What Makes This Beach Special
Myrtle Beach is the democratic beach of America — not the most exclusive, not the most scenically dramatic, but the most visited, with over 14 million tourists arriving each year to experience one of the Atlantic Coast’s great summer traditions. The city of Myrtle Beach sits at the centre of the Grand Strand, a 60-mile arc of nearly continuous beach stretching from the North Carolina border down to Georgetown, South Carolina. The Grand Strand encompasses a series of distinct communities — North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach proper, Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, and Pawleys Island — each with its own character, from full resort development to quiet, undeveloped coastline.
The beach itself is genuinely excellent: wide, flat, and sandy, with warm Atlantic water that reaches 27–29°C by late July and August. The waves are moderate — enough for body surfing and boogie boarding, gentle enough for young children. The beach is clean and well-maintained, with regular lifeguard coverage during the summer season. The sand along the Grand Strand is fine and pale, typical of the South Carolina and North Carolina coast, with an aesthetically pleasing expanse of width at low tide.
The entertainment infrastructure surrounding the beach is what defines Myrtle Beach as a destination: the Sky Wheel Ferris wheel on the oceanfront, Broadway at the Beach entertainment complex, Barefoot Landing, the water parks, the miniature golf courses (Myrtle Beach has more per mile than anywhere else on Earth — a legitimate claim), the outlet shopping, the seafood restaurants, and the live entertainment venues. Myrtle Beach is a resort that provides for its visitors comprehensively — there is almost nothing a family could want on a beach holiday that Myrtle Beach does not provide.
The quieter, more refined end of the Grand Strand is Pawleys Island — one of America’s oldest beach resorts, beloved by South Carolina’s old families since the 1790s for its low-key, understated charm. The contrast between Myrtle Beach’s exuberant resort energy and Pawleys Island’s deliberate simplicity illustrates the full range of what the Grand Strand offers.
Getting to the Beach
Getting to Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR):
- Non-stop flights from many US cities (Atlanta, Charlotte, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC)
- Seasonal charter and low-cost flights
- Major carriers: American Airlines, Delta, United, Spirit, Allegiant, Frontier
By car: Myrtle Beach is highly accessible by road:
- From Charlotte, NC: approximately 3.5–4 hours
- From Raleigh, NC: approximately 3.5 hours
- From Washington DC: approximately 6–7 hours
- From Atlanta, GA: approximately 5–6 hours
The US-17 (Kings Highway) runs the length of the Grand Strand and is the main beach access road. Highway 501 is the primary route from inland areas.
Planning Your Visit
South Carolina’s Atlantic coast has a distinct seasonal beach pattern:
- June to August: Peak summer season. Water temperatures 26–29°C, air temperatures 30–35°C with humidity. The beach and resort facilities are fully operational. Extremely busy, particularly July 4th and school holidays. Book accommodation months in advance.
- May and September: Excellent shoulder months. Water temperatures still comfortable (22–25°C), smaller crowds, lower prices. The best value-to-experience ratio on the Grand Strand.
- October: A local favourite for its warm days, uncrowded beaches, and the start of the “second season” — autumn on the South Carolina coast, with lower humidity and beautiful light.
- November to March: Off-season. Most beach facilities close. Mild by northern US standards (10–18°C) but too cool for swimming. The Grand Strand in winter has a pleasant, quiet character for those not seeking beach activities.
Where to Stay
Myrtle Beach has one of the largest hotel and resort inventories on the East Coast:
- Oceanfront hotels: The Grand Strand’s signature accommodation — many properties are directly on the beach with ocean views. Marriott’s Grande Ocean Resort, Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, and the Embassy Suites are among the more reliable larger properties.
- Condo rentals: Many properties rent beach condominiums by the week — often the most cost-effective option for families, with kitchen facilities and more space than hotel rooms.
- Barefoot Resort area (North Myrtle Beach): A more upscale planned resort community with golf courses and marina.
- Pawleys Island (southern Grand Strand): Simple beach houses and the Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort for those seeking the quieter end of the strand.
Highlights and Activities
Beach Activities
The Grand Strand’s wide, warm beach is the primary attraction. Beach volleyball courts, kayak and paddleboard rentals, jet ski operators, parasailing, and banana boat rides are available at various points along the beach. The Myrtle Beach State Park (6 km south of the city centre) protects a section of natural maritime forest and unspoiled beach worth visiting for contrast with the resort development.
Broadway at the Beach
One of the largest entertainment complexes in the Southeast — a 350-acre development around a central lake with restaurants, shops, mini golf, a IMAX theatre, aquarium (Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach), and entertainment venues. The anchor attraction is the SkyWheel, a 187-foot Ferris wheel on the oceanfront.
Golf
Myrtle Beach is one of the world’s great golf destinations — over 100 golf courses within the Grand Strand, ranging from championship courses to affordable daily-fee layouts. The concentration of quality, affordable golf within a beach resort setting is unique in North America. The Dunes Club (private but host to major amateur events) and many public courses (Caledonia, True Blue) are nationally recognised.
Murrells Inlet (the Seafood Capital of South Carolina)
20 km south of Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet is an old fishing village with a waterfront restaurant row stretching along the marsh — a genuine, non-touristy seafood town with some of the best crab, shrimp, and fish on the coast. Brookgreen Gardens nearby is a remarkable combination of sculpture garden and wildlife sanctuary.
Hunting Island State Park
90 km south (near Beaufort, SC), Hunting Island is one of South Carolina’s most beautiful natural beaches — a barrier island with ancient maritime forest, a historic lighthouse, and a beach dramatically shaped by erosion. Worth the day trip from Myrtle Beach.
Visitors Ask
Is the water at Myrtle Beach warm? Yes — significantly warmer than the Northeast US coast. By late July and August, the water reaches 27–29°C, making it among the warmest on the East Coast outside Florida. Spring and autumn see temperatures of 18–24°C.
Is Myrtle Beach safe? Like any large resort city, Myrtle Beach has varied neighbourhoods. The beach area itself is generally safe and well-policed during peak season. The oceanfront areas and major resort zones are family-friendly. Standard urban travel awareness applies.
How does Myrtle Beach compare to Virginia Beach or Ocean City? Myrtle Beach has warmer water and more entertainment infrastructure than Virginia Beach or Ocean City (MD). Virginia Beach has more natural beach length and a more military-community character. Ocean City (NJ) has a classic boardwalk tradition. Myrtle Beach wins on sheer volume of activities and slightly warmer climate.