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Antigua & Barbuda🇦🇬 | national parksHalf Moon Bay National ParkCrescent beach, bodyboard surf, sea grape shade, scrub lookouts | things to do and best time to go

Explore Devil’s Bridge National ParkExplore Nelson’s Dockyard National Park

Backpacking in Half Moon Bay
👌 Worth visitingnational park ranked #4
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Half Moon Bay National Park has no ticket booth, no visitor center and no shuttle, and the southeast Atlantic side gets proper surf, so the water is rougher than the calm Caribbean coast most people picture. You’ll find it on the southeast coast of Antigua and Barbuda, on the Atlantic side of the main island. The crescent of pale sand backs onto dry scrub and low cliffs, with enough shade from sea grape trees to read a book. Walks are short, wildlife is mostly birds and lizards, and the scenery is open and windswept rather than lush. Weekends bring local families and a beach bar crowd, so go on a weekday morning, when the sand is nearly yours. Swim where the bay curves in and the waves soften, since the outer stretch has an undertow. The one practical thing to know: bring your own water and snacks, because supplies are thin once you leave the road.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Antigua & Barbuda Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #4 national park in Antigua & BarbudaWhy Half Moon Bay should be on your travel list

Half Moon Bay National Park suits backpackers who like to arrive on their own schedule and leave when the light gets good. Nothing here needs a tour. You can reach the bay by local bus and a walk, or by a shared taxi, and then spend the day swimming, reading and wandering the shoreline without a guide telling you when to move on. The setting is also a break from the resort beaches on the calmer west coast, with real surf rolling in from the Atlantic and a long, uncluttered curve of sand. The area around the bay also links up with the rugged coast toward Indian Creek, so a day can turn into an afternoon of self-guided wandering. Cheap guesthouses and simple beach cafes in nearby villages make it easy to stay close without spending much. It rewards people who like space and quiet over organized activities.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Half Moon Bay beach: The crescent of pale sand that gives the park its name, with Atlantic swells arriving on the outer edge and calmer water tucked into the inner curve. It is the reason people come.
  2. Inner bay swimming area: The protected corner where waves lose their force, making it the safest place to swim and float for a few hours.
  3. Atlantic surf break: The outer stretch where waves roll in properly, popular with bodyboarders and watched by everyone else from the sand.
  4. Sea grape shade line: A strip of low trees behind the beach that gives natural shelter for lunch, a nap or a book.
  5. Clifftop coastal views: Low headlands at the edge of the bay look out over the open Atlantic, with white water breaking on the rocks below.
  6. Shoreline bird watching: Pelicans dive offshore and waders pick along the
… read more 👉
  1. Half Moon Bay beach: The crescent of pale sand that gives the park its name, with Atlantic swells arriving on the outer edge and calmer water tucked into the inner curve. It is the reason people come.
  2. Inner bay swimming area: The protected corner where waves lose their force, making it the safest place to swim and float for a few hours.
  3. Atlantic surf break: The outer stretch where waves roll in properly, popular with bodyboarders and watched by everyone else from the sand.
  4. Sea grape shade line: A strip of low trees behind the beach that gives natural shelter for lunch, a nap or a book.
  5. Clifftop coastal views: Low headlands at the edge of the bay look out over the open Atlantic, with white water breaking on the rocks below.
  6. Shoreline bird watching: Pelicans dive offshore and waders pick along the tide line, easy to spot early in the day without any equipment.
  7. Dry scrub trails behind the beach: Short paths through cactus and thorny bush lead to open lookouts across the bay, with lizards darting across the dirt.
Half Moon Bay National Park charges nothing for the beach and the clifftop views, so every item here costs the same: nothing.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Half Moon Bay National Park

Nicole's Table - Cooking with Rum

Nicole's Table - Cooking with Rum

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Nicole's Table - From the Sea

Nicole's Table - From the Sea

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Underwater Jet Ski Experience - Ocean Jet Adventure

Underwater Jet Ski Experience - Ocean Jet Adventure

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Snorkel and Exclusive Beach Exploration in Antigua

Snorkel and Exclusive Beach Exploration in Antigua

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Snorkeling, Kayaking and Paddle Board Activity in Antigua

Snorkeling, Kayaking and Paddle Board Activity in Antigua

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Antigua Golden Hour Photography

Antigua Golden Hour Photography

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Fliteboard EFoil Lesson

Fliteboard EFoil Lesson

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Antigua Island Tour Top Attractions and Hidden Gems

Antigua Island Tour Top Attractions and Hidden Gems

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Antigua Private Round Trip Airport Transfer With Meet and Greet

