Half Moon Bay Beach (Black Rock)

Half Moon Bay beach has a very active and accessible southern corner, with a more natural and quieter northern section. Access and parking are good at both ends. Care should be taken if near the remains of the Cerberus, as it is deteriorating badly.

Half Moon Bay receives its name from its crescentic shape. The 350 m long bay faces north in the southern corner, then swings around to face west along the northern section. Due to the partially protected nature of the bay, it has long been a site for boating. It has a boat launching ramp, a 100 m long jetty, and off the jetty are the remains of HMVS Cerberus which was grounded in 1926, to provide additional shelter for the boats.

The beach is relatively protected in the southern corner and extensive sand shoals lie off the beach, necessitating the need for the long jetty. The bars narrow but continue up the beach, where they may be cut by deeper rip channels. High waves will produce strong currents in the rips and against the northern rocks at Red Bluff.

The Half Moon Bay Surf Life Saving Club is located in the southern corner of the beach, next to a few boat sheds and the Black Rock Yacht Club. There is extensive parking for both clubs and the boat ramp on the point, with additional parking on the northern bluffs, as well as walkways down to the beach.

Swimming - A relatively safe beach in the southern corner, with deeper water and more rip channels toward the north. Best to stay close inshore in the patrolled area, just north of the surf club, as there is an average of 18 rescues a year at the beach.

Half Moon Bay beach has a General Beach Hazard Rating of 3/10 (Least hazardous).

Review:

The northern end of the crescent which forms the beach is rocky and it is best to avoid this area. Keep to the southern part of the beach which is patrolled by the Half Moon Bay Surf Life Saving Club.

The beach is quite wide and sandy and close to shore is quite shallow and suitable for paddling by the younger kids.

There are some interesting elements such as a Black Rock Jetty, the remains of HMVS Cerberus, Black Rock Yacht Club and Cerberus Beach House cafe. There are toilets next to the Life Saving Club.

There is ticketed parking from 8am to 8pm at the ends of Cerberus Way. Be careful around the jetty since there are some extra restrictions on parking on weekends.

Access for Dogs:

Peak period: 1 November - 31 March
- Dogs are permitted off leash between sunrise and 10am,
- Dogs are prohibited between 10am and 7.30pm,
- Dogs must be on leash between 7.30pm and sunrise.

Off Peak period: 1 April - 31 October
- Dogs are permitted off leash at all times.

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