For beachgoers who like to mix it up, make Murrells Inlet part of your next trip to the beach!
Nestled on the banks of a panoramic saltwater estuary, the fishing village vibe of Murrells Inlet reaches back to pre-colonial times and continues today, sustaining a quaint, small-town profile renowned for its unique inlet ecosystem, abundant seafood, and fascinating local lore.
As the northernmost town on the south end of the Grand Strand, known as the Waccamaw Neck, Murrells Inlet resides within the embrace of the estuary between the Waccamaw River and two fine beaches on the Atlantic. The unique blend of river, inlet and beach provides the cornerstone of inspiration for numerous local endeavors and attractions celebrating the rich diversity and natural beauty of the area.
Located in the heart of the village are the MarshWalk, Veterans Pier, and Morse Landing Park along with a prized collection of fish markets, live music bars, and dining venues where visitors can enjoy local southern dishes featuring crabs, oysters, clams and fish.
The MarshWalk and Veterans Pier together form a half-mile contiguous wooden boardwalk open to the public for leisurely strolls out over the inlet. It’s here within the beautiful waterfront setting where many events and festivals mark the seasons and celebrate fresh-caught seafood and all things coastal Carolina.
A magnificent saltmarsh view is also available at Morse Landing Park, home to the Lost at Sea memorial. Park visitors can access a jetty walk as well as a public boat launch for kayaks and Jon boats – ideal for an up-close experience of the inlet alive with shellfish beds, natural fisheries, pluff mud fiddler crabs, and an amazing array of shorebirds.
From eagles and wood storks soaring overhead to skimmers and pelicans plying the surf to egrets and herons marking their roost in the saltmarsh wetlands, Murrells Inlet is a birder’s paradise. In fact, it’s considered the best birding area in South Carolina and among the best in the Southeast.
A wide variety of outdoor sports can be enjoyed within Murrells Inlet including fishing charters, boat cruises, parasailing, jet skiing, scuba diving, banana boat rides, river boat excursions, beachcombing, surf fishing and more. Shark teeth are the latest craze for beachcombers. Award-winning golf courses, beautifully sculpted into the rolling coastal terrain, attract golfers from all around.
The popular Waccamaw Neck Bikeway passes through “downtown” Murrells Inlet and leads away to Huntington Beach State Park, an amazing coastal preserve featuring a miles-long pristine beach, fresh water estuaries teaming with coastal wildlife, and the captivating Atalaya Castle. Their 330-bird checklist has an impressive rarities roster that includes the roseate spoonbill and piping plover.
The Bikeway also passes by Brookgreen Gardens, a 9,100-acre woods and parkland renowned worldwide for its remarkable sculpture garden. Families love the educational rescue zoo and storybook playground. Beloved by gardeners, photographers, artists, naturalists, historians and strollers alike, Brookgreen has been welcoming visitors since 1932.
Human settlement dates back thousands of years in Murrells Inlet. Shell mounds and archeological findings from the Atlantic Ocean to the Waccamaw River document indigenous cultures. At the time of European encounter, the historic Waccamaw people inhabited the area benefitting from the natural resources provided by the creeks, rivers, and Atlantic shoreline.