Surfside Beach Rules

Beach Access

Visitors may access the beach from any of the Town's 36 access points.
Wheelchair access is available at the 3rd Avenue North entrance, Surfside Pier, and Melody Lane accesses.
Special Beach wheelchairs are available through the Surfside Beach Public Safety Department.
Please visit the Department at 811 Pine Drive or call (843)913-6368 for more information.

Special Services

Visitors may access the beach from any of the Town's 36 access points.
Wheelchair access is available at the 3rd Avenue North entrance, Surfside Pier, and Melody Lane accesses.

Special Beach wheelchairs are available through the Surfside Beach Police Department.
Please visit the Police Department at 811 Pine Drive or call (843)913-6368 for more information.
Rental chairs and umbrellas are available for rental through Beach Services, Ltd. Prices are as listed below. Cash, MasterCard or Visa accepted for payment. 

 

                                 

Please call (843) 238-4038 with questions regarding Beach Chair and Umbrella rentals.

Parking

The Town of Surfside Beach provides pay-station or metered parking spaces at the following 12 beach area parking lots:

16th-17th Ave. North
6th Ave. North
3rd Ave. North
Surfside Pier
Yaupon Drive
3rd Ave. South
4th Ave. South
5th Ave. South
6th Ave. South
13th South & Ocean Blvd
13th Ave. South
Melody Lane

Facilities

Restroom facilities, showers, and foot-showers can be found at the following beach access points:

1st Ave. North- Shower Tower
2nd Ave. North- Shower Tower
3rd Ave. North- Shower Tower/Restrooms
8th Ave. North- Shower Tower
Surfside Pier- Shower Tower/Restrooms
2nd Ave. South- Shower Tower
3rd Ave. South- Shower Tower
5th Ave. South- Shower Tower/Restrooms
6th Ave. South- Shower Tower
7th Ave. South- Shower Tower
10th Ave. South- Shower Tower
13th Ave. South- Shower Tower

Rules

To both ensure the safety of our residents and visitors and preserve the unique quality of life that gives our Town its charm, the Town asks all beachgoers to abide by the following rules:

Tents


Summer 2017: 10 x 10 foot tents or canopies are allowed as long as they are no closer than 10 feet to the next tent or canopy; no tents or canopies within 8 feet of the dune line, and are situated to the west of the lifeguards' line of sight.

January 1, 2018: No tents except tents designed for small children; Umbrellas no larger than 9'feet in diameter are allowed; no umbrellas or other paraphernalia within 8 feet of the dune line, and are situated to the west of the lifeguard's line of sight.


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 or other domestic pets are not permitted on the public beach during the period between May 15 and September 15.
Horses and other large animals are not allowed on the beach.

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) 913-6368.
Fireworks are not permitted on the public beach.
No alcoholic beverages 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.
Umbrellas, tents, etc. must be placed 10' to the rear of guard stands.
Lifeguard stations can be found at the following locations:

Holiday Inn at 16th Ave. North
12th Ave. North
6th Ave. North
3rd Ave. North
1st Ave. North
Days Inn at Pier
4th Ave. South
7th Ave. South
10th Ave. South
13th Ave. South