

Phuket: Banana Beach (Coral Island)
Operating Hours:Monday - Sunday: Open 24 hours
The Vibe:Remote turquoise cove, serene and unspoiled 🏝️
Just off Phuket’s coast lies a hidden beach on Koh Hey. This small cove offers white sands and crystal-clear waters, a peaceful escape from the island’s busier spots.
Gentle waves ripple onto soft sand while palm trees sway quietly. Colorful fish swim in the shallow turquoise water as snorkelers float above coral, with only distant boat engines breaking the silence.
- Tripadvisor Best of the Best 2025: Ranked #2 Beach in the World
- Often dubbed Phuket’s most beautiful hidden beach
- Visitors praise its clear snorkeling waters and tranquil vibe
Fit For
- Families: Calm water and shallow areas; exciting boat trip (not stroller-friendly)
- Couples: Secluded and romantic, perfect for quiet swims and picnics
- Seniors: Requires boat transfer and walking on sand – best for active seniors
- Photographers: Brilliant turquoise bay and lush backdrops, stunning in morning light
Highlights
- Snorkeling spots — Shallow coral gardens right off the beach teeming with fish
- Water sports — Kayaks, banana boats, and parasailing add fun on the water
- Beachfront restaurant — Casual eatery serving fresh seafood with ocean views
- Hornbill sightings — Watch for exotic hornbill birds in the treetops — Hidden Gem
Phuket Local Expert

Tom Vater
Table of Contents
Things To Do Nearby
Long Beach (Coral Island) — The island’s other main beach, a longer stretch with lunch spots and more snorkeling
Racha Island — Another island day trip known for coral reefs and white sands, often combined with Coral Island tours
Long Beach (Coral Island) — The island’s other main beach, a longer stretch with lunch spots and more snorkeling
Racha Island — Another island day trip known for coral reefs and white sands, often combined with Coral Island tours
TJ's Guide - Banana Beach (Coral Island)
Know Before You Go
Insider Tips
• Best Time: Visit in the morning for the calmest waters and before tour groups arrive.
• Pack Essentials: Bring enough cash (no ATMs on the island) and reef-safe sunscreen; most amenities like chairs or lockers require a fee.
• Footwear: Wear sandals or water shoes when disembarking—the boat lands in shallow water and there may be broken coral on shore.
• Weather Watch: From May–October (monsoon season), boat trips can be delayed or canceled due to rough seas—check the forecast and plan a flexible schedule.
• Best Time: Visit in the morning for the calmest waters and before tour groups arrive.
• Pack Essentials: Bring enough cash (no ATMs on the island) and reef-safe sunscreen; most amenities like chairs or lockers require a fee.
• Footwear: Wear sandals or water shoes when disembarking—the boat lands in shallow water and there may be broken coral on shore.
• Weather Watch: From May–October (monsoon season), boat trips can be delayed or canceled due to rough seas—check the forecast and plan a flexible schedule.
Know Your Facts
- • Boats from Phuket: Speedboats (≈20 min) leave from Chalong Pier, while traditional longtail boats (≈40 min) depart from Rawai Beach to Koh Hey (Coral Island).
- • Beach Landing: There’s no pier at Banana Beach—boats pull up to shore, so expect to wade through knee-deep water when arriving and departing.
- • Island Fee: You’ll be asked to pay a conservation/entry fee in cash on arrival (keep the receipt, as some packages allow you to redeem it for services like a chair or drink).
Once You Reach
Internal Navigation
• Small & walkable: Banana Beach is a single 180-meter stretch of sand—explore end-to-end easily by foot in a few minutes.
• Activity center: A hut near the center handles snorkel gear, life jackets, and activity sign-ups (kayaking, parasailing). Start here if you want equipment or to book an activity.
• Trails: On one end of the beach, a short dirt path leads into the foliage—follow it carefully for a hidden viewpoint of the bay. Otherwise, stay on the sand and designated areas.
