Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

Phuket has two beaches called Banana Beach, and this is the one on the mainland. It's a small, curved bay on the northwest coast between Layan and Nai Thon, about 20 km from Phuket Airport. The beach is free to access and can be reached on foot from the road. The other Banana Beach is located on Koh Hey (Coral Island), a day trip destination off Chalong, which can be reached by speedboat. If the name refers to a tour, it means the island.

The bay is hidden from the coastal road by the jungle. From Nai Thon, head south, 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 Anantara Layan, you've gone too far. Two short paths lead down from the road, the main one being steep. Bang Tao is about a 15-minute drive south, and Patong is about 45 minutes away.

The water is the main reason to visit. Rocky headlands protect the bay, so the water is usually calm and clear from November to April. Plenty of fish congregate around the rocks at both ends for snorkeling, provided you have a mask. The beach in the middle offers the cleanest access. There are some large boulders in the shallow water, and rocks and coral along the sides – so water shoes are recommended. It's no longer the secluded secret it once was. A beach club and restaurant now occupy the area behind the beach, and it's often crowded on weekends. A weekday morning is therefore the closest you'll get to the photos.