- Visitors may access the beach from any of the Town's 36 access points.
- Wheelchair access is available at the 3rd Avenue North entrance, Surfside Pier, and Melody Lane accesses.
- Special Beach wheelchairs are available through the Surfside Beach Public Safety Department.
- Please visit the Department at 811 Pine Drive or call (843)913-6368 for more information.
Parking
The Town of Surfside Beach provides pay-station or metered parking spaces at the following 12 beach area parking lots:
- 16th-17th Ave. North
- 6th Ave. North
- 3rd Ave. North
- Surfside Pier
- Yaupon Drive
- 3rd Ave. South
- 4th Ave. South
- 5th Ave. South
- 6th Ave. South
- 13th South & Ocean Blvd
- 13th Ave. South
- Melody Lane
Facilities
Restroom facilities, showers, and foot-showers can be found at the following beach access points:
- 1st Ave. North- Shower Tower
- 2nd Ave. North- Shower Tower
- 3rd Ave. North- Shower Tower/Restrooms
- 8th Ave. North- Shower Tower
- Surfside Pier- Shower Tower/Restrooms
- 2nd Ave. South- Shower Tower
- 3rd Ave. South- Shower Tower
- 5th Ave. South- Shower Tower/Restrooms
- 6th Ave. South- Shower Tower
- 7th Ave. South- Shower Tower
- 10th Ave. South- Shower Tower
- 13th Ave. South- Shower Tower
Rules of the Beach
To both ensure the safety of our residents and visitors and preserve the unique quality of life that gives our Town its charm, the Town asks all beachgoers to abide by the following rules:
- Vehicles
- No motor vehicles, other than those used by lifeguards, police, or other Town personnel, are permitted to operate on the beach at any time.
- Animals
- Dogs or other domestic pets are not permitted on the public beach during the period between May 15 and September 15.
- Horses and other large animals are not allowed on the beach.
Boats and Fishing
- Operation of any watercraft in a reckless or negligent manner is strictly prohibited.
- Operation of any watercraft while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is unlawful.
- Launching of watercrafts is limited to the 4th Ave. South beach access only.
- Boat parking-storage is provided for at the designated parking facility located between 3rd Ave. and 4th Avenue South on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Boats are not permitted to operate any closer than 50 yards from the shoreline.
- Jet skis are not permitted to operate any closer than 150 yards from the shoreline between May 15 and September 15.
- Shark fishing within the Town's limits is prohibited.
- Commercial fishing on the public beach is not permitted.
Swimming, Surfing and Safety
Lifeguards, deputies, and other Town officials supervise and regulate surf fishing, swimming, and other activities on the Town's beach.
- To report lost children please contact the Surfside Beach Police Department at (843) 913-6368.
- Fireworks are not permitted on the public beach.
- No alcoholic beverages are permitted on the beach.
- Lifeguard instructions are to be obeyed AT ALL TIMES.
- Swimmers are to venture into the water no deeper than chest-deep and no further than 50 yards from the shoreline.
- Surfing is prohibited within 300 feet of the fishing pier.
- Summer Season Surfing - During the period between May 15 and September 15, surfing is permitted only in designated areas between10:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
- Off- Season Surfing - Between the periods of September 15 and May 15, surfing is allowed anywhere along the beach from sunup to sundown, except areas within 300 hundred feet of the fishing pier.
- Surfers are required to wear surfing leashes at all times.
- Umbrellas, tents, etc. must be placed 10' to the rear of guard stands.
- Lifeguard stations can be found at the following locations:
- Holiday Inn at 16th Ave. North
- 12th Ave. North
- 6th Ave. North
- 3rd Ave. North
- 1st Ave. North
- Days Inn at Pier
- 4th Ave. South
- 7th Ave. South
- 10th Ave. South
- 13th Ave. South