Myrtle Beach sprawls along 60 miles of South Carolina's Grand Strand, a wide ribbon of Atlantic coastline packed with boardwalk amusement rides, over 80 golf courses designed by legends like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, and a seafood scene anchored by the MarshWalk restaurants of Murrells Inlet. This is a place built for vacations: the SkyWheel towers 200 feet over the oceanfront promenade, live variety shows fill theaters like the Carolina Opry and Alabama Theatre year-round, and Brookgreen Gardens displays more than 2,000 sculptures beneath centuries-old live oaks. Add in Carolina-style barbecue, fresh-off-the-boat shrimp, and enough mini golf courses to fill a week, and you start to understand why more than 14 million visitors show up each year.
The best time to visit Myrtle Beach is mid-March through late May or mid-September through early November. Both windows deliver warm, comfortable temperatures without the intense summer heat and peak-season crowds. Spring edges slightly ahead: the Sun Fun Festival kicks off summer in early May, the Myrtle Beach International Film Festival runs in April, and the St. Patrick's Day parade in North Myrtle Beach brings live music and street vendors in mid-March. If you prefer a quieter trip with lower accommodation rates, the fall shoulder season from mid-September through early November offers comfortable highs, minimal rain, and events like the I Love Seafood Festival. Summer works if you want the full beach-town energy, but expect higher prices, larger crowds, and sticky heat that rarely lets up.
Spring in Myrtle Beach, SC, US
Spring is when Myrtle Beach shakes off its off-season quiet and starts to feel alive again. By mid-March, the North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick's Day parade fills Main Street with live Irish pipe bands, food vendors, and street performers. Afternoons warm to highs of 72.2°F (22.3°C), comfortable enough for long walks on the boardwalk and early swims for the brave. Mornings can still be cool at 55.6°F (13.1°C), so layer up for sunrise strolls along Myrtle Beach State Park's maritime forest trails before the day heats up.
April brings the Myrtle Beach International Film Festival and the annual Food Truck Festival in downtown. Precipitation is nearly nonexistent this season, with only one to three wet days across the entire three-month stretch, so outdoor plans rarely get disrupted. The spring breeze picks up more than any other time of year, keeping afternoons feeling fresh along the shore. Golf is at its best now: green and course conditions are excellent, the courses are less booked than summer, and the temperature is ideal for a full 18 holes.
As May arrives, the Sun Fun Festival, a Myrtle Beach tradition since 1951, ushers in summer with parades, live music, and family events. The Ocean Drive Beach Music Festival in North Myrtle Beach celebrates the region's deep shag dancing heritage around the same time. The Can-Am Days Festival, typically in March, welcomes the nearly 100,000 Canadian snowbirds who make Myrtle Beach their winter escape each year, with concerts and community events across the Grand Strand. Crowds are building but haven't hit their summer peak, so you'll find a good balance of energy and elbow room. Accommodation rates are moderate, and the long daylight hours, with the sun not setting until after 8pm, leave plenty of time to explore the MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet for an evening plate of she-crab soup or fried creek shrimp.
Summer in Myrtle Beach, SC, US
Summer is when Myrtle Beach runs at full speed. Every amusement ride on the boardwalk is spinning, Myrtle Waves Water Park is pumping over a million gallons through its slides, and the SkyWheel glows in LED colors after dark. The Carolina Country Music Fest draws tens of thousands of country fans to the beach for a major concert weekend, typically in June. Fourth of July fireworks light up multiple locations along the strand, from the 2nd Avenue Pier downtown to Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach. The Music on Main concert series brings free live music to summer evenings in North Myrtle Beach throughout the season.
The heat is real. Highs average 87.2°F (30.7°C) with lows rarely dipping below 73.2°F (22.9°C), creating a muggy, sticky atmosphere that doesn't fully break even after sunset. Early to mid-August pushes the peak, with highs reaching 88.9°F (31.6°C) and overnight lows sitting at 75.1°F (23.9°C). Humidity climbs through the upper 60s percent range, and afternoon thunderstorms can roll through on two to four days per month, though they tend to be brief. Pack sunscreen, a hat, and plan water-heavy activities: dolphin cruises from Crazy Sister Marina, parasailing, or simply floating in the Atlantic.
