Myrtle BeachMyrtle Beach, SC

Visibility is an estimate — wind, rain, tide & water alerts.

Getting in

Shore access, walk in off the sand

Best conditions

Lifeguards and police beach patrol watch the swimming areas under a color-coded flag system in season, so check the flag before getting in. Surfing and kayaking are limited to five marked zones along the beach and to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 1 through Labor Day, and surf anglers must stay at least 50 feet clear of swimmers.

Getting through the gate

No fee to enter the beach itself. The only cost is metered parking.

Parking

Metered parking at beach accesses citywide runs $3 an hour or $15 for the day, enforced 9 a.m. to midnight daily from March 1 through September 30, the city's paid parking season.

On site

restrooms, parking lot, lifeguard on duty

Watch for

Rip currents are a real hazard on this stretch of coast: the city's own beach guidance links out to rip current and beach flag information, and the National Weather Service office in Wilmington, which covers Horry County, notes rip currents form most often near low tide and around structures like jetties and piers, A double red flag closes the water to swimming, and violations of the city's beach ordinances are misdemeanors carrying up to a $500 fine or 30 days in jail, or both, Swimming and surfing are barred within 75 yards of any pier, Alcohol and glass containers are banned on the beach, Open fires, including barbecues and bonfires, are banned on the beach

Checked 2026-08-28. Sources: City of Myrtle Beach: beach conditions and laws, City of Myrtle Beach: beach access and accessibility, City of Myrtle Beach: parking meters, City of Myrtle Beach Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism: Gardens by the Sea Park, National Weather Service Wilmington: rip currents.