Myrtle Beach is surrounded by water—the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, rivers, inlets and creeks—making it a haven for fishermen, swimming and water sports enthusiasts. Pick a raft, a ride or a boat for the wet refreshment and natural scenery that water sports ensure. Ocean piers, freshwater docks and waterfront parks feature opportunity for sheer outdoor enjoyment in Myrtle Beach.
Whether you are an old fishing pro or just learning, Myrtle Beach waters are brimming with fish you can catch. Rent fishing gear or bring your own and test the waters near your vacation accommodations. Fish from shore, a pier or a charter and do it solo or with a group on a head boat.
Myrtle Beach water sports also include sailing, Sea Doo rentals, dolphin watch boat tours and parasailing. Explore underwater with a SCUBA trip or skim the water’s surface with a speedboat cruise. And if you like the bumps of a banana boat ride or the smooth sailing of a kayak, Myrtle Beach has outfitters to meet your needs. Myrtle Beach has it all.
Calabash:
Calabash Fishing Fleet
The fleet out of the Seafood Capital of the World, Calabash, NC features opportunities for full and partial day fishing trips, a cruise to the Gulf Stream for the big fish and even night fishing charters. Calabash Fishing Fleet also offers a dolphin watch adventure. It’s fun for the whole family!
(9945 Nance Street, Calabash; 910-570-0071 or 843-626-9090)
Hurricane Fleet Fishing Center
Shipwrecks 15 miles offshore of Myrtle Beach might be the result of an unfortunate encounter with a past hurricane, but today they are ideal fishing holes. Let Hurricane Fleet Fishing Center take you fishing over top of reefs and areas where fish are known to be. Offering dinner cruises, dolphin watch tours and sightseeing boat rides, Hurricane Fleet Fishing Center has something for everyone. Fishing gear is provided on all fishing trips.
(9975 Nance Street, Calabash; 800-373-2004)
Sea Screamer
The Sea Screamer takes you from the calm waters of the Intracoastal Waterway to the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The open air speed boat holds nearly 150 people as it skips across the ocean at high speeds. Keep an eye out for dolphins and expect to get wet aboard the Sea Screamer.
(Little River waterfront; 843-280-2400)
Voyager Fishing Charters
Charter an overnight or half-day fishing boat from Voyager Fishing Charters in Calabash. If you’re hoping to reel in a tournament-size fish, then consider the trolling charter through the Gulf Stream. You might hook a giant sea bass and vermillion snapper when you bottom fish the Gulf Stream or snag a shark with a night fishing excursion.
(Calabash waterfront, next to Dockside Restaurant; 843-626-4900)
www.voyagerfishingcharters.com
Little River:
Capt. Smiley’s Inshore Fishing Charters
Capt. Patrick “Smiley” Kelly is at the helm of these inshore fishing charters, sightseeing tours and ecological experiences. Up to four people are invited to experience the tranquility of Little River’s waterways where photographers and birdwatchers embrace the natural settings. Flounder fish at a nearshore wreck with Capt. Smiley or draw in crabs on his crabbing tour—the most entertaining two hours you’ll ever spend at the water. Bring your snacks and the captain will provide all the fishing gear.
(4474 Waterfront Avenue, Little River; 843-361-7445)
www.captainsmileyfishingcharters.com
Little River Fishing Fleet
Little River is a great fishing headquarters and Little River Fishing Fleet has an excursion for everyone. Charter a boat for shark fishing at night or sport fishing for half a day. The 90-foot party boat, Pride of the Carolinas, is based out of Little River Fishing Fleet, too.
(1501 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach; 843-249-1100)
Myrtle Beach Water Sports
Home of the Sea Screamer speed boat that barely touches the ocean’s surface because it goes so fast, Myrtle Beach Water Sports also features parasailing and Sea Doo rentals. Rent a pontoon boat and gain access to a private island where finding seashells and relaxing in the tranquility are on the agenda.
(4495 Mineola Avenue, Little River; 843-280-7777)
www.myrtlebeachwatersports.com
Renegade Charters
Captain Terry Coffey knows where to take the 31-foot Renegade for cobia, sea bass and Spanish mackerel. With room for up to six passengers, Renegade Charters has four-, six- or eight-hour fishing trips that venture offshore up to 40 miles. Open daily year round.
(1505 Watson Avenue, Little River; 843-280-8954)
Cherry Grove:
Cherry Grove Fishing Pier:
Go pier fishing and see if you can top the pier’s 1964 record catch—a 1,780-pound tiger shark. The Cherry Grove Fishing Pier reaches nearly 1,000 feet into the Atlantic Ocean, boasts an observation deck and features the Driftwood Restaurant and The Tackle Shop. Pier admission allows you to fish from the pier without a saltwater fishing license. Open 24 hours daily in summer.
(3500 North Ocean Boulevard, North Myrtle Beach; 843-249-1625)
SeaQuest
Captain Randy has a host of charters for your North Myrtle Beach vacation: fishing from half day to a full day, Gulf Stream charters and sunset cruises. Take a scenic boat trip, reel in your catch of the day or try the dinner cruise.
(2120 Sea Mountain Highway, North Myrtle Beach; 843-902-8573)
North Myrtle Beach:
Captain Mark Dickson/Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing
Capt. Mark is a former professional with the Southern Kingfish Association and he now offers charters and his secrets for catching flounder, redfish, king and Spanish mackerel, trout and cobia. He has room for up to four passengers on full- or half-day fishing trips. Tackle, bait and fishing licenses are provided. Bring your picnic lunch.
