | NZ$39,600 |
| Running costs | ||
| Airbnb's feeAbout 15%: 15.5% for the 94% of Waikawa listings on Simplified Pricing, 3% for the rest | −NZ$3,880 | −NZ$5,840 |
| Cleaning and laundryPaid for by the cleaning fee; NZ$0 if you clean yourself | −NZ$1,850 | −NZ$2,780 |
| Utilities and internetAbout 5% of bookings | −NZ$1,320 | −NZ$1,980 |
| Guest suppliesToiletries, coffee, paper goods: about 2% | −NZ$530 | −NZ$790 |
| Repairs and upkeepIncluding linens and small replacements: about 3% | −NZ$790 | −NZ$1,190 |
| Short-term rental insuranceOne policy, on top of Airbnb's free AirCover | −NZ$260 | −NZ$260 |
| Permit and registrationWhere one is required | −NZ$130 | −NZ$130 |
| ManagementNZ$0 when you run it; co-hosts charge from about 10% of nightly bookings | NZ$0 | NZ$0 |
| Pricing and messaging toolsOptional; Airbnb's own tools are free | NZ$0 | NZ$0 |
| Lodging taxesAdded to the guest's bill and passed on | NZ$0 | NZ$0 |
| Total running costsAbout 26% of bookings, plus cleaning paid for by the cleaning fee | −NZ$8,760 | −NZ$12,970 |
| Left for housing costs, then profit | NZ$17,556about NZ$1,460 a month | NZ$26,630about NZ$2,220 a month |
| Housing costs | ||
| Mortgage or rent, property tax, home insurance, building or condo fees | Depend on the home | |
The estimate starts from Waikawa'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 Waikawa 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 NZ$3,300 a month, against NZ$2,190 for the average one.
Occupancy
Waikawa listings were booked on 42% of the nights they were open over the past year, 2 percentage points below the Marlborough average (44%) and 2 points below the New Zealand average (44%). In a typical year, occupancy swings from 28% in August to 63% in January.
The busiest tenth of listings are booked about 4.2 times as often as the bottom quarter.
January is usually the busiest month in Waikawa, August the quietest
Share of open nights booked, by month, October 2024 to September 2026
Nightly rates
The average nightly rate in Waikawa, known as ADR (average daily rate), was NZ$250 over the past year, about 9% below the Marlborough average of NZ$275 and about 30% below the New Zealand average of NZ$355. Averaged month by month over the past two years, rates peak in January and February at about NZ$280 and bottom out in July and October at about NZ$250.
Prices span a wide range: the top 10% charge about 3.3 times the rate of the bottom quarter.
January rates run 12% above October's
Average nightly rate (ADR), by month, October 2024 to September 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, NZ$263. The 12-month ADR of NZ$250 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 Waikawa it averaged NZ$97 over the past year, from about NZ$53 in a typical August to about NZ$155 in a typical January.
Per open night, by tier:
January RevPAR is about three times August's
Revenue per open night (RevPAR), by month, October 2024 to September 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, NZ$96.
Seasonality
Waikawa has one high season, December through March, which makes it a highly seasonal market. Business is slowest from May to October. A listing earns about twice as much a month in December through February as in June through August.
Average revenue by month in Waikawa
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, NZ$2,920.
| Month | Season | Revenue per listing |
|---|---|---|
| January | High season | NZ$4,790 |
| February | High season | NZ$4,090 |
| March | High season | NZ$3,620 |
| April | Shoulder season | NZ$3,000 |
| May | Low season | NZ$2,220 |
| June | Low season | NZ$2,310 |
| July | Low season | NZ$2,120 |
| August | Low season | NZ$1,640 |
| September | Low season | NZ$1,960 |
| October | Low season | NZ$2,590 |
| November | Shoulder season | NZ$2,860 |
| December | High season | NZ$3,800 |
| Season | Revenue per month | Occupancy | Nightly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| High seasonDecember–March | NZ$4,070 | 57% | NZ$272 |
| Shoulder seasonApril, November | NZ$2,930 | 45% | NZ$263 |
| Low seasonMay–October | NZ$2,140 | 34% | NZ$256 |
Guests book Waikawa stays 64 days ahead on average (about two months), so guests here plan well ahead. December stays are booked furthest out, about 99 days ahead, and June stays closest to arrival, about 29 days. A typical December booking is made in early September.
