The Longest Beach in South Carolina Is 60 Miles of Splendor

There are several reasons why people prefer to travel to the Myrtle Beach region, but the main one is the variety of entertainment possibilities. This coastal stretch of South Carolina dubbed as the Grand Strand is the longest beach in the state, with 60 miles of coastline. 

It connects a variety of beach vacation spots with its 60 miles of unbroken gorgeous sandy shores. Today we’re going to discuss everything that makes the Grand Strand marvelous. From boardwalks with kitschy shops to an abundance of wildlife, there are endless reasons to visit South Carolina. 

History of the Grand Strand

Whether they knew what the phrase meant or not, most tourists and residents are aware of Myrtle Beach and the neighboring regions referred to as “The Grand Strand” for a long time. If you’re unsure about the precise origin of that moniker, we can provide you with some background information.

The Grand Strand is made up of beaches that run along the Atlantic Ocean for 60 miles. It contains all the communities in between, such as Pawleys Island, Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Surfside Beach, and Myrtle Beach. It extends from Little River to the southern city of  Georgetown, SC.

Prior to when Myrtle Beach was formally constituted as a city, the phrase “The Grand Strand” truly emerged. The moniker was first used in the Myrtle Beach Sun’s “From the Grandstand.” This was a column in the paper that started being published around 1950! 

Top Attractions at the Grand Strand

There is truly something for everyone along the 60 miles of South Carolina coastline known as the Grand Strand. Whether you’re a 20-something on a solo adventure or a family of four looking for a kid-friendly activity, the Grand Strand has it all. 

Blackbeard’s Pirate Cruise

Pirate Adventures at Murrells Inlet and Blackbeard’s Pirate Cruise at Fantasy Harbor both provide engaging nautical entertainment. Children utilize hints to look for buried treasure, watch sword fights, and operate water cannons to take on wayward pirate ships with the competent instruction of a skillful commander and crew. 

It’s best to make reservations, so come early to give yourself lots of time to turn your children into skilled buccaneers. You’ll like these outings, which go for about two hours in calm waters. 

Outdoor Adventures

The Grand Strand offers adventure beyond the sand and water. For thrilling family airborne adventures, travel through the air on a zipline. Test your balance on a rope course. View the world from a unique perspective with a walk on the canopy trail. 

Cool Off at a Water Park

Myrtle Waves is the largest water park in the state and right along the 60 miles of the Grand Strand. This park is the ideal spot to beat the scorching summer heat thanks to the 1.2 million gallons of water at the park. 

There are over 20 slides and several water attractions that are sure to cool you down! Ride down mega slides like Snake Mountain or Turbo Twister for adrenaline.  There are a ton of rides and pools that are suitable for children.

The Marshwalk

There are eight delectable restaurants at The MarshWalk, which is situated on the scenic marshes of Murrells Inlet and is recognized for its relaxed environment and coastal food. Every single day of the week, a lot of dining establishments include live music and provide indoor and patio eating options with marsh scenery from every seat. 

The southern warmth is consistently endearing, and the seafood is the freshest you’ll ever have! Although this is a great option for families, it sure makes a great date night location! 

Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens is a stunning floral and sculpture landscape that covers 9,127 acres. The gardens, which Anna Hyatt Huntington designed, have artworks by dozens of well-known artists and are surrounded by lovely oak trees and magnificent fountains. 

Everywhere you look throughout the garden at Brookgreen Gardens has hand-lit candles and twinkling lights during the annual Nights of a Thousand Candles event.

See the Grand Strand From the Sky!

This Broadway at the Beach attraction lets you ride an actual whirlybird on a brief excursion of the 60 miles of shoreline that the Grand Strand offers. Helicopter Adventures offers lengthier excursions of the shoreline and Grand Strand for slightly higher prices, but it also offers beginner helicopter rides for as cheap as $20 per person. 

If a helicopter ride isn’t your thing, how about leaping out of an airplane on a skydiving adventure? Myrtle Beach Skydiving, based at the North Myrtle Beach Airport, provides certified training and jumps for both novice and expert divers. 

For individuals who are afraid of heights, this well-known downtown attraction might be your best option for getting some elevation in a secure setting. The SkyWheel, which soars 190 feet over the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, offers visitors a bird’s-eye view of the downtown area, the beachfront, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Wildlife Near the Grand Strand

South Carolina is no stranger when it comes to wildlife. The Grand Strand features a wild variety of animals that call the area home. Here are some of the creatures that you may see during a visit! 

Royal Tern

The Royal Tern is a sleek seabird that inhabits warm saltwater shores. Its regal appellation is justified by its bright orange bill and shaggy, ink-black crest set amid its clean white plumage. When diving for little fish, Royal Terns soar gracefully and gently along coasts before catching them with a quick blow of their knife-like bills. 

They are sociable birds that congregate on untouched coastlines in between fishing trips and build noisy, thick nests. 

Alligators

An animal like an alligator needs no introduction. The Myrtle Beach region of South Carolina is home to the interesting American alligator, which locals can find all over the state. Tourists frequently spot these reptiles in small ponds, national parks, and even along the beach because they are an essential component of South Carolina’s natural ecosystem. 

There are various areas you may visit in the Myrtle Beach region if you want to see gators. A popular location is Huntington Beach State Park, which is close to Myrtle Beach. Numerous animals live in this park, particularly alligators, who you can often spot in the freshwater canal that flows throughout it.

Great Black-Backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gulls are the masters of opportunity. Their appearance includes dark eyes, pale pink legs, and a yellow beak with a red patch towards the tip. They stalk other birds to take what they catch and viciously attack lesser birds, eggs, and newborns. 

Great Black-backed gulls follow fishing boats to collect leftover bait and rubbish, steal trash from dumpsters and landfills, and comb beaches in search of marine food. They graze alongside other gull species, including the herring gull, and spend the night in a group.

Dolphins

Dolphins live close to the seaside all year round and are in great quantity in Myrtle Beach because it is their natural environment. Additionally, it is a location where migratory dolphins gather in greater numbers. 

The number of dolphins swimming near the shores of South Carolina significantly improves your chances of spotting one! You can find many local experts who have spent years researching the local creatures in Myrtle Beach because it is a center for dolphin research. 

Horned Grebe

You can often spot horned Grebes on the surface of the water, where they dive for relatively brief periods of time in search of fish and other invertebrates. These breeding birds eat a lot of bugs and larvae, some of which they catch in the air and others which they find in or on the water. 

Birds that are migrating or overwintering typically form tiny flocks.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

The loggerhead turtle gets its name from its enormous head, which houses strong jaw muscles that allow it to eat conch and whelks, and other hard-shelled prey. This type of sea turtle is the one that is most frequently found in the United States. 

There are nine different population segments (DPS) of loggerhead turtles that are designated as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.