Is East Myrtle Beach safe?
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates East Myrtle Beach as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on East Myrtle Beach
“Go with care. East Myrtle Beach contains the city's iconic oceanfront boardwalk, resorts, and popular family attractions, making it bustling and heavily visited during daylight hours. However, elevated property crime, tourist-targeted theft, and occasional late-night altercations along Ocean Boulevard and Kings Highway warrant strong situational awareness after dark.”
Myrtle Beach Police have increased foot patrols and seasonal surveillance along Ocean Boulevard to curb late-night disorderly conduct and vehicle break-ins during peak tourist months.
About the area
East Myrtle Beach is the coastal entertainment strip of the city, encompassing sandy oceanfront stretches, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, and bustling tourist corridors along Ocean Boulevard. It features a dense mix of high-rise vacation resorts, classic beach motels, amusement attractions, and casual dining.
- Tourist Hub
- Beachfront Resort
- Boardwalk Amusements
- Nightlife Active
Walking and biking in East Myrtle Beach
Walk score: 72/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Bicycles are permitted on the boardwalk during designated morning hours, and cyclists can use coastal side streets, though dedicated bike lanes are limited along main thoroughfares.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- High daytime police visibility and dedicated tourist-oriented foot and bike patrols along the boardwalk
- Immediate access to well-maintained public beach accesses, lifeguards, and oceanfront amenities
- Abundant entertainment, dining, and family attractions within a compact coastal corridor
- Extensive lighting and active pedestrian infrastructure along the core boardwalk zone
Cons
- Significantly elevated rates of property crime, opportunistic thefts, and vehicle break-ins compared to national averages
- Pockets of economic distress, aging motels, and elevated poverty just a few blocks inland off Kings Highway
- Rowdy nightlife crowds and occasional late-night disorderly altercations along central Ocean Boulevard
- High seasonal congestion and heavy vehicle traffic making pedestrian road crossings challenging outside designated zones
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately noticeable, particularly around convenience stores, vacant lots, and bus stops near Kings Highway and older commercial blocks. Panhandling occurs occasionally near major pedestrian crossings, but large encampments are not present along the primary beachfront boardwalk.
What East Myrtle Beach is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with early morning joggers, beachcombers, and sunrise watchers enjoying quiet boardwalk conditions.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Energetic, crowded, and generally safe, filled with beachgoers, families, and high visible foot traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively and bustling around restaurants and attractions, though vigilance is advised regarding personal belongings in dense crowds.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Riskier atmosphere near bars and budget motel strips; caution is strongly advised to avoid poorly lit side streets and intoxicated disputes.
Transit, parking and getting around
Coast RTA operates local bus transit through the area, primarily Route 15S and seasonal entertainment shuttles along Kings Highway and Ocean Boulevard; there is no passenger rail or BRT network.
City-managed paid street parking and municipal lots are widespread along Ocean Boulevard and intersecting avenues, typically costing $2 to $3 per hour via park-and-pay kiosks or mobile apps from March through October.
Things to do in East Myrtle Beach
- Stroll along the 1.2-mile Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and ride the towering SkyWheel for panoramic ocean views
- Relax and swim along the wide public beaches with oceanfront pavilion amenities
- Explore oceanfront arcade games, souvenir shops, and carnival-style amusements along Ocean Boulevard
Local favorites
- Peaches Corner · Classic American Diner · 4.3★ (3200)Historic oceanfront eatery serving footlong hot dogs, burgers, and milkshakes since 1937.
- SkyWheel Myrtle Beach · Amusement Ride & Observation Wheel · 4.6★ (14500)Iconic 187-foot observation wheel offering climate-controlled gondola rides over the Atlantic coast.
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! Myrtle Beach · Museum & Attraction · 4.3★ (4800)Longstanding family-friendly museum showcasing oddities, bizarre artifacts, and interactive exhibits.
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.