When is the best time to surf Myrtle Beach - Pier 14?
Peak Sep–Oct · often good Nov–Mar · can still fire Apr–Aug.
Plan around the shoulder and cold months — October through April — when the city's summer surf restrictions lift, the whole beach opens up, crowds drop, and the real swell windows arrive. Hurricane and tropical season (August–October) produces the biggest, cleanest pulses of the year when a storm tracks offshore — short, forecastable windows that reward moving fast. Winter nor'easters are the other dependable swell maker, paired with cooler water that calls for a 3/2 or 4/3. Summer is small, warm and surf-restricted at the pier itself — lesson season down at the open zone, with the odd early tropical pulse worth watching for.
What does a surf trip to Myrtle Beach - Pier 14 look like?
A typical trip from our guide. A real alert comes with the forecast for each day and a fare from your airport.
How much does a surf trip to Myrtle Beach - Pier 14 cost?
A five-night trip, per person, before food and rentals.
Stays use our guide's nightly bands; transfers use the guide's quoted rates. Real alerts price the exact dates.
Where should you stay at Myrtle Beach - Pier 14?
Bay View on the Boardwalk $
resort · ~5 blocks south of Pier 14, oceanfront on the boardwalk — 8–10 min walk
Why this one: Oceanfront condo-style rooms with kitchenettes right on the boardwalk, with pools and a lazy river. Kitchens make the thin downtown grocery scene workable, and you're walking distance to the pier surf in the off-season.
Also: Holiday Pavilion Resort on the Boardwalk, Oceanfront at 1200 N Ocean Blvd — ~1 block from Pier 14, 2–3 min walk · Cheaper: Holiday Sands North 'On the Boardwalk', Oceanfront on the boardwalk — short walk to Pier 14
Points play: Courtyard Myrtle Beach Oceanfront (Marriott), about 30–50k points a night, 5 min from the break.
Browse stays near the breakThe full list, with every pick and its booking link, is under where to stay below.
What is the wave like at Myrtle Beach - Pier 14?
Break type
Beach/Pier
Wave direction
Both
Best swell
SSE (SE–S window)
Ideal size
2–5 ft
Best tide
Mid to high
Works at every stage
Consistency
Inconsistent
Peak season
Sep–Oct
Nearest airport
MYR · ~3 mi
Drive from airport
10–15 minutes
The single most important thing a traveling surfer needs to know about Myrtle Beach has nothing to do with the swell: the city heavily restricts surfing in summer. From May 1 through Labor Day, boards are only allowed in designated surf zones (the main, closest one runs south of 29th Avenue South; a handful of smaller zones sit up the north end), generally between 10am and 5pm, and never within 75 yards of any pier — which puts the wave directly off Pier 14 off-limits in peak season. Plan a surf trip here for the shoulder and winter months (October through April) when the whole beach opens up, the crowds thin, and the best swells actually arrive. In summer you can still surf the Strand, just not at this pier — you'll drive south to the open zone.
What you get in return is dead-easy logistics: MYR airport is three miles away, you can sleep oceanfront a block from the lineup, and the boardwalk's restaurants, arcades, and the SkyWheel are at your feet. This is a forgiving learner's beach in a big, easy tourist town — and when a storm pulse lines up in fall or winter, it becomes a legitimately fun strike you can fly into on short notice. Watch the forecast, and the cheap, easy beach holiday comes with real waves on top.
Who it suits
Beginners and easygoing intermediates, families, and travelers who want a cheap, low-stakes Atlantic beach holiday — with the bonus that a well-timed storm swell turns it into a real surf trip for anyone watching the forecast.
Where exactly is Myrtle Beach - Pier 14?
33.6891, -78.8867
What are the lineup and the town like at Myrtle Beach - Pier 14?
Localism
mellow
Crowd
Most days the water holds bodyboarders, learners on soft-tops, and tourists more than dedicated surfers. When a hurricane swell or winter front fires, a modest local crew shows up and the better banks get a little busy, but a 'crowd' here is a dozen people, not a pack. Summer concentrates everyone into the legal surf zone; the off-season spreads thin crowds across the whole beach.
