Situated in Horry County, South Carolina, Myrtle Beach sits at the center of a continuous 60-mile sandy stretch known as the Grand Strand along the East Coast of the United States. Separated from the continental mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway, the city lies 67 miles southeast of Florence, 94 miles northeast of Charleston, and 74 miles southwest of Wilmington. Travelers reach the area via Myrtle Beach International Airport or by driving along historic King's Highway (US 17), accessing a destination that attracts over 20 million visitors each year.
The coastal landscape features miles of sandy beaches bordering the Atlantic Ocean, where ocean surface temperatures reach 80 °F or higher during summer months. Myrtle Beach experiences a humid subtropical climate with over 2,800 hours of sunshine annually. Long, hot, and humid summers produce warm, sultry nights, while mild winters feature short durations and daytime highs in the upper 50s. The primary beach season runs from late April through late October, providing optimal conditions for coastal recreation and ocean swimming.
Around the shore, visitors experience a dense resort environment anchored by the oceanfront Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, which houses Pier 14 and the 200-foot Myrtle Beach Skywheel. Just down the coast, Myrtle Beach State Park preserves under a mile of Grand Strand beach for outdoor recreation. The surrounding city suits families, vacationers, and golfers, offering over 1,800 restaurants, 80 golf courses, miniature golf, live show theaters, and retail attractions including the historic Gay Dolphin Gift Cove.
01 Highlights & things to do
What makes this stretch of coast worth the trip — from the water to the walks, wildlife and the views.
Compiled from Wikipedia · conditions vary with weather, tides and the season.
Beach map & the area
The free OpenStreetMap layer below shows the beach and its surroundings — the coastline, access roads, nearby towns and where to park. Zoom in for detail, or open it live in a full map.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL, free).
02 Getting there
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fly | Arrive via commercial flights at Myrtle Beach International Airport. |
| Drive | Travel along US 17 (historic King's Highway), located 67 miles southeast of Florence and 94 miles northeast of Charleston. |
Getting there · Last updated: 2026-09-12 · always double-check access & ferries
03 Where to stay
Resorts, towns and areas near the beach — the closer you stay, the easier the early-morning and sunset hours when the light is best and the crowds are thin.
A resort property connected to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.
04 Best time to visit & the water
| Season | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Beach Season | Late April through late October | Features warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures reaching 80 °F or higher in summer with abundant sunshine. |
Conditions vary with weather, tides & season · Last updated: 2026-09-12
05 Nearby & around
Other beaches, coves, towns and sights within easy reach — worth stringing together into a coastal day.
Good to know
- Summer thunderstorms build during daytime heat and are usually followed by brief, intense downpours.
- Myrtle Beach State Park provides designated areas for camping, hiking, biking, fishing, and swimming.
- The city has been separated from the continental United States mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway since 1936.
