While pools do not have a current like the ocean does, a pool or waterpark may seem like a safer option for less experienced swimmers. Many resorts offer pools and waterparks with extravagant slides, lazy rivers, and other exciting features for all ages. It is easy to enjoy a lovely day at the pool or waterpark, while keeping these pool safety tips in mind. Watch Children Children can struggle to swim in the pool in a matter of seconds, so it is important to always watch your children while they are swimming and never leave them unattended.…

As the Myrtle Beach area continues to reopen to visitors, we want to make sure our travelers are doing every thing they can to visit responsibly. Fortunately, there are many ways to safely social distance while visiting our shores! Here is a round-up of some of our favorite ways to make the most of your Myrtle Beach vacation while staying healthy: 1. Spend time on the beach! The beach is one of the easiest places to social distance, and sunbathers can enjoy the benefit of fresh air and sunshine while doing so. Just be sure to place at least 6…

The first time I went parasailing, I didn’t quite know what to expect. Nervous and excited, I got strapped into a harness while the small boat cruised out to open waters. After a safety check, I was told to hang on, and off I went! The cable slowly rolled out and up, up, up I sailed! Parasailing is thrilling and exhilarating, and it’s a great opportunity to see the destination from a very different perspective. I’m glad to live in a region that has several parasailing options because this activity is also a bit addictive! Here are some of my…

There’s nothing like speeding across the waves, feeling the wind on your face, and the splash of the water as your jet ski powers through the surf. A jet ski is a wonderful way to get out in the water and enjoy sun and speed. If you’d rather cruise slowly and look for wildlife, you can do that, too. Between the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway, and our inland rivers, the Myrtle Beach area offers a variety of great experiences with a variety of great water sports companies. For an amazing jet ski experience, check out these Grand Strand…

Everyone loves dolphins. Playful, intelligent and beautiful, dolphins have long captured the attention of humans. Seeing dolphins in aquariums is cool, but nothing beats the thrill of coming across dolphins swimming and diving freely in the open water. Here are some fun facts about our dolphin friends: The Killer Whale (aka Orca) is actually a type of dolphin. Dolphins are carnivores (meat eaters). In history, dolphins were sometimes called mereswine--that is, "sea pig". Male dolphins are called bulls, females are called cows, and young…

Of course, you know you can enjoy the Myrtle Beach area’s 60-mile long beach, revel in its many dynamic attractions, and dine at 1,800+ restaurants, but did you know there are an abundance of activities that allow you to slow down, relax and explore the region’s natural beauty? Kayaking is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in nature as you quietly traverse waterways and observe wildlife in its natural habitat. Our region offers remote island exploration, salt marsh tours, sunrise tours, river tours, Intracoastal Waterway tours, fishing…

One of the most magical areas of the Grand Strand can be found south of central Myrtle Beach in the North Inlet-Winyah Bay Reserve. The reserve encompasses over 18,000 acres of tidal marshes and wetlands and around 12,000 acres are part of the greater Hobcaw Barony property, a tract of historic and protected land on the Waccamaw Neck. Nature enthusiasts and avid kayakers love this unique area for its rich flora, fauna, and history. And on September 5, a naturalist-guided tour will take paddlers through the creeks of the North Inlet. The North…

As a lifelong Myrtle Beach area resident, I’m not sure why it took me 29 years to make it onto one of our area’s dolphin watching cruises. I was missing out... Because now having done it, I can say It was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had while out on the water along the Grand Strand. While there are multiple operators that offer great dolphin watching experiences-both out of Murrells Inlet and Little River-I hopped aboard Captain Mark Collins’ vessel with Blue Wave Adventures Dolphin Watch Cruise. Their dolphin watch cruise runs…

My friend Rachel and I spent an afternoon last week at the new Shark Wake Park in North Myrtle Beach. The park features cable wakeboarding—a pretty new addition to the world of extreme sports—and Shark Wake Park is the first of its kind here along the Grand Strand. At the park, kneeboarders and wakeboarders take hold of a cable that runs around a lake in about a 1.1-mile loop. So there’s no boat! And what you pay is determined by how long you plan on being on the water and whether you need to rent the equipment or not. Now Rachel actually has…