Is Central Myrtle Beach safe?
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Central Myrtle Beach as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Central Myrtle Beach
“Go with care. Central Myrtle Beach offers bustling oceanfront attractions and entertainment, but visitors should maintain situational awareness, especially after dark. Stick to well-lit, populated commercial corridors and secure your belongings to minimize the risk of opportunistic crime.”
City authorities continue to enforce seasonal curfews for unaccompanied minors and increase police foot patrols along Ocean Boulevard following periodic late-night disturbances.
About the area
Central Myrtle Beach serves as the energetic core of the Grand Strand, encompassing the iconic oceanfront Boardwalk, SkyWheel, and bustling souvenir shops along Ocean Boulevard. While heavily patrolled during the summer peak, the area shifts sharply off-season and late at night into an urban pocket with higher rates of property crime and street-level disturbances.
- Tourist Hub
- Boardwalk / Oceanfront
- Nightlife Heavy
- High Density
Walking and biking in Central Myrtle Beach
Walk score: 68/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Bicycles are permitted on the Boardwalk during early morning hours only during peak season, and cyclists can connect to the nearby Perron Trail or Grand Strand cycling routes along secondary streets, though dedicated bike lanes on primary thoroughfares remain scarce.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Heavy police and private security presence along the Boardwalk and Ocean Boulevard during peak tourist season
- Direct, immediate access to public beach accesses, oceanfront amenities, and dining
- High density of commercial establishments, grocery stores, and emergency services within a short drive
Cons
- Significantly elevated per-capita property crime and theft rates compared to the national average, heavily influenced by transient tourist traffic
- Pockets of high residential poverty and aging rental housing stock just blocks inland along Kings Highway
- Frequent late-night alcohol-related disorderly conduct and scuffles near nightlife venues along the main strip
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately high in Central Myrtle Beach, particularly along the Kings Highway corridor and vacant lots a few blocks inland from the ocean. Panhandling is common near convenience stores and major intersections, with local support services concentrated further inland toward Broadway at the Beach and Highway 501.
What Central Myrtle Beach is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog walkers, and early risers catching the sunrise along the Boardwalk with very low safety concern.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Crowded and vibrant with beachgoers, families, and shoppers, presenting low violent risk but heightened risk of petty theft if valuables are left unattended.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Energetic and loud with dining and nightlife crowds; comfortable along major brightly lit strips, though vigilance is advised around crowded bar zones.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Risk increases significantly after midnight as bars close and crowds thin, leading to more frequent altercations, intoxicated loitering, and isolated muggings off the main strip.
Transit, parking and getting around
Coast RTA operates local bus service throughout Myrtle Beach, with Route 15S and Route 16 connecting Central Myrtle Beach along Kings Highway and to the Myrtle Beach International Airport. There is no passenger rail or BRT network in the region.
City-managed street metered spaces and public parking lots line Ocean Boulevard and nearby avenues, typically costing $2.00 to $3.00 per hour during the in-season enforcement window from March through October. Multiple paid garages exist near the Boardwalk and Convention Center.
Things to do in Central Myrtle Beach
- Take a ride on the 187-foot Myrtle Beach SkyWheel for panoramic views of the Atlantic coastline
- Stroll along the 1.2-mile oceanfront Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade
- Explore the quirky oddities and interactive exhibits at Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Local favorites
- RipTydz Oceanfront Grille & Rooftop Bar · American Restaurant & Bar · 4.3★ (7450)Multi-level oceanfront venue offering fresh seafood, burgers, and panoramic rooftop views.
- The Bowery · Live Music Bar · 4.5★ (3820)Historic country music bar famous as the house band venue for the band Alabama.
- Mad Myrtle's Ice Creamery · Ice Cream Shop · 4.6★ (1120)Vibrant Boardwalk dessert spot serving classic scoops, funnel cakes, and smoothies.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.