What Are the Best Outdoor Attractions in Myrtle Beach, SC?

Top 5 Outdoor Activities in Myrtle Beach, SC Myrtle Beach and the surrounding areas offer so much more to do than a beach day! With its mild climate and gorgeous Lowcountry landscape, Myrtle Beach outdoor activities meet your desires. Have a high-adventure experience or a relaxing day making memories with your family. And, as these outdoor attractions often lie outside the Grand Strand, these activities often have fewer crowds! Not sure where to start your outdoor adventure? Any of these options will make a Myrtle Beach weekend unforgettable.

1. Kayak or Paddle Board Cherry Grove Marsh

Adjacent to the Heritage Shores Nature Preserve, the protected salt marshes in Cherry Grove hint at what the Myrtle Beach Lowcountry was like before development. Egrets, pelicans, and blue herons pick their way through the seagrass and shallow waters on the hunt for the minnows, hermit crabs, and small fish hiding in the grasses. A variety of fish flit beneath the surface of House Creek. Newbie kayakers and stand-up paddle boarders can join a tour to get expert guidance from people who really know the park and winding waterways. The more adventurous can use the floating dock or boat ramp to launch and explore the scenic beauty of the marshes by themselves. Always check the weather, bring a map or GPS device, and safety gear before heading into the salt marshes.

2. Go for a Stroll in Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet stands out for its sprawling sculpture gardens. Get to know the outdoor attraction through its programs, tours, and excursions. Knowledgeable docents lead guided tours or take self-guided strolls through these stunning garden spaces. Brookgreen Gardens ranks among the best gardens in the US, so it really is a treat to visit. Save some time for a trip through the Lowcountry Zoo, where visitors can see Myrtle Beach native wildlife like eagles, alligators, otters, and wild turkeys. You can combine a trip with a day at Huntington Beach State Park.

3. Hop on a Segway in Huntington Beach State Park

Want to take in even more of the area? Segways allow visitors to cover a wider area than just the beautiful beaches, all while having fun. During a guided Segway tour of Huntington Beach State Park, keep your eyes peeled on the landscape to spot wildlife like herons and alligators in their natural habitat. The park is a favorite birding spot for watchers. Friendly and experienced local guides bring fun facts about the area and its history during guided tours. The park’s several walking trails and raised boardwalks extend access to the wetlands and lagoon. Reserve some time to explore Atalaya Castle, the 1930s Moorish-style building within the park.

4. Go Fishing

Enjoy everything from deep sea fishing charters to throwing a line in the water from any of Myrtle Beach’s fishing piers. With waterfront environments from lazy rivers winding to the sea to saltwater marshes to surf fishing the ocean, find fishing options for every angler. Those who do not have their own gear do not need to worry. Multiple local outfitters rent fishing poles and nets and can even help with South Carolina fishing license requirements.

5. Book a Deep Sea Charter

Leave the crowds behind and ride the ocean waves out to a prime spot to catch Mahi Mahi, Grouper, and Amberjack. Deep-sea fishing boats handle it all, with the right rods and reels, bait, and ice boxes to take home your prime catches. Myrtle Beach is a seafood capital, and it’s apparent why as you reel in your fresh catch. Other charters can keep you closer to shore, for fishing the Intracoastal waterway and salt marshes.

6. Go on a Dolphin Cruise

One of the most magical things about spending time by the ocean in Myrtle Beach is the chance to view dolphins frolicking in the water. While they are frequently visible on the beaches and by seawalls, a dolphin watch tour gives you an even closer look. These curious animals often approach tour boats and provide a show for viewers by playing and riding in the wake. Dolphin sightseeing cruises frequently depart from Murrells Inlet and travel into the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors might also spot sea turtles, fish, and birds skimming the surface.

7. Ride the slides at Myrtle Waves Water Park

Beach days are always fun…you get to build sand castles, play volleyball, browse the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. But sometimes you want more adrenaline or a break from the salt water, and that’s where a water park steps in. Myrtle Waves is the largest water park in town, with over 22 slides and fun features like a wave pool and splash area.

8. Have fun at Family Kingdom Amusement Park

Those pristine beaches aren’t always ideal for the day. Maybe the waves are too high, or the wind is picking up the sand. Maybe the water’s still too cold for a cracking swim. Instead, fit in a day of thrills and adrenaline at the Family Kingdom Amusement Park. Go up and down the twisting roller coasters. The wooden Swamp Fox coaster has an incredible view from the top–before you drop down its hills. Other kid-friendly rides deliver plenty of adventure for the entire family, no matter their ages. Ride the Ferris wheel for 360-degree ocean and beachfront views.

9. Camp on the Beach

Imagine watching the stars emerge next to a crackling fire with the sounds of surf in the background. That’s the experience at Myrtle Beach State Park, which has a campground among its facilities. The park also has a fishing pier, picnic shelters, playgrounds, birdwatching, and open swimming beach. Horseback riding on the beach is permitted during specific times of the year. Nature trails take you into a rare example of a remaining maritime forest. Myrtle Beach State Park is just south of the boardwalk attractions, so you can have the best of both worlds: an outdoor experience camping beachside and all the entertainment options of central Myrtle Beach.

10. Play a Round of Golf

World-class golf courses await from the center of the Grand Strand, and the sport is one of the favorite activities for locals and visitors. The picturesque setting of the best courses is hard to beat, with some having Intracoastal or oceanfront views. Sea breezes add to the challenge. The area has over 90 courses, including the Dunes Golf & Beach Club, Grand Dunes Resort, TPC Myrtle Beach, and Myrtle Beach National.

11. Get Lost In Time

Step back into history at Hopsewee Plantation, a historic rice plantation that will teach you about early South Carolina, the Gullah-Geechee basketweaving traditions, and the plantation’s role in history. Nature lovers will appreciate the pristine trails winding through the property. The plantation is on the North Santee River near Georgetown.

12. Go Horseback Riding

At Inlet Point Plantation, nature lovers and history buffs meet a love for horses with one-of-a-kind horseback tours. The incredible property is one part wildlife preserve, one part archeological site with ties to Indigenous persons, the American Revolution, and a Civil War-era fort. Inlet Point Plantation is committed to keeping its 4,000 acres in a natural state, with private beach rides on an island, citings of marine life, and remains of the fort and battlefield. It’s a true afternoon adventure unlike any other, and it’s at the Carolina border outside North Myrtle Beach.

Myrtle Beach Outdoor Attractions

Myrtle Beach’s natural beauty is one of the reasons that visitors adore this coastal city and why so many people are eager to move to Myrtle Beach. Discover the Lowcountry’s charm with these top outdoor activities. Make time for independent and guided tour experiences to take in the scenery and the local culture.

Updated December 2024

Preston Guyton Founder @ ez Home Search

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