Antigua Private Round Trip Airport Transfer With Meet and Greet

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SoCoHo Eco Kayak and Snorkel Tour

SoCoHo Eco Kayak and Snorkel Tour

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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Dry Season (December to April): Half Moon Bay National Park is at its most comfortable, with highs of 27 to 30°C (81 to 86°F), lows of 22 to 24°C (72 to 75°F), steady trade winds and little rain. Surf is liveliest on the Atlantic side in winter, and daylight runs about 11 to 12 hours.
  • Hurricane Season (June to November): Expect 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F), higher humidity and the heaviest rain from September to November. Storms are a real possibility in August and September, though most days are still sunny between showers.
  • Shoulder Months (May and June): Temperatures sit around 27 to 31°C (81 to 88°F), the beach is quiet and rooms in nearby Freetown and English Harbour cost noticeably less.
  • Prices and Crowds: Christmas to New Year is the busiest and priciest stretch, with beds often 30 to 50 percent
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (December to April): Half Moon Bay National Park is at its most comfortable, with highs of 27 to 30°C (81 to 86°F), lows of 22 to 24°C (72 to 75°F), steady trade winds and little rain. Surf is liveliest on the Atlantic side in winter, and daylight runs about 11 to 12 hours.
  • Hurricane Season (June to November): Expect 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F), higher humidity and the heaviest rain from September to November. Storms are a real possibility in August and September, though most days are still sunny between showers.
  • Shoulder Months (May and June): Temperatures sit around 27 to 31°C (81 to 88°F), the beach is quiet and rooms in nearby Freetown and English Harbour cost noticeably less.
  • Prices and Crowds: Christmas to New Year is the busiest and priciest stretch, with beds often 30 to 50 percent above summer rates. Weekends draw local picnickers year-round.
Book a room for late April or May to get calm weather, thin crowds and lower rates.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: below average for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
antigua-and-barbuda-national-park-half-moon-bay-national-park
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

The easiest base for Half Moon Bay National Park is English Harbour or Falmouth, about 20 to 30 minutes by road, because the park itself has no lodging or campsite.
English Harbour and Falmouth: This is where most backpackers land. Expect small guesthouses and basic rooms around US$70 to 130 a night in high season, plus a handful of cafes, a supermarket in Falmouth and yacht-crew bars along the water. Buses to St. John’s run from the Falmouth area.
Freetown and the southeast coast: The closest villages to the bay are quiet and local, with a few rental cottages and apartments. Shared self-catering … read more 👉
The easiest base for Half Moon Bay National Park is English Harbour or Falmouth, about 20 to 30 minutes by road, because the park itself has no lodging or campsite.
English Harbour and Falmouth: This is where most backpackers land. Expect small guesthouses and basic rooms around US$70 to 130 a night in high season, plus a handful of cafes, a supermarket in Falmouth and yacht-crew bars along the water. Buses to St. John’s run from the Falmouth area.
Freetown and the southeast coast: The closest villages to the bay are quiet and local, with a few rental cottages and apartments. Shared self-catering rentals suit groups, since you can cook and split costs. Taxis are needed for the last stretch.
St. John’s: The capital has the widest choice of guesthouses and the main bus terminal, but it is roughly 45 minutes to an hour from the bay by car. It works if you are combining several beaches by public bus.
Book ahead from December to April, when the cheapest rooms vanish early. Camping is not an established option on the island.
Best hostels in Antigua & Barbuda


Best quality hotels in Antigua & Barbuda

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Half Moon Bay National Park costs a backpacker roughly US$110 to 170 a day, with most of that going to a bed and getting out to the bay. The figures below are a high-season estimate, and you pay in Eastern Caribbean dollars or US dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$0 to 5The beach is generally open to walk in, and the park area has no formal ticket booth for day visitors.
Accommodation (high season)US$70 to 90Simple guesthouse or shared rental near English Harbour or Falmouth. Low season can drop to US$50 to 70.
Local transportUS$15 to 30Minibuses cost US$1 to 2 per ride but do not reach the bay, so a taxi for the final stretch or a shared ride is needed. Rental cars start around US$50 a day.
Food and suppliesUS$25 to 35Groceries from Falmouth, a local lunch plate at US$10
… read more 👉
Half Moon Bay National Park costs a backpacker roughly US$110 to 170 a day, with most of that going to a bed and getting out to the bay. The figures below are a high-season estimate, and you pay in Eastern Caribbean dollars or US dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$0 to 5The beach is generally open to walk in, and the park area has no formal ticket booth for day visitors.
Accommodation (high season)US$70 to 90Simple guesthouse or shared rental near English Harbour or Falmouth. Low season can drop to US$50 to 70.
Local transportUS$15 to 30Minibuses cost US$1 to 2 per ride but do not reach the bay, so a taxi for the final stretch or a shared ride is needed. Rental cars start around US$50 a day.
Food and suppliesUS$25 to 35Groceries from Falmouth, a local lunch plate at US$10 to 15 and a simple dinner. Food on the beach is limited to the beach bar, so carry picnic items.
Activities and gearUS$0 to 10Swimming and walking are free. Snorkel gear rental or a drink at a nearby beach bar adds a little.
Total Daily BudgetUS$110 to 170About US$140 for a typical day once taxis are counted.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsPlan your hike in Half Moon Bay: routes, terrain, and sights

