Tourism News
When Is the Best Time To Visit Myrtle Beach?
Any fan of the Grand Strand will attest that the best time to visit Myrtle Beach can be nearly any month of the year. But because every visitor’s vacation wants and needs are a bit different, we decided to crunch some numbers and gather data to account for Myrtle Beach visitors by month, the cost, weather, and events to recommend the best time to go.
Planning a trip where you get the best deal with the ideal weather and lots of things to do is a balancing act, but luckily Myrtle Beach has something attractive to offer visitors any time of the year. Experts suggest booking your trip at least 30–60 days in advance to enjoy the best rates, so plan ahead to target the month that matches your vacation style best. You can always get a jump on planning by checking out our hotels and finding the latest deals to lock in a great rate anytime.
Here’s a month-by-month ranking with pros and cons so you can decide what is the best month to go to Myrtle Beach:
1. October
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Pros: Fall festival season, low rates, still beach weather
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Cons: Chilly evening temps toward the end of the month
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Biggest Events: Fall Bike Week, Oktoberfest Celebrations, St. John’s Greek Festival, Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon, Taste of Town
It may come as a surprise to some, but many locals and longtime visitors will back us up in saying that October truly is the best time of year to visit Myrtle Beach. The hot summer sun is gone, but the weather and the ocean remain warm enough to hit the beach. Combine that with great hotel rates, significantly less-crowded beaches, and tons of amazing activities and fall festivals and it’s no wonder October is the winner!
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2. September
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Pros: Less crowded beaches, some of the year’s best weather, fall golf season
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Cons: Some summertime attractions begin to close
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Biggest Events: Irish Italian Festival, Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival, SOS Fall Migration
September is a close runner-up for the best month to go to Myrtle Beach, and folks who like hot days instead of just nice, warm ones may actually prefer the sun and fun this time of year. Since most schools are back in session after Labor Day, the crowds of families on vacation tend to dissipate, leaving plenty of space to stretch out and enjoy the glory of late summer and early fall. Though some of the amusement parks and water parks close or begin to shorten their operating hours, most attractions remain open, offering the same summer season entertainment without the frustrating lines at attractions, long restaurant wait times, and traffic congestion.
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3. May
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Pros: Great festivals and events, summer weather without the expensive hotel rates
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Cons: Bike Week crowds, not all summer attractions are open yet
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Biggest Events: Military appreciation celebrations, Bike Week and motorcycle rallies, Blue Crab Festival
Memorial Day traditionally marks the beginning of the tourism season, but many savvy visitors like to come to Myrtle Beach earlier in May before the big summer rush begins. To avoid crowds and traffic congestion, plan to arrive before the Myrtle Beach Bike Week and Atlantic Beach Bikefest take place. If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast, the second half of May is an ideal time to visit.
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4. April
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Pros: Some of the best spring weather, spring golf season
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Cons: Some seasonal attractions are still closed, more expensive tee times, occasional rainy weather
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Biggest Events: Monday After The Masters Celebrity Pro-Am, Myrtle Beach International Film Festival, Dragon Boat Festival
The best time to visit Myrtle Beach for golfers or anyone looking to thaw out after a cold winter is April. Mid-spring brings excellent weather, with warm days and cool evenings that provide optimal conditions for exploring the Grand Strand or taking in a few rounds of golf. Because a bevy of golfers arrives for the spring season, tee times may be harder to book and golf rates a bit more expensive, but you should still be able to find opportunities to enjoy the area’s endless buffet of great Myrtle Beach golf courses. And for non-golfing visitors, because the crowds remain thin, April is a great time for a trip to Myrtle Beach .
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5. December
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Pros: Some of most affordable hotels rates of the year, great holiday events
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Cons: Unpredictable weather
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Biggest Events: Nights of a Thousand Candles, Beach Ball Classic Basketball Tournament, South’s Grandest Christmas Show, Broadway at the Beach Christmas Parade
Going to Myrtle Beach in December won’t exactly be warm, but it still beats being snowed in. Even in our coldest months we still get a few 70-degree sunny days popping up here and there, so you can walk the beach and enjoy the gorgeous views. If you’re in a holiday mood, there are tons of reasons to visit Myrtle Beach during Christmas, from spectacular holiday shows and parades, to tree lightings, lights displays, and much more. We do have plenty of great shopping as well, so why not come and enjoy the outlets, malls, and other shopping centers as you check off that holiday shopping list?
