Banana Beach: Best Hidden Beach in Phuket

Banana Beach was once a hidden gem and a somewhat secret beach in Phuket.

The beach is located on the north-west coast of Phuket, hidden between Bang Tao and Nai Thon Beaches, just south of the Andaman White Beach Resort and north of the Trisara Villas.

This beautiful, secluded beach is also known as Banana Rock Beach because rocky formations divide the beachfront into two.

The beach is not that big, around 180 metres long, and for years it was never crowded; it was a peaceful haven away from the larger beaches and one of our favourite places to go for a peaceful swim, snorkel and a beachfront lunch.

However, this quiet stretch of sand has changed dramatically with the opening of the Banana Beach Club, which now sits along the northern area of the beach.

Banana Beach, which we talk about in this article, is not to be confused with Banana Beach on Koh Hae (Coral Island). 

Don’t get me wrong, Banana Beach is still incredibly beautiful, with clear water ideal for swimming and snorkelling. However, the atmosphere has changed significantly.

What was once a peaceful, hard-to-find beach hideaway now feels incredibly busy with a beach club vibe, loud music and more visitors.

In some respects, we feel the beach has lost a bit of its relaxing charm, while other visitors may love the Beach Club vibe and the facilities it brings.

We'll let you decide.

The best time of the year to explore Banana Beach is from November through to April; the water is calm and crystal clear, and the beach is a top spot for swimming and snorkelling and is quite safe for children.

There are large rock formations at either end of the beach. We found the best snorkelling was towards the southern end of the beach, where you will see beautiful, colourful fish.

During the high season, it's best to get to the beach early in the morning to beat the Beach Club crowds.

Please note: From May through to October, it is best to avoid swimming at Banana Beach, especially if you are not a strong swimmer, as it can be dangerous. 

Along the beach are two restaurants. At the southern end of the beach, you will find a local Thai Seafood restaurant, serving up fresh, delicious seafood and beautiful fruit platters, which we highly recommend.

Prices here are slightly higher than what you would pay in and around Patong, but the food is super fresh with incredible views. They also have icy cold beers.      

The Beach Club is called Banana Beach Club by Sollis 2.0 and is located along the northern end of the beach; the restaurant and beach club are open daily from 9.00 am until 11.00 pm.

You will find that the prices at the beach club are higher than at the local Thai restaurant.

Longtail boats and drivers are available for rent at the southern end of the beach during the high season.

The Beach Club offers food, drinks, music and some water activities, and massages in the shade of the trees. If you visit in the evening, you may also catch a fire show.

Sunbeds are available along the beach in front of the Beach Club, but be aware: everything at the Beach Club comes at a price.

Paid showers and toilet facilities are available; from memory, costing around 20 Baht.

In our opinion, if you're looking for a relaxing day at Banana Beach, pack your own towel and snorkelling gear and head to the southern end of the beach.

Yes, there could be longtail boats in the water, but at least you may get a genuine feel for what the beach used to be like before the Beach Club opened

• Swimming
• Snorkelling
• Lunch at the local beach restaurant (our personal preference), but many may enjoy the Beach Club
• Chill out on the southern end of the beach for a more relaxing, secluded feel

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There isn't any accommodation directly on the beachfront; close by, you will find the Trisara Hotel or the upmarket and very luxurious Phuket Pavilions.

Just to the north of Banana Beach is the very private five-star Andaman White Beach Resort.

All these resorts have private pool villas and are located in the hills with stunning ocean views.

There is also accommodation available on the neighbouring beaches of Nai Thon and Bang Tao Beach.

The easiest way to get to Banana Beach is by car, motorbike or taxi. Travel time will depend on where you are coming from and traffic. From Patong, the journey can take around 40 minutes.

Many visitors also arrive by longtail boat from the nearby beaches.

Access to Banana Beach was once a slippery, step track from the main road, hidden within the trees.

With the opening of Banana Beach Club, this roadside access has been blocked off, and you can no longer gain access to the beach from here.

The good news is that there is now a car park, which makes access to the beach more accessible, but the parking is not free.

Motorbike Parking is 100 Baht, and a car space is 150 Baht.

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