Is North Myrtle Beach safe?
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates North Myrtle Beach as “Go”.
Gogo's take on North Myrtle Beach
“Go. North Myrtle Beach is a relaxed, family-friendly coastal community that is significantly safer and quieter than the bustling resort core of Myrtle Beach to the south. Violent crime rates are low, and standard vacation precautions against opportunistic car and beach-gear theft are generally all that is needed.”
About the area
North Myrtle Beach is a sprawling coastal municipality known for its wide sandy beaches, golf resorts, and relaxed residential vibe across neighborhoods like Cherry Grove and Ocean Drive. It features popular entertainment hubs like Barefoot Landing alongside historic shag-dancing clubs and waterfront seafood eateries. Visitors enjoy a safe, low-stress beach vacation environment with a strong presence of retirees and second-home owners.
- Family-Friendly
- Beachfront Resort
- Retirement Haven
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in North Myrtle Beach
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 46/100
There is no municipal bike-share system, but recreational cycling is popular on residential beach side streets and the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex trails.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to neighboring Myrtle Beach proper
- Stable residential economy with higher median household incomes and a substantial retiree population
- Well-maintained oceanfront resorts, public beach accesses, and golf communities
- Active local police presence and reliable public safety infrastructure during peak tourist season
Cons
- Seasonal surges in property crimes like vehicle break-ins and unattended beach theft
- Heavy summer traffic congestion along US-17 and Ocean Boulevard
- High seasonal housing vacancy rate during winter months can make some streets feel secluded
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in North Myrtle Beach, particularly compared to Myrtle Beach proper, with occasional individuals noticed along commercial segments of Highway 17 but no established encampments.
What North Myrtle Beach is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with early-rising walkers, joggers, and shell seekers along the shoreline and Main Street.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy and vibrant around beach access points and Barefoot Landing, with heavy vacation traffic but very safe conditions.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively and welcoming around dining spots and shag music venues, feeling safe for families and couples out for dinner.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally quiet outside of a few late-night beach bars along Ocean Boulevard, where mild alcohol-fueled disturbances can occasionally occur.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by Coast RTA (Route 17 connects North Myrtle Beach with Myrtle Beach), but service frequency is low and the area is overwhelmingly car-dependent; there is no passenger rail or BRT.
Public beach access lots and street-end spots are paid from March through October via mobile app or pay stations (around $3 to $4 per hour), while shopping centers like Barefoot Landing offer vast free parking lots.
Things to do in North Myrtle Beach
- Walk the historic Ocean Drive section of Main Street to experience local beach music and shag dancing clubs.
- Spend a morning fishing, sightseeing, or relaxing by the ocean at the iconic Cherry Grove Pier.
- Explore Barefoot Landing for waterfront shopping, casual dining, and live music along the Intracoastal Waterway.
Local favorites
- Hoskins Restaurant · Southern & Seafood Restaurant · 4.6★ (3200)A beloved family-owned Main Street institution serving traditional Southern comfort fare, fried seafood, and homemade pies since 1948.
- Flying Fish Public Market & Grill · Seafood Restaurant · 4.4★ (3800)A bustling waterfront venue at Barefoot Landing offering fresh-catch seafood, raw oyster selections, and a casual outdoor patio.
- LuLu's North Myrtle Beach · American Waterfront Eatery · 4.3★ (4900)A massive, energetic family destination along the Intracoastal with scratch-made coastal dishes, an arcade, and a ropes course.
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.