A Surfer's Guide to the Myrtle Beach Area
With miles of wide-open coastline, warm water, and a welcoming surf scene, Myrtle Beach is a great place to paddle out—whether you're a seasoned surfer or just thinking about standing up on a board for the first time.
Our 60 miles of beaches offer ample opportunities to surf in Myrtle Beach that are easygoing, approachable, and fun for locals and visitors alike.
You’ll find surf shops stocked with gear, instructors ready to teach, and a coastline that offers consistent, manageable waves nearly all year. Fall tends to bring the best swells for more advanced surfers, but beginners and casual riders can enjoy the water anytime.
Whether you’re here to sharpen your skills or just want to try something new while soaking up the sun, this guide will point you to the best places to surf, rent equipment, take lessons, and connect with Myrtle Beach’s laid-back surf culture.
Where to Surf
Surfing is allowed all along the Grand Strand, but it’s important to know the rules. From May 15 through Labor Day, many beaches enforce time-of-day restrictions to keep things safe for swimmers and surfers. Surfing near piers is limited, and leashes are typically required. The good news? There are several year-round surf zones where you can hit the water anytime. Here’s a breakdown of the best places to surf, organized by location:
Myrtle Beach
Within the city limits of Myrtle Beach, surfing is restricted during certain hours in peak season, but there are still some great spots to check out:
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Springmaid Pier – Located near Myrtle Beach State Park, this longtime local favorite tends to catch more swell than other nearby beaches. The sandbars here shift regularly, creating interesting wave setups for all skill levels.
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Myrtle Beach State Park – Just south of the main stretch, this area offers mellow waves and fewer crowds, making it a solid option for beginners and longboarders.
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The Golden Mile – Between 31st and 52nd Avenues North, this quieter residential stretch offers plenty of room to spread out and often sees smaller crowds, especially in the early morning.
North Myrtle Beach
This stretch is popular with both new and experienced surfers looking for approachable waves and a relaxed scene. Daytime surfing is allowed in designated areas, including:
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From Hog Inlet to 5th Avenue North (excluding the area around Cherry Grove Pier)
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Between 6th Avenue South and 27th Avenue South
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The Town of Atlantic Beach and around 46th Avenue South
Surfside Beach
This area is known for consistent, manageable waves and a friendly, laid-back surf scene. Daytime surfing is allowed in:
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From 270 feet south of 12th Avenue North to 14th Avenue North
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From 300 feet north of 14th Avenue South to the Surfside Beach town limits
Horry County
Outside the city limits, Horry County's unincorporated areas have beaches are open to surfers all day, even during the summer season:
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South of North Myrtle Beach city limits, extending toward The Dunes Club
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South of the Myrtle Beach city limits to the Surfside Beach town line, excluding the areas already mentioned above
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Garden City Beach – Just north of Murrells Inlet, this stretch is a hidden gem for longboarders and casual surfers. It offers a more relaxed vibe and can deliver surprisingly fun waves when the swell direction is right.
Georgetown County
If you’re willing to venture farther south, the surf scene quiets down and the scenery ramps up:
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Litchfield Beach – Known for its peaceful setting and soft, rolling waves, perfect for beginners or an easy session.
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Pawleys Island – A favorite among locals, this spot can produce solid rides during a good swell and is beloved for its unspoiled charm and low-key lineup.
Adaptive Surf Project
If you’re a seasoned surfer or want to get in on some local, community action, volunteer for a surf event with the Adaptive Surf Project. This project was created after the “Wheel to Surf” event was launched in 2013, which allowed everyone to surf regardless of disabilities. Adaptive Surf focuses on teamwork and building imagination, so everyone knows that disabilities shouldn’t exclude them from things in life. The project also works to better the local community by creating accessible beaches with beach wheelchairs and matting, conducting beach cleanups to keep trash out of our oceans, and ensuring people are welcome everywhere they go, whether at a bar, concert, restaurant, or the beach!
