Ride on Some of the Best Waves on the South Carolina Coast

1. Myrtle Beach – This is probably the most convenient spot to surf, with proximity to your comfortable room at Ocean Reef Resort, as well as easy accessibility to lessons and rentals if you are just starting out or did not bring a board with you. With an average height of 3 to 4 feet, the waves on the shores of Myrtle Beach do not typically get very tall, mostly due to the shape of the coastline — which is great if you are still trying to get the hang of standing on your board. The hours for surfing on this stretch of the Grand Strand are very limited, making the activity only available before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. due to the growing crowds throughout the day. But the beach still provides a pretty sweet place to pick up a great swell.

2. Cherry Grove – If you want to avoid the crowds without straying too far away from central Myrtle Beach, check out Cherry Grove. Just a short car ride up to North Myrtle Beach, this beach gives you access to the same great waves that you would find in central Myrtle Beach, but without the crowds and limited surfing hours! North Myrtle Beach is also a great town to stop and have lunch in.

3. North End – The North End is another great spot to find good surfing waves without being surrounded by other surfers trying to get a ride in before or after the popular beaches are crowded. The area has wide beaches and marginal surf, which means it’s set back farther and deeper than other parts of the nearby coast, providing a great place for people of any surfing ability to catch a wave.

4. Bull Island – Just north of Charleston, is a spot to go If you really want to get away from the crowds, Bull Island is the place to go. With waves that are still as good, or even better, than the ones found at the more populated beaches, this island is a hidden gem to surfers, and only a few know where it is. This island also juts further out into the ocean than any other point on the South Carolina coast, which helps for picking up any type of swell. Close to a wildlife preserve, Bull Island is also a great destination to see some cool birds, land animals, and sea creatures!

5. Folly Beach – If you are really looking for a great place to pick up a few waves, surfers who live along the Grand Strand would highly recommend the trip down to Folly Beach. This small town, located a 2.5-hour drive south of Myrtle Beach, sits on the outskirts of the beautiful coastal city of Charleston. The reason the experienced surfers recommend making the drive is that, even though it is a relatively short distance away, the distance makes a big difference when it comes to average daily wave count — which means more waves you can ride! Make the drive, catch some waves, and spend a day checking out the cool town and great waves!

Whether you stay local or decide to take a little day trip, you will not be disappointed by the waves you can catch in the Atlantic Ocean. When you get tired and decide to call it a day, head back to your comfortable accommodations at Ocean Reef Resort so you can get a good night’s rest before another great day on the water on the South Carolina coast!