Is South 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 South North Myrtle Beach as “Go”.
Gogo's take on South North Myrtle Beach
“Go. South North Myrtle Beach offers a safe, welcoming coastal environment with substantially lower violent crime rates than central Myrtle Beach. While standard vigilance against opportunistic property theft in beach parking areas is necessary, it remains one of the safest resort sections along the Grand Strand.”
About the area
Encompassing the relaxed communities of Windy Hill and Crescent Beach, South North Myrtle Beach features wide sandy shorelines alongside popular shopping and dining attractions like Barefoot Landing. The area combines quiet residential pockets, golf villas, and oceanfront resorts catering primarily to families and retirees.
- Family-Friendly
- Coastal Resort
- Waterfront Dining
- Relaxed Beachfront
Walking and biking in South North Myrtle Beach
Walk score: 45/100 · Bike score: 52/100
Biking along Ocean Boulevard and quiet residential avenues is popular and manageable, though dedicated protected bike lanes are sparse and crossing Highway 17 requires extra caution.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates than neighboring central Myrtle Beach
- Affluent seasonal and year-round residential pockets with active community policing
- Clean, family-oriented beachfronts with designated public safety and lifeguard coverage
- Convenient access to major retail, grocery, and dining complexes along Highway 17
Cons
- Seasonal uptick in vehicular property crimes and beach-item theft during summer months
- High housing vacancy rates driven by short-term vacation rentals and second homes
- Heavy summer traffic congestion and pedestrian risks along the US-17 commercial corridor
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is very low in this part of North Myrtle Beach, with no established encampments and only occasional isolated panhandling along the Highway 17 commercial corridor.
What South North Myrtle Beach is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and highly safe, with joggers, cyclists, and dog walkers enjoying Ocean Boulevard and the beach.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and active as families and vacationers frequent the beach accesses, golf courses, and open-air plazas.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Safe and pleasantly bustling around waterfront entertainment hubs, restaurants, and resort promenades.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and generally secure throughout residential zones, though typical caution should be taken near late-night bars.
Transit, parking and getting around
Coast RTA operates limited regional bus service along Route 17 connecting to the rest of Horry County, but headways are long and the area is largely automobile-dependent.
Public beach access parking is metered from March through October (roughly $2 to $4 per hour), while large retail centers like Barefoot Landing provide extensive free surface parking.
Things to do in South North Myrtle Beach
- Stroll the boardwalk, browse boutique shops, and catch live music at Barefoot Landing
- Spend a relaxing day sunbathing or paddleboarding along Windy Hill Beach
- Attend a high-energy theatrical production or concert at the Alabama Theatre
Local favorites
- Barefoot Landing · Shopping Complex & Entertainment Hub · 4.6★ (18500)Sprawling open-air boardwalk village along the Intracoastal Waterway with shopping, dining, and attractions.
- Flying Fish Public Market & Grill · Seafood Restaurant · 4.5★ (4200)Waterfront dining establishment offering fresh local seafood, raw bar selections, and Lowcountry specialties.
- LuLu's North Myrtle Beach · Family Restaurant · 4.4★ (5100)Lucy Buffett's vibrant waterfront restaurant featuring coastal fare, an arcade, ropes course, and live music.
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.