Surf Shops
Village Surf Shoppe
“The Surfers Choice Since 1969.” Running for nearly 60 years, Village Surf is the oldest running surf shop on the Grand Strand and one of the oldest in the country. The family establishment shares their love of surfing and skateboarding with locals and tourists alike who have a passion to “spread stoke.” Offering surfboard shapers, skateboards, locally designed men's and women's apparel, stickers, hats, and so much more. The Shoppe also offers surf lessons with individual and group rates and runs a camp throughout the summer.
Surf City Surf Shop
Right off the shore in Myrtle Beach is Surf City, where you can get all your surf necessities: the latest bathing suits, boards, name-brand towels, accessories, and everything in between. A Myrtle Beach surf shop isn’t complete unless it encourages the sport alongside selling its products, so similarly, Surf City also has paddle and surf boards that you can rent or purchase to try your hand at the waves. If you want to see the swell before you head to the beach, visit their website to see live footage of the surf conditions and check the regional forecast - they have everything prepared for your surf experience!
Ron Jon Surf Shop
A legendary name in the surf world, Ron Jon Surf Shop brings its iconic beach culture to Myrtle Beach with two locations—one at Broadway at the Beach and another at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach. While Ron Jon is best known for its massive selection of surf gear, beachwear, and coastal lifestyle essentials, it’s more than just a store. These locations serve as hubs for surf lovers, tourists, and anyone chasing that laid-back, sun-soaked vibe. Though they don’t offer lessons directly, Ron Jon’s is the place to gear up before hitting the water, whether you’re grabbing your first board or just picking up some wax and a rash guard.
Surf Lessons
Jack’s Surf Lessons
Born in 2010, Jack’s Surf was the first school in the area created solely to teach people how to surf. Awarded a Certificate of Excellence in 2023 by TripAdvisor and known as one of the premier surf schools of the Grand Strand, Jack’s lessons will have you up and on your board in no time. They offer lessons for all ages and skill levels and work with each student individually to accommodate their learning style. The prices of each lesson vary depending on the number of people who book (the bigger the group, the lower the cost!). Jack’s also offers a Surf School that runs nearly every day of the year, and they have boards available for rent.
Kokopelli Surf Camp
Founded by local surfers with a passion for sharing the stoke, Kokopelli Surf Camp has been helping visitors catch their first waves for over a decade. Known for its laid-back vibe and professional instruction, Kokopelli offers surf lessons, stand-up paddleboard tours, and kayak adventures along the Grand Strand. Lessons are available for all ages and experience levels, with a strong focus on safety, fun, and personalized coaching. Group and private lessons are available, and equipment is provided. They also offer board rentals, making it easy to stay out on the water even after your lesson wraps.
Native Surf Lessons
If you’re searching for a personal experience that will leave you feeling like a trained professional, Native Surf has the instructors ready to lead you. Offering year-round lessons in the North and Myrtle Beach areas with a Grand Strand native who has been surfing for over 20 years, there’s plenty of expertise and experience to share. Opt for specialty-crafted individual lessons or a group rate to help you achieve your goals and get you one step closer to standing up on that board!
Additional Fun for Surfers
Shark Wake Park
If you want to try other extreme water sports, Shark Wake Park has a huge cable park where you can try wakeboarding, kneeboarding, water skiing, wake skating, and foil boarding. There certainly isn’t a short list of options! Book sessions in advance and spend your sunny Carolina day out on the water, checking a new sport off your bucket list. If you’d rather have a more light and silly experience, jump, dive, and splash for as long as you want on the park's obstacle island full of inflatable monkey bars, slides, climbing towers, and more. This experience is for kids and adults alike, so don’t miss out!
Try a Water Activity
There is no shortage of water activities to fill your week with a different sport each day. Find paddleboards, kayaks, parasails, and jet ski rentals or tours all over the Grand Strand, whether on the Atlantic, in the marshes of Cherry Grove, or on the Waccamaw River in Conway. An abundance of options will keep you, your friends, and family entertained throughout your vacation. Visit our watersports page for more inspo!