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6. March
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Pros: Start of spring golf season, lowest hotel rates of the spring
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Cons: Can be rainy at times, Spring Break season
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Biggest Events: Run To The Sun Car Show, National Shag Dance Championships, Can-Am Days, NMB St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Surfside Beach BBQ Festival
Though spring doesn’t officially begin until March 20, the longer days and warmer temperatures begin arriving early on the Grand Strand. Going to Myrtle Beach in March will treat you to some of the first truly beautiful days of the year and some of the most fun Spring Break nightlife too. Spring golf season—the area’s most popular time for golfers—also begins in March. Many local businesses go out of their way to cater to golfers, so many find March one of the best months to visit Myrtle Beach. Some seasonal attractions and restaurants begin to emerge from their winter slumber this time of year and seasonal events give visitors plenty to do.
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7. June
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Pros: Best beach weather of the year, all top attractions are open
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Cons: Some of largest crowds and highest hotel rates of the year
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Biggest Events: Carolina Country Music Festival, Conway Riverfest, Hot Summer Nights
If you’re looking to get the full Grand Strand vacation experience, June is the best time to visit Myrtle Beach. When schools let out and summer tourism kicks into gear, the number of visitors by month hits its peak. Hundreds of thousands of families flock to the area to enjoy the seemingly endless list of things to do, and every attraction, restaurant, and shopping spot rolls out the red carpet for these summer vacationers. Although the crowds also mean congested roads, busy attractions, and packed restaurants, as long as you’re willing to wait, you’re sure to enjoy your stay.
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8. August
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Pros: Great beach weather, least-crowded summer month
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Cons: Higher room rates, humidity often high
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Biggest Events: World Am Golf Tournament, Craftsman Classic Arts & Crafts Show, Tax-Free Weekend
Though summer really begins to wind down from mid-July on, August is still a solid time to visit Myrtle Beach as all the summer attractions remain open but the intense crowds begin to give way, providing slightly less occupied hotels and roads. Though the heat and humidity can still be stifling at times, August is not usually as rainy as July and there are plenty of things to do, including free summer concerts like Music on Main in North Myrtle Beach and Hot Summer Nights in Myrtle Beach.
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9. November
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Pros: Holiday attractions open early, great rates and deals on hotels
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Cons: Chilly temps, shorter days
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Biggest Events: Dickens Christmas Show, Carolina Beach Music Awards, S.C. State Bluegrass Festival, Intracoastal Christmas Regatta
Visiting Myrtle Beach in November means shorter days and cooler weather, dramatically dropping the number of times you can hit the beach or golf. But November does usher in some major discounts on hotels and resorts as they scramble to keep rooms occupied this time of year. If you’re crazy about the holidays, you can surely get a jump on the season here, as many of the Christmas shows, attractions, and events kick off around the first of the month.
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10. July
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Pros: All attractions and restaurants are open
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Cons: Crowded beaches, highest rates of year, extreme humidity, hot temperatures
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Biggest Events: Independence Day celebrations, Murrells Inlet Boat Parade, Sounds of Summer Concert Series, Father Son Team Golf Classic
Let’s get this out of the way first: Yes, July is by far the most popular month for people to visit Myrtle Beach, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best time to go. While everything is open during the thick of the tourism season and the cool waters of the Atlantic Ocean help offset some of the stifling heat, the drawbacks may outweigh those benefits for some visitors. Once you factor in the pop-up thunderstorms (thanks, humidity!), the packed beaches, longer waits for restaurants, traffic on the roadways, plus room rates at their highest, you can see why other months are better times to visit Myrtle Beach than July.
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11. January
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Pros: Lowest rates of the year, no crowds, great for snowbirds
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Cons: Cold weather, many restaurants and attractions are closed, no major events
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Biggest Events: Myrtle Beach Restaurant Week, Grand Strand Boat Show, SOS Mid-Winter Break
The Grand Strand after the holidays is considered a wasteland for some, but for other visitors—specifically those looking for a refuge from the great white north—January can be the best time to go to Myrtle Beach. Though it is smack dab in the middle of the off-season, there are still many reasons to visit Myrtle Beach in January, including avoiding the hassle and crowds of the high season. Many snowbirds from the Northeast, Midwest, and Canada opt to spend the off-season here because the weather is warmer than where they hail from and the rates are great for rooms or seasonal condo rentals near the beach.
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12. February
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Pros: Low room rates, no crowds
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Cons: Snow?!?!, some restaurants and attractions remain closed
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Biggest Events: Guests artists at The Carolina Opry, Valentine’s Day
Much like in January, crowds in Myrtle Beach in February are thin, seasonal attractions remain closed, and the weather is chilly (it has even been known to snow a little this time of year), but there are still things to do in Myrtle Beach in February to make your vacation there worth taking. The room rates and occupancy are trending upward as hotels and resorts look to spring, but you’ll still find good hotel deals to make your trip worthwhile.
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Even though there are months that land near the bottom of our ranking, there is never REALLY a bad time to come to Myrtle Beach. You’ll find events to enjoy whether you prefer bustling crowds and lots of action or quiet beaches and cooler temps. Plus, the hotels and resorts have plenty to offer anyone visiting the Grand Strand.
