A Traveler’s Guide to the Piers in Myrtle Beach

Year-round, tourists flock to the seaside, trading busy city life for moments of tranquility. Our favorite destination for this kind of getaway is the Grand Strand in South Carolina.

You can picture it, right?

The sun slowly setting, teasing the ocean’s gentle boundary with the sky; the smell of freshly caught shrimps bubbling in buttery, Southern flavors; and, of course, the curiously soothing sound of vinyl thumping as you take each step along the Apache Pier.

Of course, the Grand Strand has many piers.

The Grand Strand starts in Little River, a small fishing town, and extends about 60 miles to iconic Georgetown, one of the oldest towns in South Carolina. Two of the nation’s most vibrant beach towns — Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach — are a part of this stretch.

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and The Market Common are famous attractions on this coastal strip. But it’s the buzzing piers that make the Grand Strand so special.

Each pier is unique. Some brim with high-energy activities, while others make for a lovely weekend wind down. Indulge and explore one pier at a time, or up the ante and spend the day pier-hopping!

Need a running start? Our guide will help you plan the ultimate trip to the piers of Myrtle Beach.

 

Apache Pier

• Location: Apache Pier, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, USA
• Hours: 6 am – 11 pm during summer | 8 am – 8 pm during winter
• Entrance: $2 to walk the pier | $3 during live events
• Fishing: From $9.50 | Free for kids 10 and under

Apache Pier distinguishes itself as the East Coast’s longest wooden pier — a go-to spot for entertainment and fishing. It’s open 365 days a year and offers fishing and crabbing, scenic walking views, and events for never-ending family fun. Many consider the Apache Pier one of the best piers in Myrtle Beach.

This pier is perfect for bonding with friends and family, offering a schedule full of entertaining activities like bingo, pizza rolling, and live music. Want to win parents of the year? Take your kids to the arcade and later to the gift shop to buy matching Myrtle Beach t-shirts. They’ll gush about their family vacation to all their friends.

But all this merriment will make your tummy rumble! So grab a juicy grouper sandwich and a cold one at Croakers, an ocean view resto-bar!

Do you hear that? Each dreamy swoosh is the Atlantic Ocean reminding you of the water’s vast presence. Imagine gazing at the stars with no sounds except those delightful crashing waves? Well, you’re in luck! This pier is a part of the well-known Apache Family Campground, making it an ideal spot to roast some marshmallows and cozy up around a fire.

 

Second Avenue Pier

• Location: 110 North Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
• Hours: 7 am – 9 pm
• Entrance: $1 walking fee
• Fishing: From $9

The recently renovated Second Avenue Pier is one of the most popular piers in Myrtle Beach, with good reason. It offers a wide spread of dining options, sport fishing, and walkways for leisurely strolling.

Guests have the rare opportunity of walking almost 900 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Make sure you have your camera handy because the juxtaposition of the sea and the city skyline is a truly unique vista.

If you’re into fishing, you won’t want to leave the 2nd avenue pier. Endless fish species bob through the gentle waves, inviting expert and budding anglers alike. The water is brimming with flounder in the summer and trout during winter. You could also catch sea bass, finger mullet, and Spanish mackerel!

Fishing takes a lot of work — we know. So if you’re in an indulgent mood, head to The Wicked Tuna oceanfront restaurant for some sushi or steak. Marvel at the chefs’ craft while you sit back and enjoy the views. Plus, it doubles as one of our favorite bars in Myrtle Beach, too.

 

Springmaid Pier

• Location: 3200 South Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC
• Hours: 6 am – 10 pm
• Entrance Price: $3 walking fee
• Fishing: from $12

Voted as “Best of the Beach” time and again, the Springmaid Pier is unmissable during your trip to Myrtle beach. This 1060-foot-long pier often hosts spirited fishing tournaments and live entertainment.

Not a fisher? Not a problem. Nonanglers will love roaming the breezy promenade while munching on juicy corn dogs or a refreshing ice cream cone.

If you prefer a sit-down meal with a drink, get a table at Southern Tide Bar & Grille. Enjoy an order of perfectly breaded, fried pickles while you take in the coastal atmosphere of this beachfront restaurant.

Have you been itching to learn how to surf? Now’s your chance. Stop by Jack’s Surf Lessons & Board Rental. Learn how to surf for only $55 or just glide on the water on a kayak.

