The Cove — Westport's serious wave
Half Moon Bay is the curve of sand between the marina entrance and the jetty, which is where the local name comes from. Most of the year it is a sheltered, easy beach to walk, with the jetty on one side and Westhaven running away on the other. In winter it is something else. The Cove is a sandbar break that stands up close to shore and hits hard, and it draws experienced surfers from across the state when a swell lines up. It is not a beginner wave and locals will tell you so plainly: it breaks in shallow water, it puts people and boards into the sand, and the hold-downs are long in water this cold. If you are learning, the sandy stretches south of the jetty at Westhaven are the place to do it. If you are here to watch, the winter shore break at The Cove is the show — and watching is a perfectly good way to spend it.
More things to do in Westport & Grayland
Bottle Beach State Park · Grayland Beach State Park · Westhaven State Park · Westport Light State Park · Fisherman's Boardwalk · Furford Cranberry Museum