The Grand Strand lineup is known as friendly and low-key — this is a learner's beach in a tourist town, and on the rare good day the small crew of locals is more stoked than territorial. Standard beach-break manners apply: don't drop in, share the shifty peaks, and give the pier pilings (and any fishing lines) a wide berth. Respecting the city's surf-zone and pier-distance rules matters as much as lineup etiquette here.
In the lineup: The sandbars shift constantly — scout from the boardwalk before paddling out and pick the bank that's lined up, often near (but legally clear of) the pier pilings. Stay at least 75 yards from the pier (a year-round city rule and just good sense around fishing lines), and wear a leash — it's legally required. Watch for rip currents pulling out along the bars, especially on bigger swells and outgoing tide; they're the main hazard. Entry and exit are easy off the flat sand beach.
Myrtle Beach is unapologetic American beach-vacation kitsch: neon, mini-golf, pancake houses, airbrush T-shirt shops, and a boardwalk packed with families and bikers depending on the week. Downtown around Pier 14 is the touristy heart of it — fun, cheap, and busy in summer, sleepy and pleasant in the off-season. It's not a surf town and doesn't pretend to be; embrace the boardwalk-holiday energy and treat the surf as a happy bonus.
How do you get to Myrtle Beach - Pier 14?
Fly into Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) — about 3 miles from the break, 10–15 minutes. Wilmington (ILM) is about 75 miles northeast and Charleston (CHS) about 95 miles southwest — both occasionally cheaper or better-connected, but MYR is so close to the beach that it's almost always the right call unless the fare gap is large.
- rideshare$12–22 one way · 10–15 minutes
Uber and Lyft both operate at MYR with a designated pickup at baggage claim. The cheapest no-car option for getting to the boardwalk area, though a long board bag may need an XL/SUV vehicle — confirm in the app before requesting.
- taxi$18–30 one way · 10–15 minutes
First-come taxis queue outside baggage claim (Door 6). Fine for the short hop downtown; ask for a wagon or SUV if you're traveling with boards.
- rental car$35–70/day · 10–15 minutes self-drive
Eight national rental brands sit in the airport parking garage. A car is the practical choice for a surf trip because you'll likely need to drive to the open summer surf zone south of 29th Ave S, or chase a better bank up or down the Strand.
- bus$2–3 per ride · 30–45 minutes
Coast RTA Route 15 stops at the airport (Jetport Road) and connects to the wider Grand Strand network; cheap but slow and infrequent, and not board-bag friendly. Realistic only for the carless on a tight budget.
Do you need a car at Myrtle Beach - Pier 14?
Do you need a car?
recommended
Walkability
If you sleep oceanfront near the boardwalk, the Pier 14 lineup, restaurants, and downtown attractions are all a flat 1–10 minute walk — you can leave the car parked for days. The catch is summer: the surf-legal zone is south of 29th Avenue South, a couple of miles down the beach, so a car or rideshare becomes necessary if you're surfing May–September.
A rental car ($35–70/day from MYR) is the practical pick — it lets you reach the designated summer surf zone, chase the best sandbar up or down the 60-mile Grand Strand, and run grocery errands inland on Kings Highway. Carless travelers based oceanfront manage fine in the cooler months when the pier zone is surfable on foot, leaning on Uber/Lyft (plentiful and cheap, $8–20 around town) and the Coast RTA bus for longer hops. There's no scooter-rental culture here; this is a drive-everywhere American beach town. Note paid parking: the city meters beach/street-end and downtown parking March 1–Oct 31, enforced 9am–midnight (roughly $3/hr or $15 all-day at the beach, $2/hr or $10 downtown), and it's free November through February.
Boards: Most rental cars are sedans or small SUVs — bring soft racks and tie-downs if you want roof transport, or fit a shortboard inside with the seats down. Rideshares handle a board bag only if you book an XL/SUV; note it in the ride notes. If you're walking from an oceanfront room, you may never need to move boards by vehicle at all in the off-season.
