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Banana Beach: A Secret Cove in the North

Banana Beach in Phuket — a hidden cove with clear water for snorkelling

Banana Beach is a tiny cove on the northwest coast of Phuket that most tourists never find. Just 150 metres of sand, crystal-clear water for snorkelling, not a single sun lounger, and at most 10-15 people even at the height of the season. Getting here involves a dirt road by scooter and 10 minutes on foot through the forest. There are no shops or cafes, so you carry everything yourself. This is a beach for people who value peace and quiet and are willing to put in a little effort for it. Full overview in the best beaches of Phuket ranking.

My Personal Experience

Banana is my "secret beach" that I only take friends to who genuinely appreciate nature and are up for a small adventure. The first time I reached it on the tip of an expat friend from Laguna, and I remember the feeling when, after 10 minutes on a jungle trail, I emerged onto the cove: silence, turquoise water, not a soul in sight. That day I snorkelled for two hours and saw clownfish in anemones, the actual Nemo. It was one of those moments that make living in Phuket worthwhile.

Now I visit Banana every 2-3 weeks, usually on a weekday. I bring water, fruit, and a mask and spend half the day. My top tip: come in the morning, by 9:00-10:00. The light in the cove is best for snorkelling, there are almost no people, and there is still shade from the trees. After 14:00 the sun moves behind the rocks and the beach loses half its charm. If you need a scooter rental for the trip, get in touch and we will point you to reliable places.

Beach Description

Banana Beach is a tiny cove hidden between rocks on the stretch of coast between Bang Tao and Nai Thon. The beach is only about 150 metres long. Jungle-covered rocks on both sides completely conceal the cove from view. You cannot see it from the road or from neighbouring beaches.

The sand here is coarser than at Freedom Beach, golden with fine shell fragments. The water is clean and transparent, especially from November to March. Near the rocks on both sides there are living corals with butterflyfish, parrotfish, and small reef fish swimming around them. For snorkelling on Phuket, it is one of the best spots if you do not want to take a boat to Phi Phi or the Similans.

Depth near shore is knee-deep, then gently increases to 2-3 metres about 20 metres out. In high season there are virtually no currents. The bottom is sand with occasional rocks, so reef shoes are a good idea.

The name "Banana" has nothing to do with the beach's shape; it most likely comes from the banana plantations that once covered the slopes above. Today the surrounding area is tropical forest, with monitor lizards that occasionally wander onto the sand (harmless, but impressive at up to a metre long).

Visitors to the beach are mainly expats living around Bang Tao and Laguna, plus tourists who found information online. No organised groups come here. On a weekday in high season there are 5-10 people; on a weekend, up to 20.

Infrastructure

There is absolutely no infrastructure at Banana Beach. Accept this and prepare in advance.

Food and water. No cafes, no vendors, no vending machines. Everything you need on the beach, you carry yourself. The nearest shop is a 7-Eleven on the road to Bang Tao, 4 km from the beach. Buy water, fruit, and snacks beforehand.

Shade. Trees along the back of the beach provide partial shade, especially in the morning. By midday the sun is overhead and the shade recedes. There is no umbrella rental; bring your own.

Toilet. None. The nearest one is in restaurants on the road, 1.5 km from the beach.

Rubbish. No bins. The rule is: take everything you brought back with you. The beach stays clean only thanks to the conscientiousness of visitors.

Mobile signal. Mobile coverage works (3-4 bars on AIS and True). Naturally, there is no Wi-Fi.

Sun loungers. None. Sit on a towel or on the rocks in the shade.

How to Get to Banana Beach

You can only reach Banana Beach with your own transport (scooter rental or car) plus walking. Public transport does not come here, and taxi drivers know the spot about half the time.

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By scooter (recommended)

From Bang Tao or Laguna, head north on road 4018. About 2 km past the intersection with Soi Pasak, turn left onto a dirt road (GPS: 7.9870, 98.2815). Follow the dirt road 800 metres to the parking area (a flat clearing in the forest, free). From the car park a trail leads down through the forest, taking about 10 minutes on foot.