Even your inner art critic has a place at Springmaid Pier. Just a couple minutes away, Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum, a free waterfront visual arts center, invites an audience. It currently houses pieces dedicated to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

And when all’s said and done? Come back to your rental and witness a glowing, purple sunset.

 

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

• Location: 1110 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC
• Hours: 24 hours
• Entrance Price: Free

Picture this — a bustling boardwalk with a Ferris wheel, shops, delicious restaurants, and street performers treating your eyes and ears with music, art, and tricks. Now, add the aroma of funnel cakes wafting with the gentle ocean breeze. Nothing beats this quintessential American summer.

For an experience like this, make your way to the heart of Myrtle — the 1.2-mile-long Myrtle Beach Boardwalk.

There’s so much to do at The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Entertainment District. Don’t know where to begin? We’ve got you covered with a full itinerary!

Kick off your day by taking in the breathtaking panoramic views of the city. You can do this on a 15-minute ride on one of the forty-two gondolas of The Myrtle Beach Skywheel. At almost three stories high, The Skywheel towers over downtown Myrtle Beach.

Are you a fan of Ripley’s Believe it or Not? Buy a combo ticket, and experience the franchise’s six attractions near the boardwalk.

But maybe you’re more of a wallflower — a more laid back type of traveler. Fancy people watching? We do too. On the boardwalk, you’ll find picnic tables with umbrellas to relax and have a snack while gazing at every character that walks by your gaze. Maybe you’ll catch Vanna White — the Wheel of Fortune’s hostess, who grew up nearby and attended Myrtle Beach High School!

And if you’re craving a cold one? Bowery, the bar that kickstarted popular country band Alabama’s career, is right next to the boardwalk. Stop by for a truly Southern, hospitable experience!

 

Myrtle Beach State Park Pier

• Location: State Pier, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, United States
• Entrance Price: $8 for adults | $5 for seniors | $4 for children aged 6-15
• Fishing: Starting at $12
• Hours: 6 am – 10 pm

Sitting in the south of the busy Myrtle Beach city is a secluded oasis called Myrtle Beach State Park. The family-friendly, 312-acre preserve is bustling with activities to keep your whole family occupied all day long.

A few steps from the park’s entrance is Myrtle Beach State Park Pier. Locals and tourists alike love this tranquil pier, one of the least crowded fishing piers in the Myrtle Beach area. You can rent fishing rods and fish to your heart’s content f

rom sunrise to sunset for $25. The pier is an amazing spot to photograph seagulls and pelicans. If luck is on your side, you might even catch a glimpse of pods of dolphins leaping out of the water as you walk on the promenade.

Nature lovers will relish the nature center and the surrounding lush trails. You’ll learn tons about the wildlife indigenous to South Carolina. Keep your eyes open for squirrels, exotic plants, and even alligators.

Wanna know our idea of a perfect weekend? Start by wandering through the trails of the untouched maritime forest near the pier. Next, head to the pier to catch some fish. Or, become one yourself and take a dip in the water. Then, find yourself a picnic table for a quick bite before heading to the nature center. Spend your night under a blanket of stars by staying seaside at one of the 140 campsites.

Campsites go for $50 a night, RV sites for $70. You might consider an on-site cabin, but why bother when you could feel much more comfortable at a Viagem abode!

 

The Pier at Garden City Beach

• Location: 110 S Waccamaw Dr, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, United States
• Entrance Price: Free for walking
• Fishing: daily pass from $9.50 | children 12 and under $4.75.
• Hours: Open from March to December | 7 am – 11 pm

Nightcrawlers, to the front! If you’re after a late-night groove, there’s no better place on the Grand Strand than the Garden City Pier and beach. For adults, the pier boasts two venues with live music, two bars complete with karaoke, and the Pier Café. Don’t worry; the kids will enjoy the ride, engulfed by the beeping and buzzing 30-game arcade.

Fishing here is a relaxing affair, with a tackle shop available on the pier that sells/rents bait, tackle, rods, and reels. You could buy a 7-day fishing pass for $50 or a season pass for $150.

On special occasions, they keep the pier open all night for fishing. If you can, time your visit accordingly for a surreal experience under the moonlight.

 

Experience Myrtle Beach with Viagem!

Once you’re winding down from an exciting day at the piers, you’ll crave a warm, cozy spot to stretch out and relax. Viagem offers luxurious apartments all within walking distance of the beach.

Ready to indulge in a vacation on Myrtle Beach’s piers? Book a Viagem rental today!

Featured Image Credit: MarynaG