Water Sports / Boat Excursions Licence Fees / Charges, Kenya

Any business or individual operating water sports activities or boat excursions for tourists in Kenya must hold a licence from the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) under the Class C enterprise category. This class covers tour operators, travel agencies, local air charters, tourist service vehicle hire, water sports operators, balloon operators, and boat excursion providers. The regulatory basis is the Tourism Act, 2011 and TRA Regulations, 2014 (Legal Notice No. 128 of 2014). Operators of traditional local boats fall under the separate Class E category, with correspondingly different fees.

Water Sports / Boat Excursions Licence Fee Summary Table

Fee Type	Amount (KES)	Notes
Application fee (new applicants)	1,000	One-off on first application
Annual licence fee (Class C)	8,000	Applies to water sports and boat excursion businesses
Late renewal penalty	10% per month	Of applicable licence fee

Additional maritime or environmental permits may apply from the Kenya Maritime Authority or NEMA depending on the nature and location of operations.

Key Requirements

Applicants must submit a Certificate of Incorporation or business registration, KRA PIN certificate, work permits for any non-Kenyan directors, proof of ownership or lease of the relevant watercraft, certificates of seaworthiness where applicable, and professional certificates for staff operating vessels. Marine operations may also require clearance from the Kenya Maritime Authority.

Where to Apply

Applications are submitted to the TRA at Utalii House, 5th Floor, Utalii Lane, off Uhuru Highway, Nairobi, or online via the TRIMS Self-Service portal at tra.go.ke.

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