Asia's official "best beach" is a tropical island paradise with golden sands and temperatures that can reach 34C in March. The utopia won Tripadvisor's 'Best of the Best' title in the Travellers’ Choice Awards, an achievement that fewer than 1% percent of its eight million listings manage.
It's based on a "high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community over a 12-month period", and the 2,413 reviews of the beach in Phuket didn't dilute its score. It instead stands just shy of perfection at 4.9 out of 5 in its review ranking. Banana Beach in Phuket has "everything you need for the perfect beach day" according to the forum, where you can snorkel or dive around the stunning coral reefs, go surfing, or treat yourself to a beachside massage.
On the small Koh Hey islet off the coast of Phuket, it's known for its water sports for families, with snorkeling, parasailing, kayaking, jet skiing and scuba diving. There's even a zipline.
It also has restaurants on the sand serving up island fare such as Thai delicacies, fresh local fruits and cocktails in a coconut.
One review said: "Banana Beach in Thailand is a hidden gem! The water is crystal clear, and the beach is super peaceful - perfect for relaxing or snorkeling. It feels like a little slice of paradise, away from the crowds. Definitely worth the boat ride to get there!"
It is often done as part of an organised daytrip, with one user adding: "Banana beach is everything you could hope for in a daytime getaway.
Not only are the views breathtaking, but the hospitality second to none. With incredible eats and beats, this is a day trip you can’t miss!"
However, not everyone was convinced, with one visitor complaining about their visit in January 2024, which was "not great at all and really upset us", adding that the snorkeling was "terrible" as it was packed with stinging jelly fish.
The review said: "They didn’t let us do any of the activities. They tried to offer us a T-shirt and for us to sign a waiver to not discuss or complain about the trip, which I didn’t do.
"Money wasted and very disappointed. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND."
