Port Alfred

As of June 2026, Port Alfred, Kenton-on-Sea, Bathurst have 258 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 12% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Port Alfred generates R171K per year. High-performing properties earn R396K/year, while low-performing properties earn R72K/year. Supply contraction combined with flat revenue suggests demand is not keeping pace with visitor availability, resulting in a competitive environment where the performance gap between high and low earners indicates significant operational or positioning differentiation among active listings.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Port Alfred. Average annual revenue is R171K with 31% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to R396K/year. Declining supply and revenue year-over-year suggest a contracting market, while the significant gap between average and top performers indicates differentiation remains possible despite intensifying competition.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Port Alfred is 31%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of R2K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of R348 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Port Alfred, with annual revenue of R207K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Port Alfred market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Port Alfred area. I don't have reliable data on short-term rental regulations or enforcement reality for Port Alfred, Kenton-on-Sea, or Bathurst (South Africa). These smaller Eastern Cape towns likely fall under Ndlambe and Makana municipalities, but specific STR rules and actual enforcement practices aren't documented in available sources. Local municipal offices would need to be contacted directly for current regulations and how actively they're enforced in practice. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Port Alfred Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 12% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 15%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The significant gap between average revenue ($171,493) and top performers ($395,712) suggests differentiated property performance, while the 31% occupancy rate reflects moderate market utilization across the portfolio.

Launch around September, 2-3 months before peak winter season (December peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -11% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (June-May) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Port Alfred listings include: Kitchen (99%), Tv (93%), Bbq (82%), Balcony (70%), Washing Machine (67%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Bbq, Gym, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 78% more (R540K/year vs R303K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Port Alfred over the last 12 months: May: R6K, June: R6K, July: R7K, August: R6K, September: R8K, October: R10K, November: R8K, December: R21K, January: R17K, February: R10K, March: R13K, April: R16K. 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 Port Alfred is R2K, up 16% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average R1K/night, 2-bedroom properties average R2K/night, 3-bedroom properties average R2K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average R3K/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in May.

Guests in Port Alfred book an average of 29 days in advance, down 18% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 25 days, 2-bedroom: 25 days, 3-bedroom: 32 days, 4+ bedroom: 35 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Port Alfred Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 12%, revenue per listing decreased 15%, occupancy fell 19%, average nightly rates increased 16%, and lead time decreased 18%. The occupancy decline outpacing supply reduction suggests weakening demand relative to available inventory, while the significant revenue gap between top performers ($395,712) and average listings ($171,493) indicates market bifurcation favoring premium properties.

In Port Alfred, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekends show 25% higher occupancy than weekdays.