Rules to Keep You Cool and Safe on the Myrtle Beach Sands and Waters

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The biggest reasons that Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular vacation destinations along East Coast is the Grand Strand’s 60-mile stretch of white, sandy beaches and the blue ocean waters that come along with it. Whether jumping in the waves or working on a tan in the sand, you and your entire family will find fun under the sun on the famous beaches of Myrtle Beach.

To make sure everyone on the beach has a safe and wonderful time, the City of Myrtle Beach sets some rules each summer to maintain a peaceful and enjoyable environment. These rules range from modes of transportation to beach activities, but they are all set so you and everyone else can have a great time on the beach during their wonderful vacation. Here is a short list of some updates to the beach laws for the summer of 2017:

Bicycles – While bicycling is a fun and popular activity, bicycles can cause injuries or accidents if ridden on the beach during the busiest hours. To cut down on these mishaps, bikes are only allowed on the beach before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. from May 1 through Sept. 4. If you’re looking for a great place to ride your bike during the day, the stretch of Ocean Boulevard near Ocean Reef Resort has bike lanes that sit right along the dunes, making it easy to get in a ride with ocean views.

Dogs – Along with bicycles, dogs are also banned from the beach during the popular summer beach hours (10 a.m.-5 p.m., May 1-Sept. 4), and they must at all times be kept on a leash that is a maximum of 7 feet long.

Surfing – Swimming and surfing are two of the more popular water activities on the beach, but the two can cause a lot of trouble when they occur in too close a proximity. To minimize the chances of accidents and injuries, the City of Myrtle Beach has created five “surf zones,” for use between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., so surfers can ride waves without worrying about accidently hitting any nearby swimmers. Guests at Ocean Reef Resort are within short walking distance of the surf zone between 62nd and 68th Avenues North. Others are located between 78th and 81st Avenues North; between 34th and 47th Avenues North; from 29th Avenue South to the southernmost city limits; and from 87th Avenue North to the northernmost city limits.

Tents – When the mercury in the thermometer begins to rise and the UV waves become stronger, it is very important to find shade from the sun, but there are also rules on where you can place an umbrella or pitch a tent. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, only umbrellas area allowed, and they must be placed at or above the high-tide lines. They are to be taken down overnight, and they can’t be larger than 7 1/2 feet in diameter. This helps provide visibility and paths for lifeguards and emergency vehicles so they can keep everyone safe on the beach.

Contraband – Not only does the city have rules limiting the use of some objects during certain hours, it also maintains a ban on certain objects and activities year-round. These include (but are not limited to) alcoholic beverages, littering, glass containers, fires and fireworks, and going on the sand dunes. Fortunately, Ocean Reef Resort provides all of its guests with a poolside bar that serves food and drinks, so you can indulge a little after your day in the sun. The City of Myrtle Beach also makes sure that there are bins for trash and recycling at all beach access points, so you can leave the beach as beautiful as it was when you arrived.

Becoming familiar with the rules will not only help provide you and your family with a safe and enjoyable day on the sands of Myrtle Beach, but it will also help the people surrounding you have a great day, as well.