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Keeping Myrtle Beach Clean & Safe
Myrtle Beach’s oceanfront is both beautiful and well-maintained, thanks to continuous investments by the city. Our 10 miles of sandy shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean are our most valuable natural resource. The beach is why we call this place home and why millions visit each year. Below, you’ll find important information to ensure a safe and enjoyable beach experience.
Check My Beach: Your Guide to Water Safety
To enhance beachgoer safety, Myrtle Beach, along with other Grand Strand cities, has partnered with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to improve the state’s Beach Monitoring Program.
With support from the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, we launched the Check My Beach website, where you can find real-time updates on:
✅ Water quality testing
✅ Rip currents & surf conditions
✅ Beach flag meanings
DHEC monitors over 120 locations in South Carolina from May 1 to October 1, and the City of Myrtle Beach conducts weekly water quality tests during the summer.
Beach Flag System & Public Safety
Myrtle Beach uses a color-coded beach flag system to keep visitors informed about water conditions:
🚩 Double Red – Water is closed to the public (no swimming).
🚩 Single Red – Hazardous conditions, such as strong waves or currents.
🟡 Yellow – Medium hazard (use caution).
🟢 Green – Safe conditions.
🔵 Blue – Dangerous marine life present (e.g., jellyfish).
Lifeguards & Emergency Services
Lifeguards, operating under a city franchise agreement, provide watchful supervision.
The Beach Patrol, part of the Police Department, ensures safety along the shore.
During peak season, three EMS crews are stationed on the beach daily.
A dedicated Beach Coordinator monitors the oceanfront, dunes, and public access points.
For more details on beach safety and regulations, download the Beach Regulations & Safety Tips brochure.
Beach Laws & Regulations
To help protect our beautiful coastline, all visitors must follow these beach rules:
🚫 Prohibited on the Beach:
Alcohol & glass containers
Damaging dunes, fences, or sea grass (stay on marked paths)
Digging holes deeper than 2 feet (must be filled before leaving)
Littering (use provided trash & recycling bins)
Fires, barbecues, and bonfires
Commercial activity (non-commercial weddings are allowed)
🎣 Fishing & Water Activities:
Swimming, surfing, and similar activities are not allowed within 75 yards of a pier.
Fishermen must stay at least 50 feet from swimmers and avoid casting in designated swimming areas.
🐶 Dogs & Pets:
May 1 – Labor Day: Allowed on the beach before 10:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m.
After Labor Day – April 30: Allowed any time of day.
Boardwalk Restrictions: Dogs and bicycles permitted only from 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. (May 1 – Labor Day); unrestricted access the rest of the year.
(Service dogs are always allowed.)
🏖️ Beach Umbrellas & Tents:
May 1 – Labor Day: Only circular umbrellas (up to 7.5 feet in diameter) are allowed.
After Labor Day – Memorial Day: Tents & shade structures (up to 12x12 feet) are permitted but must be 10 feet behind the umbrella line.
Infant shelters (max size: 4ft wide, 3ft deep, 3ft tall) are allowed year-round.
👙 Dress Code:
Thong-style swimsuits are prohibited in public areas, including the beach and boardwalk.
⚠️ Violations of these ordinances may result in fines up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail.
Kayak & Surfboard Usage Restrictions
For public safety, Myrtle Beach limits kayak and surfboard use to specific times and locations:
🕙 Allowed from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (May 1 – Labor Day) ONLY at:
📍 29th Avenue South to City Limits (South)
📍 34th Avenue North to 47th Avenue North
📍 62nd Avenue North to 68th Avenue North
📍 78th Avenue North to 81st Avenue North
📍 87th Avenue North to City Limits (North)
Flotation Device Regulations
All flotation devices must:
✔️ Be fabric-covered with a 360-degree safety rope (min. 3/8-inch diameter) OR
✔️ Be U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation devices.
Inflatable rafts, pool floats, and other non-approved devices are not allowed in the ocean. (Surfboards, paddleboards, and skimboards are only allowed in designated surf zones.)
Stormwater Management & Water Quality
Did you know? The City of Myrtle Beach has invested $74.2 million in stormwater management over the past 23 years!
💧 What is stormwater?
Stormwater is rainwater that flows across roads, buildings, and parking lots before reaching the ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway.
🌊 Why is stormwater management important?
Stormwater can carry pollutants into the ocean. To improve water quality, the city built deepwater ocean outfalls, which:
✔️ Move stormwater 1,000 feet offshore, beyond the breakers.
✔️ Remove outdated drainage pipes from the beach.
✔️ Help maintain high ocean water quality.
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