Many expatriate residents in the Saudi capital routinely travel to the Eastern Province with their families on weekends to bond and take a break from daily routine, but many say you have not been to Alkhobar if you haven’t visited Half Moon Bay.
The bay, a crescent of soft sand in Alkhobar, is like a semi-lunar arch with several other attractions, such as entertainment zones and amusement cities.
“It was previously called Kzawn Bay and was converted in the fifties into a private beach by Americans staying in Alkhobar,” said Eric P. Asi, a senior electrical engineer at Nardeen Lighting in Riyadh. “Families used to drive to the Eastern Province only during Ramadan or Eid, but now go once, twice or even three times a month.”
“Expatriates now have more mobility than before because it is easier to acquire cars,” he said. “Families visit different recreational areas in Alkhobar, but most never fail to drop by Half Moon Bay.”
“Whenever I drive with my family to the Eastern Province, we love going to the Al-Azizia Corniche just to watch people spending quality time like us, but we eventually end up at Half Moon Bay, where we spend long hours,” said Meynard Pesig, an engineer at Light Technologies. “Looking at the shimmering waters of Half Moon Bay against the midday sun makes me long for home.”
“Traveling to the Eastern Province with my family whenever we have time gives me a break from the pressures of daily life,” said Muhammad Baksht, a Pakistani who works for a private company. “Whenever we are there, we visit relatives in Dammam and Alkhobar and then proceed to the Half Moon Beach, which we always visit whenever we are in the area.”
“Half Moon Bay is a major recreational area for tourists, who throng the area on weekends,” said Eduardo Rodriguez, a community leader and spare parts manager at the Arab Equipment Est. in Alkhobar.
Rodriguez has been visiting the Half Moon Bay since he moved to Alkhobar 30 years ago.
Residents of Alkhobar and adjoining cities, such as Dammam and Dhahran, visit the Half Moon Bay during the late afternoon hours.
“The area is relatively peaceful and conducive to self-introspection,” he said.
Alkhobar was founded in 1942 following the discovery of oil, after which the development of commercial activities became widespread.
The Americans helped the Kingdom discover oil through the Standard Oil of California (then SOCAL and now Chevron).
Half Moon Bay, ideal for weekend relaxation
