Murrells Inlet is the best place to paddle board near Myrtle Beach: it’s a sheltered salt marsh estuary south of the city, with a rental shop on the water and dolphins in the creeks. For a quieter, wilder paddle, launch into the Cherry Grove marsh in North Myrtle Beach, or head inland to the dark, tree-lined Waccamaw River in Conway.
The Grand Strand works for paddling because it has three very different kinds of water within a short drive: tidal salt marsh at each end of the strand, a slow blackwater river inland and the open Atlantic along the beach. The marshes are the best bet for most people. They’re protected from ocean waves, but they’re tidal, so planning around the tide matters more here than anything else.
Quick answer
- First time on a board: Murrells Inlet, with a rental from Express Watersports and a short safety briefing first.
- Wildlife and quiet water: the Cherry Grove marsh, launching from Cherry Grove Park in North Myrtle Beach.
- A river option: the Waccamaw River from the Conway Marina, under cypress and live oaks.
- Guided trip to a wild barrier island: a paddle board tour to Waties Island and Hog Inlet from Cherry Grove.
- What to skip: the Intracoastal Waterway’s main channel, which is busy with boats and wakes.
The best places to paddle board in Myrtle Beach
Murrells Inlet
Directions
Best for: beginners, rentals, dolphin spotting. Flat, tidal salt marsh.
Murrells Inlet is a tidal estuary of spartina grass and winding creeks south of Myrtle Beach, behind Garden City Beach. The village side has the half-mile MarshWalk boardwalk lined with restaurants, and the south end of the inlet borders Huntington Beach State Park, where the marsh is mostly undeveloped.
Where to launch: Morse Park Landing, a small landing off US 17 Business next to the Hot Fish Club, is a popular paddler launch. It’s tide dependent: at low tide the creek there can turn to mud, so aim for the middle to upper part of the tide. The main SCDNR boat landing at 4139 US 17 Business has more parking but also more motorboats, so if you use it, launch quickly and move out of the ramp area.
Rentals and lessons: Express Watersports (4042 US 17 Business, Murrells Inlet) rents paddle boards in the inlet, with a board, paddle, life jacket with whistle and water shoes included. It was around $25 for the first hour and $15 for each extra hour at the time of writing. Riders need to be about 12 or older and under 250 lb, and the staff give a short briefing before you head out.
Good to know: Tide current runs through the inlet, so paddle into the current first and ride it back. Stay away from the inlet mouth and jetties, where the marsh meets the open ocean. Boat traffic is heaviest along the main channel off the MarshWalk, so keep to the edges.
Cherry Grove marsh (North Myrtle Beach)
Directions
Best for: quiet marsh paddling, birds and fishing from the board. Flat, tidal water.
Behind the beachfront in Cherry Grove, at the north end of North Myrtle Beach, is a maze of tidal creeks and marsh. From the city’s launch you can paddle Williams Creek and the marsh, which connect to Hog Inlet and the Intracoastal Waterway.
Where to launch: Cherry Grove Park & Boat Ramp (413 53rd Avenue N, North Myrtle Beach) has a dedicated kayak launch next to its two-lane boat ramp, plus a floating dock, fishing pier, picnic shelter and restrooms. From Ocean Boulevard, turn away from the ocean on 53rd Avenue N. Parking is paid from 9 am to 5 pm (the city lets you pay by text).
Rentals and tours: Great Escapes Kayak Expeditions (1116 Highway 9 East, Longs) runs guided kayak and paddle board tours in the Cherry Grove marsh. Book ahead; the company says it doesn’t take walk-ups.
Good to know: Low tide exposes mud flats and oyster beds, so go on a rising or high tide and wear water shoes. Stay in the marsh creeks rather than heading out into the main Intracoastal Waterway.
Waccamaw River in Conway
Directions
Best for: a shady freshwater-feel paddle with no surf and no salt. Slow river current.
The Waccamaw is a deep blackwater river that runs about 140 miles from North Carolina to Winyah Bay at Georgetown. In downtown Conway, about 15 miles inland from Myrtle Beach, the Conway Riverwalk boardwalk runs along the river under cypress and live oaks hung with Spanish moss.
Where to launch: The Conway City Marina, on the riverwalk downtown, has a boat ramp and kayak launch. The river is part of the Waccamaw River Blue Trail, a mapped paddling trail with public launch points along its length.
