North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove to Pier Area)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
North Myrtle Beach (27th Avenue South) is an exposed sandy beach break with mellow sandbar peaks and an A-frame look. It tends to work best when the sandbar is set up well, and it’s described as suitable for beginners and progression for early intermediate surfers. Timing matters during the summer: local rules restrict surfing in daytime peak hours (generally 9:00 AM–4:00 PM from May 15 to September 15) except in designated zones that include 27th Avenue South. There is also a strict no-entry distance near piers—surfing is not allowed within 300 feet of Cherry Grove Pier—so navigation and spacing are important, especially with swimmers and fishermen nearby. Wave/spell details vary by source, but the common theme is a beach break that can range from moderate to softer, with mushy-to-peeling behavior when the sandbar forms correctly. Larger swells can still “hold size” but are more likely to become choppy with strong onshore winds, and closure on the inner sandbars can shorten rides. Water quality and coastal hazards should be taken seriously. Pollution is specifically called out, and after heavy rainfall there can be additional runoff impacts; rip-current and jellyfish risks are also noted, along with fishing lines near piers. With that in mind—check conditions after storms, plan around restrictions, and always use the required leash during surfing.
- Exposed beach-break surfing with mellow sandbar peaks
- Best activity window runs late summer into autumn (especially August through November)
- Designated surfing zone includes 27th Avenue South during restricted daytime hours
- Strict 300-foot pier restriction around Cherry Grove Pier
- Seasonal lifeguard coverage
- Mellow sandbar beach peaks with beginner-friendly A-frame beach-break behavior.
- Generally consistent surf for the area and good training ground for learning fundamentals.
- Seasonal lifeguards and nearby emergency medical access.
- Pollution concerns (especially after heavy rainfall).
- Surfing restrictions during peak summer daytime hours and limited permitted zones.
- Conditions depend strongly on sandbar/tide and can chop up quickly with onshore winds.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, NE, E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Best described as a gradient-driven pattern with a mix of clean and blown conditions; thermal sea-breeze can develop in summer.
- Reliability
- 44% blown, 33% clean, 23% small
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as steady rather than highly gusty.
- Best Months
- August, September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Buildings and hotels can create turbulence close to shore in certain directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand bottom; wide sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Also described as generally small to soft depending on formation; the swell window commonly cited is 2–5 feet.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Onshore winds create chop; conditions can become choppier with stronger onshore flow.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with gentle slope and multiple public access points.
Through the year
Peak crowds from June to August; much quieter in the shoulder and winter seasons.
Hurricane season runs June through November, with peak activity typically in August and September/September.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Can work for freeriding/foil when sea breeze kicks in; must also respect seasonal beach restrictions and designated zones.
- Kite Sizes
- 10–14 m²
Occasionally practiced on more open stretches of beach for bump and jump or freeriding.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Growing in popularity thanks to a generally forgiving sandy bottom, though sandbars can be shallow at low tide.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Minimum depth is reported as about 1.2 meters to clear the foil.
- Min Depth
- 1.2 meters to clear the foil
- Wing Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Exposed sandy beach break over a mellow sandbar; A-frame over-beach with generally beginner-friendly peaks. Conditions are highly dependent on sandbar shape and tide.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSW, SE
- Swell Height
- 2–5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best on a mid-to-high tide per one description; another source specifies mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open exposed beach break with limited shielding.
- Wind Effect
- Onshore winds create chop; offshore winds are described as rarely clean but can offer cleaner conditions when present (west/northwest described as cleaner).
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to around 5 feet but becomes choppier with strong onshore winds; tends to close out when swell gets larger (reported to close out when exceeding about 2 meters).
- Wave Quality
- Average — Quality can vary with sandbar formation; also described as good in some conditions.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Often described as moderate to soft depending on formation and onshore strength.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Sources describe A-frame, with mushy-to-peeling behavior depending on tide/sandbar.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Mellow sandbar peaks with A-frame behavior; peeling at a medium pace.
- Ride Length
- Short — Waves typically provide short rides before closing out on inner sandbars.
- Ride Length Details
- Mellow sandbar waves tend to close out on the inner sandbars, keeping rides relatively short.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove to Pier Area) in the full forecast view.
North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove to Pier Area) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–15 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- NE41°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2515 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–0.6 m6s period
- Temperature
- 10–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove to Pier Area) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.3–0.6 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Pollution
- Piers (300 ft restriction near Cherry Grove Pier)
- Rip currents
- Jellyfish
- Fishing lines near piers
- Pollution after heavy rainfall
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard coverage along the coastline.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Limited rescue availability with seasonal lifeguards and jet-ski support provided by the North Myrtle Beach Beach Patrol and Ocean Rescue.
- Emergency Info
- 911. Nearest hospital: McLeod Health Seacoast in Little River (about 10–15 minutes away).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Sources describe no localism.
Rules of the spot
City ordinance restricts surfing in summer daytime hours (May 15–September 15): generally 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, except in designated zones including 27th Avenue South. No surfing within 300 feet of piers (noted for Cherry Grove Pier). Leash mandatory with a max 7 ft leash length.
- Surfing prohibited 9:00 AM–4:00 PM May 15–September 15 except in designated zones (including 27th Avenue South).
- No surfing within 300 ft of piers (Cherry Grove Pier noted).
- Leash required (max 7 ft) during surfing.
- Arrive early before the restricted hours to surf in the designated zone during the summer season.
- Check local water quality reports after heavy rain since runoff can impact the swash zone.
- Cherry Grove Pier is a prominent landmark, but stay outside the prohibited distance.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- North Myrtle Beach
- Nearest Town
- North Myrtle Beach
- Nearest Airport
- Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
- Parking
- Street parking and public beach access parking near 27th Ave; paid public parking available at many street ends and dedicated lots.
- Public Transport
- Limited public bus service via Coast RTA; many visitors rely on rental cars or ride-sharing.
- Access
- Public beach access near 27th Avenue South; public access points at the end of most avenues.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous beachfront hotels, condos, and vacation rentals; extensive options including high-rise oceanfront hotels, beach house rentals, and nearby campgrounds.
- Food & Drink
- Abundant options along Main Street and Ocean Boulevard.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is described as available from multiple local surf shops and beach service providers.
- Gear Storage
- Limited on-site storage; many schools and shops provide storage mainly for their own equipment or for their guests only.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops provide basic fiberglass and epoxy repair services (major kite/wing repairs may require shipping).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A family-oriented resort destination combining beach sports with dining and entertainment, anchored by local culture including 'Shag' dance traditions.
A historic landmark offering fishing and panoramic views of the coastline.
Showcases the regional history, from the development of the 'Shag' dance to maritime history.
Raised boardwalks through salt marshes for birdwatching and hiking.
Popular beachfront pub and grill with a deck overlooking the Atlantic.
One of the largest reptile facilities in the world located nearby at Barefoot Landing.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove to Pier Area)?
The best overall months at North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove to Pier Area) are August, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove to Pier Area)?
North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove to Pier Area) works with SW, NE, E winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove to Pier Area)?
Recommended equipment sizes at North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove to Pier Area): Kitesurfing: 10–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–7 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove to Pier Area) suitable for?
North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove to Pier Area) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.