Ukunda

As of June 2026, Diani Beach, Ukunda, Mombasa have 946 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 1% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Ukunda generates KES1.5M per year. High-performing properties earn KES6.9M/year, while low-performing properties earn KES477K/year. The massive earnings disparity suggests that revenue is heavily concentrated in a small subset of listings, indicating that market performance is driven more by specific property positioning than by broad market demand.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Ukunda. Average annual revenue is KES1.5M with 19% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to KES6.9M/year. With occupancy rates stagnant at 19%, the revenue ceiling reached by top performers highlights a market where profitability is highly sensitive to individual listing optimization rather than volume-driven demand.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Ukunda is 19%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of KES21K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of KES3K per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Ukunda, with annual revenue of KES3.6M. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Ukunda market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Ukunda area. Diani Beach: Lenient. No formal short-term rental regulations. Tourism Board registration recommended but rarely enforced. Operates informally with minimal government oversight. Ukunda: Lenient. Part of Kwale County with no specific STR laws. Voluntary tourism licensing exists but enforcement is minimal. Most operate without permits. Mombasa: Lenient. County business permit theoretically required. Tourism Regulatory Authority registration exists but enforcement is weak. Most hosts operate without formal compliance. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Ukunda Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 1% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 5%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The slight contraction in both supply and revenue suggests a period of market consolidation where less competitive units are exiting, leaving a more stabilized but currently stagnant landscape.

Launch around September, 2-3 months before peak winter season (December peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 29% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (September-May) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Ukunda listings include: Kitchen (97%), Pool (86%), Tv (75%), Air Conditioning (68%), Balcony (68%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Pool, Bbq, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 64% more (KES5.1M/year vs KES3.1M/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Ukunda over the last 12 months: May: KES57K, June: KES66K, July: KES109K, August: KES113K, September: KES70K, October: KES94K, November: KES93K, December: KES190K, January: KES124K, February: KES102K, March: KES107K, April: KES126K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Ukunda is KES21K, up 18% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average KES11K/night, 2-bedroom properties average KES19K/night, 3-bedroom properties average KES30K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average KES44K/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in August.

Guests in Ukunda book an average of 26 days in advance, down 28% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 22 days, 2-bedroom: 25 days, 3-bedroom: 30 days, 4+ bedroom: 38 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Ukunda Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 1%, revenue per listing decreased 5%, occupancy fell 12%, average nightly rates increased 18%, and lead time decreased 28%. These metrics reveal a shift toward shorter booking windows and aggressive pricing strategies, reflecting a market reacting to lower utilization rates.

In Ukunda, Friday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Monday. Weekends show 13% higher occupancy than weekdays.