• Terrain: Expect soft sand and some coral rubble underfoot. There are no paved paths or boardwalks, so those with mobility issues should take it slow (and note that wheelchairs cannot roll on the sand).
Food & Coffee Shops
• Banana Beach Club Restaurant: The island’s only eatery, right on the sand—enjoy fresh grilled fish, coconut curry, and cold coconuts with a sea view (prices higher due to everything being brought by boat).
• Post-trip tip: After returning to the mainland, stop by Rawai Seafood Market – pick fresh seafood and have it cooked on the spot for a delicious local dinner to round out your day.
• Banana Beach Club Restaurant: The island’s only eatery, right on the sand—enjoy fresh grilled fish, coconut curry, and cold coconuts with a sea view (prices higher due to everything being brought by boat).
• Post-trip tip: After returning to the mainland, stop by Rawai Seafood Market – pick fresh seafood and have it cooked on the spot for a delicious local dinner to round out your day.
Photography Tips
• Early Light: Shoot around mid-morning when the sun makes the water a vibrant turquoise (great for capturing that tropical blue).
• Aerial Views: If you use a drone, you can capture the full crescent of the bay and reef patterns (ensure drone use is permitted and safe).
• Underwater Shots: Bring a waterproof camera or GoPro to snap colorful fish and coral while snorkeling—visibility is usually excellent.
• Early Light: Shoot around mid-morning when the sun makes the water a vibrant turquoise (great for capturing that tropical blue).
• Aerial Views: If you use a drone, you can capture the full crescent of the bay and reef patterns (ensure drone use is permitted and safe).
• Underwater Shots: Bring a waterproof camera or GoPro to snap colorful fish and coral while snorkeling—visibility is usually excellent.
Explore Deeper
Banana Beach isn’t just a pretty spot – it highlights Phuket’s delicate balance between tourism and nature. Here are a few insights into its environment and story:
• Coral Care: The reefs here have experienced bleaching in past years, but you’ll still find pockets of healthy coral. Tour operators now brief visitors on not touching or stepping on coral to help preserve what remains.
• Wildlife: Beyond marine life, the island’s jungle supports creatures like monitor lizards and hornbills. Spotting a great hornbill high in the trees is a special treat, as these birds have become rare on more developed islands.
• Managed Paradise: Unlike Phuket’s public beaches, Banana Beach is semi-managed by a private outfit. The fees and controlled facilities help keep the beach clean and uncrowded, but they also mean every convenience (chairs, activities) comes at a price.
• Rise to Fame: Coral Island has long been a local getaway, but Banana Beach itself remained under the radar until social media posts and travel blogs (and that world’s-best ranking) suddenly put it on many bucket lists.
• Coral Care: The reefs here have experienced bleaching in past years, but you’ll still find pockets of healthy coral. Tour operators now brief visitors on not touching or stepping on coral to help preserve what remains.
• Wildlife: Beyond marine life, the island’s jungle supports creatures like monitor lizards and hornbills. Spotting a great hornbill high in the trees is a special treat, as these birds have become rare on more developed islands.
• Managed Paradise: Unlike Phuket’s public beaches, Banana Beach is semi-managed by a private outfit. The fees and controlled facilities help keep the beach clean and uncrowded, but they also mean every convenience (chairs, activities) comes at a price.
• Rise to Fame: Coral Island has long been a local getaway, but Banana Beach itself remained under the radar until social media posts and travel blogs (and that world’s-best ranking) suddenly put it on many bucket lists.
Did You Know?
• World Acclaim - In 2025, Banana Beach was ranked the #2 best beach in the world by TripAdvisor, astonishing locals and instantly increasing visitor numbers.
• Off the Grid - The beach has no electricity or plumbing from the mainland. The restaurant runs on generators and rainwater or shipped-in fresh water, giving visitors a semi-remote experience.
• Name Origins - Why “Banana Beach”? Locals say the bay’s long, curved shoreline reminded early visitors of a banana. The name stuck, even though you won’t find banana trees here!









