Looking for something fun to do on the beach besides sit in the sun and sizzle? Check out these five fun beach activities offered in the Myrtle Beach area:
Beach volleyball: Folks looking to get up a game of beach volleyball used to have to roam the oceanfront trying to find a net and enough people to play a decent match. The city of Myrtle Beach changed that last year by adding a series of beach volleyball courts in the downtown district. Located on an oceanfront lot near the corner of Ninth Avenue North and Ocean Boulevard, this complex features six regulation courts, making it a popular hangout among volleyball players so it's always easy to get involved in a game. League play is held during certain times of the year, usually in the late afternoons, but there is always a vacant court or two and few folks willing to knock the ball around.
Exercise classes: One of the top reasons people give for not working out is their disdain for a stuffy indoor gym. Well, there are no excuses while you are in Myrtle Beach because several fitness centers offer workout sessions on the beach overlooking the scenic Atlantic Ocean. Let the sound of the waves take your mind to a happy place and the ocean breeze keep you cool while you take part in yoga, Pilates, CrossFit and other exercise disciplines under the direction of experienced instructors. BeachFit in North Myrtle Beach offers a boot camp for folks who want to work up a sweat on the beach. If the group setting is not for you, go for a run on the beach at low tide to take advantage of the packed-down sand.
Horseback riding: Horses are banned from Myrtle Beach and most of the Grand Strand except for the winter months, but you can still saddle up and splash through the surf at Inlet Point Plantation in nearby Little River. Located near the Carolina border, this outfitter has access to Waites Island, a conservation area not covered under local jurisdictions. Packs of riders cross over the dunes at Dunn Sound and get a wonderful view of the coastal barrier island from atop their steed.
Nature tours: Myrtle Beach State Park, South Carolina's oldest and most popular state park, is located on the south end of the Strand close to Market Common. Featuring a nature center that hosts various interactive learning programs, Myrtle Beach State Park offers a wide range of beach activities that are both fun and educational for the whole family. Go beachcombing for shells and sharks' teeth, look for turtles' nests and rare species native to the Carolina coast, and go crabbing, fishing and seining off the pier. All programs are free with paid park admission, which is $4 for adults. Myrtle Beach State Park also offers tours and hiking trips through the maritime forest and wetlands.
Surf camps: If you've always wanted to learn to surf but never had the time or waves to do so, this is your chance. The Grand Strand has several watersports outfitters that offer surf lessons and camps. Seek private instruction or join in one of the scheduled camps. Experienced surfers and certified lifeguards provide the basics of hanging ten, from getting your board out past the breakers to standing up and balancing on your board. Surfboards are provided at most of the camps, and many of the patrons get up on their boards and experience the thrill of riding their wave on the very same day. Some of the top outfitters include Jack's Surf Lessons, Kokopelli Surf & Paddleboard Lessons and Palmetto Surf School.
(Posted: 6/25/15)