Banana Beach
A small cove on Phuket's northwest coast between Layan and Nai Thon, reached on foot from the coast road, with clear water and a beach club behind it.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Open 24 hours daily
Check Monsoon Windows
Andaman coast beaches (Phuket, Krabi) have rough seas May–October. Koh Samui's beaches are roughest October–December, and Hua Hin's wettest months are September and October. Plan your beach trip around these windows for calm water and safe swimming.
Stay within reach of Banana Beach
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Best rated within a 14-minute walk
Where to Stay in Phuket
Finding your way around Banana Beach
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Getting there and around
- The cove is on Phuket's northwest coast between Layan and Nai Thon, about 20 km from Phuket airport, 25–35 minutes by car.
- Heading south from Nai Thon on the coast road, pass the Andaman White Beach Resort and two hairpin bends, then look for parked cars and a hand-painted sign. The Anantara Layan resort means you've gone past it.
- Two short trails lead down from the road to the sand. The main one is steep.
- Bang Tao is about 15 minutes south by car and Patong around 45 minutes.
Details
Full opening hours
Tours that include Banana Beach
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Banana Beach.
Why go, and how to do it well
Phuket has two beaches called Banana Beach, and this is the mainland one. It's a small curved cove on the northwest coast between Layan and Nai Thon, about 20 km from Phuket airport, free to visit and reached on foot from the road. The other is Banana Beach on Koh Hey, or Coral Island, a day-trip beach off Chalong that you reach by speedboat. If the name comes with a tour price attached, it's the island.
The cove is hidden from the coast road by jungle. Heading south from Nai Thon, drive past the Andaman White Beach Resort and through two hairpin bends, then look for parked cars and a hand-painted beach sign. If you reach the Anantara Layan, you've gone too far. Two short trails lead down from the road, and the main one is steep. Bang Tao is about 15 minutes south by car and Patong around 45.
The water is the reason to come. Rocky headlands shelter the cove, so from November to April it's usually calm and clear, and the rocks at either end hold enough fish for a snorkel if you bring a mask. The middle of the beach is the cleanest way in. There are a few big boulders in the shallows and stones and coral along the sides, so swim shoes help. It isn't the empty secret it once was. A beach club and restaurant now sit behind the sand and weekends get busy, so a weekday morning is when it looks most like the photos.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
Tours that include Banana Beach
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Banana Beach.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Banana Beach, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Banana Beach, round out your day in Phuket with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Hidden gem in phuket 🏝️, white sand & crystal clear water. Not too crowded and there's so many activities to do. Our program includes hotel pick up&drop off and round trip transfer boat, snorkeling and kayaking for only 2000 baht per person. 15 mins by speedboat from Ao chalong, I usually get seasick but was fine with this trip .Worth visiting🫶🏻🫶🏻
It's a beautiful beach. If you plan to visit, you should know beforehand how much parking costs, how much drinks cost, and how much beach chairs cost.
Car: 100 THB / day Motorbike: 40 THB / day Banana Beach used to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket with a very tropical natural, peaceful vibe. Unfortunately, lately it has become way too crowded, and the beach club/restaurant setup takes away a lot of the charm that made this place feel special in the first place. On a beach that’s naturally stunning, the commercial vibe really changes the experience. Still a beautiful spot, but it doesn’t feel like the hidden gem it once was.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 3,785 reviews on Google.
27RG+PHH, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore beaches nearby
All within 4.7 km of Banana Beach.
Layan Beach
Le Phang Beach
Bang Tao Beach
Tips for Visiting Beaches
Go Early for Empty Sand
Even the busiest beaches are nearly deserted before 9 AM. A sunrise walk is the best hour of the day on the sand, and you'll beat the heat for a morning swim.
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Many Thai marine parks ban chemical sunscreens that damage coral. Bring reef-safe (mineral/zinc-based) sunscreen from home — it's harder to find and pricier in Thailand.
Explore Beyond the Main Strip
Every popular beach area has quieter alternatives nearby. Rent a scooter and ride 10 minutes from Patong to find Freedom Beach, or head to Phuket's northeast coast for nearly empty shores.
Banana Beach: Frequently Asked Questions
Which Banana Beach in Phuket is this?
The mainland one, a free public cove on the northwest coast between Layan and Nai Thon that you walk down to from the road. Phuket's other Banana Beach is on Koh Hey (Coral Island) off Chalong, a day-trip beach club reached by speedboat with packages from ฿1,900.
How do I get to Banana Beach on the mainland?
By scooter, car or taxi on the coast road between Nai Thon and Layan. Coming south from Nai Thon, pass the Andaman White Beach Resort and two hairpin bends, then park where you see other cars and walk down one of the two trails. Parking costs about ฿100 for a car.
Is Banana Beach Phuket good for snorkeling?
For a casual snorkel, yes. The rocks at both ends of the cove hold fish close to shore, and the water is clearest from November to April. Bring your own mask, and wear swim shoes, because there are boulders in the shallows and stones and coral along the sides.
Is Banana Beach worth visiting?
Banana Beach holds a 4.5★ rating from 3,785 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated beaches in Phuket.
What are the opening hours of Banana Beach?
Banana Beach is open 24 hours a day — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Banana Beach?
The best months to visit Phuket are November – April, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: May – October (rough seas).
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