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Half Moon Beach

50 Reviews

#17 of 44 things to do in Gloucester

Outdoor Activities, Nature & Parks, Beaches

Stage Fort Park, Gloucester Harbor, Gloucester, MA 01930

Review Highlights

“Beach trip”

My wife and children adored this beach. Parking was affordable with the $5 coupon available with a... read more

Reviewed August 2, 2019

makebassnotwar

Feeding Hills, Massachusetts

“Been stopping by here for years!”

Gorgeous little beach tucked into the rocks at Stage Fort Park. Paid parking summer months. The... read more

Reviewed July 2, 2019

misterclean6

Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts

Read all 50 reviews

All photos (34)

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Traveler Overview

4.5 50 reviews

Excellent62%
Very good22%
Average14%
Poor2%
Terrible0%

Local Weather

F°C°

55°

36°

Oct

45°

29°

Nov

35°

20°

Dec

What travelers are saying

Stage Fort Park is a wonderful, broad expanse of lawns, playing fields, tiny beaches, gardens, a playground and, during the summer, has a small food service place called the CUPBOARD that serves, among other thing...

Paid parking summer months.

Easy to keep track of small children on the beach and in the water.

Contact

Stage Fort Park, Gloucester Harbor, Gloucester, MA 01930

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1 - 10 of 47 reviews

Gradz04

Boston, Massachusetts

875

Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

Tiring

Lots of paid parking space available. Very rocky beach with no lifeguards. No shade so bring an umbrella. Roadhouse eatery nearby but the food is substandard. Suggest you bring your own snacks. Ice cream stall next to it is great. Lovely views from the top.

Date of experience: July 2019

Thank Gradz04

makebassnotwar

Feeding Hills, Massachusetts

Reviewed August 2, 2019

Beach trip

My wife and children adored this beach. Parking was affordable with the $5 coupon available with a stay at the cape Ann marina resort, total of $10 to park after coupon. Also fun hiking paths with stone stairs, a shop with hot dogs and icecream....More

Date of experience: July 2019

Thank makebassnotwar

misterclean6

Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts

578

Reviewed July 2, 2019

Been stopping by here for years!

Gorgeous little beach tucked into the rocks at Stage Fort Park. Paid parking summer months. The beach gets a little small at high tide but still worth the stop. Also, there are public restrooms in the main building. Last, there is an incredible bike race...More

Date of experience: October 2018

2 Thank misterclean6

Sonny_circumvehor

Toledo, Ohio

844327

Reviewed June 15, 2019 via mobile

Like a private tide pool

Calm the day we were there.. but it's nothing awesome..just a small beach don't expect to much.. parking i can imagine could be hit or miss

Date of experience: June 2019

1 Thank Sonny_circumvehor

416soniar

San Antonio, Texas

136

Reviewed May 7, 2019

Beautiful

Nice place to take a stroll and to take in the view! Good place to relax and enjoy the beach. I will be back to visit again soon!

Date of experience: September 2018

2 Thank 416soniar

Dman33405

Edwards, Colorado

356

Reviewed February 4, 2019

Small beach with Park

Half moon is a small, rocky beach with a view of the nearby castle. It’s an alright spot. There is parking and trash cans and a park of sorts. I went in the off-season and there was nearly nobody there.

Date of experience: November 2018

1 Thank Dman33405

Sharron S

North Reading, Massachusetts

4612

Reviewed August 21, 2018 via mobile

Small Clean Beach

Very lovely spot. Plenty of parking, paid $10 for the day. Nice bathrooms and there was a large playground. My children are older and enjoyed climbing on the rocks—there were a ton. It is a small cove, set off and protected area. Good place to...More

Date of experience: August 2018

2 Thank Sharron S

loanmil

Lawrence, Massachusetts

4548

Reviewed August 1, 2018

Big Park, Tiny Beach, Excellent Visit.

We first discovered half moon in 2004 visiting the Hammond Castle; and then going to Stage Fort Park after; the beach has a lot of algea and the water is COLD - but it has a lot of rocks and greens and it's an excellent...More

Date of experience: July 2018

9 Thank loanmil

Lastlightglow

Binghamton, New York

6142

Reviewed July 27, 2018 via mobile

Small beach, mosquito heaven in the evenings

The beach front is small with a lifeguard. There is a short walk from the parking lot step way down to the shore. The sand was scattered in seaweed and trash debris from the day. I would not recommend coming here for a full beach...More

Date of experience: July 2018

1 Thank Lastlightglow

YoungFamily01420

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

3422

Reviewed July 15, 2018 via mobile

Good for exploring. Not a beach day beach

This was a good picnic spot but there isn't a lot of beach. It was a lot of fun to explore though and had a great playground. Their are no waves and a lot of seaweed but it was still a nice inlet. In the...More