While Myrtle Beach garners much of the spotlight as the premier destination along South Carolina's Grand Strand, this famous 60-mile coastline boasts much more than the glitz of the boardwalk. Surfside Beach is just a quick fifteen-minute journey from bustling Myrtle Beach but presents a more serene, intimate alternative, often thought of as Myrtle's more relaxed and quaint sibling.
Since there is so much to see and do, we've curated a handy list of the best things to do in Surfside Beach to help you make the most of your stay.
Let’s dive into our top 14 recommendations.
1. Immerse Yourself in Beach Life
Situated along the Grand Strand; there’s no doubt one of the best things to do in Surfside Beach is to fully immerse yourself in its sandy shoreline. Known as “The Family Beach,” Surfside Beach has miles of pristine and soft sand, and it is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, sandcastle building, and beachcombing as you explore the shoreline.
Get your beach umbrella, find a good spot right off your beach vacation rental, and have a fun and relaxing beach day.
2. Find Adventure with Watersports
If getting out on the water is what you’re most looking forward to, the best time to visit Surfside Beach for you will be the summertime.
Surfside Beach offers a variety of watersports to feed your adventure streak. Whether taking surf lessons, going on a guided stand-up paddleboard tour, renting a jet ski, or going parasailing, you’ll find all these things to do and more in Surfside Beach.
There are various surf shops and rental locations in Surfside Beach that offer surf lessons, paddleboarding, and kayak rentals, such as:
Island Adventure Watersports (also offers jet ski tours, boat rentals for fishing, and wakeboarding.)
3. Golf on World Class Courses
The nearby Myrtle Beach area is a place renowned for its boasting golf courses, including The Dunes Golf & Beach Club, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, and the True Blue Golf Club. Each course offers its own set of challenges and stunning views.
4. Have a Friendly Mini Golf Competition
Families can also enjoy a round of miniature golf in Surfside Beach with themed mini-golf courses, such as the Runaway Bay, located at the Tupelo Bay Golf Center in Murrells Inlet. The mini-golf course features 36 holes with a Jamaican theme.
The Cockpit Country and Dunns River Falls courses at Runaway Bay feature caves and waterfalls. The same facility also offers disc golf and footgolf (a combination of soccer and traditional golf!).
5. Dine on Local Seafood
There’s no visit to this beach town without doing one of the best things to do in Surfside Beach - eating fresh seafood! From all-you-can-eat seafood to sushi and Italian dishes, you’ll devour your meals each time.
Surfside Beach has some of the best restaurants. A few of our favorite recommendations include:
Bubba’s Fish Stack: 16 Ocean Blvd S, Surfside Beach, SC
Casa Calamari Pizza: 1900 US-17 BUS, Surfside Beach, SC
Kings Sushi: 112 US-17 BUS, Surfside Beach, SC
Crabby Mike’s: 290 US-17 BUS, Surfside Beach, SC
6. Explore Family Friendly Amusement Parks and Attractions
The Grand Strand is built for families with almost endless opportunities to keep even the most energetic kids going all day.
Start by visiting the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, which spans about 1.2 miles, just a short 15-minute drive from Surfside Beach. Pavilion Park is full of family-friendly activities like a carousel, mirror maze, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and Ripley's Aquarium, just to name a few.
If you are visiting during the warmer months, the Myrtle Waves Water Park has a multitude of water and tube slides to enjoy. If you prefer to stay dry and go racing in go-karts, don’t miss the Broadway Grand Prix.
Other family-filled fun places you can visit include the Surfside Bowling Center, which not only offers bowling but also an arcade with 30 video and prize games. Surfside Beach is also home to the All Children’s Park, located on the corner of 10th Avenue South and Hollywood Drive. The facilities have two playgrounds, picnic sections, and restroom facilities.
7. See the Up and Coming Surfside Pier
Originally constructed in 1953, the Surfside Beach Fishing Pier has endured challenges over the years, including the impact of Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Unfortunately, it left it unusable, but the pier is undergoing reconstruction, with completion anticipated in the very near future.
Once reopened, you can go sightseeing and fishing or soak in scenic views and enjoy the sunset. The up-and-coming new structure will span 814 feet in length and stand 25 feet tall, making it 9 feet taller than its predecessor.
The new Surfside Pier will also prioritize accessibility, featuring amenities, including elevators and ramps, to ensure visitors of all abilities can fully enjoy it.
8. Take a Hike at Huntington Beach State Park
Address: 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC
Huntington Beach State Park is the perfect place to reset in nature and get to know the local flora and fauna. From bird watching, biking, saltwater fishing, and hiking the two-mile Sandpiper Pond Trail, all you need to do is pick your favorite activity to do.
