Discover everything about the Banana Island day pass: what’s included, dining options, booking tips, and essential advice for a perfect getaway in Qatar!
Escape the busy streets of Doha and step into a tropical paradise at Banana Island Resort by Anantara , just a short boat ride away. With its pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and five-star amenities, the Banana Island day pass is perfect for anyone looking to relax, enjoy delicious dining, or try fun activities with the family.
Before our trip to Doha, I struggled to find detailed information about the day pass experience, so I decided to create this comprehensive guide to help first-time visitors. From giving my honest Banana Island review and sharing our personal experience to explaining how to book, what’s included, dining options, and essential tips, this post covers everything you need to know for a smooth and luxurious day.
Banana Island was one of the most luxurious experiences we’ve ever had, and it truly deserves its own blog post. If you’re still planning your trip, don’t miss my posts on things to do in Doha, our top 5-star luxury hotel recommendation on a budget, and 6 best restaurants in Doha.
This post covers everything you need to know about the Banana Island day pass!
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Banana Island Day Pass – Review & Guide
How To Book A Day Pass
Booking a Banana Island day pass requires a reservation, which is done through email. While the Banana Island official website provides pricing details and the reservation email, here’s a crucial tip: don’t rely on calling, especially during peak seasons. I made this mistake, and all it got us was a hefty phone bill—oops!
To ensure a smooth process, book at least three weeks in advance. Two weeks might be okay during quieter times, but if it’s school holidays or when the weather is ideal, availability fills up fast. We started trying to book a week before our trip and didn’t get a response for days because of high demand. It was nerve-wracking!
If you don’t hear back after a few days, don’t panic. Instead, send a direct message to the Banana Island Resort Instagram page. Their team was incredibly helpful, and they got the reservation manager to respond to me. They even sent the payment link while we were on our flight to Doha, and we completed the payment while waiting in line for visas. Talk about cutting it close! Learn from my mistakes and book early to avoid stress.
Time Slots for Day Passes
Banana Island offers two time slots for day pass visitors: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. While the later slot sounds tempting, I highly recommend the 9:00 AM slot. Here’s why:
- The pool and beach facilities close at sunset (around 5:00 PM when we visited at the beginning of November).
- By choosing the earlier slot, you’ll have more time to swim, relax, and enjoy activities without feeling rushed.
Plan ahead, book early, and pick the earlier time slot to make the most of your day at Banana Island! Also even if you do book the earlier time slot, if they are fully booked you may only get the 11 am slot which is exactly what happened to us. This is why I advise you to book at least 3 weeks in advance!
What You Get With Your Banana Island Day Pass
Many people might feel that the Banana Island day pass is a bit pricey, but let me tell you—it’s worth every penny for what you get!
For adults, the pass includes a luxury boat transfer to and from the island, complimentary towels, and generous vouchers for food and activities. Each adult receives a £40 food voucher and a £10 activity voucher, making it easy to enjoy a full day of indulgence.
We took our 3-year-old with us, and her day pass was significantly cheaper, though it didn’t include the vouchers. However, the £40 food credit per adult was more than enough to cover lunch and dessert for all of us. For activities, we simply paid a small additional fee (£10) for her to join in on the fun!
The activity voucher can be used for various water activities, and if you choose something that exceeds the voucher amount, you’ll only need to pay the difference. With so many activities to enjoy and a dining credit that goes a long way, the Banana Island day pass truly offers incredible value for a luxurious family day out.
Banana Island Restaurants
Banana Island Resort offers several dining options, but only a select few are available for day pass guests. That said, the choices are excellent, including Q Lounge, Riva, Ted’s, and possibly Al Nahham (double-check when you arrive, as this is based on what we were told and what I remember).
We chose Q Lounge, located conveniently by the pool. The restaurant specializes in Indian cuisine with international options as well. We decided to go all in on Indian food and ordered lamb biryani, garlic naan, and butter chicken curry—and it was, without a doubt, the best Indian meal we’ve ever had. The quality of the food was outstanding and honestly beyond words.
For dessert, we tried two options, but the one that stole the show was Umm Ali, a traditional Egyptian dessert. It was warm, rich, and absolutely unforgettable—I still can’t stop thinking about it!
Overall, our experience at Q Lounge was fantastic. The food was a solid 10/10, and the service matched it perfectly. If you’re visiting on a day pass, make sure to indulge in their dining—you won’t regret it!
Other Doha Travel Guides You’ll Find Helpful:
- 11 Unmissable Things To Do In Doha
- Where To Stay In Doha: Our Top Hotel Recommendation (5 star luxury and budget-friendly!)
- 6 Best Restaurants In Doha: Budget-Friendly Food Spots
Things To Know Before Visiting Banana Island
Here are a few very important things to know before visiting Banana Island:
Bring Your Passport (Even a Picture Works!)
At the reception area before boarding the boat, you’ll be asked to show your passport. We panicked because we hadn’t brought ours, but thankfully, a photo of it was accepted. This requirement wasn’t mentioned in the reservation email, so be sure to have your ID ready to avoid stress.
Changing Rooms and Showers Are Available
We traveled in our regular clothes, which turned out to be a great choice as many visitors arrived in summery outfits. Once on the island, you can use the changing rooms located near the bowling alley. To access them, you’ll need to collect a key and may be asked for your passport as a security measure. In our case, they just took our hotel name and phone number. The facilities also include showers, perfect for freshening up after swimming before heading out to explore.
Pre-Booking is Essential
As mentioned earlier, you must pre-book your day pass through the reservation email provided on the Anantara website. Tickets sell out quickly, especially during weekends (Friday-Saturday in Qatar) and school holidays. For international tourists, Sunday may also be a busy day, so plan accordingly.
Boat Transfers
Part of the Banana Island experience is the luxury boat transfer from Al Shyoukh Port, included in your day pass. Make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before your departure time, as stated in your reservation confirmation email, to ensure a smooth boarding process.
Extra Fees May Apply
While the day pass includes vouchers for food and activities, you’ll need to pay the difference if you choose something that exceeds the voucher amount. This is worth keeping in mind when planning your day.
Free Golf Cart Service
Banana Island is large, but getting around is easy thanks to their complimentary golf cart service. Simply ask a staff member to call one for you, and they’ll take you anywhere you need to go. This was one of my favorite parts of the experience—I’d always wanted to ride in a golf cart, and it added a fun touch to our day!
Banana Island Day Pass Review
Banana Island was an experience I absolutely didn’t want to miss during our trip to Doha—and I’m so glad we made it happen! If you visit Doha and don’t make it to Banana Island, you’re truly missing out. Honestly, it’s worth going back to Doha just for this unforgettable day.
As first-time visitors, we spent a lot of time exploring the city, which can be quite exhausting in the heat, so taking a luxurious, relaxing break on Banana Island was the perfect reset.
From the moment we arrived at Al Shyoukh Port, we felt like VIPs. The luxury experience starts even before you reach the island. The reception building is stunning, and the boat transfer felt exclusive and special.
Upon arrival at the island, we were greeted with rose water and a vibrant drum performance—a welcome that felt straight out of the Maldives.
Everything about our day was top-notch. The food was incredible, and the water sports were a highlight for us (we tried kayaking and loved it). From start to finish, the experience was a solid 10/10. If we return to Doha, Banana Island will definitely be on our list again.
The only downside? The 9-5 time slot was fully booked, so we had to settle for the 11-7 slot, but since the pool and beach close at sunset (around 5:30 PM), we didn’t get as much swimming time as we’d hoped. To avoid this, I highly recommend pre-booking well in advance so you can secure the 9 AM slot.
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