Sargassum at Half Moon Bay (Antigua): today's conditions
Clear
All good
Half Moon Bay curves for more than 600 metres along Antigua's south-east shore, near the village of Freetown. Largely untouched by resort development, it draws visitors who want a wild Atlantic beach rather than the busy strips of the west coast.
Before you drive out, check this page. The bay gets a 0 to 5 rating, a place on the east-sector map and a morning refresh; the crescent's state, from spotless to lined with weed, is never a mystery.
Half Moon Bay Beach on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
The bay opens to the south-east, squarely into the path of the trade winds: the fetch is clear from the east-south-east, with nothing between the open Atlantic and the sand. Half Moon Bay sits on Antigua's windward side, the first coast to meet incoming drift, alongside Long Bay and the small cove at Hog Hole further north.
The half-moon shape matters too. The rocky headlands framing the bay can hold weed once it gets in, and deposits often pile up in the back of the crescent instead of spreading along the full 600 metres. When the flow eases, this exposed shore also flushes quickly under the swell. The sector carries a serious precedent: in 2018 a hotel on Long Bay, in the same eastern zone, closed because of sargassum.
Frequently asked questions
Is Half Moon Bay badly exposed to sargassum?
Yes, it is one of Antigua's most exposed beaches. Opening south-east onto the Atlantic, it sits on the windward coast, the one that meets drift pushed by the trade winds before the rest of the island.
How do I know if the crescent is clear this morning?
The FanGass map at the top of this page scores Half Moon Bay and the east coast from 0 to 5, with a new reading every morning. One look before leaving your hotel is enough.
Which beach should I pick if Half Moon Bay is affected?
Switch coasts. The west side, from Dickenson Bay down to Darkwood, lies leeward and acts as the refuge, while the southern bays around English Harbour are sheltered at an angle from the easterly flow.
Is there a riskier season on Antigua's east coast?
Caribbean arrivals generally build from spring to late summer. On this windward front the season brings repeated episodes; back in 2018 a hotel on Long Bay even had to close because of sargassum.