Beach Rules & Regulations

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• Alcohol is prohibited on the beach and beach accesses.

• Fires, including grills and the releasing of Chinese lanterns, are prohibited on the beach and beach accesses.

• No vehicles are allowed on the beach.

• No glass allowed on the beach.

• No sleeping on the beach or beach accesses from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.

• No diving or jumping from piers.

• Animals

  • No animals are permitted on the beach from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., from May 1 through Labor Day.

  • Must be on a hand held leash no longer than 7-feet.

  • Owners must clean up after their animals.

  • Prohibited animals include reptiles and exotic animals.

• Destruction of sea oats, beach grass/vegetation, and sand fencing is unlawful.

• No littering on the beach or the ocean.

• Nudity is prohibited including thong bathing suits.

• Solicitation and commercial activities are prohibited.

• Fireworks are prohibited on the beach and oceanfront properties that have been deemed and posted as a Firework Prohibited Zone.

• Bicycles

  • Not permitted on the beach between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. from May 1 through Labor Day.

• Fishing

  • Shark fishing from any pier, the beach and shore is prohibited.

    • At the time of recognition, fishermen must release sharks and any other dangerous marine animals.

  • Anyone surf fishing must obtain a valid South Carolina issued Surf Fishing License in accordance with State Law. http://www.dnr.sc.gov/fishing.html

• Horses

  • Horses are only allowed on the beach from November 1 through February 28 in the designated equestrian zone, which is the central portion of the beach and is south of Myrtle Beach and north of Surfside Beach.

  • Horse owners must pick up after their animals.

• Swimming

  • Swimmers are not allowed more than 50-yards from shore or less depending on conditions.

  • Swimmers are not allowed to be more than chest deep or less depending on conditions.

  • Swimmers must obey all lifeguard directions at all times.

• Flotation devices

  • Are allowed if they are fabric covered, have a 360-degree rope with a 10 percent slack, or must be a U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device.

  • This section does not apply to surfboards, paddleboards and skimboards.

• Golf Carts

  • Are permitted on the beaches from November 1 through February 28 and must have a valid state permit and operated by a licensed driver.

  • For more information on golf cart permits log on to http://www.scdmvonline.com/DMVNew/default.aspx?n=golf_carts.

• Surfing

  • Surfing is allowed anywhere along our beaches from sunrise to sunset.

  • No surfing allowed within 75-yards of any pier.

  • All surfers must wear a surfing leash with a maximum length of 7-feet at all times.

• Shading devices

  • Approved beach franchise holders will establish the locations of their life guard stands and umbrellas.

    • Any shading devices that impede the lifeguard's view/area of responsibility, may be asked to move.

    • No shading device may be placed within 10-feet of any established umbrella line by the beach franchise holders and must be in line with or landward of the established umbrella line.

  • Shading devices, other than circular umbrellas with a circular shade no greater than seven feet six inches (7’6”) in diameter and small pop-up/blow-up cabanas for infants and very small children, are not permitted on the beach (year-round).  This includes, but is not limited to, tents, tarps, cabanas, pavilions, sports-brellas, or similar devices.  An umbrella is defined as a collapsible circular shade consisting of a natural or synthetic fabric shade stretched over hinged ribs radiating from a central pole without grounding lines or ropes.

  • Shading devices of any kind cannot be tied, bound, or connected in any manner.

  • All shading devices must be secured.

  • No items (shading devices, floats, chairs, etc.) can be left on the beach between the hours of 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. Items will be removed.

• Watercraft restrictions

  • Sailboats, boats, jet skis, or other watercraft cannot be left on the beach anytime after sunset or before sunrise or left unattended.

  • Motorboats may not be operated, except jet skis or similar vessel, in the ocean within 400-yards of shore.

  • Jet skis may not be operated in the ocean within 100-yards of shore from May 1 through Labor Day.  However, it is ok to launch and return jet skis from the beach.

  • Sailboats, kite surfing, and like devices may not be operated in the ocean within 100-yards of shore from May 1 through Labor Day. However, it is ok to launch and return such devices from the beach.