Myrtle Beach has miles of shoreline, and most of it gets busy fast once the season kicks in. My go to stretch is the one running in front of Anderson Ocean Club, a Hilton Grand Vacations resort a bit north of the main boardwalk area. I stayed at the resort, but this beach is fully public, with several access points nearby if you are not a guest there.

Why this stretch

The boardwalk area around the SkyWheel gets packed, understandably, since that is where most of the attractions and restaurants sit. A few blocks north near Anderson Ocean Club, the crowd thins out considerably while you are still well within reach of everything Myrtle Beach has to offer. Same ocean, same sand, noticeably more room to actually spread out a towel without setting up shoulder to shoulder with strangers.

The water

Summer water temperatures here run warm, genuinely comfortable to jump straight in without the usual hesitation you get on colder coastlines. It does run a bit rough compared to calmer beach destinations, with a real swell and decent wave size most days. That roughness is not a downside though, it makes this stretch a great spot for jumping waves or bodyboarding, the kind of conditions that turn an afternoon at the beach into an actual activity instead of just lying flat on a towel.

Getting there if you are not staying at the resort

This is public beach, so no need to be a guest to enjoy it. There are public access points along Ocean Boulevard in this area, just look for the marked walkways between the resort properties. Parking can be limited directly in front of the resorts, so plan for a short walk if you are driving in rather than staying nearby.

A few practical tips

  • Go early morning or later afternoon if you want the absolute quietest window, even this less crowded stretch fills in a bit at midday in peak summer.
  • Bring a bodyboard or something similar if you want to make the most of the wave conditions, this stretch rewards it.
  • Keep an eye on posted flag warnings, the same rougher water that makes for fun waves means rip currents are a real consideration on certain days.
  • Rinse off stations and public restrooms are more limited on this stretch than the boardwalk area, so plan accordingly.

If you want the classic Myrtle Beach experience, warm water, real waves, and enough space to actually enjoy it, this stretch by Anderson Ocean Club is worth seeking out instead of defaulting to the boardwalk crowd.