Cherished and transformational are two words that describe what the Gay Dolphin means to the Myrtle Beach community of visitors and locals. While Myrtle Beach has changed over the years, the one place that has remained a constant staple of the Boardwalk is the Gay Dolphin. Starting out as a small gift shop back in 1946, the owner, Justin Plyer, had a vision for what Myrtle Beach could be – an affordable beach town where families can gather, and traditions can take shape. His entrepreneurship set the tone for Myrtle Beach as he owned and…

Ice cream and The Beach go together like peanut butter and jelly – or at least we think so! The Myrtle Beach area has an abundance of local ice cream shops, as well as the chains like Ben and Jerry’s and Baskins Robbins, that are a perfect place to cool off after a day of sun. For National Ice Cream Day on July 18 th , we are exploring these 11 unique ice cream shops around the Grand Strand that are scooping up some classic ice cream treats, as well as milkshakes and shaved ice snowballs. Kirk’s 1890 Ice Cream Parlor – Styled to look like an…

One of the many perks to the beach and coastal region is our beautiful natural habitats and animals that reside in them. Alligators are indigenous to the Myrtle Beach area, and they typically live in our freshwater marshes and rivers, away from people. But, every so often, it is possible that an alligator might make its way to the ocean. We recently met with Mike Walker, Interpretive Ranger at Huntington Beach State Park, to discuss the reasons why alligators can make their way into the ocean. First, many alligators that end up in the ocean…

While the water may be a little too cold for some people right now, it is the perfect time to search for seashells and shark teeth in the sandy coastline. We have a few tricks up our sleeves for finding shark teeth and seashells that will be helpful in your next adventure to The Beach this spring. First, our easy tricks to find shark teeth. Most shark teeth are found in central Myrtle Beach anywhere between 50th Avenue North all the way down to 10th Avenue South, however, you can also find a few in Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island. Look for…

In our minds, more daylight equals more fun! There are so many activities at The Beach for you and your family to enjoy now that the days are longer and warmer weather has arrived. You can make the most of your spring vacation by taking advantage of Myrtle Beach’s amazing deals on lodging, restaurants, amusement, and more – found in our Spring Getaway Guide. Here are suggestions for fun activities: 1. Play Disc Golf in Market Common. Disc golf is a family-friendly activity that has recently gained more popularity and it’s perfect for a warm,…

I love heading down to the Myrtle Beach boardwalk this time of year. Not only because it’s less crowded, but because it’s home to one of my favorite area Christmas trees. The large, decorated tree makes for a great photo opp with the ocean in the background—a good reminder that Christmas is better at the beach! Another perk of heading downtown come December is the Oceanfront Merchants ‘Holidays on the Boardwalk’ event, happening every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12 to 8 p.m. Enjoy strolling carolers, costumed characters, caricature…

This weekend brings two important dates for beachgoers everywhere—Saturday, June 20, is the official start of summer, and Sunday, June 21, is National Seashell Day! It’s fitting that these two dates happen within a day of each other, as summer at the beach (and especially Myrtle Beach) is the perfect opportunity to find some seashells. I’ve always enjoyed finding shells when I’ve gone to the beach, but never in the past set out with the intention to go searching for seashells. The recent quarantine due to COVID-19 changed that! Shelling is a…

The beginning of May marks the start of loggerhead sea turtle nesting season here in South Carolina. From now until October, female turtles will make their way out of the ocean and to the dunes, where they dig a nest and lay their eggs. A loggerhead sea turtle will lay around 120 eggs that will then incubate for around two months, 55 to 60 days until they emerge to make their journey back to the ocean. Volunteer groups throughout the Grand Strand make a great effort to protect these turtles, their eggs, and babies throughout the turtle season.…

As we near a very unique Mother’s Day—one most families will celebrate at home—I’ve been thinking a lot about my personal journey as a mother during this scary season of coronavirus. Like many around the world, I’ve found life in quarantine to be a roller coaster… a strange recipe of memorable family moments, anxious nights, afternoons of boredom, creativity, frustration, exhaustion, and more. There have been some truly magical days—my oldest learning to ride a bike, mornings cooking with my youngest son or sitting in the sunshine while the…

Around the beginning of May—sometimes earlier if we’re having a particularly warm spring—we start to see some cannonball jellyfish wash ashore on our daily beach walks. One of the questions I’m asked frequently online is whether there are jellyfish in Myrtle Beach, and of course, the answer is yes. But that shouldn’t cause too much concern or stop anyone from swimming. The jellyfish most commonly seen along our shoreline are cannonball jellyfish and this particular kind are not generally known for stinging humans. In fact, I’ve lived and swam…