Don’t forget to visit the Nature Center, which is filled with bird and marine life exhibits, including a touch tank and an alligator exhibit.
Geocaching, a worldwide navigating game, is also allowed at the park, with several geocaches located throughout the park.
Also located within the state park is the Atalaya Castle, a Spanish-Moorish style compound. If you are visiting in September, you can’t miss the annual Atalaya Festival, which features over 100 artisans.
9. Take in a Fun Museum or Show
We established many things to do in Surfside Beach for every type of traveler to enjoy during your stay, and if you love visiting museums and seeing a play at the local theater, Surfside Beach has you covered.
A visit to the museum is a great alternative to explore, especially when the weather has turned a bit mild or chilly. There’s the Hollywood Wax Museum to see celebrity wax figures, the Chapin Art Museum for those who prefer visual arts, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! for those who appreciate the movie industry.
For theater lovers who enjoy themed evenings and live music, you can check out the GTS Theatre or the Charles Bach Wonders Magic and Illusion Show. If you prefer a dinner and show, the Pirates Voyage won’t disappoint. You'll be assured a fun-filled evening with acrobats, an indoor hideaway lagoon, and pirate battles.
10. Attend Seasonal Events and Happenings
The Surfside Beach Events Department is responsible for the year-round community events, and these do not disappoint. From the annual Celebrate Surfside Beach Festival in the fall to the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in the winter and the seasonal Surfside Beach Farmers Market, Surfside offers year round fun.
Visit the Surfside Beach Events Calendar for date specific events and happenings!
11. Go on a Dolphin Cruise
Address: 4123-B US-17 BUS, Murrells Inlet, SC
Website: bluewaveadventures.com
For those who enjoy watching marine life, you can embark on a dolphin cruise to watch the playful pod of dolphins up close. We recommend the late spring and early fall, as dolphin sightings are most frequent during this time of year, and the weather is more comfortable while in the ocean water.
We highly recommend booking your cruise with Blue Wave Adventures, which offers tours through Murrells Inlet. You may not only encounter dolphins but also turtles, jellyfish, rays, herons, and even the occasional shark – from the safety of your boat, of course!
12. Explore the Brookgreen Gardens
Address: 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC
Website: brookgreen.org
Named one of the top 10 botanical gardens in the country, the Brookgreen Gardens offers a large collection of 2,000 works of American figurative sculptures created by 430 artists. One of the most impressive is the Pegasus sculpture made by Laura Gardin Fraser in 1954 – a winged horse springing from a mass of clouds.
The Brookgreen Gardens also encompass over nine thousand acres with live oak, a butterfly garden, and the Lowcounty Zoo. It makes it a great and living outdoor museum and one of the must add things to do in Surfside Beach during your beach stay.
13. Go on a Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour
Address: 8496 Enterprise Rd, Myrtle Beach, SC
The Waccamaw River Tour Company offers several tour packages to give you a true taste of the local ecology. Tours are suitable for all ages, so families will have a great time exploring the Waccamaw River along with the National Wildlife Refuge.
You may find an array of wildlife, such as ospreys, eagles, turtles, and alligators. If you love photography, you can opt for the Osprey Photography Boat Tour so you can get a closer encounter with some of the area’s most beloved avian visitors in their natural habitat.
14. Shop at Hudson’s Surfside Beach Flea Market
Address: 1040 US-17 BUS, Surfside Beach, SC
Website: hudsonssurfsidefleamarket.com
The Hudson Surfside Beach Flea Market is one of the primary things Surfside Beach is known for in the community. Originally established in 1975 by Jack Hudson, the Surfside Flea Market is the largest open-air flea market in the Grand Strand.
It boasts around 400 vendor spaces offering diverse goods to peruse. You can find a variety of items, including antiques, clothing, jewelry, golf supplies, handmade gifts, fresh produce, and tools.
You’ll find an eclectic mix of merchandise from the many vendors. You’ll also find a great Mexican food restaurant named El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant in the main building. After a little bit of shopping, you can rest and recharge while eating some excellent tacos and tamales.
Stay and Discover Surfside Beach
We hope this curated list of the best things to do in Surfside Beach helps you plan and prepare for your upcoming visit to this beach town. Whether you want to relax at the beach, have a day of family fun, or enjoy a walk through the botanical gardens, your Wander stay will be a memorable one!
You’ll be able to indulge in all the fun activities and finish your days relaxing in our oceanfront Wander property with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean from every angle, private beach access, and an outdoor pool.
Book your stay in Surfside Beach with Wander to get your slice of beach paradise.
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