Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Nanaimo? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in Nanaimo:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Nanaimo?
The short-term rental market in Nanaimo shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:
- Typical properties (median) earn $1,716 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $2,667 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $4,215+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $991
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Nanaimo
The market in Nanaimo shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:
- Typical properties (median) maintain 52% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 76% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 88%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 29%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Nanaimo
Daily rates in Nanaimo vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:
- Typical properties (median) generate $93 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $137 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $228+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $69
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Nanaimo
Peak Season (August, July, June)
- Revenue peaks at $2973.94 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 69.70%
- Daily rates average $135.94
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2147.04 per month
- Occupancy maintains 51.64%
- Daily rates hold at $126.52
Low Season (December, November, January)
- Revenue drops to $1275.87 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 39.14%
- Daily rates adjust to $117.50
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Nanaimo in 2025?
Yes! Nanaimo demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 52% and solid monthly revenue averaging $2147 and With 445 active listings, the market shows established demand while maintaining room for growth. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:
Peak Season Strategy
- Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
- Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
- Enforce stricter cancellation policies
Shoulder Season Strategy
- Maintain competitive market-based pricing
- Offer moderate-length stay incentives
- Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
- Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions
Low Season Strategy
- Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
- Target different guest segments (business travelers, long-term stays, holiday visitors, event attendees, remote workers)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Nanaimo
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Nanaimo | A vibrant cultural hub with waterfront access, ideal for guests looking to explore local shops, restaurants, and attractions. Close proximity to the Nanaimo Harbour is a major draw for tourists. | Nanaimo Harbour, Vancouver Island Conference Centre, Hell's Gate Airtram, Nanaimo Museum, Fixx Café |
| South Nanaimo | A growing residential area that offers affordability and access to nature, making it attractive for families and budget-conscious travelers. Close to parks and hiking trails. | Nanaimo River, South Nanaimo Park, Swayчайу','Duke Point Coast, WildPlay Element Parks |
| North Nanaimo | Known for its suburban feel and family-friendly environment, North Nanaimo is popular with locals and visitors who appreciate shopping, dining, and access to beaches. | Departure Bay, Woodgrove Centre, Piper's Lagoon Park, Neck Point Park, Linley Valley Cottle Lake Park |
| Protection Island | A unique getaway just a short ferry ride from the downtown core, offering a peaceful retreat with stunning views and nature. A favorite for those seeking tranquility and outdoor activities. | Protection Island Ferry, Safari on the Bay, Paddleboarding, Walking Trails, Sunset Beach |
| Ladysmith | A charming town located 30 minutes south of Nanaimo, known for its historical architecture and waterfront activities. Offers a quiet retreat while still being close to Nanaimo's attractions. | Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, Transfer Beach Park, Ladysmith Marina, Cowichan Valley Trail, Historic Ladysmith |
| Duncan | Located about 45 minutes north of Nanaimo, Duncan boasts a rich First Nations history and is known for its cultural attractions and community events. Ideal for guests who want to explore the Cowichan Valley. | Cowichan Valley Museum, The World's Largest Totem Pole, Duncan Farmers Market, Quw'utsun' Cultural Centre, Duncan Sports Park |
| Chemainus | Famous for its murals and live theatre, Chemainus offers a quaint experience with a strong arts community. A good destination for guests interested in culture and history. | Chemainus Theatre, Murals of Chemainus, Waterwheel Park, Chemainus River Provincial Park, Chemainus Marina |
| Gabriola Island | A beautiful and laid-back island community just off the coast of Nanaimo, perfect for those looking to escape the city and enjoy nature, art, and local culture. | Gabriola Island Museums, Sandwell Provincial Park, Gabriola Island Arts Council, Drumbeg Provincial Park, Dolphin Marina |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Nanaimo?
