Beach Access and Parking
North Myrtle Beach has 240 public beach access points along 9 miles of shoreline. Beach access parking and the city parking lots are $2 per hour. Here is a link to parking locations. However, they are limited to beachgoers and overnight parking is not allowed.
A vehicle displaying a State of South Carolina issued handicapped placard or license plate may park free in paid public parking lots.
Special Services
Wheelchairs are available Sunday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Beach Services Warehouse, 1024 6th Ave. South, directly behind the Midcou building. Reservations for wheelchairs are encouraged and can be made one year in advance. A beach wheelchair can be reserved for a maximum of one (1) week at a time.
Large vehicles are required to transport the chairs (SUV, van, or pickup truck). Delivery and pickup services are available for a $25 charge per service during the Summer season. For availability call Beach Services at (843) 663-8600.
Beach access for persons with disabilities are at the following locations:
- Main Street
- Sea Mountain Hwy.
- 4th Ave. N.
- 6th Ave. S.
- 9th Ave. S.
- 15th Ave. S.
- 17th Ave. S.
- 21st Ave. S.
- 27th Ave. S.
- 39th Ave. S.
- 46th Ave. S.
The City of North Myrtle Beach offers umbrella and chair rentals from late April to mid October from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The combo rental rates include 2 chairs and 1 umbrella.
•Full Day Chair – $10 •Full Day Umbrella- $15 •Weekly Chair – $60 •Weekly Umbrella – $90 •Daily Combo – $25 •Weekly Combo – $150 Call 843-280-5684 for more information.
LifeGaurds:
There are 54 Lifeguard Towers along the 9 Mile stretch of beach and the city hires about 105 to cover the area from May 15 – September 15.
Tents
Only UMBRELLAS with a center pole no greater than 7 feet 6 inches in height and a circular shade no greater than 9 feet in diameter are allowed on the beach May 15-September 15. No tents, tarps, cabanas, pavilions, sports-brellas or similar devices, or any material mounted on supports allowed on the beach May 15-September 15.
Vehicles
No motor vehicles, other than those used by lifeguards, police, or other Town personnel, are permitted to operate on the beach at any time.
Animals
Dogs in public must be on a leash at all times. No dogs are allowed on the beach from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 15-Sept. 15.
Swimming, Surfing and Safety
Lifeguards, deputies, and other Town officials supervise and regulate surf fishing, swimming, and other activities on the Town's beach.
To report lost children please contact the Surfside Beach Police Department at (843) 280-5511.
Fireworks are not permitted on the public beach.
No alcoholic beverages or glass are permitted on the beach.
Lifeguard instructions are to be obeyed AT ALL TIMES.
Swimmers are to venture into the water no deeper than chest-deep and no further than 50 yards from the shoreline.
Surfing is prohibited within 300 feet of the fishing pier.
Summer Season Surfing - During the period between May 15 and September 15, surfing is permitted only in designated areas between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Off- Season Surfing - Between the periods of September 15 and May 15, surfing is allowed anywhere along the beach from sunup to sundown, except areas within 300 hundred feet of the fishing pier.
Surfers are required to wear surfing leashes at all times.