Banana Bend

Very nice place I would definitely recommend to everyone. Very clean, lots of shaded areas, on property grills are great so you don’t have to lug your personal pit. Volleyball courts with sprinklers to keep you cool while you play. BYOB! Bring cash for the snack bar and entry fee.

Nice place to gather, play and BBQ. Lots of groups with loud music. Mostly Tejano’s when I was there.
They have water play items, like a banana float towed by a boat, jet skis, water trampoline.
The beach is nice and pretty clean, but the water is stagnant and dirty with foam and fuel/​oil mixture floating around.
Read the warning signs, there are drop offs in the water and no lifeguards. We had to save a little boy that sank when he went too far. There’s private security roaming around on a 4 wheeler, but that’s it.
They have the 51% sign posted up front, so no CCW/​CHL inside.

A nice, peaceful environment just like my backyard. Great sand and volleyball nets. They provide their own bbq grills so you only have to bring your own coal. The only cons i have is that it is $ 6 per person to get in and they they close at 7pm.

Great environment, I highly recommend going here with family or friends. The sand is great unlike Galveston, also Freshwater so no smell, seaweed, or nasty tastes from accidentally gulping in water. They also provide volleyball nets, grills, tables, and shade which is great. There’s about 3 nets spread out, a ton of Cabanas, & tons of trashcans. It’s hardly packed during the weekdays so you’ll be able to enjoy a peaceful environment. They play a variety of music from country to rap to Spanish music.
The only downfall is the price of $ 6-​$ 7 per person which can get pricey for a large family like mine. It’s family ran or so it seems so I think they care a great deal about keeping it nice.
If you’ve read about drowning and deaths it’s probably from kids or people who aren’t strong swimmers because I had no problems out there and I’m a weak swimmer, obviously it’d be smart to stay in your range and feel for any drops because there are a few random drops.
Hopefully this helped answer any questions you have!

Off the chain. I’m from Atlanta and over here alcohol is prohibited at any beach/​lake. They got a dj you can grill right on the sand drink as much as you bring. You will need a tent tho cause that suns a bitch. Take cash for the entrance fee and in case you need anything else they sell it to you

There is a dam upstream that lets its water flow and creates a killer underflow because it bottle necks at Banana Bend! DON’T TAKE YOUR CHANCES! My partner’s brother just drowned here who was an amazing swimmer, only 24 years old! And someone else drowned there three days later. PLEASE RESEARCH! We are trying to get this place shut down, it’s a PUBLIC DANGER.

This place is cool, nice sand, volleyball and you can bar b q and drink if you would like. No one bothered me when I was there sooooo Yea. Fun times. Have gone back several times.
They have a dance floor, you can bring anything you want. Awesome. Check it out.

went here with the family and had a great time, pavillions, bbq pits, umbrellas, showers.

My sister had my nephew’s 7^th birthday party here. I had never actually heard of this place until today, so I had no idea what to expect.
I was so pleasently surprised! There is so much to do out there– lots of covered pavillions available to rent, volleyball nets, grills– even showers to rinse off in after swimming in the river. It’s all so organized and well set-​up.
There is an entrance fee, but for such a small amount, I feel like its completely worth it to have all these amenities. We had a really great time out there and I look forward to going back out there again w/​the family this summer when it is warmer.

Man made beach! Went here for the 4^th of July weekend! It was great, we hung out with some friends that live out by there and we took their boat out. I like how they have the no wake zone for passing by boaters so there isnt crazy wave action for people on the shore. Love the fact that you can just pull up in the boat and jump right out and swim! They had music, DJ’s volleyball courts with water misters above them! Love the fact that you can go out just far enough and still feel the bottom of the river! Overall great place, cant wait to get back out there :)

Suprise there is not a review on this yet. A friend suggested the place and I was looking for more info of what to expect but nothing — so here it goes.
Yes, it’s a beach with real sand on the bank of San Jac. River. Decent size. Surprisingly clean area. lots of trees so it’s not scorching hot as Gavleston beaches. You can even bring a hammock and chill. I kindda like this better than the beaches for the kids cuz there is no wave so there less danger of drowning or being sweep away. Overall, I would say it’s a good change up from the beaches once in a while.
Cost: 6 & under = $ 0; 6 – 12 = $ 4; 12 & up = $ 6
Amendities: Picnic tables, some in small family size pavillion; bbq pit made out of barrels — big, bring lots of coal. we had some burgers and hot dogs so we brought a small grill with us; adequate port-​a-​potties; canoe, kayak ($ 15/​hr — great price) and umbrella rental. Music will be playing loudly from the central pavillion (imagine a big beach party) — good choice of mix music, so you don’t really need to bring your own. Volleyball nets, you can borrow the ball from the rental/​food trailer.
Would have given 5 stars but while we were there, there were a few boats just ram into the shore and dock there instead of docking at the boat location — blocking/​dividing the swinging area. And the occasional Baptizing.
Someone in your group should get there at opening time to get your spot! It’s taken up quickly. We were there at 10 on Sunday morning and there were barely any tables left.