For those of our guests staying in Garden City Beach or Surfside Beach, water sports are a prime activity for the whole family! From fishing off of the Pier at Garden City Beach to jumping on a banana boat for a thrilling ride, you'll find water sports for every adventure level. Start planning a stay in either Garden City Beach or Surfside Beach for a fun-filled family vacation unlike any other!
Here is a guide to our favorite Grand Strand water sports!
Boarding on the Grand Strand
The waves are one of the best playgrounds available on the Grand Strand! Whether you want to skim board on the waves, boogie board in the surf, or go without a board altogether and body board, you're sure to have fun in the warm Atlantic Ocean waters! However you decide to play in the surf, be sure that you are following the rules of Surfside Beach or Garden City Beach!
If you really want to catch a wave during your Surfside Beach beach vacation, take a surfboard out! In the summer, surfing is allowed in the area between 12th Avenue North and 14th Avenue North as well as the area between 13th Avenue South into Garden City Beach. Rent a surfboard from a local company and get ready to paddle out for a day of fun!
As for Garden City Beach, surfing is allowed anywhere on the beach from sunrise to sunset. However, surfers must stay 75 yards away from the pier. In the summer, you can expect small waves perfect for beginners looking to try their hand at surfing while the winter offers bigger waves for more experienced surfers.
We recommend the Village Surf Shoppe for surfboard rentals, lessons, and hand-crafted Perfection Surfboards for sale. Choose between private lessons, group lessons, or a multi-day group lesson to really focus on your technique!
Fishing on the Grand Strand
The Grand Strand is a hub for fishermen wanting to cast a line! With saltwater fishing, pier fishing, and intercoastal waterway fishing, there are a variety of opportunities to cast a line and reel in a catch. Book a fishing charter to take you out on the Atlantic or through the Intercoastal Waterway to spend the day out on the water.
The Pier at Garden City Beach is a can’t-miss fishing spot! And if you are traveling light and need to rent a rod, you can get everything you need to spend a day casting a line at the bait shop right on the pier!
Grand Strand Water Sports Equipment Rentals
Guests wanting to get out on the water on their own will find rentals a great option! Whether you want to paddle on the serene waters with a kayak or paddleboard or a bit more speed with a jet ski, you’ll find rental opportunities at a variety of locations. Express Watersports in Murrells Inlet offers guests everything from kayak rentals to scuba diving excursions, fishing charters, and more. Book a rental or experience to get yourself out on the water during your stay in a South Strand vacation home.
Parasailing & Banana Boat Rides
If your idea of water sports has a bit more thrill and action, the Grand Strand will not disappoint! Grab some friends and hop on a banana boat for a bumpy ride soaring over the ocean. Or for a more peaceful ride, take a parasailing excursion to see the Grand Strand from above! Both Ocean Watersports in Myrtle Beach and Shoreline Watersports in Surfside Beach offers parasailing and banana boat rides!
Find Your Grand Strand Vacation Rental
Now that you know all of the fun that awaits with Grand Strand watersports, start planning a stay in a coastal vacation home! With oceanfront locations and amenities like private pools, elevators, and hot tubs, you’ll find just the right home-away-from-home along the Carolina Coast!
