Beach vibes

Getting there

Myrtle Beach International (MYR), a Class C airport that serves more than three million travelers annually, sits at the south end of Myrtle Beach. The airport encourages quiet hours, with the air traffic control tower operating from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The airport was originally a U.S. Air Force base and still accommodates military traffic. Air traffic controllers are equally as welcoming to airline, corporate, military, and light GA operations. Grand Strand Airport (CRE) at the southern end of North Myrtle Beach is a Class D airport with mostly GA traffic. The ATC tower operates from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Beach Aviation Services also serves a third airport, the nontowered Conway-Horry County Airport (HYW), located about 13 miles inland. The FBO encourages pilots flying into either of the three airports to reserve rental cars through Go Rentals in advance.

The two beaches are prominent features of the 60-mile-long Grand Strand coastal area that stretches across South Carolina. Both made Travel + Leisure’s top 18 South Carolina beaches, with Myrtle Beach ranked No. 2 for offering lots to see and do, and North Myrtle’s Cherry Grove Beach as a quieter beach with cottages and excellent fishing on the Cherry Grove Pier. More than 18 million tourists visit the area each year, according to the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade runs along a mile of the beach with highlights including the famous 187-foot-tall SkyWheel Myrtle Beach. Shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues line part of the boardwalk. For those who want to be awed by the outrageous or nearly scared senseless, Ripley’s offers three thrills: Believe It or Not!, Haunted Adventure, and Mirror Maze. The boardwalk hosts a vibrant nightlife with bars and clubs. Broadway at the Beach is less than two miles from the ocean with highlights including amusement rides, shops, restaurants, concerts, and clubs.

To enjoy nature, Myrtle Beach State Park fits the bill with camping and cabins. Enjoy listening to the waves, soaking in the sun, and walking the beach without the endless crowds from high-rise hotels. Fishing, bird watching, hiking, swimming, and horseback riding opportunities abound at the park. For aviation enthusiasts, the beach sits off the end of Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR), making it the perfect place for airplane spotting. The airport accommodates diverse airline, military, and general aviation operations.

North Myrtle Beach exudes a laid-back vibe but still offers plenty of dining, shopping, entertainment, and sporting adventures suitable for a range of ages and interests. While high-rise condos and hotels line part of the coastal area of North Myrtle, the Cherry Grove Beach area has mostly beach houses for those looking for a quieter retreat. Barefoot Landing is North Myrtle’s hub for children’s amusement rides, dining, shopping, and entertainment. It sits along the Intracoastal Waterway and features a Barnum and Bailey-style carousel with 41 animals. The Alabama Theatre and House of Blues offer entertainment ranging from comedy nights to dancing, concerts, and murder mysteries. While Barefoot Landing buzzes with activity, it is not as high-octane as Myrtle Beach’s boardwalk or Broadway at the Beach.

Both beaches offer water activities along the Intracoastal Waterway, wineries and distilleries, and a plethora of golf and minigolf opportunities. The greater Myrtle Beach area is known as the “mini golf capital of the world” and offered more than 30 miniature golf courses in 2024 (as well as about 80 golf courses), based on the latest data from the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Each beach has its own airport within a few miles, both served by Beach Aviation Services, a Horry County Government fixed-base operator. Between the two beaches and three different airports, pilots can find the right vibe for their aviation needs and beach getaway.

Alyssa J. Cobb is the former senior director of digital media for AOPA. She is a flight instructor and enjoys flying her Cessna 170B with her husband and two children.