The Beach

Overview
The Beach

Ahh, the Grand Strand. So named by a newspaperman of the 1940s, the name has stuck, and it describes some 60 miles of wide, safe, beautiful, sandy beaches. With all there is to do along the Grand Strand, visitors regularly report that the #1 reason they visit Myrtle Beach is for the beach itself. With more than 14 million visitors coming annually, it’s a good thing Myrtle Beach beaches remain friendly and safe, clean and inviting. Early-morning beach walkers enjoy year-round quiet times as the sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean, and late-night strollers, flashlights in hand, marvel at the spectacular moonrises and the haunting effect of a nighttime visit. Mid-day, especially in the summer months, the beach takes on a new energy while families and singles, young and old, relish in America’s favorite pastime. Here’s a look at some of our favorite things to do on the beach in the Myrtle Beach area:

Beach Games

Little has changed since visitors first began to vacation at the beach. The bathing suits have become a bit more revealing, but fun in the sun has always meant playtime. Frisbee, Volleyball, Bocce Ball, and playing catch with a football or baseball remain tops in beach gaming, but a few new kids on the block may be here to stay: Ladderball, Frisbee Golf, Cornhole and new favorites show up each summer. Enjoy!

Bodyboarding/Surfing

Catch a wave and you’re sitting on top of the world!” The Beach Boys first sang that line in the 1960s as America’s surfing craze kicked into high gear. No surfboard? No problem. You can get much the same experience by grabbing a bodyboard at the closest beachwear store for $5-10 and good swimmers can even master the art of body surfing — using your body to surf the front of a wave. Myrtle Beach’s waves can be perfect for beginners or daredevils.

Building a Sandcastle

Large or small, simple or complex, few activities can surpass the simple joy of building a sandcastle in Myrtle Beach. Though the art of building sandcastles is often lost on adults, occasionally some big kid,” will be seen working on a monster. Professional sandcastle builders visit the Grand Strand for competitions and amaze with artistic and engineering skills. Try building one yourself, you know you want to, and it’s free!

Shelling

Beachcombers have long scoured the sand for that one perfect shell, but along the Grand Strand it can be tricky; it’s all in timing. Go early before all the best shells are gone, and at low tide you’ll have more sand to sift through. After storms and during full moons, when tides are stronger, the shelling may be better. Keep your eye peeled for the not so rare, but hard to spot, shark’s teeth. Check out this guide for shells you can find in Myrtle Beach!

Back to 102 Things To Do

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12. Camping

Ahh, the great outdoors. Don’t let your daytrips to the beach and a little mini golf be the only time you spend outside while visiting the Grand Strand. Consider the joys and family bonding of camping at the many fine parks or Myrtle Beach campground …

71. Candy Shops

Sometimes life at the beach just isn’t sweet enough — you need a sugar kick that can only come from candy! Luckily candy stores are becoming more and more popular, and they’re popping up all over town. When your sweet tooth starts aching, check o …

75. Tattoos & Piercings

Gift shops are great, but maybe you’re looking for a more permanent memento of your trip to Myrtle beach. Limited by law to a small strip off the beaten path in Myrtle Beach, most area tattoo parlors call Seaboard Street home. Anyone wanting a tattoo …

65. Myrtle Beach Malls

If you’re looking for a familiar shopping experience, check out one of the Myrtle Beach-area malls. Anchored by big-name stores and full of the familiar retailers you know and love, area malls offer a break from the sun and sand where you can shop to …

17. Skating

For generations, skating of all sorts has been a popular youth pastime around the world, and here on the Grand Strand. At the roller skating rinks, skillful DJ’s play family-friendly versions of hit songs, while kids of all ages and abilities dart ar …

05. Kayaking

With a sturdy, unsinkable Kayak you have the choice to experience the wildlife and relaxation of the marsh, creeks, and rivers of the South Carolina Lowcountry, or get your blood pumping with the adrenaline-filled rush of navigating the breakers in the …

45. Veterans Monuments

America’s veterans have played a crucial role in our nation’s ongoing quest for freedom, and chances are that you know or are related to one of the heroes that have fought to make this country what it is today. So why not take a break from …

37. Myrtle Beach SkyWheel

This 187-foot Ferris Wheel made its debut in Myrtle Beach in 2011, immediately lighting up the night sky with flashing bursts of color. The wheel is made up of 42 glass-windowed gondolas, each with temperature control that comes in handy during the sum …

13. Escape Rooms

Escape Rooms are the newest sensation in Myrtle Beach, and several of them have popped up within the past couple of years. Escape Rooms, also known as “Break Out Rooms,” are interactive attractions in which visitors are given a scenario and must so …

80. Mexican Restaurants

America’s long love affair with Mexican food is only growing sweeter with each passing year. Authentic Mexican dishes available throughout the region deliver flavor combinations that can only come from tomato, avocado, corn, chili peppers, cheese, po …

11. Take a Day Trip to Charleston

Myrtle Beach is a popular year-round beach destination with plenty to see and do. Most visitors stick close to their hotel and explore within the 60 miles of coastline known as the Grand Strand. For those who want to venture a little further, another u …

76. Seafood Restaurants

Dining out is one of the great joys of vacationing, and dining out in an ever-changing sea of seafood restaurants in Myrtle Beach is a treat that keeps visitors coming back for more. The Grand Strand boasts hundreds of great seafood establishments. S …