As an exceptionally large country, the United States of America stands out for its extraordinary natural diversity. Landscapes and terrain around the nation can vary wildly from one state to the next, ranging from sandy deserts and arid canyons to snow-capped mountain ranges and alpine forests. This is part of what makes America such a fascinating place to travel around, and the country also benefits from an exceptionally long stretch of coastline that runs around its east, south, and west sides. This means that people in many states don’t even have to cross over the state border in order to visit a beach and spend some time relaxing on the sand, swimming among the waves, and basking in the sun.


Some of the best beach states around America include California and Florida, but South Carolina is also a popular beach destination, with Myrtle Beach in particular standing as one of the best and prettiest beach areas in the entire country. Part of South Carolina's 60-mile 'Grand Strand' run of beaches, Myrtle Beach is one of the fastest-growing places in America and one of the biggest touristic spots in the country too. Benefitting from wonderful warm weather and gorgeous sands, Myrtle Beach attracts around 14 million visitors on an annual basis, with around 100,000 of those visitors being international travelers, mostly from Europe.

Best Beaches in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a must-visit beach spot in the United States. Home to many hotels, gorgeous sands, warm waters, tropical weather, and lots of fun and unique attractions like the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Myrtle Beach Skywheel, this is an incredible place to visit for a weekend or longer. When it comes to spending time on the sand, there are certain beaches in the Myrtle Beach area that are better than others for various reasons. Read on to learn all about them.

Myrtle Beach

Of course, no list of Myrtle Beach beaches can possibly be complete without a mention for Myrtle Beach itself. Known as the heart of the Grand Strand coastline, Myrtle Beach is consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in all of America. There's so much to do here, it would be impossible to list every single activity, but some of the main highlights are the Carolina Opry Theater, the iconic Myrtle Beach Ferris wheel, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, live entertainment at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, and many excellent eateries, bars, and additional attractions just a short walk away from the beach's soft sands and warm waters.

Litchfield Beach

There's a bit of an exclusive, luxury kind of vibe up at Litchfield Beach. The surrounding area is home to all kinds of upscale resorts, but the area has managed to retain a quaint coastal village kind of charm in spite of its branded shopping district and fancy golf courses. There's a really relaxed atmosphere at Litchfield Beach, with some great hiking and cycling trails to be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. The beach itself is soft, warm, and welcoming, with small to medium waves crashing softly onto the shores and providing a beautiful natural soundtrack to your seafront adventures. Come to this beach if you’re looking for intimacy and relaxation, as well as some excellent photo opportunities.

Myrtle Beach State Park

If you're in the Myrtle Beach area and looking to do some wildlife spotting, Myrtle Beach State Park is the place to be. This is the sort of park that really helps people feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the cities and allows everyone to get in touch with nature like never before. Myrtle Beach State Park is home to all kinds of wildlife, including endangered sea turtles that have selected this area as one of their favorite nesting spots. Expert guides are also on-hand at Myrtle Beach State Park to offer educational walking tours, letting you admire the beauty of the beach while also learning a lot about the turtles and local environment. There's a great fishing pier here too and soft, soothing sands that are just right for long, lazy sunbathing sessions.

Garden City Beach

The main Myrtle Beach beaches tend to get quite busy and lively, with lots of activity going on at all times of day, but if you're in need of more of a peaceful, relaxing kind of beach along the South Carolina coast, Garden City Beach could be exactly what you're looking for. Colorful, charming little residences can be found dotted along the shoreline and there are plenty of good eateries and amenities in the area, but this beach never gets overly crowded. It does liven up in the evenings though, with live music being shown after the sun goes down, but there's a really laid-back vibe at this beach and the local Garden City area is equally relaxing and chilled out.

Huntington Beach State Park

One of the major state parks in the Myrtle Beach area, Huntington Beach State Park offers a totally different experience when compared to the crowds and excitement of Myrtle Beach itself. It's an amazing spot for nature lovers of all ages, being home to countless species of migratory birds and other animals. The local historical site of Atalaya Castle is one of the main reasons people visit this park as well, and the nearby Brookgreen Gardens also have so much to offer. There are lots of great walking and cycling scenic trails to be followed, along with patches of soft sand for sunbathing and picnics with all the family.

More vacation ideas: Hudson Valley, Honeymoon Destinations, Brattleboro VT, Maine lighthouses, Long Island, Southwest

More last minute travel: Washington beaches, Duluth, Water parks in Texas, Things to Do in New Braunfels, Long Island