Please wait..
Please wait..
Call/Text:- 843-702-9979
The Garden City Pier, located in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, is a beloved landmark stretching nearly 700 feet into the Atlantic Ocean. This wooden pier offers a vibrant mix of activities, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists. Visitors can enjoy excellent fishing, with a tackle shop on-site that provides daily passes, gear rentals, and bait. Beyond fishing, the pier is a hub of entertainment, featuring free live music on two stages, karaoke, two full-service bars, and a family-friendly arcade with a variety of games. Whether you're looking to catch a breathtaking sunrise or sunset, stroll along the oceanfront, dance to live bands, or simply take in the coastal ambiance, the Garden City Pier provides a charming and lively experience on the Grand Strand.
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, known as the "Seafood Capital of South Carolina," offers a wide array of thrilling and relaxing water sports, making it an ideal destination for aquatic adventures. Visitors can experience the rush of jet skiing through the inlet and out into the open ocean, often with the chance to spot dolphins. For a more serene experience, kayaking and paddleboarding are popular ways to explore the tranquil salt marsh estuary, providing opportunities to observe diverse wildlife like birds, stingrays, and even sea turtles up close. Adrenaline seekers can enjoy parasailing, soaring high above the Atlantic for a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the coastline. Beyond individual rentals, Murrells Inlet is a hub for various boat tours, including family-friendly dolphin watch cruises, eco-tours led by marine biologists, sunset cruises offering stunning views, and exciting pirate adventures for children. Fishing enthusiasts will find ample opportunities with both head boat and private charter fishing options, targeting a variety of species from shark to sea bass. For those seeking unique thrills, activities like banana boating and the innovative Seakart Adventure (a hybrid between a jet ski and a boat) also add to the vibrant watersports scene.
Murrells Inlet is a prime destination for those seeking aquatic adventures, offering a diverse range of fishing charters and boat tours to suit every interest. Fishing enthusiasts can choose from various excursions, including inshore trips targeting species like red drum, flounder, and speckled trout in the calm waters of the inlet, or venture nearshore for king and Spanish mackerel, cobia, and various grouper and snapper species around reefs and wrecks. For a truly exhilarating experience, deep-sea and Gulf Stream charters head further offshore to pursue larger game fish such as mahi-mahi, tuna, wahoo, and even marlin. Beyond fishing, boat tours provide unique ways to explore the area's natural beauty and rich history. Popular options include relaxing sunset cruises that showcase the stunning coastal scenery, educational eco-tours led by marine biologists where visitors can observe diverse wildlife like dolphins, birds, and sea turtles, and even interactive pirate adventures designed for children. Specialized tours such as full moon cruises, ghost story cruises, and Waccamaw River plantation tours further highlight the unique charm and stories of Murrells Inlet.
Nestled within Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, stands the remarkable Atalaya Castle, a unique and captivating piece of architectural history. This Moorish-style mansion, whose name means "watchtower" in Spanish, was built between 1931 and 1933 as the winter residence for philanthropist Archer Huntington and his wife, the renowned sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington. Designed by Archer himself, the thirty-room castle features a central courtyard and a distinctive 40-foot water tower, serving as both a home and a vast studio space where Anna created many of her large-scale animal sculptures. Built by local laborers during the Great Depression to stimulate the struggling economy, Atalaya's imposing stucco walls, iron grills, and thoughtful design (including animal enclosures for Anna's models) offer a fascinating glimpse into the lives of its creative and philanthropic founders. Today, a National Historic Landmark, Atalaya Castle is open to the public for self-guided tours, allowing visitors to wander its intriguing rooms and courtyards, and often hosts the popular Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival.
The Murrells Inlet MarshWalk is the vibrant heart of this historic fishing village, a captivating half-mile wooden boardwalk that winds along a serene saltwater estuary. It's renowned for offering some of the most spectacular waterfront dining on the Grand Strand, with numerous restaurants serving up fresh, local seafood and other delicious cuisine, often accompanied by live music every night. Beyond the culinary delights, the MarshWalk provides stunning views of the marsh, fishing boats, and diverse coastal wildlife like herons and pelicans, especially beautiful at sunset. It's a hub for activity, from sightseeing and shopping to accessing various water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing charters, making it a lively and essential destination for anyone visiting Murrells Inlet.
Huntington Beach State Park, a sprawling 2,500-acre coastal preserve in Murrells Inlet, is a true gem for nature lovers and history buffs alike. This protected area boasts three miles of pristine, unspoiled beach, offering a tranquil escape for swimming, surf fishing, and beachcombing. Beyond the oceanfront, the park encompasses diverse ecosystems, including salt marshes, freshwater lagoons, and maritime forests, which provide habitats for an incredible array of wildlife. It's particularly renowned as one of the best birding spots on the East Coast, with over 300 species documented, from majestic spoonbills and pelicans to various ducks and migratory birds. Visitors can also spot alligators in the freshwater ponds, as well as loggerhead sea turtles, mink, and a variety of other coastal creatures. Adding to its allure is Atalaya Castle, the Moorish-style former winter home and studio of philanthropist Archer Huntington and sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, now a National Historic Landmark within the park, offering a fascinating glimpse into their lives and artistic legacy. With hiking trails, a nature center with live animal exhibits, and opportunities for camping, Huntington Beach State Park provides an immersive experience in South Carolina's natural and historical heritage.
Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark located in Murrells Inlet, is a truly unparalleled destination that seamlessly blends art, nature, and history across its expansive 9,100 acres. Founded in 1931 by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, this former collection of four 18th and 19th-century rice plantations is now renowned as the country's first and largest outdoor sculpture garden, boasting the most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture in the world. Visitors can wander through meticulously cultivated botanical gardens featuring ancient live oaks and vibrant seasonal blooms, explore the Lowcountry Zoo with native animals in natural habitats, and delve into the region's rich history at the Lowcountry History Center and along the captivating Lowcountry Trail, which tells the stories of the enslaved people who once worked these lands. Beyond its permanent collections, Brookgreen Gardens offers a dynamic calendar of educational programs, special events like the magical "Nights of a Thousand Candles," and boat tours that provide a unique perspective on the historic rice fields, making it a continuously evolving and enriching experience for all ages.
While often associated with the wider Grand Strand area, it's important to clarify that Boulineau's IGA is actually a long-standing institution located in North Myrtle Beach (specifically the Cherry Grove section), not Murrells Inlet. This independently owned grocery store is far more than just a place to buy groceries; it's a unique, multi-faceted shopping experience that has been serving beachgoers and locals since 1948. Spanning several blocks, it offers an extensive selection, including fresh produce, a full-service meat counter, a fantastic seafood market (they'll even steam your shrimp for free!), and a massive deli with prepared foods and a hot food bar featuring their "Famous Fried Chicken." Beyond food, Boulineau's also houses a large gift shop with beach necessities, souvenirs, and resort wear, making it a one-stop shop for almost anything you might need during a beach vacation. Its friendly staff and diverse offerings have made it a beloved landmark and a must-visit for many returning visitors to the northern end of the Grand Strand.
Vibe: Known for its calm surf, this is a favorite spot for families seeking relaxation.
Activities: Swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing.
Trails: Elevated boardwalks that wind through salt marshes and tidal creeks.
Wildlife: Look out for blue herons, egrets, and crabs.