North Myrtle Beach isn’t just a quieter version of its famous neighbor to the south. People get that wrong all the time. They think it's just one long, continuous stretch of neon lights and high-rises. It's not. If you’re looking for North Myrtle Beach Carolina del Sur, you’re looking for something specific: wide beaches, the birthplace of Shag dancing, and a vibe that feels more like a residential neighborhood than a tourist trap.
It’s big.
It’s also four distinct towns that decided to hold hands in 1968. Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach, and Windy Hill all merged to create this 13-mile stretch. Each one still keeps its own personality, though. You can feel the shift in the air when you cross the bridge into Cherry Grove and see the salt marshes. It's different. Honestly, if you show up expecting the boardwalk and the SkyWheel, you’re in the wrong place. Those are ten miles south. Here, life moves at the pace of the tide, and that’s exactly why people keep coming back.
The Cherry Grove Phenomenon and the "Point"
Most people head straight for the Atlantic, but the real magic of North Myrtle Beach Carolina del Sur is tucked away at the northern tip. Cherry Grove is legendary. It’s home to the Cherry Grove Pier, which has been rebuilt more times than locals care to count thanks to various hurricanes like Hugo and Ian.
The "Point" is where the Hog Inlet meets the ocean. At low tide, the landscape changes completely. You can walk out onto sandbars that feel like they belong in the Caribbean. You’ll see locals pulling kayaks through the shallow channels or hunting for blue crabs in the marsh grass. It’s quiet. You can actually hear the birds.
But there’s a catch.
Parking at the Point is a nightmare. If you don't have a city decal or get there before 9:00 AM, you’re basically out of luck. The city has gotten strict lately. They’ve increased the number of paid parking spots, and the "ParkMobile" app is now a mandatory part of the experience. It's a bit of a hassle, but it keeps the beaches from becoming a chaotic mess of double-parked SUVs.
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Why Shag Dancing Still Dominates Main Street
You can’t talk about North Myrtle Beach without talking about the Shag. It’s the official state dance of South Carolina, and it started right here in the Ocean Drive section. If you walk into Fat Harold’s Beach Club on a Tuesday night, you aren’t going to see a bunch of teenagers doing TikTok dances. You’re going to see people in their 60s and 70s moving with a level of grace and footwork that would make a pro athlete jealous.
It’s serious business.
The Society of Stranders (S.O.S.) holds huge events every year—the Spring Safari and the Fall Migration. Thousands of people descend on Main Street. They shut down the roads. They drink cold beer and dance on the sawdust-covered floors of places like Ducks and the Spanish Galleon. It’s a subculture that hasn't changed much since the 1950s. If you’ve never seen it, it looks like a relaxed version of swing dancing, perfectly timed to "beach music"—which, for the uninitiated, is basically soul and R&B from the mid-20th century.
Main Street itself has undergone a massive facelift. It’s got that "new-old" feel now. High-end condos sit on top of boutiques and ice cream shops. But the soul of the place is still the music coming out of the open doors of the clubs.
Golf, Waterway Shops, and the Barefoot Landing Factor
If you aren't here for the sand, you're probably here for the grass. North Myrtle Beach is a legitimate golf mecca. We’re talking about the Barefoot Resort & Golf complex, which features four courses designed by legends: Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Greg Norman, and Davis Love III.
The Dye Course is notoriously brutal.
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It’s full of pitfalls and visual "intimidation" factors that Pete Dye was famous for. If your handicap isn't in the single digits, bring extra balls. You’re going to need them.
Right across the Intracoastal Waterway from the golf courses is Barefoot Landing. This is the heavy hitter for entertainment. It’s built around a lake and features the Alabama Theatre and the House of Blues. It’s touristy, sure, but it’s done well. You can walk the wooden boardwalks, grab a beer at Crooked Hammock Brewery, and watch the gators in the water (yes, they are real, and no, you shouldn't feed them).
The dining scene here has shifted. It used to be all-you-can-eat calabash shrimp buffets. Those still exist, but the newer spots like Taco Mundo or Blueberry’s Grill are pushing the quality up. People are getting pickier. They want local ingredients, not just frozen fish sticks.
The Realistic Side of Staying Here
Let's be real for a second. North Myrtle Beach Carolina del Sur is expensive. The days of the cheap $50-a-night motel are mostly gone, replaced by sprawling vacation rentals and high-rise resorts like the Wyndhams and the Marriotts.
If you're booking a house in Cherry Grove, you need to look at the "channels." A lot of houses are on man-made canals. It’s cool because you can dock a boat in your backyard, but you’re a three-block walk to the actual beach. For some, that’s a dealbreaker. For others, the privacy is worth it.
Traffic on Highway 17 is also a factor. During the summer months, it’s a parking lot. Locals know the "back ways"—like using Robert Edge Parkway or staying on Ocean Boulevard as long as possible—but if you’re trying to get from Windy Hill to Little River at 5:00 PM on a Saturday, just bring a snack. You’ll be there a while.
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Safety and Environmental Reality
The ocean is beautiful, but it’s also a powerhouse. North Myrtle Beach has been aggressive about beach nourishment lately. They pump millions of cubic yards of sand onto the shore to fight erosion. This means the beach stays wide, which is great for sunbathers, but it can create "steep" drop-offs in the surf zone.
Also, the rip currents are no joke.
The lifeguards here are professional, but they can't be everywhere. Always check the flag colors. If it's red, stay out of the water. Period. People underestimate the Atlantic every year, and the consequences are never good.
And then there are the sharks. Yes, they live in the ocean. No, they aren't hunting you. You’ll often see "pointers" (small sharks) near the piers where people are fishing. It’s their home; we’re just visiting. Just don't swim near the fishing lines and you’ll be fine.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
Don't just wing it. If you want the best experience in North Myrtle Beach, you have to play the game correctly.
- Book your tee times months in advance. If you want to play Tidewater or the Dye Course, don't wait until you arrive. The prime morning slots disappear fast.
- Download the ParkMobile app before you get here. It’ll save you a headache at the beach access points.
- Visit the Heritage Shores Nature Preserve. It’s at the end of 53rd Avenue North in Cherry Grove. It’s an island in the middle of the marsh with boardwalks and interpretive signs. It’s free, and it’s one of the few places where you can see what this area looked like before the condos moved in.
- Eat at Hoskins Restaurant for breakfast. It’s a Main Street staple since 1948. There will be a line. Wait in it. The fried chicken and the biscuits are worth the 20-minute stand on the sidewalk.
- Check the tide charts. If you want to explore the sandbars at the Point, you need to be there two hours before low tide. If you go at high tide, there’s nothing to see but deep water.
North Myrtle Beach is a strange, wonderful mix of old-school Southern charm and modern resort luxury. It’s where you go when you want the ocean without the chaos of the "Strip." Just respect the dunes, tip your servers, and maybe try to learn a few Shag steps while you're at it. It’ll make the locals like you a lot more.