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Everything You Need to Know about Banana Beach in Phuket

Everything You Need to Know about Banana Beach in Phuket

| Last Updated: June 2024

Welcome to Banana Beach

Banana Beach is a hidden gem of natural beauty, with a wide white-sand beach strip and crystal-clear blue waters. 

Although near the mainland (less than 10km), it doesn’t pack huge crowds like its more popular neighbors in Phuket, like Karon Beach and Patong Beach.

Where is Banana Beach?

Where is Banana Beach

Banana Beach can be found at the north-eastern tip of Coral Island, locally known as Koh Hey. It is right by the clear turquoise Andaman sea, surrounded by a bright green forest.

Best Time to Visit Banana Beach 

The best time to visit Banana Beach is from January to February since it provides the ideal weather conditions for beach activities. During these months, most days, if not all, will be dry and sunny with no chance of rainfall.

Moreover, these months also don’t have very high temperatures at noon, so it’s perfect for sunbathing. That means you can get the most out of your trip to Banana Beach from morning until night. 

How to Get to Banana Beach 

Taxi: The best way to get to Banana Beach is to catch a taxi from anywhere in Phuket. You can even use the Grab and Bolt apps to make booking a taxi more convenient.

Rental Motorbike: Self-driving to Banana Beach is also a great option. The beach is easy to find since you only need to drive along the main road (Highway 4018) in Phuket’s upper west coast. 

You’ll spot the trailhead to the beach next to lines of orange road barriers. Visitors can only park their vehicles on the other side of the main road, so it’s best to bring a rental motorbike since it’s easier to park.

If you’re driving from the airport, you’ll pass by Naithon Beach before reaching Banana Beach. Keep in mind that you must have a driver’s license and an International Driving Permit to rent a vehicle in Phuket.

Where to Stay in and Near Banana Beach 

Trisara

Media from trisararesort

Address: 60 Cherngtalay, 1 Srisoonthorn Road, Tambon Choeng Thale, Thalang District

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 76 310 100

Website: https://www.trisara.com/

Pricing: ฿฿฿

This luxury hotel is one of the best and nearest accommodation options from Banana Beach, and we think it’s definitely worth the 12-minute walk. It’s in an exclusive and secluded location, so expect the ultimate privacy during your stay here.

That makes it ideal for families and couples looking for the perfect hideaway near Banana Beach. It’s also one of the most expensive hotels in Phuket, so expect top-of-the-line amenities and fully decked-out suites and villas.

Aside from that, Trisara is well-known for its vast jungle area where you can enjoy numerous activities like cycling, nature walks, picnicking, yoga, and training camps.

Plus, it has a stunning and exclusive beachfront where guests can laze under the sun.

Andaman White Beach Resort

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Address: 28/4 Moo 4, Tambon Sakoo, Thalang District

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 11 a.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 76 316 300

Website: http://www.andamanwhitebeach.com/

Pricing: ฿฿

Andaman White Beach Resort is a mid-range hotel near Banana Beach, so it’s a great option for tourists who want to skip the pricier luxury hotels nearby. However, it’s still a 4-star hotel, so expect decked-out rooms, suites, and villas with chic interiors.

Aside from that, you also get a charming wooden terrace or balcony with a dramatic panoramic beachfront view. You can even have an outdoor shower, whirlpool bath, and private pool if you go for an upgraded quarter or private villa.

This hotel also has a Thai seafood restaurant, beachside pizza bar, spa, fitness gym, and watersports center. Since this is smack in the middle of Banana Beach and Naithon Beach, that means you also have easy access to two of the province’s best beaches.

Anantara Layan Phuket Resort

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Address: 168 Moo 6, Layan Beach Soi 4 Cherngtalay, Thalang District

Operating Hours: 3 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 76 317 200

Website: https://www.anantara.com/layan-phuket

Pricing: ฿฿฿

Though not your best option location-wise, Anantara Layan Phuket Resort is one the best luxury resorts in the province, so it’s definitely worth a shot. That means you’re covered for the best amenities and state-of-the-art facilities Phuket has to offer.

However, it’s 4 kilometers from Banana Beach, so it’s best suited for tourists with rental cars. Aside from that, this is also perfect for nature and hiking enthusiasts since it’s connected to Banana Beach via the popular Banana Beach-Layan Beach trail. 

That means you get a chance to observe wildlife, witness stunning ocean views, and explore a lush jungle if you stay in this hotel. That should be a great factor when you look at the rather hefty price tag this place carries. 

Where to Eat in and Near Banana Beach

Pa Pa Restaurant

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Address: 4018 Choeng Thale, Thalang District

Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 61 547 4790

Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Papa-Restaurant-Banana-Beach-100027836546139/

Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿

Pa Pa Restaurant is the only highly-rated food spot right on Banana Beach, so it’s arguably the top pick for tourists visiting the beach. The good thing is they have a sizable menu, so you get plenty of food options to check out.

They mostly serve classic Thai dishes but you can also find Western-style food like Italian pasta, burgers, and club sandwiches. Our favorite was their crispy fried calamari and BBQ chicken.

The BBQ chicken, in particular, was a great choice since it was savory and well-marinated. Just know that their portions are on the small side, so be prepared to order a few dishes.

