Launching at a glance
- Ocean inlets
- Little River Inlet, Murrells Inlet, Winyah Bay
- Closest public ramps to an inlet
- Johnny Causey Landing (Little River); Murrells Inlet Boat Landing
- Central Myrtle Beach
- Waterway landings such as Peter Vaught Sr. and Enterprise; long run to an inlet
- Operator
- Horry County Parks and Recreation; Georgetown County at Murrells Inlet
- Before you go
- Check the coastal waters forecast for zone AMZ254 or AMZ256
The three inlets
Only three inlets connect the Grand Strand to the ocean:
- Little River Inlet at the North Carolina line, with rock jetties. Serves Little River, North Myrtle Beach, and Calabash.
- Murrells Inlet at the south end of Garden City Beach, with rock jetties. Serves Murrells Inlet and Garden City.
- Winyah Bay at Georgetown, a large bay entrance with long jetties. Serves Georgetown and the rivers.
Between them, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway runs behind the beach. Inland marinas reach the ocean by running the waterway to an inlet, which can take an hour or more from central Myrtle Beach.
Public landings
Horry County Parks and Recreation operates these landings (addresses from the county's page):
| Landing | Address | Water |
|---|---|---|
| Johnny Causey Landing | 2111 Little River Neck Rd, North Myrtle Beach | Intracoastal Waterway, near Little River Inlet |
| T. Craig Campbell Landing | 148 Morgan Ave, Little River | Little River waterfront |
| Peter Vaught Sr. Landing | 10923 Schultz Way, Myrtle Beach | Intracoastal Waterway |
| Enterprise Landing | 7999 Bay Rd, Myrtle Beach | Intracoastal Waterway |
| Socastee Landing and Park | 4299 Peachtree Rd, Myrtle Beach | Socastee area (see county page) |
| Rosewood Landing | 4698 Peachwood Ct, Myrtle Beach | Socastee area (see county page) |
| Peachtree Landing | 6652 Peachtree Rd, Myrtle Beach | Waccamaw River |
| Stanley Drive Landing | 292 Stanley Dr, Garden City | Creeks behind Garden City, toward Murrells Inlet |
In Georgetown County, the Murrells Inlet Boat Landing on U.S. 17 Business has several launch lanes and trailer parking. It is the closest public ramp to Murrells Inlet and very busy on summer weekends.
Several marinas also launch boats or offer dry-stack storage for a fee. See marinas in the directory.
Running an inlet safely
- Check the forecast and the tide before you leave the ramp. The NWS Wilmington coastal waters forecast for zone AMZ254 covers Little River Inlet to Murrells Inlet out 20 nautical miles; AMZ256 covers Murrells Inlet to the South Santee River.
- Outgoing tide plus onshore wind stacks up short, steep waves in the inlet mouth. If it looks bad from inside, it is worse outside.
- Stay in the marked channel. Shoals shift after storms; markers are moved to follow them.
- Give the jetties room. Waves wrap around the rock ends.
- Carry required safety gear and a VHF radio, and file a float plan.
Before you trailer
- Have a South Carolina saltwater license for everyone 16 and older aboard.
- Out-of-state boats can operate in South Carolina for a limited period on a valid home-state registration; check SCDNR boating rules if you are staying longer.
- Bring a cooler with ice; the run home from the reefs is long in summer heat.
In pictures
Photo credits and licenses · Photos are illustrative, not a specific local boat, business, or catch.
Who you will deal with
NWS Wilmington marine forecasts
More offices, with notes, are on the local resources page.
Find local help
Listings come from public records or from the business itself. A listing is not a recommendation.
Common questions
Can I launch in Myrtle Beach and go straight to the ocean?
No. There is no inlet in Myrtle Beach itself. Boats launched on the Intracoastal Waterway in central Myrtle Beach must run the waterway north to Little River Inlet or south toward Georgetown, which takes a long time. For ocean trips, launch at Little River or Murrells Inlet.
Is there a fee at Horry County boat landings?
Fees and parking rules are set by the county and can change. Check Horry County's boat landings page before you go.
Is Murrells Inlet safe for small boats?
In good weather, yes, but the inlet can turn rough when an outgoing tide meets an onshore wind or swell, and sandbars move. Watch the channel markers, avoid crossing the bar at maximum ebb in an onshore wind, and if you are new, follow a local boat or go out with a guide first.
Related guides
Sources
Official sources checked on October 29, 2026.