Banana Island Resort by Anantara, Doha

Overview

Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara is a private island resort a short boat ride off the Doha waterfront. The island is a crescent of reclaimed land, which is where the “banana” comes from, with a sandy beach along its inner curve, a lagoon, a small marina and a line of over-water villas on stilts. You cannot drive there. Everyone arrives by the resort’s own ferry from Al Shyoukh Terminal on the Corniche, opposite Souq Waqif.

That boat ride is a big part of the appeal. Within half an hour of leaving the city you are on an island with the Doha skyline across the water, and the resort has been designed as a self-contained holiday: several restaurants, a spa, pools, a surf pool, an adventure park with ziplines and rope courses, a bowling alley, a cinema room and water sports. It is one of the few places in Qatar that feels like a beach holiday rather than a city hotel with a beach.

Is it worth it for a weekend? For families, it is one of the easiest “proper holiday” breaks you can take without flying, and the day pass lets you test it first. For couples it can be lovely on a quiet weekday, less so on a busy weekend. The honest downsides are price, the fact that everything on the island is resort-priced, and the ferry timetable, which shapes your day. The resort is alcohol-free.

The story behind the island

Banana Island is an artificial island covering about 20 hectares, built in a crescent shape by Power International Holding. The resort, operated by the Thai-based Anantara brand of Minor Hotels, was completed and opened in early 2015; industry press reported the opening on 6 January 2015 with 141 keys.

At launch, those keys were split into sea-view rooms and suites, 34 sea-view pool villas and 11 over-water villas with two or three bedrooms. The opening line-up also included an 800-metre beach, a marina with around 30 berths and a dive centre, a two-lane surf pool, a 100-metre lagoon pool, a wellness centre, a spa with Turkish hammams, kids’ and teens’ clubs, a bowling alley and a nine-hole golf course. The facilities have evolved since: the resort now promotes an Adventure Park, a VIP cinema and a mini putting course alongside the surf pool, and its current website describes villas with up to five bedrooms.

From the start the island was pitched at Doha residents as much as international visitors, and it has become one of Qatar’s best-known staycation and day-trip spots, especially during the cooler months and the Eid holidays.

What to expect

1. Rooms, suites and villas

   There are three broad types of accommodation. Sea-view rooms and suites, from about 46 to 85 square metres according to the resort, all have balconies facing the water. Beach pool villas, roughly 100 to 170 square metres, have two or three bedrooms and a private pool, and work well for families. The over-water pool villas, 220 to 360 square metres with three or five bedrooms, sit out over the lagoon with their own pools and are the island’s signature splurge. If you are a couple, a sea-view room is usually enough; the villas make more sense when their cost is shared across a family or group.

2. Eating and drinking

   All dining is alcohol-free. The resort lists Q Lounge and Restaurant for all-day dining with Mediterranean and Indian dishes, Al Nahham for Middle Eastern mezze and regional food, Riva for contemporary Italian, Azraq for international and Middle Eastern dishes, Ted’s, a retro American-style family diner, and Tanzerin, a beachside spot for drinks and light bites. There are also in-room dining, villa barbecues and private set-ups such as floating trays and picnics. The floating Q-ONE Lounge was listed as closed until October 2026. Prices are what you would expect on a private island, so budget accordingly.

3. Beach, pools and surf pool

   The beach runs along the sheltered inside of the crescent, so the water is usually calm and shallow enough for children. Beyond the beach there are pools, including a large lagoon-style pool, and a surf pool where you can try a standing wave. Water sports, some motorised, operate from the lagoon and are charged separately.

4. Adventure Park and indoor fun

   The Adventure Park is the island’s newest big draw. According to the day-pass booking page it includes a zipline, rope courses, a giant swing, a free-fall, a climbing wall, a bouncing net and a human slingshot, although some elements, such as the zipline, cost extra. For hot afternoons there is a bowling alley and a cinema room, plus a mini putting course and a padel court.

5. Spa and wellness

   Anantara Spa sits among gardens on the island and offers massages, facials and hammam rituals, with over-water treatment options mentioned on the resort’s site. Treatments are not included in room rates or day passes, so book ahead if a spa session is part of your plan.