Where can you stay near Myrtle Beach - Pier 14?
~5 blocks south of Pier 14, oceanfront on the boardwalk — 8–10 min walk · Oceanfront condo-style rooms with kitchenettes right on the boardwalk, with pools and a lazy river. Kitchens make the thin downtown grocery scene workable, and you're walking distance to the pier surf in the off-season. (Direct (bayviewresort.com), Booking.com, Expedia)
Oceanfront at 1200 N Ocean Blvd — ~1 block from Pier 14, 2–3 min walk · The closest large oceanfront hotel to the Pier 14 lineup (formerly the Holiday Inn at the Pavilion, now independently flagged), two blocks from the SkyWheel. Standard oceanfront rooms and suites; the unbeatable location is the draw for a surf-and-boardwalk base. (Direct (holidaypavilionresort.com), Booking.com, Expedia)
Oceanfront on the boardwalk — short walk to Pier 14 · Long-running budget oceanfront pick directly on the boardwalk, with an oceanfront cafe, lazy river, and pools. The value option if you want to be on the sand without paying resort prices. (Direct, Booking.com, Expedia)
Oceanfront a few blocks from Pier 14 — 5–10 min walk · Reliable, modern Marriott rooms on the oceanfront for travelers who want a known quantity and points. Walkable to the pier and boardwalk in the off-season. (Direct (Marriott), Booking.com)
Oceanfront at 605 S Ocean Blvd, south end of downtown — ~1.2 mi / short drive to Pier 14 · No-frills budget oceanfront motel on S Ocean Boulevard near Family Kingdom, a longtime cheap-sleep option on the Strand. Basic rooms, but ocean access and a low nightly rate suit a surf-bum trip; note it typically closes early Jan to mid-Feb. (Direct (seadunesoceanfront.com), Booking.com)
Oceanfront at 2301 N Ocean Blvd, just north of the boardwalk's north end — ~9 blocks / short drive or 15-min walk to Pier 14 · Family-oriented oceanfront resort with kitchenette suites, pools, and a long lazy river, a short way north of the 14th Ave Pier. Suites with kitchens help offset the lack of a nearby supermarket. (Direct (boardwalkresort.com), Booking.com, Expedia)
Varies — many within a few blocks of Pier 14 · Condo and apartment rentals in the oceanfront towers along N Ocean Blvd are plentiful and good value for groups or longer stays, with kitchens and laundry. Filter for a unit within walking distance of the 14th Ave Pier. (Vrbo, Airbnb)
Where do you eat at Myrtle Beach - Pier 14?
- Pier 14 Restaurant & Loungerestaurant · $ mid-range
Steamed Alaskan crab legs, grilled mahi mahi, bacon-wrapped scallops — The on-pier seafood landmark at 1306 N Ocean Blvd, a downtown staple since 1986 and steps from where you paddle out. Big oceanfront deck, lengthy reviews running through 2026 — the obvious post-surf meal.
- Oceanfront Bar & Grillrestaurant · $ mid-range
Conch fritters, grouper tacos, seafood platter — Corner spot on Ocean Boulevard operating since 1948, predating the boardwalk itself. Ocean views and a deep seafood menu; a reliable downtown sit-down within easy walking distance of the pier.
- Bummz Beach Cafebar · $ mid-range
Grouper fingers, steamed shrimp by the pound — Casual open-air beach bar and cafe on the boardwalk with tables facing the surf — a good spot for a quick, cheap bite and a beer while you watch the bank. Near the north end of the boardwalk close to Pier 14.
- Wicked Tunarestaurant · $$ high-end
Catch of the day, oysters Rockefeller, sushi — Higher-end 'hook to plate' seafood at the Second Avenue Pier on the south end of the boardwalk, about a 20-minute walk from Pier 14. Worth it for the fresh-fish dinner when you want to step up from boardwalk casual.