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 64 days averages each listing's year as a whole; each month here averages only the listings with stays in it.
Permits
None of the 67 active listings in Waikawa 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 Waikawa.
Neighborhoods
AirROI's area guide picks six Waikawa neighborhoods that draw short-term rental guests, led by Waikawa Bay, Marlborough Sounds and Anakiwa. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Waikawa Bay | Picturesque bay area known for its beautiful beaches and boating activities. A prime destination for families and water sports enthusiasts looking to unwind in a serene environment. | Waikawa Marina, Waikawa Bay Beach, Cullen Point, Queen Charlotte Track, Scenic walks and bike trails |
| Marlborough Sounds | Stunning waterfront area known for its scenic beauty and outdoor activities. Particularly popular with eco-tourists and those seeking adventure in a natural setting. | Marlborough Sounds Walkway, Kayaking and boating, Fishing spots, Wildlife watching, Hiking trails |
| Anakiwa | Quaint village located at the start of the Queen Charlotte Track. It attracts outdoor enthusiasts and those looking to explore the natural beauty of the Marlborough region. | Queen Charlotte Track, Anakiwa Beach, Scenic picnic spots, Tramping and hiking areas |
| Havelock | Known as the green shell mussel capital of the world, Havelock is a charming town that draws visitors interested in marine explorations and the stunning landscape of the Sounds. | Havelock Marina, Mussel Pot restaurant, Pelorus Sound, Scenic boat trips |
| Renwick | Heart of the Marlborough wine region, popular for those looking to experience world-class wineries and vineyards. Attracts wine lovers and culinary tourists. | Vineyards and wineries, Wine tours, Local eateries, Rural scenery |
| Ohingaroa | A hidden gem in the Sounds, perfect for those looking for a quiet retreat in nature. Attracts visitors seeking peace and stunning scenery away from tourist crowds. | Scenic lookouts, Tranquil beaches, Nature walks, Kayaking spots |
Area descriptions are AI-assisted from public sources and are not checked against zoning.
Listings
Entire homes make up 85% of listings in Waikawa, alongside 10 private-room listings (15%). Houses are the most common property type at 54%, about 3.6 times the share of apartments and condos (15%).
Mostly entire homes, with a private-room segment
Waikawa Airbnb listings by room type
| Room type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Entire home | 85.1% | 57 |
| Private room | 14.9% | 10 |
Listings by property type
Waikawa Airbnb listings by property type
| Property type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| House | 53.7% | 36 |
| Apartment/Condo | 14.9% | 10 |
| Others | 14.9% | 10 |
| Hotel/Boutique | 13.4% | 9 |
| Cabin/Outdoor | 3.0% | 2 |
One-bedroom homes are the most common size in Waikawa (35% of entire homes), and 44% have three or more bedrooms. Shares are of the 55 entire homes that give a bedroom count; rented rooms are left out.
Waikawa 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 | 3.6% | 2 |
| 1 bedroom | 34.5% | 19 |
| 2 bedrooms | 18.2% | 10 |
| 3 bedrooms | 23.6% | 13 |
| 4 bedrooms | 18.2% | 10 |
| 5+ bedrooms | 1.8% | 1 |
A typical one-bedroom home in Waikawa earned NZ$24,400 over the past year, against NZ$33,800 for a four-bedroom home.
| Home size | Listings | Typical annual revenue (median) | Average annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 19 | NZ$24,400 | NZ$25,200 | NZ$156 | 49% |
| 2 bedrooms | 10 | NZ$25,200 | NZ$28,000 | NZ$246 | 44% |
| 3 bedrooms | 13 | NZ$19,200 | NZ$25,800 | NZ$364 | 35% |
| 4 bedrooms | 10 | NZ$33,800 | NZ$38,200 | NZ$409 | 41% |
The most common capacity in Waikawa is two guests (33% of listings), and 38% of listings sleep six or more. Shares are of the 58 listings with a guest capacity on file (87% of the market).
