Myrtle Beach Piers

Currently (2008) there are seven fishing piers in the Myrtle Beach area, from Garden City Beach in the south to Cherry Grove Beach in the north. In winter any of these piers might have interesting birds, including sea ducks, gulls, loons, grebes, alcids, jaegers, or Northern Gannets. Most of the piers will charge a small fee for walking on the pier, which is often not collected in winter. Entrance to the pier at Myrtle Beach State Park is included in the park admission fee.

Here are directions to the piers, arranged from south to north. The piers are also marked on this map

Garden City Beach Pier
N 33 34.597' W 78 59.889'
Start from the junction of US 17 and US 17 Alternate just north of the Georgetown—Horry county line. (This is NOT US 17 Business that goes through Murrells Inlet.) From this junction bear right (northeast) onto US 17 Business for 1.5 miles. Here turn right (east) onto Atlantic Avenue. Follow Atlantic Avenue to its end at South Waccamaw Drive. Jog right onto South Waccamaw Drive a few yards to the pier.

Surfside Pier
N 33 36.299' W 78 58.301'
From the junction of US 17 and US 17 Alternate just north of the Georgetown—Horry county line bear right (northeast) onto US 17 Alternate and go 4.0 miles to Surfside Drive. Turn right (southeast) onto Surfside Drive and follow it to its end at the beach in 0.8 miles. The pier is to your right.

Or, from Garden City Pier, turn right (northeast) on Waccamaw Drive and follow it for 2.5 miles. The name changes from North Waccamaw Drive to South Ocean Drive when you get to Surfside Beach. The pier is just before the intersection of Ocean Drive and Surfside Drive.

Myrtle Beach State Park Pier
N 33 38.889' W 78 55.693'
From the junction of US 17 and US 17 Alternate just north of the Georgetown—Horry county line bear right (northeast) onto US 17 Alternate and go 8.2 miles to the entrance to Myrtle Beach State Park on your right. Enter the park and drive to the beach.

Springmaid Pier
N 33 39.421' W 78 55.105'
From the junction of US 17 and US 17 Alternate just north of the Georgetown—Horry county line bear right (northeast) onto US 17 Alternate and go 8.5 miles to the intersection with South Ocean Boulevard. Or, from Myrtle Beach State Park, return to US 17 Business, turn right and go 0.1 miles to the intersection with South Ocean Boulevard. Here bear right (northeast) on South Ocean Boulevard for 0.6 miles. Here turn right into the Springmaid Resort complex and drive to the pier.

Second Avenue Pier
N 33 41.037' W 78 53.169'
From the junction of US 17 and US 17 Alternate just north of the Georgetown—Horry county line bear right (northeast) onto US 17 Alternate and go 11.4 miles to Second Avenue North. Here turn right (southeast) and follow Second Avenue North for 0.25 miles to its end at the pier.

Apache Pier
N 33 45.825' W 78 46.909'
From the intersection of US 501 and US 17 Bypass (NOT US 17 Business) go northeast on US 17 for 8.7 miles to Lake Arrowhead Road. Or, from the intersection of SC 22 and US 17, go southwest on US 17 for 1.1 miles to Lake Arrowhead Road. Turn southeast onto Lake Arrowhead Road and go south for 0.7 miles to a stoplight at Kings Road. The entrance to the Apache Campground is to the left. Enter the campground and follow Main Trail to the pier.

Cherry Grove Beach Pier
N 33 49.790' W 78 38.004'
From the intersection of US 17 and SC 9 go south on SC 9 (Seamountain Highway) for 1.5 miles to North Ocean Boulevard in Cherry Grove Beach. Turn left (east) onto North Ocean Boulevard for 2.1 miles to the pier, which is between 34th Avenue North and 36th Avenue North.