- Peaches Cornerstreet food · $ budget
Footlong hot dogs and burgers — A boardwalk institution since 1937 slinging cheap footlong dogs, burgers, and beer right on Ocean Boulevard. The classic fast, greasy, cheap post-surf refuel.
- River City Caferestaurant · $ budget
Burgers and peanuts on the floor — Beloved local burger joint a short walk/drive from the boardwalk where you crack peanuts and toss the shells on the floor. Cheap, filling, and very Myrtle Beach.
- Sea Captain's Houserestaurant · $ mid-range
She-crab soup, fried seafood platter — Long-running oceanfront seafood restaurant about a mile north on N Ocean Blvd, known for she-crab soup and a more refined sit-down meal. Worth the short drive for a proper dinner.
Cooking for yourself
- Piggly Wiggly (Kings Highway)supermarket
The nearest full grocery to downtown — on Kings Highway, roughly a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from the boardwalk. Downtown Myrtle Beach has lacked a walkable supermarket for years, so this is your closest real stock-up for a self-catering condo.
- Food Lion (N Kings Highway / 38th Ave N)supermarket
Several Food Lion locations sit along Kings Highway (e.g. near 38th Ave N), a short drive inland from the oceanfront. A full supermarket for cooking in your rental; you'll want a car or rideshare to reach it.
- Boardwalk convenience storesminimart
Small shops and beachwear/convenience stores line Ocean Boulevard for water, snacks, beer, sunscreen, and ice — fine for daily essentials, but not for a real grocery run. Stock up at a supermarket on Kings Highway for anything beyond basics.
Where do you rent or fix a board?
- Surf City Surf Shop (Myrtle Beach)board rental · board sales · wax · leashes · fins · wetsuits · apparel · ~$15 half-day, ~$25/day, ~$100/week
Long-running Grand Strand shop at 6303 N Kings Hwy carrying boards, wetsuits, wax, leashes, and accessories, plus surfboard, SUP, skimboard, and bodyboard rentals. The convenient stock-up if you fly in without gear; positive ID and a credit card required for rentals — call ahead for hours and availability.
- Village Surf Shoppe (home of Perfection Surfboards)board sales · ding repair · wax · leashes · fins · wetsuits · apparel
The area's soul shop — founded 1969 in Garden City Beach (Murrells Inlet area), a state historical landmark and home of hand-shaped Perfection Surfboards. About 30–40 minutes south of Pier 14, but the place to go for a real board, a ding fix, or local knowledge.
- Jack's Surf Lessons & Board Rentalslessons · board rental · hourly and multi-day rentals available
Well-reviewed local outfit (based near Springmaid Pier, 3200 S Ocean Blvd) running lessons and soft-top rentals, open daily in season. The easiest path to a first lesson or a beginner-friendly board on a calm summer day in the legal surf zone.
What do you do when it's flat?
- Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenadeculture · free
The 1.2-mile oceanfront boardwalk runs from the 14th Avenue Pier (Pier 14) south to the 2nd Avenue Pier, lined with shops, arcades, and restaurants. Your front yard on a flat day; liveliest at night.
- SkyWheel Myrtle Beachadventure · $18–25 per adult
The 187-foot oceanfront Ferris wheel on the boardwalk, a couple of blocks from Pier 14. Climate-controlled gondolas and a good view of the sandbars you've been surfing.
- Brookgreen Gardensnature · $20–24 per adult
Sprawling sculpture garden and lowcountry nature preserve about 20 miles south near Murrells Inlet — moss-draped oaks, a small zoo, and one of the country's best outdoor sculpture collections. The standout flat-day day trip.
- Murrells Inlet MarshWalkfood drink · free to walk; meals $
Half-mile boardwalk over a saltmarsh ~25 minutes south, lined with seafood restaurants and live-music bars. Pair it with a stop at Village Surf Shoppe nearby — the best off-the-beach evening on this stretch of coast.
- Broadway at the Beachnightlife · free entry; attractions vary
Big entertainment complex a couple miles inland with bars, mini-golf, an aquarium, and shops around a lake. The default rainy-day or kids-in-tow option.
