What Is the Best Time to Travel to Myrtle Beach?
Myrtle beach is one of the top east coast family vacation spots.
Written by Lynell Spencer
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Visit Myrtle Beach during the summer months—June through August—to experience the best of what this destination has to offer! Summer brings perfect beach weather and plenty of family fun to the South Carolina coast.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a classic family vacation spot. Also called “the Grand Strand”, it is 60 miles of amazing coastline known for its beautiful beaches, amusement parks, and golf courses. Myrtle Beach has a little something for everyone. One of the most popular east coast family destinations, it is an affordable, entertaining tourist’s paradise.
While there is never a bad time to take a vacation (especially to Myrtle Beach), different seasons bring different experiences for your family.
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The best times of year to travel to Myrtle Beach
Peak season: June-August
The good: Clean, accessible beaches; festivals and entertainment
The bad: Biggest crowds and highest rates of the year
The weather: Perfect for the beach! Expect highs in the low-to-mid 80s
Summertime is the most popular time for a trip to Myrtle Beach. This is when all the attractions are open, and there is plenty of fun for the whole family.
Myrtle Beach offers a casual, entertaining experience for all ages. Whether you are relaxing on the beach, dining in themed family restaurants, golfing, shopping, or enjoying one of the many summer festivals, you are sure to find something fun to do.
If you visit in the summer, make sure to check out some of the watersports. Rentals and lessons are available for windsurfing, paddleboarding, jet skiing, and parasailing. Festivals like the
Carolina Country Music Fest
and Hot Summer Nights on the Boardwalk
are also happening at this time.Peak(ish) season: September-October
The good: Fall festival season, crowds are less likely
The bad: Some attractions and venues may be closing up for the offseason
The weather: Beautiful, sunny days and chilly nights. In early fall, temps stay in the 70s and 80s during the day
Early fall is when peak season is wrapping up, but it is arguably one of the best times to visit Myrtle Beach. Rates go down as summer vacationers head home, but there is still plenty of entertainment, and days are still warm and sunny enough for relaxing on the beach.
If you visit in the fall, look for the
Annual World Championship Chili Cookoff
, get into the fall spooky season with a ghost tour
, or experience Pawley’s Island Festival of Music and Art.
Off-season: November-February
The good: Great rates on hotels and rentals, loads of holiday activities
The bad: You may enjoy the beach more from inside your hotel room—or at the very least from the shore.
The weather: Low 60s, but can be unpredictable
Off-season in Myrtle Beach still offers plenty of entertainment at a fraction of the cost. Winter weather in South Carolina can be unpredictable, but it is often milder than the more northern east coast states. One of the traditional winter events in Myrtle Beach is the
South’s Grandest Christmas Show
at the Alabama Theatre. If you visit in the winter, check out the
Barefoot Landing Entertainment Complex
to enjoy food, shopping, beautiful views, rides, arcades, playgrounds, and more. Shoulder season: March-May
The good: Lower rates, great weather for golfing
The bad: Spring Breakers take over the beach in late March and early April—expect crowds and a less family-friendly vibe.
The weather: Moderate temperatures with ample sunshine, but nights can be chilly
Myrtle Beach starts gearing up for peak season in the spring, so you will arrive in time for most events and attractions to be up and running. As the weather warms back up, a spring visit to South Carolina will allow you to beat the heat and the crowds flocking to the beach.
However, this may not be an ideal time to bring young children. Myrtle Beach is a popular spring break spot, so some of the attractions may be packed with revelers.
If you visit in the spring, check out the
Society of Stranders Spring Safari
for music, dancing, and nightlife activities.The cheapest time to travel to Myrtle Beach
The cheapest time to travel to Myrtle Beach is during the off-peak winter months. While you may not get the traditional Myrtle Beach experience, you will have mild winter temperatures and unlimited access to the beach.
The downside is that several local attractions close in the winter, so you may not have as many entertainment options to choose from. That said, winter brings amazing holiday shows, parades, tree lightings, light displays, and music to the South Carolina coast.
Find the best month for your visit to Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach offers something for everyone year-round, but for your favorite activities, there may be some more ideal times.
Activity | Best Month | Why |
|---|---|---|
Swimming and Watersports | June, July, and August | The hot summer temperatures make it a perfect time to enjoy playing in the water. |
Lounging on the beach | September | The weather begins to cool just enough to make the beach not-too-hot. |
Playing Golf | April and October | Weather in the mid-70s with little rain create the perfect atmosphere for golfers |
Shopping | November | Cooler weather combined with holiday shopping energy make this the best time to indulge in a little retail therapy |
Family festivals | Year-round | There is always something happening at Myrtle Beach for your family to enjoy. |
How to find savings on car and rental insurance
Whether you are road-tripping or traveling by plane, you will likely want to have access to a car for your time in Myrtle Beach. For all of its great points, South Carolina is not known for amazing public transportation.
Nothing can put a damper on your trip faster than a damaged vehicle. Hopefully, this won’t happen to you—but if it does, make sure you have all the car and car
rental insurance
that you need to get back to your leisure time as quickly as possible. Jerry
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MORE: 7 ways to save money on car rentals
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FAQs
What is the worst time to travel to Myrtle Beach?
There really isn’t a bad time for a Myrtle Beach trip, but the winter months will offer fewer activities and cooler temps may keep you out of the water.
What don’t people like about Myrtle Beach?
If you are looking for artisan foods, craft beverages, and an individualized experience, Myrtle Beach may not be your first choice. While the amusement parks, malls, and chain restaurants offer plenty of variety, they won’t provide a unique experience.
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