Solo travel · Myrtle Beach · United States
Solo travel in Myrtle Beach
How to enjoy Myrtle Beach at your own pace.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya, Myrtle Beach · Photo: Fran Trudeau, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Myrtle Beach is geared to families and groups, but solo travellers can enjoy it in the shoulder seasons with a car, golf, bar seating on the MarshWalk and quiet state-park beaches. Many solo travellers base themselves in Central Myrtle Beach and the Boardwalk.
Key facts
- Base
- Central Myrtle Beach and the Boardwalk
- Getting around
- Car
- Emergency number
- 911
- Language
- English
Plan a trip to Myrtle Beach
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Solo travel tips
- Visit in May or September for lower prices and a calmer atmosphere.
- Golf courses pair solo players with other groups; ask when you book a tee time.
- Sit at the bar on the MarshWalk or at Boardwalk restaurants for easy conversation.
- Stay near the Boardwalk if you do not want to drive every evening.
- Keep valuables out of sight in cars at beach parking areas.
Where to stay
$$ · Best for first-timers, families, budget and nightlife
Central Myrtle Beach and the Boardwalk
The stretch of Ocean Boulevard around the Boardwalk, between the 2nd Avenue and 14th Avenue piers, is the classic Myrtle Beach base. Hotels sit directly on the sand, and the SkyWheel, Family Kingdom amusement park, arcades and beachwear shops are within walking distance. It is the liveliest — and noisiest — part of the coast.
- Good
- Walk to the Boardwalk and attractions; Huge choice of oceanfront rooms; Good value outside summer
- Watch out
- Crowded and loud on summer weekends; Ocean Boulevard traffic crawls in season
- Nearby
- Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, SkyWheel, Family Kingdom, 2nd Avenue Pier
Great on your own
Viewpoint · Central Myrtle Beach and the Boardwalk
SkyWheel Myrtle Beach
Ride just before sunset for daylight views up the coast and the lights coming on below.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- After dark
Garden · Murrells Inlet and Garden City
Brookgreen Gardens
Admission is usually valid for several consecutive days; save the creek boat tour for a second visit.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Nature
- Couples
- History
- Photo spot
Beach · Murrells Inlet and Garden City
Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya
Stop on the causeway and scan the lagoon on the left for alligators and wading birds; it is one of the best birding spots in the state.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
Waterfront · North Myrtle Beach
Cherry Grove Pier and Marsh
Rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore the marsh channels at high tide.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Nature
- Outdoors
Meeting people
- Sunset dinner on the MarshWalk — Murrells Inlet's MarshWalk links seafood restaurants and bars over the salt marsh; walk it at dusk and pick a deck with live music.
- Restaurant Row buffets — The seafood buffets of North Kings Highway are a Myrtle Beach rite of passage; go early in the evening to avoid queues.
- The Boardwalk — Oceanfront bars and rooftop decks along the Boardwalk, busy on summer nights.
- Broadway at the Beach — Bars, a dueling-piano club and nightclubs around Lake Broadway.
Sensible precautions
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.
- Emergency number
- 911
- Staying connected
- Hotels and condos usually include Wi-Fi, and mobile coverage is good along the coast.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Myrtle Beach good for solo travellers?
Myrtle Beach is geared to families and groups, but solo travellers can enjoy it in the shoulder seasons with a car, golf, bar seating on the MarshWalk and quiet state-park beaches.
+Where should solo travellers stay in Myrtle Beach?
Central Myrtle Beach and the Boardwalk: Oceanfront hotels, arcades and the SkyWheel along Ocean Boulevard.