Waikawa 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 | 32.8% | 19 |
| 3 guests | 1.7% | 1 |
| 4 guests | 19.0% | 11 |
| 5 guests | 8.6% | 5 |
| 6 guests | 17.2% | 10 |
| 7 guests | 3.4% | 2 |
| 8+ guests | 17.2% | 10 |
Waikawa hosts set up an average of 3.1 beds per listing. About a third of listings (34%) show their exact location on the listing map; the rest show an approximate area.
Free on-site parking is close to standard in Waikawa: 93% of listings offer it, and 73% offer self check-in.
Share of Waikawa listings with each common amenity
Guests
Waikawa splits its demand between home and abroad: 47% of guests who left reviews live outside New Zealand, led by visitors from Australia and the United Kingdom. English is spoken by 62% of guests, and German by 10%.
53% of Waikawa guests are domestic
Where guests who left reviews live
Where Waikawa guests come from: top cities
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin city | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Auckland | 9.0% |
| Wellington | 7.3% |
| Christchurch | 7.3% |
| Canterbury | 4.0% |
| Nelson | 2.7% |
Where Waikawa guests come from: top countries
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin country | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | 52.6% |
| Australia | 11.5% |
| United Kingdom | 9.9% |
| United States | 9.4% |
| Germany | 4.4% |
Languages spoken by Waikawa guests
Share of guests who left reviews
| Language | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| English | 62.2% |
| German | 10.4% |
| French | 8.2% |
| Spanish | 5.0% |
| Chinese | 2.7% |
Waikawa Airbnbs average 4.91 stars, and 75% of listings hold Airbnb's Guest Favorite badge. The category scores are tightly bunched, and value for money is the lowest, at 4.86. Listings here carry long review histories, about 146 reviews each on average.
Check-in scores highest in Waikawa; value is lowest
Average guest rating out of 5 by category; the bars start at 4.0
| Category | Average rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 4.91 |
| Cleanliness | 4.90 |
| Communication | 4.96 |
| Location | 4.92 |
| Check-in | 4.97 |
| Value | 4.86 |
Booking patterns
More than seven in ten Waikawa listings are open to guests more than 180 days a year, but only 28% are booked or blocked that many days. The most common booked-or-blocked total is 31 to 90 days a year, covering 31% of listings; blocked nights include any the host closes off.
Days a year Waikawa listings are open to guests
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 271-366 days | 46.3% | 31 |
| 181-270 days | 25.4% | 17 |
| 91-180 days | 26.9% | 18 |
| 31-90 days | 1.5% | 1 |
Days a year Waikawa listings are booked or blocked
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 271-366 days | 3.0% | 2 |
| 181-270 days | 25.4% | 17 |
| 91-180 days | 26.9% | 18 |
| 31-90 days | 31.3% | 21 |
| 1-30 days | 13.4% | 9 |
The average Waikawa booking lasts 4.3 nights, longest in December and shortest in March. Listings took about 22 bookings each over the year, some 1,500 in all. Nearly half 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 Waikawa
Average nights per booking, by month of stay
Two-year average by calendar month.
Nearly all listings in Waikawa accept stays of one or two nights.
Minimum stay set by Waikawa 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 Waikawa, used by 36% of listings; it refunds guests in full if they cancel at least a day before check-in. Hosts here lean flexible: 55% of listings offer Flexible or Moderate terms, against 40% on Firm or stricter ones.
Cancellation policies of Waikawa listings, from most to least flexible
Share of listings by the policy they use
About half of Waikawa listings charge a cleaning fee. The typical fee is about NZ$103. Spread over the average stay of 4.3 nights, that adds roughly NZ$25 a night to what guests pay. For listings that charge one, cleaning fees make up about 7% of gross revenue.
Top earners
The top-grossing Airbnb in Waikawa, a five-bedroom home, took in NZ$80,700 over the past year, about three times the city's average of NZ$26,300.
