Half Moon Bay (Grays Harbor)
- Wave, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed, Small waves, Medium waves, Flat
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Half Moon Bay (also noted as Halfmoon Bay) is a fairly exposed beach break that “only works once in a while,” and it’s described as rarely crowded. Locally, the jetty-and-bay setup is associated with a peeling right-hand wave around the South Jetty area, which can be a go-to when other nearby breaks are blown out. The spot is heavily shaped by harbor infrastructure. Sources emphasize that strong tidal currents form near the harbor entrance and jetty, and that the area includes large driftwood logs and rock hazards near the jetty. Heavy commercial ship traffic in the adjacent shipping channel is also flagged, with instructions to stay clear of vessels and treat the active shipping lane as a no-go zone. Wind conditions show some directional nuance depending on source: one surf guide lists southeast as the best wind direction, while another set of wind notes says W/NW winds are the reliable direction for spring and summer. Typical wind range is given as about 15–25 knots, with light gusting reported. In summer months, afternoon sea breezes are also described as common. For water comfort, winter surfing is tied to a winter wetsuit with neoprene hood, gloves, and boots, and colder year-round temperatures are consistently referenced (with monthly water temperatures provided by one provider). Safety planning should prioritize current strength and shipping traffic awareness, and gear choices should account for cold water throughout the year.
- Peeling right-hand wave off/around the South Jetty area (locally noted)
- Jetty influences both surf and wind-driven sports conditions
- Cold-water year-round with winter PPE guidance
- Well-known Pacific Northwest coastline destination for multiple wind-and-water sports
- Jetty setting creates a distinctive, peeling wave option for surfers
- Kitesurfing and foiling benefit from protection in the bay
- Strong tidal currents near the harbor entrance and jetty
- Heavy ship traffic and a no-go shipping lane
- Pollution is listed as a hazard
- Works only once in a while (surf availability described as limited)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Provider reports conflict: one source cites southeast winds; another indicates the spot is best with W/NW winds.
- Reliability
- Good during spring and summer for NW winds
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Light gusting reported in wind/thermal notes.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 8–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Small waves, Medium waves, Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach composition reported.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium; surfing conditions vary and are described as only working occasionally.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop not explicitly enumerated, but currents and jetty influence imply variable texture; some flat-water protection is reported for wind sports inside the bay.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach with some driftwood near the dunes.
Through the year
Can be busy on sunny summer weekends, but rarely overcrowded compared to California spots.
Rainy season is October through April.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Popular kitesurfing spot in the Pacific Northwest with flat-water protection inside the bay and wave options near the jetty entrance; notable local setup around the harbor/jetty area.
- Kite Sizes
- 8–12 m²
Suitable for windsurfing with a mix of flatter bay water and jetty-influenced wave conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Protected bay conditions make it a preferred local place for foiling when ocean-side conditions are too rough.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly reported.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Fairly exposed beach break that only works once in a while; locally known as The Cove with a peeling right-hand wave wrapping off the South Jetty area.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide preferred.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Semi-sheltered at the jetty/bay but overall described as fairly exposed depending on conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest on SE or E winds; NW is cross-onshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold larger swells that would close out elsewhere, though the current becomes very strong.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality described as average.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling right-hand wave reported (locally known as The Cove).
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling wave reported with medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length described as relatively long, soft right-hander.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves wrap around the jetty creating a relatively long, soft right-hander.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Half Moon Bay (Grays Harbor) in the full forecast view.
Half Moon Bay (Grays Harbor) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–14 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- S169°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2514 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.9 m9s period
- Temperature
- 6–14 °C
Over the next 7 days, Half Moon Bay (Grays Harbor) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.7–1.9 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Large rock jetty
- Heavy ship traffic
- Strong tidal currents near the harbor entrance and jetty
- Large driftwood logs
- Submerged rocks near the jetty
- Pollution
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported at this access point.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue described as no dedicated beach lifeguard services; US Coast Guard provides year-round emergency response for the area.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest emergency services are in Westport; nearest full-service medical facility: Harbor Regional Health Community Hospital in Aberdeen (~22 miles away). In an emergency call 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism reported as mild.
Rules of the spot
Stay clear of the shipping channel and large vessels entering or leaving Grays Harbor; treat active shipping lanes as no-go zones.
- No-go zone in active shipping lane
- Watch the tide as it significantly changes current strength and wave shape.
- Give the jetty plenty of space; the rocks are unforgiving.
- Be extra cautious around shipping traffic and moored/entering vessels.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Aberdeen
- Nearest Town
- Westport
- Nearest Airport
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) (~135 miles)
- Parking
- Available at Westhaven State Park; a Discover Pass is required for parking.
- Public Transport
- Limited; Grays Harbor Transit bus service between Westport and Aberdeen, but a private vehicle is essential to move between spots.
- Access
- Located within Westhaven State Park; follow the park road to the jetty area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels, motels, and vacation rentals are available in the town of Westport.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple restaurants and coffee shops are located in the Westport Marina area.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in town offer board and wetsuit rentals; specialized kite/wing gear rental is less common nearby.
- Gear Storage
- On-site gear storage facilities are not standard.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and wetsuit repair available locally; complex kite/sail repairs may require shipment to specialized shops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Half Moon Bay (Grays Harbor)?
The best overall months at Half Moon Bay (Grays Harbor) are May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Half Moon Bay (Grays Harbor)?
Half Moon Bay (Grays Harbor) works with W, NW winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Half Moon Bay (Grays Harbor)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Half Moon Bay (Grays Harbor): Kitesurfing: 8–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Half Moon Bay (Grays Harbor) suitable for?
Half Moon Bay (Grays Harbor) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.