(One Harbour Place, Harbourgate Marina, North Myrtle Beach; 843-208-7099)
Great Escapes Kayak Expeditions
With Great Escapes Kayak Expeditions you will explore the few remaining parcels of wilderness left along the Grand Strand by paddling the rust colored and gentle water of the Waccamaw River. You can also join us on the lively saltwater creeks leading to Waites Island, one of the last remaining undeveloped barrier islands along the SC Coast.
(For details and pricing call: 843-241-4588)
Crowd Pleaser Sportfishing
If it’s dolphin, billfish, tuna and wahoo you are after, then hop aboard the 31-foot Yellowfin and head to the Gulf Stream waters with Crowd Pleaser Sportfishing, which also specializes in grouper and snapper bottom fishing. It’s a family charter, so children and ladies are welcome.
(North Myrtle Beach; 843-997-9773)
www.crowdpleasersportfishing.com
Coastal SCUBA
Explore the underwater world with this PADI dive facility’s charters and SCUBA diving lessons. The Atlantic Ocean boasts shipwrecks from World War II and the Civil War and the marine life love the offshore reefs. All aboard the 45-foot dive boat for a memorable dive charter. Open daily. Reservations recommended.
Thomas Outdoor Watersports
Rent a Sea Doo for a fun ride on the Atlantic Ocean’s waves or to enjoy the tranquil landscape of the Intracoastal Waterway. Rental pontoon boats are an excellent means of reaching Bird Island for combing the beaches for shells, picnics and fishing. Thomas Outdoor Watersports has many boat rentals for fishing and fishing licenses are not required.
(Anchor Marina, 2200 Little River Neck Road, North Myrtle Beach; 843-280-2448)
Rosie Sportfishing
If it is fishing you want, it’s fishing you’ll get with Rosie Sportfishing. There are so many options offered: 8-, 10- or 12-hour trips, multiple days and tournament fishing. Capt. Mike Rosenquist will take you offshore to the Gulf Stream on a 47-foot Buddy Davis Sportfisher that features a full salon with two heads, outriggers, fighting chair and twin diesels. Bait, license and tackle are included with charters.
(2120 Sea Mountain Highway, Harbourgate Marina, North Myrtle Beach; 843-340-3416)
Jet-A-Wave
Jet-A-Wave is a one-hour JetBoat ride that reaches speeds up to 30 knots. Up to 20 people are on board together as you race across the Atlantic Ocean, feeling the sun and sea spray on your face. Open daily from May to September.
(2120 Sea Mountain Highway, Harbourgate Marina, North Myrtle Beach; 843-663-RIDE)
Myrtle Beach:
Downwind Sails
Visit the Downwind Sails oceanfront shack for all your Myrtle Beach water sports needs. Located on Ocean Boulevard and just north of the Springmaid Pier, Downwind Sails is a favorite hangout for local surfers. Here you can rent a sailboat, go on a banana boat ride, parasail, rent a Sea Doo and paddle the ocean in a kayak. Open daily in summer, water conditions permitting.
(2915 South Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach; 843-448-SAIL)
www.downwindsailsmyrtlebeach.com
Myrtle Beach Sailing Charters
Go sailing with Capt. Tim Hamilton aboard the Sans Souci, a 27-foot Catalina sloop. He’ll take you on the Intracoastal Waterway or offshore for a memorable sailing adventure. You may even choose a sunset dinner cruise for a romantic excursion. Myrtle Beach Sailing Charters are anywhere from two to 12 hours where you can snorkel, island hop, watch birds and dolphins or enjoy a meal.
Myrtle Beach State Park
Myrtle Beach State Park is on the oceanfront and its 312 acres includes hiking trails, undeveloped beaches, picnic pavilions, a pier and a nature center. Fishing, sunbathing, swimming and participating in numerous nature programs and maritime classes are available here. Open daily.
(4401 South Kings Highway; 843-238-5325)
Coastal Eco-Charters, Inc.
Ask about the discount on charters that Elliott Beach Rentals guests receive at Coastal Eco-Charters, Inc., the Myrtle Beach area’s only charter boat that specializes in environmental education tours. Explore the natural beauty of the barrier islands and saltwater wetlands. From the salt marsh to the beach, learn about the natural habitat of sea creatures. Capt. Rutenberg is a state licensed biology teacher and your captain for Coastal Eco-Charters.
(843-655-5593 or 843-685-2737)
Garden City:
Marlin Quay Marina Watersports
Catch marlin, grouper or yellowfin tuna when you charter a 50-foot Hatteras Sport Fisherman, the 26-foot Glacier Bay Catamaran or one of the fishing fleet vessels in between. There is an on-site convenience store for snacks and cold drinks. All charters include tackle and bait.
(1508 South Waccamaw Drive, Garden City; 877-670-3474)
Murrells Inlet:
Catch-1 Sport Fishing Charters
Conveniently located at Drunken Jack’s Restaurant on the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk, Catch-1 Sport Fishing Charters can help you bring home trout, flounder and red drum. Go cruising with the family or fishing with the guys. Explore the inlet or take a boat ride out to the jetties for some good fishing.
(Highway 17, Murrells Inlet; 843-450-1430)
Capt. Dick’s Marina
Capt. Dick’s offers everything from large, head boat fishing trips for snapper, sailfish, grouper and marlin to sightseeing cruises throughout the salt marsh and shark fishing. There’s parasailing, pontoon boat rentals, Sea Doo rentals and banana boat rides at Capt. Dick’s, too. The whole family will have fun when you stop at Capt. Dick’s Marina for water sports.
(Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet; 866-557-FISH)