Half Moon Bay Khobar: Beaches & Water Sports

Half Moon Bay Khobar: beaches, water sports and day trips — and the good news first: you can spend a whole day on the public stretches of Half Moon Bay in Khobar without paying a beach ticket. This crescent-shaped bay south of Al Khobar in the Eastern Province is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and basic access, the swimming areas and public facilities are free. What you pay for is the fun stuff: a jet ski blast, a boat ride, or a day pass at one of the private resorts along the shore.

Here's the practical rundown for residents and expats planning a beach day or a weekend trip — what's free, what costs, where families go, and roughly how much the water sports run in SAR.

Half Moon Bay at a glance

Half Moon Bay (also called Half Moon Beach) is the wide, sheltered curve of coastline just south of Al Khobar, an easy drive from the city and from Dammam. Its calm, shallow waters make it one of the most popular family beach spots in the Eastern Province, and it's a go-to for jet skiing, boat tours and casual weekend picnics.

• Open: 24/7 — public sections have no closing time
• Entry to public beach: free
• Best for: families, swimming, water sports, sunset picnics
• Drive time: roughly 20–30 minutes from central Al Khobar depending on which stretch you head to

Is Half Moon Bay free? Fees, tolls and private resorts

This is the question that trips up most first-time visitors, so let's be precise.

Public beaches (free)

The public sections cost nothing to enter. You can park nearby, walk onto the sand, swim and use the basic public facilities without paying an entrance fee. Bring your own shade, food and water and it's an entirely free day out.

Road toll on some access gates

Be aware that certain gates leading into parts of the Half Moon Bay road corridor may charge a small toll of around SAR 25 per vehicle. This is a car-entry charge on specific access roads — not a beach ticket. Keep some cash handy just in case, though not every route to the bay involves a gate.

Private resorts and day passes

Several sections of the shoreline are occupied by private resorts that fence off their beachfront and charge separately for day use or overnight stays. These give you sun loungers, pools, cleaner private sand, cafés and sometimes water-sport rentals on site — but you'll need to book ahead or pay at the resort gate. If you want facilities and a curated setup, a private resort is the way to go; if you just want sand and sea, stick to the free public stretches.

The Saudi Aramco Beach section

One fenced part of Half Moon Bay is the Saudi Aramco Beach, a private area reserved for Saudi Aramco employees and their eligible dependents. General public visitors can't enter this zone, so don't plan your day around it unless you're an Aramco badge holder or a guest of one.

Family beaches vs bachelor beaches

Like much of the Kingdom's coastline, Half Moon Bay is organised around family and single-male areas. In practice, it works like this:

• Family beaches: most of the crescent's stretches are family-oriented and expect visitors to arrive as family groups.
• Bachelor / singles beach: at least one designated section is set aside for single men.

If you're heading out with your family, aim for the family stretches; if you're a group of friends, look for the singles-designated area to avoid any awkwardness. Signage and local guidance on the day will point you the right way.

Water sports at Half Moon Bay

The bay's calm water is what makes it such a magnet for water sports. Local operators line the shore with jet skis, boats and towable inflatables, and you simply pay Prices vary by operator, boat size and duration, so it's worth walking a couple of stalls to compare before you commit. The rates below reflect typical 2025–2026 prices quoted by operators on the shore.

Jet ski

Jet skiing is the headline activity. Expect:

• ~15 minutes: typically around SAR 173–200
• ~30 minutes: typically around SAR 223–288

A standard 30-minute session is often listed around SAR 223, with shorter sessions from about SAR 178. Exact pricing shifts with the operator and package.

Boat trips and tours

For a more relaxed ride with bay views, leisure boat trips (for up to around nine people) run roughly:

• 15 minutes: typically around SAR 288
• 30 minutes: typically around SAR 460
• 60 minutes: typically around SAR 920

Split across a group, an hour on the water becomes very affordable per head — ideal for a birthday or a weekend outing.

Banana boats and towable rides

Group towable rides — banana boats, bullet tubes and fun inflatables — are the crowd-pleasers for families and friends. Small-group rides typically start around SAR 200–345, rising to SAR 575 or more for larger-capacity rides, depending on duration and boat.

Age and safety rules

For the higher-speed activities, operators generally require riders to be 16 years and above for jet skis and some faster boat rides. Younger children are usually only allowed on lower-risk family rides when accompanied by an adult. Always wear the life jacket the operator provides, confirm the rules before you pay, and check the operator looks reputable and properly equipped.

What to bring and best times to visit

The Eastern Province gets seriously hot and humid from late spring through summer, so plan around the heat.

• Best months: October to April are the most comfortable; winter weekends are lovely.
• Best time of day: early morning or late afternoon into sunset, especially in warmer months.
• Pack: sunscreen, plenty of water, a shade tent or umbrella, food, cash for tolls and water sports, and a change of clothes.
• Modesty: dress conservatively on public beaches; private resorts may have their own guidance.

Day trips: getting there from Al Khobar

Half Moon Bay is an easy day trip from anywhere in the Dammam–Khobar–Dhahran metro area. Driving is by far the simplest option — the bay sits a short drive south of central Al Khobar, and parking is available near the public stretches. If you don't have a car, a Careem or Uber ride from central Khobar is straightforward, though you'll want to arrange a return trip in advance since ride availability can be thin right on the beach.

Pair your beach day with a stop on the Khobar Corniche for a walk and dinner, or make it a full weekend by adding the sights of Dammam and Dhahran. It's one of the best-value outdoor days out in the Eastern Province.

FAQs

Is there an entrance fee for Half Moon Bay in Khobar?

No. The public beach sections are free to enter and open 24/7. You only pay if you use a private resort, rent water sports, or pass through a gate that charges a road toll of around SAR 25

How much does jet skiing cost at Half Moon Bay?

Jet ski rides typically cost around SAR 173–200 for about 15 minutes and around SAR 223–288 for about 30 minutes, depending on the operator and package.

Can single men visit Half Moon Bay?

Yes. At least one section is designated for single males, while most other stretches are reserved for family groups. Head to the singles-designated area if you're going with friends.

Is Half Moon Bay open at night?

The public sections are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Water sports operators, however, keep daytime hours, so plan rides for the day.

How far is Half Moon Bay from central Al Khobar?

It's roughly a 20–30 minute drive south of central Al Khobar depending on which stretch of the bay you're heading to.

Can I visit the Saudi Aramco Beach section?

No. That fenced section is private and restricted to Saudi Aramco employees and their eligible dependents; general public visitors are not admitted.

Planning your trip? Browse the latest things to do in the Eastern Province on Saudi Living, or find a car rental for your Khobar day trip.

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