Beaches · Myrtle Beach · United States
The best beaches in and near Myrtle Beach
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya, Myrtle Beach · Photo: Fran Trudeau, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Central Myrtle Beach (In town). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C/70°F or more) in May–October.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 6
- Swimming season
- May–October
- Warmest sea
- 28°C (82°F)
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The beaches
In town · Families and first-timers
1.Central Myrtle Beach
The main beach in front of the Boardwalk and oceanfront hotels, with lifeguards and rentals in season.
About 25 km north of central Myrtle Beach · Families and fishing
2.Cherry Grove Beach
North Myrtle Beach's northern end, with a long fishing pier and marsh channels behind the dunes.
About 6 km south of central Myrtle Beach · Nature and calm days
3.Myrtle Beach State Park
A quiet beach backed by maritime forest, with a pier and picnic areas.
About 15 km south of central Myrtle Beach · Families renting houses
4.Surfside Beach
A family beach town with a pier and low-rise beach houses.
About 30 km south of central Myrtle Beach · Wildlife and solitude
5.Huntington Beach State Park
An undeveloped beach with dunes, birdlife and Atalaya's tower behind it.
About 40 km south of central Myrtle Beach · Couples and peace and quiet
6.Pawleys Island
A quiet beach lined with historic cottages and no high-rises.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12°C (54°F) | 14°C (57°F) |
| February | 12°C (54°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| March | 14°C (57°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
| April | 18°C (64°F) | 23°C (73°F) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| June | 26°C (79°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| August | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| September | 27°C (81°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| October | 23°C (73°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
| November | 18°C (64°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
| December | 14°C (57°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$ · Best for families, quiet stays, beach and couples
North Myrtle Beach
North Myrtle Beach is a separate city made up of old beach communities such as Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive and Crescent Beach. Main Street at Ocean Drive is the home of the Carolina shag and its beach-music clubs, and Cherry Grove Pier and the tidal marshes of Hog Inlet are at the north end. Barefoot Landing is on the Intracoastal Waterway nearby.
- Good
- Calmer than central Myrtle Beach; Many condos and beach houses; Shag clubs and local character
- Watch out
- A drive from Broadway at the Beach; Fewer big hotels
- Nearby
- Cherry Grove Pier, Main Street, Barefoot Landing, Alabama Theatre
Getting to the beaches
- Car — A car is essential for reaching attractions spread along 100 km of coast.
- Bus — Coast RTA runs local buses along the main corridors, but service is infrequent and of limited use for most visitors.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in May and September–October. None of them is peak season, so beaches stay manageable.
Beach safety
The main risks are natural: rip currents (swim near lifeguards and follow posted flags), strong sun, summer lightning and hurricanes between June and November, when you should follow official evacuation instructions. Ocean Boulevard can be rowdy late at night in peak season, and you should not leave valuables in parked cars. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Myrtle Beach have beaches?
Yes: Central Myrtle Beach, Cherry Grove Beach, Myrtle Beach State Park, Surfside Beach, Huntington Beach State Park and Pawleys Island.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Myrtle Beach?
Usually May–October, when the sea averages 21°C (70°F) or more.
+What is the best beach near Myrtle Beach?
Central Myrtle Beach: The main beach in front of the Boardwalk and oceanfront hotels, with lifeguards and rentals in season.