Mousad's Bay (Half Moon Bay)
- Freeride, Freestyle
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Mousad's Bay (Half Moon Bay) is a shallow, sandy kitesurfing beach near Al Khobar that’s known for clean, flat riding conditions and a very large launch/landing area. The water is reported as shallow and calm overall, with small waves/chop depending on conditions, and there are minimal current effects, which makes it a popular environment for cruising and progressing on flat-water skills. Wind is dominated by a northly regime, with N and NNE directions commonly referenced for best performance. A thermal/sea-breeze pattern develops from late morning into afternoon, typically peaking between about 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM during the active season (roughly March through November). Typical wind strength is described in the 15–25 knot range, with one source noting that thermal can add several knots on top of the background north-westerly Shamal; reliability is reported as moderate to high in spring and autumn. For kitesurfing, the spot is especially suited to freeride and freestyle/foil practice, with beginner-friendliness attributed to the flat, spacious shallows. Recommended kite sizing is generally aligned with the stated wind range (commonly 7–10 m for 15–25 knots, with larger sizes needed on the low end). Windsurfing and wingfoiling are also possible, but the shallow shelf can limit equipment: windsurfing can be constrained by very shallow depth for fins, while wingfoiling usually requires going farther out for adequate depth. Safety-wise, riders should plan for rocks and sharp shells close to shore and consider stingray/dehydration risk during hotter periods. The lack of on-beach lifeguards and limited direct rescue capability means self-sufficiency matters—especially given the remote access and extreme summer temperatures. Wear protective footwear/gear and bring ample water, and keep distance from swimmers and avoid the marked military area along the access road.
- Very wide sandy launch/landing area with easy self-launch
- Shallow, flat, clean water suited to cruising and progression
- Consistent northly wind (Shamal) with afternoon thermal sea-breeze build in active months
- Protective footwear recommended due to shells/rocks near shore
- Remote access—plan supplies before arriving
- Wide sandy beach with easy launching and large shallow riding area.
- Generally very flat, clean, and forgiving for freestyle and skill practice.
- Consistent northly wind (Shamal) during peak months with reliable thermal sea-breeze development.
- Very shallow water can constrain windsurf fin choice and may require walking out for wingfoiling masts.
- Summer heat can be extreme; dehydration risk.
- Rocks and sharp shells near the shoreline require protective footwear.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Northly thermal/sea-breeze wind pattern developing later in the day (often late morning into afternoon).
- Reliability
- moderate to high in spring/autumn
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as steady; one source notes light gusts.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, June, September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Small waves/chop reported; overall riding is described as very flat/sheltered.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Chop reported by one baseline source; otherwise characterized as calm/flat.
- Launch
- Medium — Shallow, flat water with easy self-launch and very wide sandy launch space.
Through the year
Low year-round; can get busier on weekends with local riders.
Rain is very rare, typically as brief showers between December and February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat, shallow water with ample space makes the bay well-suited for cruising, freeride, and practicing new skills.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Works well in flat conditions, but very shallow areas can limit fin choice/performance.
- Sail Sizes
- 4–8 m²
Foiling is possible, but typically requires moving beyond the initial shallow shelf into deeper water.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly once you are out of the shallowest shelf.
- Min Depth
- Requires walking approximately 100–200 meters out to reach sufficient depth for long masts.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Mousad's Bay (Half Moon Bay) in the full forecast view.
Mousad's Bay (Half Moon Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- E87°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2511 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.4 m2s period
- Temperature
- 24–37 °C
Over the next 7 days, Mousad's Bay (Half Moon Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.1–0.4 m with a period of about 2s. 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
- Rocks
- Sharp shells
- Stingrays
- Dehydration
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported on site.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level reports indicate no direct on-beach rescue; regional context mentions limited maritime rescue monitoring.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospitals are in Al Khobar (about 45–60 minutes away). National emergency number is 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism issues reported.
Rules of the spot
Park within 20 ft of the launch/rigging area. Keep a safe distance from swimmers in nearby family areas. Avoid marked military installations along the access road.
- Keep away from military installations clearly marked along the access road.
- Riders are expected to keep a safe distance from any swimmers in nearby family areas.
- Wear booties to protect against sharp shells and submerged rocks.
- Bring significantly more water than you think you need in hot summer conditions.
- Check the wind forecast for Shamal events for the most consistent multi-day sessions.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Al-Khobar
- Nearest Town
- Al-Khobar
- Parking
- Direct beach parking is available; park within 20 ft of rigging/launching areas (most vehicles can drive onto hard sand near rigging).
- Access
- Follow the coastal road from Al-Khobar past Half Moon Beach until a sign for the Military Airforce shooting range appears. Turn right and drive ~15 km; turn left at the “Kite Surfing” sign board. A dirt track leads directly to the kite beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Arabic
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Several resorts and hotels around the main Half Moon Bay area, roughly 15–20 minutes away by car.
- Food & Drink
- No food/drink available at the spot; bring supplies from Al Khobar.
- Equipment Rental:
- No permanent rental shops at the beach; some instructors may provide gear as part of pre-arranged lessons.
- Gear Storage
- No gear storage available at the spot reported.
- Gear Repair
- No permanent gear repair facility at the beach reported.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A popular public beach area known for its crescent shape and recreational activities.
Architectural landmark offering museums, a library, and theater.
Off-road driving experiences in nearby sand dunes surrounding the bay.
International dining options overlooking the water.
Several resorts feature dedicated water parks and slides for children.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Mousad's Bay (Half Moon Bay)?
The best overall months at Mousad's Bay (Half Moon Bay) are March, April, May, June, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Mousad's Bay (Half Moon Bay)?
Mousad's Bay (Half Moon Bay) works with N, NNE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Mousad's Bay (Half Moon Bay)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Mousad's Bay (Half Moon Bay): Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4–8 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Mousad's Bay (Half Moon Bay) suitable for?
Mousad's Bay (Half Moon Bay) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Beginner to Intermediate.