PRU

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Address: 60, Cherngtalay, 13 Srisoonthorn Road, Cherngtalay 1, Tambon Choeng Thale, Thalang District

Operating Hours: 

  • 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. (Friday – Saturday)
  • 6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Tuesday – Saturday)

Contact Number: +66 76 683 344

Website: https://www.prurestaurant.com/

Pricing: ฿฿฿

PRU is a Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant near Banana Beach which makes it a solid option for beachgoers who want a sophisticated dining experience.

They open at night on most days, so it’s the perfect place to go after a day at the beach.

Also, the restaurant recently went under reconstruction to create a Kappo-style open-plan kitchen so guests can hear, see, and smell the food as they’re prepared. It makes you feel like you’re part of the culinary process before you even get your food.

This restaurant’s signature offering is its PRU Experience Courses consisting of 5 to 7-course meals representing various regions in Thailand. It’s an interesting way to experience the country’s charming places through food.

Seafood at Trisara

Media from trisararesort

Address: 60, 1 Srisoonthorn Road, Choeng Thale, Thalang District

Operating Hours: 6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 76 310 100

Website: https://trisara.com/dining-experiences/

Pricing: ฿฿฿

If you’re staying at Trisara, its on-site seafood restaurant is a great choice. This restaurant specializes in Thai seafood dishes but it also serves International cuisines like sushi, sashimi, and ceviche.

That means you’re covered for numerous food options. However, the restaurant’s most standout dishes are the premium Phuket lobster, Phang-Nga mud crab, and Phuket tiger prawns.

These seafood options also come with 4 signature sauces, 4 southern-style side dishes, and 1 dessert option, so you’re definitely getting your money’s worth. That should be ample to allow you to replenish your energy for your next adventure. 

What to See and Do in Banana Beach 

Take a plunge at Banana Beach’s deep waters

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Banana Beach crystalline waters are perfect for tourists looking for a refreshing swimming spot. This beach is an underrated gem, so you can enjoy swimming without worrying about huge crowds or watercrafts getting in the way.

Plus, only the areas along its shore have rock formations, so there’s no threat of hitting anything while swimming here. Just know that the water in Banana Beach gets quite deep which means it’s only suitable for experienced swimmers.

Moreover, its currents get stronger the farther you are from the shore, so it’s best to keep a close distance at all times. This is especially true if you’re exploring the beach with people who don’t know how to swim or with children. 

Sunbathe in peace on its white sandy beach

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Though not as massive as other beaches, Banana Beach offers a sizable white sandy shore with plenty of space for tourists who enjoy sunbathing. Plus, it also helps that the beach isn’t typically crowded, so you don’t have to fight for a spot.

In fact, if you visit during weekdays, it’s common to have the beach for yourself, especially if you arrive early in the morning. That makes it the best time to swing by if you want to secure your preferred sunbathing spot along the beach.

Shops don’t rent sunbeds on this beach, so you must bring a beach blanket. And make sure you get ample sunscreen protection from the sun during the summer or you could be scorched without even knowing it. 

Rent a snorkeling gear and observe the marine life

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Another popular activity in Banana Beach that tourists can enjoy is snorkeling. The coastlines along the beach are mostly rocky, so expect to see plenty of fish swimming close to the shore.

That makes it ideal for families with kids who enjoy observing marine life together. Just be careful not to stay too close to the rocky coastlines when waves are coming.

Don’t worry, this isn’t usually an issue since the waves on the beach are gentle on most days.

Survey the beach’s surrounding coastlines with a rental jet ski or kayak

If you want to explore Banana Beach surrounding coastlines, you can do so with a rental jet ski or kayak. This gives you a chance to see the nearby coconut tree-lined forest trails and forests.

If you’re lucky, you might even spot local fauna. Think sea eagles, water monitor lizards, kingfishers, shore crabs, and more.

Kayaks and jet skis are available at Banana Beach Pa Pa Restaurant.

Explore the nature trail along Banana Beach 

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Banana Beach is a secluded beach, so it has some interesting nature trails that are definitely worth exploring. In fact, you must get through a short trail to reach the beach from the main road.

The most popular trails hikers go for are the Banana Beach-Layan Beach trail and the Sirinat Layan Hill-Banana Beach loop. These trails will let you see the local fauna and flora near the beach.

Admire the beautiful sunset at Banana Beach

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Most people who frequent Banana Beach visit it during the afternoon for good reasons: to avoid the midday heat and to see its beautiful sunset. That also makes it a popular after-work beach spot for locals who want to escape Phuket’s touristy area.

The sun sets on the left side of the beach, behind the small cape where the nearby Villa Praison stands. With the perfect spot, you can witness or capture the stunning moment when the sun slowly hides behind the cape’s rocky cliffs.

Or, you can sit at the beachside bar and bid the sun farewell with a cold refreshing beer.

Get a relaxing massage by the beach

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Another thing you can do in Banana Beach is get a relaxing beach massage. This is available at the small massage tent next to Pa Pa Restaurant, so expect an open-air massage session which is common on beaches all over Thailand.

That means you can enjoy the relaxing massage treatment and the beach’s cool breeze simultaneously. 

Enjoy picnicking under the beach’s palm trees

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If you don’t like lazing under the sun, you’ll be pleased to know that Banana Beach is packed with palm trees. This means you get plenty of shaded areas where you can sit back and soak in the cool ocean breeze.

That makes it ideal for family beach picnics during the weekends. Moreover, the line of palm trees means you can set up a hammock if you like to get a pleasant afternoon nap.

And you don’t have to bother bringing food since you can buy from the restaurant on the beach.

FAQs about Banana Beach 

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