This is the busiest and most expensive season. Hotels book up fast, the boardwalk is shoulder-to-shoulder in the evenings, and restaurant waits at popular spots along the MarshWalk stretch to over an hour. Brookgreen Gardens' Summer Light: Art by Night series, which illuminates the sculpture garden on select evenings, offers a cooler alternative to baking on the sand during the day. If you thrive on crowds and nonstop energy, summer delivers. Just book early and budget for peak-season rates.
Fall in Myrtle Beach, SC, US
Fall brings a noticeable exhale to the Grand Strand. The summer crowds thin out starting in mid-September, and you can walk the boardwalk without weaving through a sea of people. Highs of 74.8°F (23.8°C) make this one of the most comfortable stretches of the year for being outdoors. The I Love Seafood Festival fills the fall calendar with live cooking demonstrations and local vendors, and the Myrtle Beach Jeep Jam draws automotive enthusiasts with its car show and off-road obstacle course.
Rain is almost nonexistent this season, with no more than one wet day per month on average. Mornings settle to lows of 57.6°F (14.2°C), pleasant enough for a jog on the beach or an early tee time. Golf is arguably at its best during fall: the courses are in great shape, the heat has broken, and you'll have a much easier time booking a round at the area's premier courses. Accommodation prices drop considerably from summer peaks, making this the best value season for a Grand Strand visit.
By late October and into early November, the Intracoastal Christmas Regatta, held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, marks the transition toward the holiday season with boats draped in lights parading through the waterway. Daylight shortens noticeably by November, with the sun setting around 5:12pm. The Alabama Theatre and Carolina Opry both shift into their popular Christmas show programming starting in early November, giving you live holiday entertainment even before the official winter season. A light jacket for evening outings is all you'll need as the season winds down.
Winter in Myrtle Beach, SC, US
Winter is the Grand Strand's quiet season. Tourist volume drops to its lowest levels, and many seasonal attractions, water parks, and some beachfront restaurants scale back their hours or close entirely. But there are genuine reasons to visit. Highs of 58.6°F (14.8°C) are mild by East Coast winter standards, and golfers can still play year-round without snow to worry about. Lows settle to 40.8°F (4.9°C), so mornings require a proper jacket, but midday often warms enough for a comfortable round on the greens.
Holiday events carry through December. Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens transforms the sculpture park into a glowing wonderland and routinely sells out, so reserve in advance. The Dickens Christmas Show at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center lets you browse Victorian-era vendors and holiday goods. Myrtle Beach Restaurant Week, held in January, showcases the area's dining scene with special menus at local restaurants, a great way to explore beyond the usual seafood joints. Precipitation stays low, with rain on roughly one day or fewer per month.
Daylight hours are the shortest of the year, bottoming out around 9.9 hours in December, so plan outdoor activities for midday. Hotel rates hit their lowest point, making this the most budget-friendly time to visit. Pack layers and a warm coat for evening walks along the boardwalk, and enjoy having the beach mostly to yourself.
At a Glance
Monthly weather, visitor crowds, air quality, holidays, and daylight hours to help you plan your trip.
Travel Tips & Safety for Myrtle Beach, SC, US
Getting around Myrtle Beach almost always requires a car. The Grand Strand stretches over 60 miles, and while a sightseeing trolley covers parts of the central beach area, attractions like Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, and North Myrtle Beach are spread out along US-17. Myrtle Beach International Airport is served by major carriers, and rental cars are widely available. Parking at the beach itself is metered in the central downtown area but free at most hotels and many restaurants.
Hurricane season officially runs from June through November, with the highest risk in August and September. Keep an eye on forecasts if you're visiting during that window, and follow any local evacuation guidance. Rip currents are a real concern along the Grand Strand year-round; swim near lifeguard stations, pay attention to posted flag warnings, and never swim alone. The sun is strong from late spring through early fall, so reapply sunscreen frequently, especially after being in the water.