Living Here | Beach laws vary across the Grand Strand
Horry County swim advisories
To keep beachgoers safe, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control collaborates with a voluntary beachwater program to issue advisories when the levels of bacteria in the ocean water are high. Water is tested for bacteria along the coastline, and when bacteria levels are deemed unsafe, an advisory is issued.
Heavy rains can contribute to high levels of bacteria and pollutants in the ocean water because runoff from lawns and streets can flush out trash, fertilizer or pesticides.
Swimming after a rainstorm when an advisory is in effect should be avoided because contaminated water can affect swimmers by infecting them with minor illnesses such as sore throats or diarrhea.
However, swim advisories usually last only one or two days, especially during a dry season, and few beach activities are limited by the advisories.
Uses of the beach not affected by swim advisories include sunbathing, shell hunting and walking in the surf.
Even when advisories are not in place. It is recommended to swim at least 200 feet away from storm drains and swashes after a storm. Signs are generally posted in those areas to warn people of the risks involved with swimming near the outfall.
Source: S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control
Horry County beach accesses
Garden City Beach | There are numerous public beach accesses off South Waccamaw Drive.
Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach | Signs are along Ocean Boulevard at each street end. Some locations are pathways only; others offer parking.
North end of Horry County | Beach accesses include locations north and south of Ocean Annies at Maison Drive, Apache Campground and the Wyndham Myrtle Beach Resort.
South end of Horry County | Locations are Cypress Street at Springmaid Pier, and near the Garden City Pier at Hawes, Woodland, Calhoun, Rainbow, Sea Breeze, Oak, Pine, Magnolia, Yaupon, Azalea and Holly streets.
Surfside Beach | Beach accesses with parking are marked with signs. Locations are 16th Avenue North, Sixth Avenue North, Third Avenue North at Surfside Pier, Third Avenue South, Fourth Avenue South, 13th Avenue South and Melody Lane.
Beach wheelchairs | In Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach, beach-going wheelchairs are available for use free of charge. In Myrtle Beach, beach wheelchairs are available at the lifeguard stands, which also offer handicap parking. Call 918-1000. Wheelchair access is available at 77th Avenue North, 72nd Avenue North, 54th Avenue North, 24th Avenue North, Fifth Avenue North, Eighth Avenue North, Eighth Avenue South and 20th Avenue South.
In North Myrtle Beach, wheelchairs are available Monday through Friday at the Recreation Center on Possum Trot Road. Call 280-5570 to reserve one. Wheelchair access is available at Main Street, Sea Mountain Highway, Fourth Avenue North, Sixth Avenue South, Ninth Avenue South, 15th Avenue South, 17th Avenue South, 21st Avenue South, 27th Avenue South, 39th Avenue South and 46th Avenue South.
In Surfside Beach, wheelchairs are available by calling 913-6368. Handicap beach accesses are at the beach access outlets. Wheelchair access is available at Third Avenue North, Surfside Drive at Surfside Pier and Melody Lane.
Horry County beach laws
Vehicles | No motor vehicles on the beach or within public marsh areas.
Animals | Dogs on the beach must be leashed at all times in Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach. In Myrtle Beach, dogs must be leashed at all times. From May 1 through Labor Day, dogs are not allowed on the beach between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. From May 1 through Labor Day, dogs are not allowed on Ocean Boulevard at any time between 21st Avenue North and 13th Avenue South, except to cross the street. From May 1 through Labor Day, dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk after 10 a.m. Horses are not permitted on the beach in Myrtle Beach or Surfside Beach.
Littering | Prohibited.
Glass containers | Prohibited.
Sleeping on the beach | Prohibited between 9 p.m. and sunrise.
Nudity | Prohibited. Additionally, it is illegal for anyone to wear a thong bathing suit; violators face fines.
Boating/surfing | It is illegal to use any equipment in a manner that would endanger bathers, swimmers, surfers, or others in the water. Sailboats, motorboats, and Jet skis (or other personal watercraft) must remain at least 400 feet from the shoreline and 500 feet from any fishing pier, with the exception of entering or exiting the ocean. Sailboats, motorboats, and Jet skis may not be launched or retrieved within 50 yards of a lifeguard stand, unless otherwise designated.
Georgetown County beach access
Pawleys Island | Locations include a 100-car parking lot at the south end of the island and seven locations with limited parking. There is a location 0.8 miles north of the south-end parking area. Additional locations are off Atlantic Avenue at Hazard, First, Pearce, Second and Third streets, and at Shell Road.
North Litchfield Beach | You can get to the beach off Parker Drive just north of Windover Street, at the end of Windover Street, at the end of Fairfield Street, between Fairfield and Exeter streets, at Seaview Loop, between Belvedere and Mariner streets, at the end of Mulberry Street, at the end of Eutaw Street, at the end of Media Street, at the end of Summertime Street and at the end of Loggerhead Street.
Litchfield Beach | Locations off Norris Drive: between Sundial Drive and Albert Lane, at the end of Albert Lane, at the end of Mason Lane, at the end of Chesterfield Lane, and between Chesterfield and Lyman lanes.
Georgetown County beach laws
Vehicles | No motor vehicles other than county maintenance or emergency vehicles permitted on beaches.
Horses | Prohibited March 15 to Sept. 15.
Sleeping on beach | Prohibited from midnight to sunrise.
Litter | Prohibited on beaches and in the water.
Nudity | Prohibited.
Glass containers | Prohibited on the public beach.
Brunswick County, N.C., swim advisories
The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Division of Environmental Health administers the Recreational Water Quality Program to monitor recreational beach water weekly at 240 monitoring stations from April 1 to Sept. 30, and twice a month in October. Testing continues on a monthly basis from November to March. Swimming advisories or alerts are posted when hazardous levels of bacterial contamination are detected. Contamination may stem from human or animal waste, stormwater discharge, floodwaters, or shellfish harvesting. Swim zones are divided into three tiers based on activity and use; advisories and alerts are issued according to the separate tiers. During the swimming season (April through October), swimming advisories, maps and sampling results will continuously be updated.
Source: N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Division of Environmental Health Recreational Water Quality Program, www.deh.enr .state.nc.us.