Is Southeast Myrtle Beach safe?
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Southeast Myrtle Beach as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Southeast Myrtle Beach
“Go with care. While daytime beach activities and waterfront amenities are generally lively and accessible, property crime and seasonal rowdiness are persistent issues along older hotel corridors. Maintain situational awareness late at night, secure personal belongings, and stick to well-lit resort areas.”
Myrtle Beach police continue focused seasonal enforcement initiatives along South Ocean Boulevard to address cruising, noise disturbances, and opportunistic thefts.
About the area
Southeast Myrtle Beach spans the southern stretch of Ocean Boulevard and Kings Highway, offering beachfront motels, mini-golf, and proximity to Myrtle Beach State Park. The area balances bustling family-friendly tourist traffic with older commercial pockets that experience higher transient activity.
- Beachfront Strip
- Tourist Heavy
- Budget Lodging
- Seasonal
Walking and biking in Southeast Myrtle Beach
Walk score: 54/100 · Bike score: 50/100
Cyclists can use wide sidewalks and shared-lane roadways along Ocean Boulevard, with dedicated multi-use trails located nearby inside Myrtle Beach State Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Immediate walking access to wide public beaches and coastal recreation areas.
- Abundant casual dining, piers, and family entertainment venues within easy reach.
- Enhanced seasonal police patrols and surveillance cameras across major resort corridors.
Cons
- Elevated rates of property crime, notably vehicle break-ins in motel parking areas.
- Significant concentration of aging, budget-tier lodging prone to noise and disturbances.
- Pockets of elevated local poverty and vacancy off the main commercial avenues.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present along Kings Highway and commercial strip centers, though encampments are largely kept away from the primary oceanfront resort frontage.
What Southeast Myrtle Beach is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe with runners, dog walkers, and early beachgoers along the oceanfront.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy and energetic with family crowds, beach gear rentals, and steady automotive traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively around restaurants and mini-golf spots, generally fine in lit commercial clusters.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Noticeable drop in safety around unlit motel blocks and side streets where loitering and property crime tick up.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by Coast RTA with Route 15S and Route 16 serving Kings Highway and Ocean Boulevard; there is no passenger rail system in Myrtle Beach.
Public parking is managed via metered street spaces and city lots along Ocean Boulevard (around $2-$3/hr in season), while most resorts provide dedicated guest decks.
Things to do in Southeast Myrtle Beach
- Explore the nature trails, maritime forest, and fishing pier at Myrtle Beach State Park.
- Play a classic round of miniature golf at Jurassic Golf or Shipwreck Island Adventure Golf.
- Stroll along the historic Springmaid Pier for scenic ocean views and fishing.
Local favorites
- Damon's Grill · American Restaurant · 4.3★ (5400)Longstanding oceanfront restaurant popular for BBQ ribs and expansive Atlantic views.
- Loco Gecko Beach Chophouse · Bar & Grill · 4.1★ (1900)Vibrant beachside eatery offering burgers, pizza, and casual cocktails with a lively patio.
- Southern Tide Bar & Grille · Seafood Restaurant · 4.3★ (1100)Laid-back dining situated directly on the pier serving coastal seafood and cold drinks.
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.