Beach Safety
Water Quality Q & A
Does a short term swimming advisory at my favorite beach location mean that the water there is generally unsafe?
No. Swim advisories are for isolated spots at monitoring locations when swimming is not recommended. Most advisories are temporary – lasting only a day or two – for small swimming areas near the monitoring location.
What is tested in beach water monitoring samples?
Testing looks for enterococcus bacteria in the samples. Enterococcus bacteria indicate the likely presence of other pathogenic microbes. Elevated levels of this bacteria can indicate possible contamination at that location for a short period of time.
What’s the best way to check for these swim advisories?
Visit www.CheckMyBeach.com and use the interactive tool to find your exact location on the beach. Check the most recent test results for that spot, along with information on all area beach access points and amenities.
What does a swim advisory mean?
South Carolina beach monitoring season begins May 1 and runs through October 1. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) routinely collects water samples at more than 120 locations along South Carolina’s beaches. If high numbers of bacteria are found, they issue an advisory for that portion of the beach.
Advisories do not mean that the beach is closed. Wading, fishing and shell collecting do not pose a risk. Advisories are often issued after heavy rainfalls when higher bacteria counts are detected and often last less than 24 hours. The advisory is lifted when sample results fall below the limit of 104CFU/100mL.
Beach Safety Tips:
Your Guide to Beach Safety in the Grand Strand With tens of thousands of people swimming along the Grand Strand during the summertime, our area has an excellent safety record. It’s important to take proper precautions whenever near water. Here are a few beach safety tips:
Look for, read, and obey all beach safety flags
Swim in areas with a lifeguard
Listen and follow lifeguard’s directions and warnings
Swim with a buddy
Swim sober
Don’t fight the current (signal for help!)
Don’t float where you can’t swim
Watch small children closely
Don’t swim or surf within 75 yards of piers
Don’t swim where people are fishing
Don’t dive into the surf (protect your neck!)
Leash your boogie board or surfboard
Ask a lifeguard about ocean water conditions
Don’t swim in public bodies of water if you have open wounds/cuts or a compromised immune systems
Know the local rules and laws (visit the municipality’s website for more info)
Rip Currents
Often called undertows, these powerful currents are formed when the ocean water rushes back to sea in a narrow path. Rip currents can pull even experienced swimmers away from shore. They may vary in duration, width and speed.
Rip currents may be visible as a difference in water color or in the waves. A rip current may have choppier waves or an offshore area of turbid water, along with foam or objects moving steadily seaward.
If you’re caught in a rip current, don’t panic or try to swim against the current. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the rip current. If you can’t break out of the current, float calmly until it fades, then swim diagonally back to shore.
Additional information Carolinas Rip Current Awareness
Beach Flag System and Public Safety
The Grand Strand has a specific set of beach flags to let beach-goers know about water conditions. Pictured here is a sign of the flag system. These flags fly from lifeguard stands to alert of any potential danger.
You’ll also notice Public Safety and EMS personnel on the beach. During peak season, crews are on the beach to provide first aid and assist with any water-related emergencies. Lifeguard services provide watchful eyes and are ready to assist beachgoers and swimmers. While you’re on the beach, these lifeguards and Public Safety personnel provide outstanding information resources on how to safely enjoy our beautiful coastline.
Beach-Going Wheelchairs
& Beach Access in Myrtle Beach
The Myrtle Beach area is commmitted to accessibility for all visitors with disabilities. In Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Surfside Beach, beach-going wheelchairs are available for use at no cost and there are many accessible beach access points throughout the Grand Strand.
MYRTLE BEACH BEACH-GOING WHEELCHAIRS & BEACH ACCESS POINTS
For beachgoing wheelchairs in Myrtle Beach, third-party rental companies are available, including Wheelchairs and Scooters of Myrtle Beach at 843-446-8723 or Mobility Center at 843-692-8001.
Myrtle Beach has 114 public beach access points (street ends, parks and other access points). Here is the list of those public locations, from south to north that are either fully accessible or that have a beach access ramp. An asterisk (*) indicates beach access ramps only.
