Our Guide To The Beaches of North Myrtle Beach

North Myrtle Beach Information

When you stay at one of our Barefoot Resort Rentals, you will be able to access some of the area’s best beaches efficiently. Are you looking for a quiet spot to relax? You can find one! Need a big beach with plenty of things for your kids to do? We’ve got you covered. Just check out our guide to exploring North Myrtle Beach’s must-see beaches and what you can expect from a day spent at each one.

With over 13 miles of luscious, white, sprawling sandy beachfront areas to choose from, you can find the beach with just the right vibe to tempt you out of your North Myrtle Beach vacation rental.

The Beaches

There are six main beaches to cover here: Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach, Crescent Beach, Windy Hill, Ocean Drive, and Atlantic Beach. If you want to diversify your vacation experience in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, then you should give each one of these beaches a try. Of course, you might find that one of them is more your speed and will want to frequent that one above all else.

Some of these beaches are family-friendly, while others are renowned for their Atlantic Ocean access via boat launches. For those of you who love taking in local wildlife, then you can find some genuinely unique ecosystems at each of these beaches.

Which beach will appeal the most to you? It is high time that you find out.

Cherry Grove

Cherry Grove is just about a 15-minute drive from your North Myrtle Beach condo rental. You can easily enjoy a day trip to this beach, and there are plenty of activities for you, your family, or your friends. Should you make it to the beach when the tide is low, you can walk across the Waterway to the natural and private Waites Island, owned by Coastal Carolina University (who use it for marine science research).

The beach is home to Cherry Grove Pier, a vast, fantastic pier for fishing and snapping stellar photographs of the scenic Atlantic Ocean and surrounding coastline. Nearby, there are plenty of bait shops and cafes where you can get your tackle and tackle your caffeine cravings. There are also plenty of restaurants nearby where you can sate your palate after a long day frolicking on the sandy shores.

If you are looking for some exciting activities to do at Cherry Grove Beach, try going surfing or kayaking along the coast. There are several surf shops in the area, and you can learn surfing basics at Kokopeli Surf Camp. You might also want to give kayaking a try, as the calm and quiet coastal waters make for a fun place to head out on an adventure.

North Myrtle Beach

Situated about halfway between Cherry Grove Beach and downtown is North Myrtle Beach, which serves as Main Street’s public beach access point. There is plenty of parking available at this beach, not to mention nearby grocery stores, an oceanfront bar, ice cream shops, and pizza parlors. There is even a massive inflatable waterslide at this beach, which can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

In the early 1930s, national parks and conservation areas were set up to counter the environmental damage done by erosion along the East Coast. South Carolina was one of the first states to adopt a new program known as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that addressed unique environmental needs and created employment opportunities during the Great Depression. This initiative resulted in the creation of Myrtle Beach State Park, which opened in 1936.

Today, you can enjoy a day full of swimming, birdwatching (you might catch a glimpse of the peregrine falcon or black tern at this beach), or fishing from the pier. The beach itself has plenty of space for you to spread out your towel, and there are lifeguards on duty from mid-May through Mid-September. Two main playgrounds are there to entertain the kiddos, and you can find plenty of trails to hike along. You can also explore the beach on a bike or on horseback.

Crescent Beach

While staying in one of our waterway North Myrtle Beach rentals, Crescent Beach is one of the best beaches in North Myrtle Beach since it tends not to get overcrowded. People like to come here to go shelling along the shoreline, picking up a wide variety of seashells to clean up and take home as some seriously unique souvenirs.

This beautiful beach is within walking distance of many shops and restaurants, and it is only a few blocks away from Highway 17, making it convenient for those driving in. You will end up feeling isolated from all the hustle and bustle of the city traffic, even though this beach is only about three blocks away from that main highway. There are also some friendly neighborhoods surrounding Crescent Beach where you can safely enjoy a peaceful walk. The beach itself is kept clean, and there are friendly lifeguards stationed there during the “in” season.

The low tide pools and warm water make this spot safe for small children to play in. Families like to frequent this beach for that reason, and even in winter, you can enjoy coming to the beach for a refreshing walk on the clean, soft sands.

Windy Hill Beach 

Windy Hill Beach lies along North Myrtle Beach’s southernmost point, where you can access the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. With the help of a land grant in 1737 to William Gause, who developed it and built an inn on White Point Swash – a tough place to get to these days, funded this beach. South of Briarcliffe Acres and behind the Meher Spiritual Center’s property, George Washington himself stayed at this inn and was quoted as saying, “This is a windy hill!” Hence, the name of the beach.

There is a large residential area surrounding this beach, isolating it from Highway 17 and the crowds that flock into town during the summer. The beach has tidal pools that are great for families to swim in, and the beach is kept clean. You can find plenty of seashells along the shore, as well as crabs and small schools of fish swimming just offshore.

Ocean Drive Beach

When looking for things to do in North Myrtle Beach, Ocean Drive Beach is worth trying. North Myrtle Beach golf courses and vacation rentals are nearby, which is the heart of North Myrtle Beach. Safe and pristine, you will still be close to restaurants and shops. There are dozens of drive-up parking spots, and you can easily access the beach from where you enter.

Mornings are the best time to explore this beach since it does get busy in the afternoon. Even at peak hours, the beach has enough space to accommodate everyone. The water is pleasantly warm, and the waves are gentle but fun for families to swim in. North Myrtle Beach provides an umbrella service for those looking to rent their umbrellas for shade.

Atlantic Beach

Another one of the must-see North Myrtle Beach beaches is Atlantic Beach. Originally devised as a vacation spot for black families in the early 1930s, this destination became renowned for its thriving little community of black-owned businesses. Many residents descend from the Gullah Geechee, who had been enslaved and brought in from Africa’s West Coast and lived and worked in the coastal regions from Jacksonville, Florida, to Wilmington, North Carolina. This heritage is still prevalent today, as it is shared and celebrated.

The beach is situated along a barrier island bordered by Bogue Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, serving up miles of warm white sands. The most popular access point is The Circle at Atlantic Beach, which you can find across from the Atlantic Beach Causeway. There are other access points in Fort Macon State Park and Picnic Street Park. Stroll along the boardwalk or head over to the Oceanana Fishing Pier to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the ocean.

Where to Stay

Now that you know all about the beautiful beaches, you’ll need the perfect place to stay during your getaway, and there’s no better place than Barefoot Resort Rentals! Picture yourself waking up to breathtaking ocean views from your private balcony, feeling the gentle ocean breeze caress your skin. Our exquisite North Myrtle Beach condos are meticulously designed with your comfort in mind, ensuring that every moment spent with us is nothing short of extraordinary!

During your stay, you’ll have access to an array of unmatched amenities. Relax by our pristine pools, perfect your swing on one of the nearby championship golf courses, or simply stroll along the beautiful white sand beaches. Our commitment to excellence extends to every aspect of your visit, ensuring that your needs and desires are exceeded in every way.

View all of our North Myrtle Beach vacation rentals and find your home away from home today!