Things to do in Banana Island
And where to stay, the best time to visit, what a day costs, and the traps to skip.
Best time to visit Banana Island
• a note or something on ✦ an occasion worth the trip
Best weather, 20 to 25 degrees, calm seas, peak prices and sell outs.
Good, warming fast, excellent sea swimming, Ramadan timing can change mainland hours.
Extreme heat over 40 degrees with humidity, lower rates, pools and indoor venues at midday only.
What's on
- Qatar National Day 18 December
Celebrations in Doha bring crowds and pressure on boats and city hotels.
- Qatar Grand Prix late November, check year dates
Doha winter sports calendar pushes up flight and hotel prices across the city.
Best things to do in Banana Island
Banana Island Beach
800 metres of private golden beach in a crescent, calm lagoon water and the island reason to come.
Lagoon Pool
100 metre lagoon pool long enough for real laps, with a kids splash area alongside.
Splash Surf Pool
Two lane surf pool with waves set by skill level, so beginners learn without open sea conditions.
Anantara Spa
Overwater spa with hammams and a wellness centre, sold as a QAR 850 spa day with boat and beach.
Cool Mint Kids Club
Supervised club for ages 4 to 12, 9 am to 9 pm, with a teens club alongside for older children.
Where to stay in Banana Island
Banana Island
only base on the island, resort stays and day visits from Doha
One private resort island with one hotel, reached only by boat from Al Shyoukh Terminal in Doha.
Best restaurants in Banana Island
Al Nahham
Traditional regional cooking and mezze over the water, the signature dinner on the island.
Riva
Contemporary Italian trattoria with homemade pasta, pizza and seafood, the other splurge dinner.
Q Lounge & Restaurant
All day poolside dining with Mediterranean and Indian dishes, the flexible mid tier choice.
Azraq
All day buffet with live stations and the daily breakfast, plus a Friday brunch across the kitchens.
Ted's
Retro American diner by the kids clubs, burgers and shakes at the islands lowest sit down prices.
Tanzerin Beach Grill
Beachfront light bites and juices in the day, the day pass lunch that fits the restaurant credit.
Outdoor things to do in Banana Island
Banana Island Adventure Park
275 metre zipline, rope courses and climbing walls, with pool, beach and boat transfers in the ticket.
Water Sports
Kayaking, pedalos and paddleboarding in the sheltered lagoon, the cheapest paid activity on the island.
Dive Centre
Dive centre with a practice pool for beginners, running snorkelling and scuba around the island.
Pier 51 Marina
Resort marina with 30 berths, departure point for fishing trips and luxury yacht cruises.
Nine-Hole Golf Putting Course
Nine hole putting course with tennis and padel alongside, dry land activity at low cost.
Best hotels in Banana Island
Premier Sea View Room
Entry room in the islands only hotel, with balcony and sea views, the least costly bed here.
One Bedroom Sea View Pool Villa
Beach side villa with a fully private pool and terrace, the couples splurge with feet on sand.
Three Bedroom Over Water Villa
Large overwater villa with private pool and deck over the Gulf, the islands headline stay.
Is Banana Island expensive? What a day costs
| Budget | QAR 450 a person |
|---|---|
| Classic | QAR 950 a person |
| Splurge | QAR 2,600 a person |
A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room
What to book ahead
- Banana Island Beach: a few days ahead
- Anantara Spa: a few days ahead
- Banana Island Adventure Park: a few days ahead
- Dive Centre: a few days ahead
- Pier 51 Marina: a few days ahead
- Premier Sea View Room: weeks ahead
- One Bedroom Sea View Pool Villa: weeks ahead
- Three Bedroom Over Water Villa: months ahead
- Day passes, spa day packages, diving, yacht trips and Al Nahham and Riva dinners in peak season. Day pass bookings are listed as non refundable.
Is Banana Island safe?
- Dry resort, no alcohol served or allowed in. Main risks are heat, sun and a choppy crossing in strong winds. Strikes in the region since July 2026 have disrupted flights, so check conditions before booking.
Banana Island travel tips: tourist traps to skip
- Buying both a standalone Adventure Park ticket and a day pass that already includes Adventure Park access. Children get no restaurant or activity credit on the day pass.
Getting around Banana Island: public transport and more
- Boat only. Luxury catamarans from Al Shyoukh Terminal on the Corniche near the Museum of Islamic Art, crossing 25 to 30 minutes, ID required.
Who Banana Island suits
| Solo travellers | OK |
|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Good |
| Couples | Great |
| Bachelor parties | Not ideal |
| Families | Great |
| Bachelorette parties | Not ideal |
Make Banana Island your trip
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