29th Avenue South (fully accessible)
27th Avenue South *
24th Avenue South *
Hurl Rock Park at 20th Avenue South (fully accessible)
1809 South Ocean Boulevard *
1703 South Ocean Boulevard (fully accessible)
16th Avenue South *
15th Avenue South *
12th Avenue South *
10th Avenue South *
9th Avenue South *
3rd Avenue South (fully accessible)
1st Avenue North *
2nd Avenue North (fully accessible)
4th Avenue North *
7th Avenue North *
Plyler Park *
13th Avenue North *
16th Avenue North *
1802 North Ocean Boulevard *
Anderson Park *
25th Avenue North *
31st Avenue North *
38th Avenue North (fully accessible)
41st Avenue North (fully accessible)
44th Avenue North *
Gardens by the Sea, 5400 North Ocean Boulevard (fully accessible)
Seaside Place *
64th Avenue North (fully accessible)
69th Avenue North *
70th Avenue North *
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH WHEELCHAIRS & ACCESS POINTS
In North Myrtle Beach, beach-going wheelchairs are available for use free of charge. These chairs are sturdy and come equipped with large balloon tires for maneuvering through soft sand. Wheelchairs are available Monday through Friday at the Beach Services Warehouse. Call 843-663-8600 to reserve one. Beach access for persons with disabilities are at the following locations:
Main Street
Sea Mountain Hwy.
4th Ave. N.
6th Ave. S.
9th Ave. S.
15th Ave. S.
17th Ave. S.
21st Ave. S.
27th Ave. S.
39th Ave. S.
46th Ave. S.
SURFSIDE BEACH WHEELCHAIRS & ACCESS POINTS
In Surfside Beach, wheelchairs are available to visitors staying within the city limits by calling (843) 913-6368 or visit the Surfside Beach Public Safety Department at 811 Pine Drive. Beach access for persons with disabilities are at the following locations:
3rd Ave. N
Surfside Drive (at Surfside Pier)
Melody Lane
For more information, visit Surfside Beach Police Services.
MYRTLE BEACH STATE PARK
One wheelchair is available on a first-come, first-served basis at the fishing pier gift shop. Reach the shop at: 843-238-5326.
UNINCORPORATED HORRY COUNTY (including Springmaid and Garden City Beach)
Call 843-381-8000 or email beachwheelchair@horrycounty.org to request a wheelchair. Reservations must be made at least two days in advance.
HUNTINGTON BEACH STATE PARK
Three wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the central office, next to the gift shop. Call 843-237-4440 for more information.
UNICORPORATED GEORGETOWN COUNTY (including Litchfield Beach and
Garden City Beach)
Georgetown County does not offer beach wheelchairs. Two wheelchair ramps are available in Litchfield Beach.
PAWLEYS ISLAND
Pawleys Island does not offer beach wheelchairs. Ramps are available at the 1st Street beach access and the public lot on the south point of the island. Call 843-237-1698 for more information.
THIRD-PARTY WHEELCHAIR RENTALS
In the event the city’s beach wheelchairs are unavailable, or if you want to have a beach wheelchair for overnight and multiple day usage, third party rental companies exist in the area. Please note that the list of private companies as a courtesy resource, and the city does not endorse any commercial businesses. The rental fees and restrictions are set by the individual companies, and the City of Myrtle Beach is not responsible for any reimbursement cost.
Wheelchairs and Scooters of Myrtle Beach
1325 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach SC 29577
843-446-8723
Mobility Center
7831 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach SC 29577
843-692-8001
HANDICAPPED PARKING IN MYRTLE BEACH
In South Carolina, any vehicle displaying a valid handicapped, Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans or Medal of Honor license tag, or a valid and official handicapped hang tag, may park for free at any public-operated parking meter. If your vehicle displays one of these, then you do not have to pay a municipal parking meter anywhere in South Carolina. Of course, city buildings have designated handicapped parking spaces.