- Huntington Beach State Parknature · $8 per adult entry
Quieter, wilder beach and a saltmarsh full of alligators and shorebirds about 18 miles south, with the Atalaya Castle ruins. A calm-day contrast to the boardwalk hustle, and the beach occasionally picks up surf too.
What should you know before you go?
Cash & ATMs
Cash is easy here — ATMs are everywhere along Ocean Boulevard and the boardwalk (hotels, convenience stores, arcades), and every business takes cards. No need to plan around cash at this spot.
Medical
Grand Strand Medical Center, a full hospital with an ER, is about 3 miles inland on 82nd Pkwy N (10–15 min drive). Numerous urgent-care clinics and pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens) sit along Kings Highway for minor issues. Lifeguards staff the downtown beach in season.
Water safety
The main hazard is rip currents, which form along the shifting sandbars and pull out fast on bigger swells and outgoing tides — swim and surf near lifeguard stands in season and know to swim parallel to escape a rip. The bottom is sand (no reef or urchins), and the pier pilings are the only fixed hazard, so honor the 75-yard pier-distance rule. Water turns cold in winter (low 50s°F), so a 3/2 or 4/3 wetsuit, boots, and sometimes a hood are needed Nov–Mar. Bacteria-linked swim advisories are occasionally posted after heavy rain (usually clearing within a day or two) — check CheckMyBeach.com or the posted flags. Sharks are present but bites are very rare; summer jellyfish are flagged blue when thick.
United States basics: money, entry, phones, water
Currency
US Dollar (USD) — Home currency — 1 USD = 1 USD
Entry (US passport)
Unlimited — domestic travel — No passport needed for travel within the 50 states (including Hawaii) or to Puerto Rico. Since May 7, 2025 you need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license (star marking) or a passport to clear TSA for domestic flights — check your license before booking.
Language
English, Spanish (widely spoken, esp. California, Texas, Florida). Native — English works everywhere, including every surf town.
Plugs
A, B · 120V / 60Hz
Tipping
Expected and culturally significant: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, 10–15% for taxis/rideshares. Counter-service tip screens are common but optional.
Phone / data
Your existing US plan, T-Mobile / AT&T prepaid, Travel eSIMs (Airalo, Holafly, Nomad). Strong LTE/5G in cities and most coastal towns. Expect dead zones on rural stretches of coast — parts of the Big Sur/Central California coast, the North Shore of Kauai, and remote East Coast barrier beaches. Download offline maps for surf-check drives.
Tap water
Safe to drink nationwide from municipal supplies, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Emergency
911 for police, fire, and ambulance everywhere (including Hawaii and Puerto Rico). International visitors: US healthcare is extremely expensive — an ER visit can run thousands of dollars — so travel insurance with medical coverage is essential.
Other passports: entry rules differ — check the official source before booking.
Alert me when Myrtle Beach - Pier 14 is on
Drop your email and you'll get one message when our forecast shows a trip-worthy window here: the dates, the size, and a place to stay. Free, no account.
Frequently asked questions about Myrtle Beach - Pier 14
Can you surf at Pier 14 in Myrtle Beach?
Yes, but with seasonal limits. From May 1 through Labor Day the city restricts surfing to designated zones (mainly south of 29th Avenue South), between 10am and 5pm, and bans surfing within 75 yards of any pier — which puts the Pier 14 wave off-limits in summer. From the day after Labor Day through April the beach reopens to surfing, including the bank right up to (but still 75 yards clear of) the Pier 14 pilings, since the no-surf zone around any pier applies year-round. A surf leash is legally required at all times.
When is the best time to surf Myrtle Beach?
Fall through early spring (October–April), when the summer surf restrictions lift and the real swells arrive. Hurricane and tropical season (August–October) brings the biggest, cleanest pulses when a storm tracks offshore, while winter nor'easters are the other reliable swell maker — paired with cold water and a wetsuit.
Is Myrtle Beach good for beginner surfers?