Half Moon Bay National Park is a walking and beach destination rather than a hiking park with marked, named trails, so the best approach is to wander on foot from the sand outward. The terrain is flat to gently rolling, dry and exposed, with little shade away from the sea grape trees.
  • Beach walk: Stroll the full curve of the bay, roughly 30 to 45 minutes at an easy pace with swimming stops. Easy, soft sand, and the outer end gets the strongest wind and spray.
  • Clifftop path: A short dirt track climbs onto the low headland at the edge of the bay, around 20 to 30 minutes round trip. Easy, but loose
… read more 👉
Half Moon Bay National Park is a walking and beach destination rather than a hiking park with marked, named trails, so the best approach is to wander on foot from the sand outward. The terrain is flat to gently rolling, dry and exposed, with little shade away from the sea grape trees.
  • Beach walk: Stroll the full curve of the bay, roughly 30 to 45 minutes at an easy pace with swimming stops. Easy, soft sand, and the outer end gets the strongest wind and spray.
  • Clifftop path: A short dirt track climbs onto the low headland at the edge of the bay, around 20 to 30 minutes round trip. Easy, but loose stones and sun exposure make sturdy sandals or light shoes a good idea.
  • Scrub loop behind the beach: Informal paths wind through cactus and thorny brush, about an hour of casual exploring. Easy to moderate in the heat, with lizards and birds the main wildlife.
  • Coastal wander toward the nearby creeks: A longer half-day walk along the rough shoreline and dirt tracks, with open Atlantic views. Moderate, with uneven ground and no facilities.
Wildlife is modest and easy to enjoy: pelicans, frigatebirds overhead, waders on the tide line and plenty of lizards in the scrub. Go early for cooler walking and the best birdlife.
Getting there is straightforward but not frequent by public transport. Local buses run toward the southeast villages and leave a walk to the bay, while taxis are the easy option and a rental car gives the most freedom. Crowds stay light on weekdays and fill out a little on weekends with local families. There is no entrance fee, but bring water, sun protection and snacks, as supplies are limited close to the beach.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Half Moon Bay National Park is straightforward and low-risk, but the Atlantic side has real water hazards. The surf and rip currents can be strong, especially in winter swells, so swim near the sheltered western end, keep to the calmer sections and never swim alone. Lifeguards are not reliably present. Shade is thin, and the sun at this latitude burns quickly, so bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and more water than you expect to drink. Footing on the short dune and coastal paths is sandy and uneven, and sandals work fine. Mosquitoes and sand flies come out at dusk, so carry repellent. There is little wildlife concern beyond hermit crabs and the occasional mongoose. Keep valuables out of sight in parked cars, since petty theft from vehicles can happen at remote beaches. Facilities are minimal, so pack snacks and carry out your trash.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

One day is plenty for Half Moon Bay National Park, and a half day covers the beach, the dunes and a swim. If you want to hike the surrounding coastline or pair it with Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour, plan two days. The bay is roughly 20 to 30 minutes by road from English Harbour.
Half Moon Bay National Park is hard to reach without a car, because buses stop in villages such as Freetown and do not run to the beach. Minibuses from St. John’s cost about US$2 to 3, and a taxi for the last stretch usually runs US$15 to 30. A rental car from about US$50 a day or a shared taxi from English Harbour is the practical choice.
Half Moon Bay National Park generally has no formal entrance fee for beachgoers, and no permit is needed for walking or swimming. Parking and access are informal, and any charges are small, roughly US$0 to 5. Bring cash for taxis and nearby beach bars, as the area has no ticket office or services on site.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Antiguan and Barbudan national parks near Half Moon Bay

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Half Moon Bay National Park works best as the wild-coast half of a day, paired with the historic harbor at Nelson’s Dockyard and its viewpoints at Shirley Heights on the same side of the island. Do the beach in the morning while the sand is quiet, then head over for the late-day views. Bring a hat and a full water bottle.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Antigua & Barbuda. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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