Digging at Myrtle Beach SC beaches could cost you major clams. Here’s why
.jpg "A trend of adults using metal shovels and digging large holes to search for shark’s teeth at Sands Beach in Port Royal has prompted an ordinance regulating the size of holes and the type of tools that can be used.")
Bringing a garden shovel to the beach could set you back $500 in fines — depending on what you do with it.
On Myrtle Beach-area beaches, it is illegal to dig large holes in the sand because it can be dangerous to humans and sea turtles.
Every day from May to August, North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol volunteers report up to 10 deep holes on the 9 miles of coastline, said Linda Mataya, the group’s leader. They can be as wide as 20 feet across and up to 8 feet deep. Some speculate people dig large holes out of boredom or to look for shark teeth.
The problem is more about adults with garden shovels and less about children playing in the sand.
“I realize that kids love to dig in the sand, and there’s no reason why they can’t do that ... as long as they’re instructed to fill in their holes when they leave,” Mataya said.
Holes deeper than 2 feet can be dangerous to the digger. Sand is unstable underground and prone to collapsing. In May 2022, a teen digging on a New Jersey beach died when the sand fell in, according to the AP News.
Unfilled holes can also be a tripping hazard to pedestrians. Mataya said she hears about up to 10 twisted ankles and or injured legs each year from Sea Turtle Patrol volunteers in North Myrtle Beach.
The holes in the sand can also be hazardous to sea turtles.
“We have found [hatchlings] at 6, 7 o’clock in the morning stuck in these moats, running around, trying to get free,” Mataya said. “After sunrise, the trapped sea turtles are more vulnerable to predators and can bake in the heat.”
What you need to know
Be careful about digging holes deeper than 2 feet and using metal garden shovels on the beach. Specifics vary by municipality, but Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, and Horry County all have rules prohibiting beach-goers from digging holes larger than 2 feet.
If your kids are making a moat for their sand castle, they’ll need to fill any holes before leaving the beach. In Surfside Beach, if you dig a large hole and don’t fill it, you might have to pay a $500 fine or spend up to 30 days in jail. In North Myrtle Beach, the penalty is $100.