How to paddle it: The current is gentle, but it’s still a river. Paddle upstream first so you’re working with the current on the way back, or arrange a shuttle and paddle one way.
Rentals and tours: Great Escapes Kayak Expeditions also runs Waccamaw River trips. We couldn’t verify a walk-up paddle board rental at the Conway marina, so plan to bring your own board.
Good to know: The Waccamaw floods after heavy rain upstream. Check the USGS gauge for the river before you go and skip it when it’s high and fast.
Waties Island and Hog Inlet
DirectionsBest for: an adventurous guided trip to an undeveloped barrier island. Tidal inlet water.
Waties Island is an undeveloped barrier island just north of Cherry Grove, across Hog Inlet. Great Escapes Kayak Expeditions runs three-hour guided kayak and paddle board trips through the Cherry Grove inlets to Waties Island, priced around $40 to $45 per person at the time of writing.
Where to launch: Tours start from Cherry Grove; if you paddle on your own, launch from Cherry Grove Park & Boat Ramp (above).
Good to know: Inlets have the strongest tidal currents on the coast, and Hog Inlet opens straight onto the Atlantic. If you haven’t paddled in tidal current before, go with a guide, and read our guide on how to paddle board in the ocean first.
When to go
Myrtle Beach water warms up fast in spring and stays warm well into fall. NOAA’s Springmaid Pier station in Myrtle Beach recorded monthly average water temperatures of roughly 48°F to 52°F in January and 83°F to 86°F in July over 2024 to 2026.
- Late spring to early fall (May to October): warm water and the easiest paddling. Summer afternoons bring heat and thunderstorms, so paddle in the morning.
- Winter and early spring: cold water in the marshes; dress for falling in. Our wetsuit check uses water and air temperature to tell you what to wear.
- Tides: in Murrells Inlet and Cherry Grove, the tide decides your day more than the weather. Launch on a rising tide so you don’t get stranded on a mud flat, and check the NOAA tide predictions for Springmaid Pier or Murrells Inlet before you go.
- Wind: mornings are usually calmer. An afternoon sea breeze can make the trip back across open water much harder.
Planning a longer paddle, like a one-way trip down the Waccamaw? Our Trip time calculator estimates how long it will take at your pace.
Rules and safety in Myrtle Beach
South Carolina’s Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) treats paddle boards like other paddle craft on public waterways:
- Life jacket: carry a US Coast Guard–approved wearable life jacket for each person. Anyone under 12 must wear one on any vessel under 16 feet long. See our pick of the best PFDs for SUP.
- Sound device: carry a whistle or horn.
- After dark: have a flashlight or lantern ready between sunset and sunrise.
- Surf zone exception: SCDNR exempts paddle boards used in traditional surfing, swimming and bathing areas from these requirements. In the marshes, inlets and the Waccamaw River, they apply.
A few local rules and habits on top of that:
- Wear a leash. In tidal current, a board that gets away from you can be gone quickly.
- Give dolphins space. NOAA asks paddlers to stay at least 50 yards away from dolphins, and feeding them is illegal.
- Watch for oyster beds at low tide. Wear water shoes when you step off.
- Stay out of boat channels and the main Intracoastal Waterway, and let boats pass.
- On the beach, the cities along the Grand Strand have their own summer rules for boards in the surf. Follow the lifeguards and stay out of swimming areas.
FAQ
Where can beginners paddle board in Myrtle Beach?
Murrells Inlet is the easiest place to start. Rent from Express Watersports, get the briefing and stay in the creeks near the shop. Go near high tide on a calm morning. Not sure what board suits you? Try our Board Fitter.
Can you paddle board in the ocean at Myrtle Beach?
Yes, on calm days, but the ocean here has shore break and lifeguarded swimming areas. Beginners will have a much easier time in the marshes. If you do go out, wear a leash, stay clear of swimmers and piers, and follow the lifeguards’ instructions.
Do I need a permit to paddle board in Myrtle Beach?
No permit is needed to paddle the marshes, inlets or the Waccamaw River. You’ll pay for parking at Cherry Grove Park between 9 am and 5 pm.
Will I see dolphins paddle boarding in Myrtle Beach?
Often, especially in Murrells Inlet. Enjoy them from a distance: NOAA asks paddlers to stay 50 yards away and never feed or chase them.
Is there anywhere similar nearby?
Up the coast, see our guide to where to paddle board in Wilmington. Heading south, try where to paddle board in Charleston.
