By Steve Griswold, Pixie Vacations — Sandals & Beaches Platinum Elite Advisor with 735+ five-star reviews and host of the 15-year MouseChat travel podcast. Last updated: July 9, 2026.
Is Half Moon Jamaica fully open again in 2026?
Yes. As of July 2026, Half Moon Jamaica is fully reopened, with its Founders Cove wing now welcoming guests alongside the Eclipse enclave and the resort’s villa collection. The Montego Bay landmark completed months of restoration following Hurricane Melissa, restoring all 400 acres of the Rose Hall property — golf, spa, restaurants and beaches included.
The full reopening closes the loop on a phased comeback that began April 2, 2026, when Half Moon first reopened Eclipse and its reimagined villas. Founders Cove — the beloved, garden-shaded wing many longtime guests think of first — was held for a later phase, and it is now back online. According to Caribbean Journal, which reported the milestone on July 8, 2026, “a first-time visitor might never know the property spent months closed.”
Everything that has defined a stay here has returned with it: the Robert Trent Jones Sr. championship golf course, the Fern Tree Spa, the equestrian center’s beach rides, and Sugar Mill, the fine-dining restaurant set inside a restored 17th-century sugar plantation. Half Moon first welcomed guests in 1954 and has hosted names from Queen Elizabeth II to John F. Kennedy — but its real draw has always been the families who return winter after winter.
Half Moon’s three resort experiences, compared
Half Moon is really three stays in one 400-acre property. Here’s how the reopened experiences differ:
| Experience | Best for | What defines it |
|---|---|---|
| Eclipse at Half Moon | Couples & modern-luxury seekers | Newest wing; oversized oceanfront rooms, infinity pool, Delmare dining |
| Founders Cove | Return guests & easygoing beach days | Low-rise, garden-to-beach classic Half Moon; recently refreshed rooms |
| The Villas | Multigenerational families & groups | Private homes with dedicated housekeeper, cook and butler; 6- and 7-bedroom layouts |
Quick Facts
- What’s the news? Half Moon in Montego Bay is now fully reopened, with Founders Cove joining Eclipse and the villas.
- When did it fully reopen? July 2026, completing a phased reopening that started April 2, 2026.
- Why was it closed? Restoration following Hurricane Melissa (October 2025).
- Where is it? Rose Hall, about 10 minutes east of Sangster International Airport (MBJ), Montego Bay.
- How big is it? 400 acres with two miles of beachfront; open since 1954.
- What does it cost? Per Caribbean Journal (July 8, 2026), Eclipse ocean rooms were about $761/night booking direct; Founders Cove rooms about $851/night and ocean suites about $1,251/night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Founders Cove open at Half Moon now?
Yes. Founders Cove reopened in July 2026 as part of the resort’s full return, after Eclipse and the villas came back on April 2, 2026.
Is Half Moon a good choice for families?
Yes. The villas — each with a housekeeper, cook and butler — are built for multigenerational trips, and the resort has drawn returning families since 1954 with its beach, golf, equestrian center and kids’ activities.
How far is Half Moon from the Montego Bay airport?
About 10 minutes. It sits in Rose Hall, just east of Sangster International Airport (MBJ).
Is Half Moon all-inclusive?
Half Moon offers both room-only and all-inclusive plans depending on the experience and dates. A travel advisor can confirm the best plan for your travel window.
How much does Half Moon cost per night in 2026?
As reported by Caribbean Journal on July 8, 2026, Eclipse ocean rooms started around $761/night direct, with Founders Cove rooms near $851/night and ocean suites near $1,251/night.
Can Pixie Vacations book Half Moon for me?
Yes. Pixie Vacations books Half Moon and other Jamaica luxury and family resorts at no added fee — request a free quote.
Planning a Jamaica trip? Half Moon’s full reopening is one more sign Jamaica’s tourism is not just recovering but expanding — we tracked the earlier phase in our April Caribbean travel wrap. If you’re weighing Montego Bay’s beaches, our friends at Pixie Honeymoons rank the best beaches in Jamaica — and the Pixie Vacations team can quote Half Moon or any Jamaica resort for you, no booking fees, at pixievacations.com/get-a-quote.
Source: Caribbean Journal, “In Jamaica, a Storied Luxury Resort Finds Its Way Back,” July 8, 2026; halfmoon.com.