Yes, Nanaimo requires a license for operating an Airbnb. Current market data shows 71% of active listings maintain proper licensing, confirming this requirement. Getting licensed is an essential first step before listing your property.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Nanaimo
Ocean view, New Hot Tub, Private suite with BBQ
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Salish Peaks Escape ~ Pool & Ocean View
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Stunning Oceanfront Gated Property in Nanaimo
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Beautiful Oceanview home in North Nanaimo
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Ocean View! Mountain View! Entire Villa for groups
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Ocean view! Luxury & New Built at North Nanaimo
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Nanaimo
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christine | 5 | $372,288 | 113 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Heidi | 4 | $166,584 | 223 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Anastasiia | 5 | $153,847 | 389 | 4.98/5.0 |
| Tanner | 1 | $136,619 | 23 | 4.87/5.0 |
| Alesia | 3 | $107,519 | 227 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Susana | 1 | $103,503 | 40 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Maggie | 5 | $103,427 | 29 | 3.91/5.0 |
| Harinder | 1 | $97,262 | 97 | 4.85/5.0 |
| Xiaoxi | 3 | $87,144 | 154 | 4.40/5.0 |
| Meghan | 1 | $68,748 | 21 | 5.00/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Nanaimo
AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Key Insights
- Market dominated by entire home listings (87.4%), with others and house properties comprising 81.4% of inventory
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (2.2% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 445 properties in Nanaimo shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 42.9% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 78.2% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (42.9%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (1.3%)
- Market concentration: 78.2% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 445 properties in Nanaimo reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 36.6% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.5 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 2 guests make up 66.7% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 4 guests (36.6% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (0.9% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.5 guests per property
- Market concentration: 66.7% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 445 properties in Nanaimo, the most common availability pattern is 181-270 days (31.5% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (31.7% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 181-270 days (31.5%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (31.7%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 58.9%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 41.8%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
100 listings
26.1% of total
2 Nights
148 listings
38.6% of total
3 Nights
39 listings
10.2% of total
4-6 Nights
9 listings
2.3% of total
7-29 Nights
14 listings
3.7% of total
30+ Nights
73 listings
19.1% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 64.7%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 2.3% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (19.1%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 74.9% accepting 3 nights or less
Recommendations
- Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
- Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
- Consider monthly stay discounts to capture the growing extended-stay market
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Super Strict 30 Days
1 listings
0.3% of total
Flexible
94 listings
24.4% of total
Moderate
142 listings
36.9% of total
Firm
86 listings
22.3% of total
Strict
62 listings
16.1% of total
Key Insights
- Moderate is the preferred policy at 36.9% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 61.3% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Moderate policies
- Super Strict 30 Days policies are least common at 0.3% of listings
Recommendations
- Consider starting with a Moderate policy to align with market preferences
- Strong market preference for Moderate policies suggests this should be your baseline
- Consider generous cancellation terms as a competitive advantage
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Jul, Jun, May, averaging 60 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Oct, Feb, Jan, averaging 36 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 58 days, while Winter has the shortest at 36 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 58 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Oct-Jan when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Nanaimo
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Nanaimo:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 73.4% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United States (11.8%) and United Kingdom (4%)
- English is the top language at 71.8%, followed by French (10.6%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 7.3%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Vancouver and Victoria markets
- Develop localized content for United States and United Kingdom
- Prioritize English and French language support
- Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
- Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns
Nearby Markets
Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding Nanaimo. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Goodwin | 11 | $5,746 | $385.80 | 44% |
| Cape George Colony Club | 10 | $4,893 | $260.17 | 60% |
| Sudden Valley | 65 | $4,811 | $308.53 | 53% |
| Lopez Island | 41 | $4,519 | $368.63 | 42% |
| Friday Harbor | 225 | $4,477 | $385.11 | 45% |
| Eastsound | 247 | $4,357 | $350.44 | 44% |
| Oak Harbor | 129 | $4,308 | $284.53 | 50% |
| Orcas Island | 14 | $4,287 | $537.83 | 38% |
| Camano | 109 | $4,029 | $281.98 | 43% |
| Port Angeles | 658 | $3,893 | $244.59 | 54% |
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