Summary

Half Moon Bay beach was one of my absolute favourites growing up. We would spend most Sundays there with family and friends from all ages. One of the amazing things about this beach and what makes it so special, is the crescent shape of it. What this shape does is create a beach which goes from almost perfectly calm and flat on one side to gradually larger crashing waves on the other side, allowing you to choose what kind of experience you are looking for.

There isn’t much shade on Half Moon Bay beach but lucky for you, there are friendly locals who will be happy to rent you an umbrella and some sun loungers for a reasonable price.

It is worth noting that, due to the east coast positioning of this beach, at various points in the year it may accumulate a large amount of sargassum seaweed. I would not let this deter you from visiting though as the beach is regularly cleared for your convenience.

Snorkeling

Half Moon Bay beach has both interesting on-land and in-sea topography. You can find smaller sea life living around the clusters of coral and rock formations in relatively shallow water. For stronger swimmers you can paddle out into the middle of the bay or closer to the rocky corner of the beach where you’ll likely see a bit more life happening. Make sure to bring your own snorkeling gear though, as there isn’t anywhere nearby that you can rent from.

Sea Access

Due to the shape and nature of Half Moon Bay beach, ease of access to the water varies. If you are an older group heading over to the calm side is probably right for you but if you are a family with kids of roughly 8 and up, I can not begin to tell you how much fun can be had on the rougher side with the ability to body surf and play in the waves. Just make sure you keep an eye on them as no one is in charge of mother nature.

Food and Drink

There are 2 restaurants to choose from at Half Moon Bay beach. Whilst both are in walking distance, the closest spot to the beach is Beach Bum Bar & Cafe where you can grab fresh beach food such as lobster wraps, fish burgers, etc. The other spot is Smiling Harry’s restaurant which you’ll pass just as your driving up to the beach car park. Here you’ll find more typically local cuisine such as curry goat and baked fish, along side the standard beach food items.

Busy

Half Moon Bay beach, although popular, is not a beach that I would ever really consider to be busy. This is likely because it is a ‘relatively’ far beach to get to from most places on the island and because of its size it is easy to spread out and separate yourself from others if you want a little seclusion.

Restrooms

It is worth noting that there are no public restrooms on Half Moon Bay beach. If you do find yourself in need of the facilities you will have to buy something from one of the restaurants.

Food & Drink

Depending on your mood, either one of the restaurant will satisfy. I regularly alternate between the two with my go to order at Beach Bum Bar & Cafe being the juicy lobster roll and the curry goat from Smiling Harry’s Restaurant if they have it on the menu that day.

It’s worth mentioning that whilst the food is very good at Beach Bum Bar & Cafe they are know for taking quite a long time to prepare food so I would definitely order well in advance. The friendly staff will be sure to advise you that it’s being made with love and that’s why it takes quite a while, to which I certainly agree as you can taste it in the food. If you’re too hungry to wait then Smiling Harry’s Restaurant may be the one for you as they are quite quick to get food out.

Things To Do

If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, I recommend taking yourself on a walk round to the rocks on the left side of the beach where you will likely see waves crashing against the rock wall. Here you’ll find pools of, what we used to call ‘moon dust’, which is actually just wet clay. If you take the wet clay, rub it all over your skin and leave it to dry, when you wash it off you’re skin will be left feeling silky smooth. Now look at that, I just gave you a free spa day ;).

To add to this experience, once you have your clay applied, I’d recommend taking a short walk down that rocky coast to Friers Head Bay beach to wash it off (footwear is recommended for this part). This beach is much calmer than Half Moon Bay beach, very beautiful and usually extremely quiet. The reason for it being so quiet is because there is a private development called Mill Reef Club on the beach so easy access to it isn’t readily available. As long as you don’t try to access the club or use any of their amenities such as lounge chairs etc, you should not have any problems being there as all beaches in Antigua and Barbuda are public.

Sunset

Although Half Moon Bay beach is on the east coast, you still get beautiful sunsets casting colours of pink, yellow and orange across the bay. However, if you are going to stay for it I would recommend you bring some insect repellent or something to cover yourself up with, as sand flies and mosquitoes will definitely be trying to enjoy the sunset with you.

Beach Hopping

With Half Moon Bay beach being so far east and a fair distance from the closest beach, I don’t particularly recommend beach hopping. However, if you were insistent on visiting more than one on this day trip I would probably recommend Long Bay Beach which is roughly 30 minutes drive away.

Sunblock & Environment

While enjoying the natural beauty of Half Moon Bay beach, it's essential to be mindful of our impact on the environment. I encourage visitors to wear reef-safe sunblock as traditional sunscreens can harm the delicate coral reefs surrounding Antigua and Barbuda. Remember, a golden brown tan looks far better than a flaky red sunburn, and protecting the island's precious marine ecosystems is a collective responsibility.

Safety

Antigua and Barbuda are generally known for being safe islands, but it's always wise to take precautions to ensure a worry-free vacation. I recommend avoiding leaving valuables unattended on the beach, as opportunistic theft can occur. Additionally, while Half Moon Bay beach is a serene spot during the day, it's best to avoid visiting beaches at night unless it's part of an organised event or activity.