Ready to spend a day in the sand and surf? Your guide for visiting Myrtle Beach
The beach is open and ready for Myrtle Beach residents and tourists to enjoy, but planning a trip along the shore might be a little different now in the era of coronavirus.
To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the city is encouraging folks to social distance on the beach and limit any large gatherings, with groups advised to space themselves out. While family units may gather together, everyone needs to be mindful of spacing requirements, city spokesperson Mark Kruea said.
Additionally, signs will soon be placed along the beach with reminders on how to stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
Along with following social distancing guidelines, Myrtle Beach has a specific list of beach rules and regulations for visitors to following. The city has passed several ordinances over the years that aim to protect all beachgoers and preserve the shores. Those who violate beach laws are subject to a fine of up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail, upon conviction.
Here is some helpful information as you prepare for your visit to Myrtle Beach.
How will the coronavirus impact me and should I cancel my vacation to Myrtle Beach?
With the beach and other amenities within the city steadily reopening, many have taken to Facebook groups and even The Sun News to ask whether they should cancel their trip to Myrtle Beach. While we can’t answer that question for you, we can provide some helpful facts that may aid in your decision making process.
All public beach access points and adjacent parking lots are open. Public docks and boat landings are also open.
- Hotels, short-term rentals and other accommodations services are currently open and taking reservations. Be sure to call your hotel prior to travel to ensure it’s open and to hear about any safety measure that are in place.
- Restaurants are open and allowing both indoor and outdoor dining. Restaurants are still doing pickup and curbside food service, but indoor dining is limited to 50 percent capacity until further notice. So, make a reservation.
- While dining options are available, along with a slew of retail businesses reopening, state orders are still in place requiring amusements, mini golf and other attractions to remain closed.
- Short-term rental restrictions on visitors from hot spots, such as New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have been lifted. Visitors from hot spots are no longer required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Beach decorum
Alcohol, glass containers and glass bottles are not allowed on the beach.
Visitors are advised to stay on the boardwalks and marked paths to avoid disturbing or damaging the dunes, according to a Myrtle Beach city ordinance. It is illegal to disturb or damage the dunes, the sand fencing or the sea grass and sea oats.
If you want to search for buried treasure, metal detectors are only allowed on the public beach. The use of metal detectors is restricted in the dunes, the street ends or any other public property.
Don’t be a litterbug. Littering is illegal, and visitors are advised to use the available trash and recycling containers. There’s a lot of them.
Gathering around a crackling fire on the beach looks cool in the movies, but all fires are prohibited on the beach, including barbecues and bonfires. Fireworks are also restricted from the beach. It is illegal to discharge, sell, store or possess fireworks within the city, including the beach, the city states.
Fireworks displays by pyrotechnic professional may be approved if permitted and supervised.
Getting married along the oceanfront is romantic, but commercial weddings and other commercial activities are not allowed on the beach. Non-commercial weddings, where no one is being paid, are allowed without a permit.
Golf carts may not be driven on the beach, bike paths, sidewalks or multipurpose paths.
Beach gear and dress code
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, only circular umbrellas, up to seven-and-a-half feet in diameter, are allowed, according to the city. Umbrellas must be in line with or behind the lifeguards’ line of umbrellas or landward of the mean high tide line. Tents and canopies, when allowed, must be 10 feet behind the umbrella line.
From the day after Labor Day until Memorial Day, tents and canopies up to 12-by-12 square feet are permitted.
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Want to get the best spot on the beach? Beachgoers can set up their gear after 8 a.m., and must remove their items from the beach by 7 p.m., daily.
Tanlines may be annoying but you need to cover your bum when visiting the area. “Thong” style bathing suits are not allowed on the beach or in public, according to the city.
Pets, bicycles and wheelchairs
From May 1 through Labor Day, dogs are allowed on the beach before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. and on the boardwalk between 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. Bikes are also permitted on the boardwalk between 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. through Labor Day.
From the day after Labor Day to Apr. 30, dogs and bicycles are allowed on the beach and boardwalk at anytime.
Pet owners must walk their dog on a leash up to seven-feet long, and must also pick up and properly dispose of any droppings.
The city offers free wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis. With limited supply, those in need should call 843-918-1488.
Parking and golf carts
Payment for parking is required where indicated. Tickets for overtime or improper parking will result in a $30 ticket, with the fine doubled if unpaid after 30 days., according to the city.
Vehicles with a handicap sticker or a license plate specifying a handicapped, disabled American veteran, Purple Heart or Medal of Honor may park free at the public pay spaces.
All golf carts must be parked legally, one to a space, and be registered with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles in order to be driven on public streets. Only licensed drivers, ages 16 or older, may operate a golf cart on public streets, the city states.
Golf carts may be driven during daylight hours only on secondary roads where the speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less, and only up to four miles from the registered address, according to the city. Driving after dark is prohibited, along with driving on bike paths, sidewalks, multi-purpose paths, the beach, Kings Highway, and highways 501 and 17.
Flag system, swimming tips, water quality and public safety
Myrtle Beach has a flag system notifying beachgoers about current water conditions. Flags will fly from lifeguard stands to alert swimmers of any potential dangers.
A double-red flag means the ocean is closed to the public, restricting any swimming while a single-red flag indicates hazardous conditions, such as strong waves and currents. A yellow flag signals medium hazards, conditions are safe when a green flag is shown, and a blue flag stipulates dangerous marine life, such as a high number of jellyfish.
To ensure you get in and out of the water safely, swimmers should swim sober, with a friend and where a lifeguard is present. Don’t dive into the surf, leash your boogie or surfboard, don’t fight the current and signal for help if necessary, and don’t float where you can’t swim, the city advises.
If you are caught in a rip current, don’t panic or try to swim against the current. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out the current. If you can’t break out of the currently, float calmly until it fades, then swim diagonally back to shore.
Lastly, any aquatic activity, such as swimming or surfing, is not allowed within 75 yards of a pier, the city warns.
Prior to hitting the shore, visitors are advised to monitor the city’s Check My Beach website for water quality and safety information. The site provides up-to-date information on rip currents, water quality and safety information. S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control routinely tests ocean water quality during the swim season, from May 1 to Oct. 1.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department’s beach patrol will have officers working on the beach, along with three EMS crews available daily to provide first aid and assist with any water-related emergencies. Additionally, lifeguards will be stationed along the beach and a beach coordinator will monitor the oceanfront, sand dunes and public accesses.
For more information, call 843-918-1014, visit the Myrtle Beach city website or download Myrtle Beach’s new Beach App to your mobile device.
This story was originally published May 14, 2020 at 10:13 AM with the headline "Ready to spend a day in the sand and surf? Your guide for visiting Myrtle Beach."