Beachy Blue - Sea Views. Entire home · 5 bedrooms Rated 5.00
Enjoy the view Entire home · 3 bedrooms Rated 4.96
Slice of paradise in Waikawa Entire home · 4 bedrooms Rated 4.91
Crew's Quarters - Relax just 3 minutes from marina Entire home · 4 bedrooms Rated 5.00
Tui Cottage-Waterfront cottage, Waikawa Bay/Picton Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 4.90
Allports Sea view Apartment Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 4.75 Only 6% of Waikawa listings are classed as professionally managed, though 25% of listings have a co-host. Two-thirds of listings are run by Superhosts, so a strong review record is the norm here rather than an edge. Airbnb's Simplified Pricing, where the host pays the whole service fee and guests see one price with no separate Airbnb charge, covers 94% of listings.
Nearby markets
Of the eight nearby markets in the table, all within 74 km, Picton (3 km away) earned the most per listing, about 54% more than Waikawa.
| Market | Listings | Avg. annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picton 3 km | 112 | NZ$40,398 | NZ$294 | 47% |
| Blenheim 28 km | 163 | NZ$30,610 | NZ$264 | 43% |
| Wellington 62 km | 1,117 | NZ$31,404 | NZ$237 | 46% |
| Nelson 64 km | 558 | NZ$29,424 | NZ$294 | 44% |
| Porirua 73 km | 123 | NZ$28,763 | NZ$216 | 43% |
| Lower Hutt 74 km | 269 | NZ$22,801 | NZ$198 | 42% |
| Richmond 74 km | 98 | NZ$23,930 | NZ$275 | 43% |
| Hope 74 km | 30 | NZ$30,205 | NZ$322 | 37% |
Markets elsewhere in New Zealand with a similar nightly rate and occupancy to Waikawa:
FAQ
An active Waikawa Airbnb grossed NZ$26,316 on average in the 12 months to October 2026, according to AirROI's tracking of 67 active listings. That is before cleaning, management, taxes and financing. Busier, better-run listings do far better: the top quarter took in NZ$3,910 or more in a typical month.
It depends most on the home's size, location and how it's run. The middle half of Waikawa listings earn between NZ$1,450 and NZ$3,910 in a typical month, and the top tenth NZ$5,640 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 Waikawa were booked on 42% of available nights over the past year. That compares with 44% for the Marlborough average. January is usually the busiest month.
The average booked night in Waikawa cost NZ$250 before fees. Half of listings charge between NZ$145 and NZ$335, so bedroom count and location move the price more than the average suggests.
None of the active Waikawa 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 Waikawa Airbnb grossed NZ$26,316 in the 12 months to October 2026, 19% below the Marlborough average of NZ$32,578. Run by its owner, with the cleaning fee covering the cleaner and everyday costs for Airbnb's fee, utilities, supplies, upkeep and insurance, NZ$17,556 a year (about NZ$1,460 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 NZ$2,220 a month. Check a specific home in the Airbnb estimator.
January usually pays best, averaging NZ$4,790 per active listing over the past two years, and August usually pays least. The month-by-month table above shows how the latest 12 months played out.
Each night a Waikawa listing was open to book earned NZ$97 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 NZ$182 or more.
Waikawa stays were booked 64 days (about two months) before arrival on average over the past year, so a listing that opens its calendar late misses many bookings.
The average Waikawa Airbnb stay lasted 4.3 nights over the past year. A listing took 22 reservations over the year on average.
Guests rate Waikawa Airbnbs 4.91 out of 5 on average. Guests score check-in highest and value lowest.
Waikawa Bay, Marlborough Sounds and Anakiwa draw the most short-term rental interest in Waikawa. The neighborhood guide explains what brings guests to each.
AirROI counted 67 active Airbnb listings in Waikawa as of October 2026. The closest tracked market is Picton, 3 km away.
In Waikawa, about half of listings add a cleaning fee, and the typical fee is about NZ$103.
All of New Zealand had 3.2 million international tourist arrivals in 2024, UN Tourism reports, via Our World in Data. AirROI estimates 1,495 Airbnb stays in Waikawa, New Zealand in the 12 months to October 2026, which counts bookings and not tourists. See New Zealand tourism statistics.
Method
Figures on this page cover 67 active Airbnb listings in Waikawa 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 New Zealand dollars at NZ$1.72 per US$, 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.