Snorkeling in Myrtle Beach, SC – “The Grand Strand”

Due to South Carolina’s sediment-rich blackwater rivers emptying into the Atlantic Ocean, snorkeling in Myrtle Beach is not a preferred option as the murky waters make the visibility poor.

Ah, the legendary Myrtle Beach. Nested in the middle of the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina, the city fills hearts with warmth and wonder. The city gets over 20 million visitors a year, making it one of the most visited destinations in the country. Most people come to Myrtle Beach to enjoy the miles of beaches and the golf courses. Given all that this wonderous destination has to offer, one would think that snorkeling in Myrtle Beach would also be a major activity. Unfortunately, the beaches in South Carolina are terrible locations to snorkel. The waters here offer no visibility due to large tidal swings and swampy outflowing blackwater rivers.

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Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Aquatic Profile

• Water Visibility: Poor. The rivers in South Carolina which flow into the Atlantic Ocean are mostly blackwater rivers which carry significant sediments from the area’s swamps. You’ll be lucky to see your hands fluttering in the ocean but not much past that.
• Current Strength: Average. Not a big surfing area, but currents can be strong at times.
• Reef Presence: No reefs, all sandy bottoms.
• Marine Life: Not much around the shore, maybe some critters here and there.
• Crowd: The crowd is usually on the beach.

Getting There:

Closest Airports: Myrtle Beach International Airport – 3 miles away, 10 minutes

Closest Major City: Charleston, SC (100 miles away southwest)

• Charleston is the closest major city to Myrtle Beach and about two hours away by car. The two cities are anchors in South Carolina but offer vastly different tourism profiles. While Charleston also boasts many golf courses, it is primarily a city which is deeply rooted in history. It is a resort city second. Myrtle Beach, on the other hand, is strictly a resort city.

Transportation Methods: Air Transportation Recommended (Major Airlines: Spirit, Southwest, and Allegiant)

• Myrtle Beach International Airport has connections to most major cities on the east coast and is in close proximity to downtown where all the action is. Renting a car is strictly your choice, as there are plenty of rideshare options in and around the city.

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How is Snorkeling in Myrtle Beach?

To be fair, there are plenty of beaches for one to go snorkeling in Myrtle Beach. It is right in the middle of the Grand Strand, 60 miles of uninterrupted, beautiful beaches, after all. You are more than welcome to get your gear and dip your head into any of those sandy beaches. But all that is under the water is sand… and murky water. Most of the rivers in South Carolina flow out to Atlantic Ocean weave through swamps and wetlands and carry significant sediment. The focus point of Myrtle Beach is the sand, the golf courses, and the views of the ocean.

For those still seeking to spend some time inside the water during a trip to Myrtle Beach, consider an off shore diving trip. The two notable sites for diving off shore is the Raritan, a steel freighter which was wrecked in 1942 just off the coast of Myrtle Beach, and JELL II, a cargo ship wreck that is about sixteen miles off the coast. There are plenty of reputable services in the area that will transport you to the above two, as well as other diving sites, for an excursion. These are not snorkeling, but diving, excursions; two are completely different activities so be mindful of what you need for diving.

Final Word:

Enjoy Myrtle Beach for all that is, which is enjoying the sun, golfing, and taking a walk by the beach. Unfortunately, snorkeling in Myrtle Beach is not one of the hot topics of this destination. This is true for many of the destinations along the Atlantic coast, which include Tybee Island in Georgia and Hilton Head up north. Go out and enjoy those! The time and effort spent to snorkel at Myrtle Beach is not worth it. Save those for your Caribbean trips, or even those south Florida trips.

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Snorkeling in Myrtle Beach Rating: 1/5 – Yuck, Find Something Else to Do!

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