Watamu ward Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Kilifi County, Kenya
Is Airbnb profitable in Watamu ward in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Watamu ward, Kilifi County, Kenya to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Watamu ward, based on AirROI data from April 2024 to March 2025, reveals key trends in the market of 236 active listings.
Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Watamu ward, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Watamu ward Airbnb data is crucial. Leveraging the low regulation environment is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.
Key Watamu ward Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview
Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Watamu ward (2025)
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Watamu ward is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Watamu ward is typically December, while September often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Watamu ward across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $3,588+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $2,077 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $875 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $343, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Watamu ward
Watamu ward Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)
Maximize your bookings by understanding the Watamu ward STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Februarysees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while September experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Watamu ward:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 68%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 47% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
- Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 26%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 13% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Watamu ward
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Watamu ward (2025)
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Watamu ward involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Watamu ward typically peaks in December and dips lowest during March. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $336+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $194 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $108 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $61 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Watamu ward
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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Watamu ward (2025)
Peak Season (December, August, January)
- Revenue averages $1,881 per month
- Occupancy rates average 37.5%
- Daily rates average $169
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $1,548 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 31.2%
- Daily rates hold near $164
Low Season (March, September, November)
- Revenue drops to average $1,197 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 28.4%
- Daily rates adjust to average $158
Seasonality Insights for Watamu ward
- The Airbnb seasonality in Watamu ward shows moderate seasonality with distinct peak and low periods. While the sections above show seasonal averages, it's also insightful to look at the extremes:
- During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Watamu ward's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $1,933, occupancy reaching a high of 40.7%, and ADRs peaking at $172.
- Conversely, the slowest single month of the year, typically falling within the low season, marks the market's lowest point. In this month, revenue might dip to $1,027, occupancy could drop to 25.1%, and ADRs may adjust down to $154.
- Understanding both the seasonal averages and these monthly peaks and troughs in revenue, occupancy, and ADR is crucial for maximizing your Airbnb profit potential in Watamu ward.
Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit
- Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability.
- Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, special promotions (e.g., extended stay discounts), and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers or budget-conscious guests.
- Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that balances peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers or specific events. Offer slightly more flexible terms than peak season.
- Regularly analyze your own performance against these Watamu ward seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.
Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Watamu ward (2025)
Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Watamu ward? This section highlights key areas, outlining why they are attractive for hosts and guests, along with notable local attractions. Consider these locations based on your target guest profile and investment strategy.
| Neighborhood / Area | Why Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal) | Key Attractions & Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Watamu Beach | Known for its idyllic beaches and clear blue waters, Watamu Beach attracts tourists seeking relaxation and water sports. It is a prime location for Airbnb hosts due to its popularity with both local and international visitors. | Watamu Marine National Park, Gede Ruins, Watamu Beach, Mida Creek, Ocean Sports Resort |
| Mida Creek | A scenic tidal mangrove creek that attracts eco-tourists and bird watchers. Ideal for hosting unique stays that offer experiences like kayaking and exploring natural beauty. | Mida Creek, Kayaking tours, Birdwatching, Local fishing tours, Eco-lodges |
| Turtle Bay | Famous for its breathtaking beaches and luxury resorts, Turtle Bay is a sought-after location for tourists wanting a tranquil escape or adventure activities like snorkeling and diving. | Turtle Bay Beach, Watamu Marine National Park, Snorkeling tours, Diving centers, Beachfront resorts |
| Jacaranda Beach | This area offers a more serene atmosphere compared to other beaches, making it ideal for guests looking for a peaceful retreat with beautiful surroundings. | Jacaranda Beach, Quiet beachfront, Nature walks, Local restaurants, Sunset views |
| Gede | Rich in history and cultural heritage, Gede is perfect for those interested in learning about the Swahili culture. It attracts travelers seeking a mix of relaxation and education. | Gede Ruins, Cultural tours, Historical sites, Nearby beaches, Nature trails |
| Kibaki Beach | Less crowded and more private, Kibaki Beach appeals to travelers looking for tranquility and intimacy, perfect for couples or families. | Kibaki Beach, Private villas, Beachfront dining, Local markets, Water activities |
| Pillars of Watamu | This area is known for its striking rock formations and scenic views, making it a unique spot for guests interested in photography and nature. | Pillars of Watamu, Cliffside views, Nature hikes, Photogenic spots, Snorkeling spots |
| Watamu Village | A charming local village that offers visitors an authentic cultural experience, with local markets and community engagements. | Watamu Village Market, Local cultural experiences, Authentic restaurants, Craft shops, Community tours |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Watamu ward (2025)
While Watamu ward, Kilifi County, Kenya currently shows low STR regulations, specific Airbnb license requirements might still exist or change. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Watamu ward to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2025, finding no licensed listings among those analyzed)
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Watamu ward (2025)
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Watamu wardbased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.
Njera House Watamu. A fully serviced private villa
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Stylish and exclusive steps from the sea
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Nyumba Ya Madau - Stunning Beach Villa in Watamu
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Volandrella House-exclusive access to Watamu Beach
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Home Yulia
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
![[Ocean Villa Watamu] Private Chef - Cleaning Lady](https://a0.muscache.com/im/pictures/94e6156c-07c9-4121-8723-e070272fd57a.jpg?im_w=480&im_format=avif)
[Ocean Villa Watamu] Private Chef - Cleaning Lady
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.
Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Watamu ward (2025)
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Watamu ward based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antonio | 19 | $271,032 | 149 | 3.00/5.0 |
| Stefano | 5 | $107,811 | 124 | 4.87/5.0 |
| Njeri | 1 | $81,583 | 70 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Dream Luxury | 7 | $74,656 | 44 | 2.10/5.0 |
| Matteo | 5 | $73,203 | 192 | 4.70/5.0 |
| Daniele | 1 | $72,563 | 34 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Benedetta | 1 | $69,269 | 98 | 4.69/5.0 |
| Sharif Athman | 1 | $64,100 | 115 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Giovanna | 7 | $61,084 | 239 | 4.83/5.0 |
| Federica | 2 | $59,307 | 260 | 4.91/5.0 |
Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Watamu ward.
Dive Deeper: Advanced Watamu ward STR Market Data (2025)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Watamu ward. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsWatamu ward Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for Watamu ward
- The Watamu ward Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 72.9% of the 236 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Watamu ward, House properties are the most common (53%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 53% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
- The presence of 11.4% Hotel/Boutique listings indicates integration with traditional hospitality.
- Smaller segments like others, outdoor/unique (combined 3.8%) offer potential for unique stay experiences.
Watamu ward Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for Watamu ward
- The dominant room capacity in Watamu ward is 1 bedroom listings, making up 28.4% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
- Together, 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms properties represent 55.5% of the active Airbnb listings in Watamu ward, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
- A significant 35.2% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Watamu ward.
Watamu ward Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for Watamu ward
- The most common guest capacity trend in Watamu ward vacation rentals is listings accommodating 2 guests (21.2%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely couples or solo travelers.
- Properties designed for 2 guests and 8+ guests dominate the Watamu ward STR market, accounting for 41.5% of listings.
- 37.2% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Watamu ward.
- On average, properties in Watamu ward are equipped to host 4.4 guests.
Watamu ward Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for Watamu ward
- The most common availability pattern in Watamu ward falls within the 271-366 days range, representing 69.1% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 92.0% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
- For booked days, the 1-30 days range is most frequent in Watamu ward (34.3%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
- A notable 8.1% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.
Watamu ward Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
98 listings
42.6% of total
2 Nights
73 listings
31.7% of total
3 Nights
21 listings
9.1% of total
4-6 Nights
4 listings
1.7% of total
7-29 Nights
2 listings
0.9% of total
30+ Nights
32 listings
13.9% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Watamu ward is 1 Night, adopted by 42.6% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
- A strong majority (74.3%) of the Watamu ward Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.
- A significant segment (13.9%) caters to monthly stays (30+ nights) in Watamu ward, pointing to opportunities in the extended-stay market.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 1 Night minimum stay, as 42.6% of Watamu ward hosts use this setting.
- Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 13.9% of the market seeking extended stays.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Watamu ward.
Watamu ward Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)
Flexible
45 listings
26.5% of total
Moderate
21 listings
12.4% of total
Firm
45 listings
26.5% of total
Strict
59 listings
34.7% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Watamu ward
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Watamu ward is Strict, used by 34.7% of listings.
- A majority (61.2%) of hosts in Watamu ward utilize Firm or Strict policies, indicating a market where hosts prioritize booking security.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Strict policy to align with the 34.7% market standard in Watamu ward.
- With 34.7% using Strict terms, this is a viable option in Watamu ward, particularly for high-value properties or during peak demand periods.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Watamu ward.
Watamu ward STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for Watamu ward
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Watamu ward is 61 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during January (average 83 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in May (average 32 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Winter (74 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Spring (42 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (61 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Watamu ward.
- For January stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 83 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- Target marketing efforts for the Winter season well in advance (at least 74 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these Watamu ward averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Watamu ward (2025)
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for Watamu ward
- Essential amenities in Watamu ward that guests expect include: Wifi. Lacking these (this) could significantly impact bookings.
- Popular amenities like Essentials, Kitchen, Hot water are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
- A pool is a highly desired but not standard amenity, making it a key feature for attracting guests seeking leisure in Watamu ward.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Watamu ward: Wifi.
- Prioritize adding missing essentials: Wifi.
- Consider adding popular differentiators like Essentials or Kitchen to increase appeal.
- Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
- Regularly check competitor amenities in Watamu ward to stay competitive.
Watamu ward Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)
Guest Profile Summary for Watamu ward
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Watamu ward consists of predominantly international visitors (74%), with top international origins including United Kingdom, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or French.
- Domestic travelers account for 26.1% of guests.
- Key international markets include Kenya (26.1%) and United Kingdom (11.9%).
- Top languages spoken are English (44.3%) followed by French (12.3%).
- A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Focus marketing internationally, particularly towards travelers from United Kingdom.
- Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
- Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
- Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.
Nearby Short-Term Rental Market Comparison
How does the Watamu ward Airbnb market stack up against its neighbors? Compare key performance metrics like average monthly revenue, ADR, and occupancy rates in surrounding areas to understand the broader regional STR landscape.
| Market | Active Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Avg. Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramisi ward | 11 | $2,492 | $218.58 | 43% |
| Dabaso ward | 101 | $2,051 | $172.40 | 42% |
| Tiwi ward | 21 | $1,536 | $167.22 | 32% |
| Shella ward | 97 | $1,492 | $215.69 | 30% |
| Kinondo ward | 161 | $1,247 | $175.97 | 33% |
| Ukunda ward | 273 | $1,225 | $130.95 | 36% |
| Mkomami ward | 44 | $1,159 | $287.21 | 24% |
| Mnarani ward | 34 | $1,059 | $153.05 | 22% |
| Lamu | 24 | $982 | $126.68 | 29% |
| Junju ward | 60 | $853 | $207.15 | 21% |