Yes — it's a soft, sandy, gently sloping beach break with no reef, which makes it forgiving for learning on the small-to-medium days. The waves are inconsistent and often flat, so beginners should book a lesson on a calm day in the legal summer surf zone or come in the shoulder season for more rideable surf.
Do I need a wetsuit to surf in Myrtle Beach?
In summer no — the water is warm (upper 70s to low 80s°F) and boardshorts are fine. But the best surf comes in the cold months, when winter water drops into the low 50s°F and you'll want a 3/2 or 4/3 wetsuit, boots, and sometimes a hood from about November through March.
How far is Myrtle Beach airport from the boardwalk?
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is only about 3 miles from the boardwalk and Pier 14 — a 10–15 minute drive. Uber/Lyft run $12–22, taxis $18–30, and eight rental-car brands sit in the airport garage.
Where can I rent a surfboard in Myrtle Beach?
Surf City Surf Shop (on N Kings Hwy) carries boards and rentals (roughly $15 half-day, $25/day, $100/week), and outfits like Jack's Surf Lessons rent soft-tops and run lessons near Springmaid Pier. For a real board or a ding repair, head 30–40 minutes south to Village Surf Shoppe in Garden City, the area's oldest and most respected shop.
Is there a grocery store near the Myrtle Beach boardwalk?
Not a full one within easy walking distance — downtown has lacked a walkable supermarket for years. The nearest is a Piggly Wiggly on Kings Highway (about a 20-minute walk or 5-minute drive), with several Food Lion stores along Kings Highway a short drive inland. Boardwalk convenience shops cover snacks and basics only.
Is the water safe to surf at Myrtle Beach?
Generally yes — it's a sandy beach break with no reef, and the main hazard is rip currents along the sandbars, strongest on bigger swells and outgoing tide. Occasional bacteria-linked swim advisories are posted after heavy rain (usually clearing within a day); check the beach flags or CheckMyBeach.com before paddling out.
Sources for this guide
- surf-forecast.comsecondary source · Wave characteristics: beach/pier break, SE swell window, NW offshore, low tide, best months (winter/December), inconsistency
- cityofmyrtlebeach.comofficial · City surf ordinance — designated surf zones, 10am–5pm window, leash requirement, 75-yard pier distance, beach flag system
- visitmyrtlebeach.comsecondary source · Boardwalk restaurants verification: Pier 14, Oceanfront Bar & Grill, Bummz, Wicked Tuna locations and history
- yelp.comsecondary source · Pier 14 Restaurant & Lounge live status (reviews updated May 2026), address 1306 N Ocean Blvd, menu
- villagesurfshoppe.comofficial · Village Surf Shoppe / Perfection Surfboards — founded 1969, Garden City, hand-shaped boards, services
- surfcitysurfshop.comofficial · Surf City Surf Shop rentals and pricing ($10/hr, $30/day), board/wetsuit retail
- jackssurflessons.comofficial · Jack's Surf Lessons & Board Rentals — lessons and soft-top rentals near Springmaid Pier, daily hours
- flymyrtlebeach.comofficial · MYR airport ~3 mi to boardwalk, rental car center, taxi/rideshare pickup, Coast RTA bus
- wmbfnews.comeditorial · Downtown grocery gap — no walkable supermarket, nearest Piggly Wiggly on Kings Highway ~20-min walk
- stores.foodlion.comofficial · Food Lion supermarket locations along Kings Highway for self-catering
- bayviewresort.comofficial · Bay View on the Boardwalk lodging — oceanfront, 504 N Ocean Blvd, condo rooms, amenities
- holidaypavilionresort.comofficial · Holiday Pavilion Resort on the Boardwalk (1200 N Ocean Blvd) — confirms former Holiday Inn at the Pavilion has rebranded to an independent f
- visitmyrtlebeach.comsecondary source · Water quality — post-rain bacteria swim advisories, weekly/biweekly SCDES monitoring, CheckMyBeach.com
Guide researched and verified 2026-06-17. Details change; confirm bookings and entry requirements before travel.