6. Day passes for non-guests

   This is the easiest way to judge whether a stay is worth it. When we checked in October 2026, the standard day pass on the resort’s booking page cost QAR 395 for adults (12+) and QAR 150 for children aged 3 to 11. It included return boat transfers from Al Shyoukh Port (out at 10am, back at 5pm), beach and pool access and the Adventure Park, and for adults a QAR 200 dining credit and a QAR 70 activities credit. Bookings were non-refundable. The resort also advertised a sunset day pass from QAR 395 and a more comprehensive “One Day in Paradise” package from QAR 850. Offers change often, so check the current details before booking.

Who it suits, and who it doesn’t

Families get the most out of Banana Island. Calm water, lots of activities within walking distance and a boat ride that children tend to love make it an easy two-night break. The villas, with private pools and several bedrooms, can be good value when shared.

Couples will enjoy the over-water villas, the spa and sunsets over the lagoon, but should pick weekdays and avoid school holidays if quiet matters. Because the resort is alcohol-free, it is not the place for a bar-hopping weekend.

Budget-conscious visitors should start with a day pass. It gives you most of the island’s facilities for a day, and you can decide afterwards whether an overnight stay adds enough. Room rates vary widely by season and day, so check current rates on the resort’s site rather than relying on old figures.

Independent explorers who like to come and go may find the fixed boat times limiting. Once you are on the island, you are on it until your return sailing.

How to get there

The only way onto the island is the resort’s boat. It leaves from Al Shyoukh Terminal on the Doha Corniche, opposite Souq Waqif, and the crossing takes around 20 to 30 minutes. The resort says free valet parking is available at the terminal.

• By car: drive to the Corniche near Souq Waqif and follow signs for the terminal. From West Bay this is usually a 10 to 15 minute drive outside rush hour.
• By metro: Souq Waqif station on the Gold Line is a short walk away.
• By taxi or ride-hailing: ask for Al Shyoukh Terminal or the Banana Island ferry terminal on the Corniche.

Bring your original ID. The resort states that residents need their original Qatar ID and tourists their original passport to board. Arrive at least 20 to 30 minutes before your sailing, and remember that day-pass boats run at fixed times, so a late start means a shorter day.

Best time to visit

October to April is the best period, with warm, sunny days and pleasant sea temperatures. November, February and March are particularly good. From June to September it is very hot and humid; the pools and water are still usable in the morning and late afternoon, and summer room offers can be good value, but midday is uncomfortable outdoors.

Weekends and public holidays, especially Eid and the National Day period in December, are the busiest times, and day passes and rooms sell out. A weekday visit is noticeably calmer. If you are a couple looking for peace, avoid school holidays.

Tips for your visit

• Book day passes and boat slots in advance; weekend dates often sell out.
• Carry your original Qatar ID or passport. Photocopies and phone photos are not enough to board.
• Use your dining credit at lunch and check which venues it applies to when you arrive.
• Pay for activities by card; ask what is included before signing up, as many extras are charged separately.
• Pack a light cover-up for walking between the beach and restaurants.
• If you are staying overnight, ask about boat times for your check-in and check-out so you are not waiting at the terminal.
• For a special occasion, the over-water villas are the island’s showpiece, but a sea-view room plus a spa treatment is often better value for two.
• Check whether the kids’ club and specific venues are running on your dates, as some close for maintenance or out of season.

What to bring

• Original Qatar ID or passport
• Swimwear, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
• A light cover-up and sandals
• A waterproof bag for phones
• A bank card for extras

Combine it with nearby places

Souq Waqif. The ferry terminal is right opposite the old market, so plan dinner or a stroll through its lanes after your return boat.

Museum of Islamic Art and MIA Park. A short walk or drive along the Corniche, with a lovely park and skyline views, and a good cultural morning before an afternoon sailing.

Doha Corniche. The 7 km waterfront promenade starts right by the terminal, ideal for an evening walk once it cools down.

Old Doha Port (Mina District). Colourful streets, cafés and the cruise terminal, a few minutes’ drive east of the ferry point.

Al Wakrah Souq and Beach. If you want another beach day on a budget, the public beach and restored souq at Al Wakrah are about 20 minutes south of the city.

Frequently asked questions

Last checked October 2026. Hours, fees and access can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.