The dirt road is manageable on a standard scooter (Honda Click, Yamaha NMax), though after rain there may be puddles. By car it is only feasible with four-wheel drive or at least decent ground clearance.

From Patong: 25-30 minutes by scooter via Kamala and Bang Tao. Bolt/Grab to the dirt road turnoff is 350-450 THB (Bolt is usually 30-50 THB cheaper), but drivers often do not know the exact location. It is best to enter the car park GPS coordinates (7.9862, 98.2790) into the navigation. Or look for fellow travellers among other visitors.

Parking. A free clearing in the forest for 15-20 scooters and 5-6 cars. Leave your transport and walk the trail. There have been no thefts, as the spot is quiet and secluded, but it is best not to leave valuables on display.

Landmarks

The trail to the beach

From the car park the trail descends through tropical forest. The slope is gentle (not as steep as Freedom Beach), with an elevation drop of about 40 metres. The path is well-worn but unsurfaced, with no steps or railings. Flip-flops work but trainers are more reliable. The descent takes 8-12 minutes, the climb back up 12-15 minutes.

Best Time to Visit

Best season: November to April. The sea is calm, snorkelling visibility is 10-15 metres, and there is little rain. This is a guaranteed good time. More details in the Phuket weather by month article.

Best time of day: 9:00 to 13:00. In the morning the sun illuminates the cove, making the water its most beautiful colour. After 14:00 shadow from the western rocks begins to cover part of the beach.

May to October. Unlike Freedom Beach, Banana is accessible year-round (the road is always there). But during the monsoon, waves can be large, snorkelling is poor (visibility 2-3 m), and storms sometimes wash debris onto the shore.

Weekends vs weekdays. On weekdays it is deserted. On Saturdays and Sundays, local Thais and expats come for picnics. For maximum solitude, choose Tuesday to Thursday.

Who Banana Beach Is Best For

Snorkelling enthusiasts: one of Phuket's best spots for mask-and-snorkel diving without a boat. Living corals, a diversity of fish, clear water. If you do not want to spend a full day on an island excursion, Banana is an excellent alternative.

Couples: yes, if you both enjoy adventure and nature. The romance of a wild beach is an entirely different experience from the beach clubs of Surin.

Families with small children: not recommended. The forest trail, the lack of food, water, and toilets are too inconvenient. With children aged 7-8 and older who love nature, it is worth a try.

Party-goers: absolutely not. There is nothing here but sand, water, and silence.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

What to Bring

Since there is absolutely nothing on the beach, this list is essential:

Snorkelling at Banana Beach

Snorkelling is the main reason to visit Banana; if you just want a swim, Bang Tao is more convenient. Near the rocks on both sides of the cove there are soft and hard corals. Visibility in high season is 10-15 metres.

What you can see:

The best zone is the left (southern) side of the cove. Depth is 2-4 metres, with more coral and bigger fish. The right side is shallower and less interesting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Banana Beach in Phuket?

Banana Beach is on the northwest coast of Phuket, between Bang Tao and Nai Thon beaches. GPS coordinates: 7.9862, 98.2773. Reached via a dirt road plus 10 minutes on foot.

Can you snorkel at Banana Beach?

Yes, snorkelling is excellent. There are living corals and tropical fish near the rocks on both sides of the cove. Visibility is best from November to March (10-15 metres). Bring your own mask as there is no rental on the beach.

Is there food at Banana Beach?

There are no cafes or shops on the beach. You must bring all food and water with you. The nearest shop is a 7-Eleven in the Bang Tao area, about 4 km from the beach.

Is Banana Beach suitable for children?

For children aged 5 and over, yes, provided they can manage a 10-minute walk along the trail. The entry into the water is gentle. But there is zero infrastructure: no shade, no food, no toilet. For toddlers it is too inconvenient.

What is the best time of year to visit Banana Beach?

The best season is November to April. The sea is calm and snorkelling is excellent. From May to October there can be waves, but the beach is accessible year-round (unlike Freedom Beach, where boats do not operate during the monsoon).

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