What's the best time to visit Myrtle Beach?
The best time to visit Myrtle Beach is during the shoulder seasons from March to May or September to October when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are smaller.
Hotel rates are reasonable, and most attractions are open. May, in particular, offers perfect weather with temperatures around 80°F, making it an ideal time to enjoy the beach and explore the area.
Myrtle Beach is a favorite summer getaway spot in South Carolina for thousands of travelers every year. A vacation here brings the smell of the salty air of the Atlantic Ocean to you as you lounge on the sandy beaches.
Myrtle Beach boasts some of the best golf courses in the country while also housing amusement parks and outlet shopping along the Atlantic Coast. It’s the perfect destination for every family member and travel style.
This seaside strip of paradise has countless fun things to do and see. Widen your eyes as you take in the impressive views on the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel.
If you want to plan your trip during the best time to visit Myrtle Beach, keep reading. Below, we’ve got the answers to the cheapest, busiest, and best times to visit Myrtle Beach.
Overall Best Time to Visit Myrtle Beach
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The best time to visit Myrtle Beach is during the shoulder seasons, before and after the summer high season.
Come to Myrtle Beach between March and May or September to October to get the best of Myrtle Beaches’ great weather and impressive scenery without the bustling crowds, traffic, and lines.
Hotel rates are generally lower during this time, but they are not yet at their lowest. However, there are fewer people, and more attractions will be open than in the winter.
March marks the beginning of springtime in Myrtle Beach, which brings a beautiful energy to the beachside city. Hotel rates will have started to rise after the off-season in preparation for the high season, but you’re still likely to find good deals.
Myrtle Beach begins to come alive in April as golf courses reopen and the weather is balmy enough to enjoy the beach.
Additionally, the hotel prices haven’t yet reached their peak. Be aware that April has an average of five days of rainfall, so come prepared with an umbrella and sunscreen.
May is a beautiful time to visit Myrtle Beach because it is just before the summer high season crowds, and the weather is perfect! The weather in Myrtle Beach will range from the lowest temperatures in March being around 43°F to the highest temperatures in May being around 80°F.
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The optimal time to visit Myrtle Beach to get the best value for your money is during the winter off-season, between November and December.
Between these months, Myrtle Beach tourism is at its all-time low. During this time, hotels offer discounted rates to attract budget-conscious travelers. While you’ll save on hotel costs, not all Myrtle Beach attractions are open year-round.
Many attractions in Myrtle Beach are open between Memorial Day and Labor Day, so you’ll often find that restaurants close after the summer crowds leave the city.
In addition, some attractions reduce their operating hours or close entirely for the off-season. The temperature in Myrtle Beach drops in November. Temperatures reach highs of 68°F and lows of 44°F.
December is a bit of a mixed bag. The weather is unpredictable, with highs of 59°F and lows of 38°F and about six days on average of rainfall throughout the month.
January is the month with the cheapest hotel rates, but it is also the coldest month and has the least available options for open attractions and restaurants. Therefore, the cons outweigh the pros.
Least Busy Time to Visit Myrtle Beach
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The least busy times to visit Myrtle Beach are the same as the best times to visit. Come to Myrtle Beach between August and September or March and May to avoid the crowds before or after the summer high season rush.
You’ll experience this beachside paradise with significantly fewer crowds than in June and July. Coming off of the busy summer season, Myrtle Beach slowly begins to quiet in August.
It is the area’s least crowded summer month, especially towards the end of the month. However, this means some attractions and restaurants could operate at reduced hours or have closed for the season.
Like July, Myrtle Beach in August gets lots of rain. In addition to the increase in precipitation, the humidity in the air in August creates a higher likelihood of thunderstorms.
While these can be spectacular light shows to some, travelers with kids or animals afraid of thunder should plan to visit during the earlier summer months. In August, you can expect highs of 87°F and lows of 71°F.
However, September is one of the best times to visit Myrtle Beach to take advantage of the great weather without the crowds, with temperatures reaching highs of 84°F and lows of 66°F.
The fall golfing season in Myrtle Beach brings sports lovers and their families to this South Carolina stretch of paradise. Hotel rates are still higher than in the off-season, but you’re more likely to get good deals in September.
October is the best time to visit Myrtle Beach for a relaxing beach getaway. The weather is more temperate during this time, with highs of 76°F and comfortable yet cozy lows of 55°F. October in Myrtle Beach sees an average of five days of monthly rainfall.
Out of these three months, hotel rates are the lowest in October, and the beaches are virtually empty but with still enough sun out on most days to make it enjoyable.
Worst Time to Visit Myrtle Beach
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Two times during the year are deemed the worst times to visit Myrtle beach: January and February and the summer high season.
January and February
These two months are the worst times to visit Myrtle Beach because of lousy weather. There is also a minimal chance of snow during this time. It is rare but has happened in the past, specifically during this time of year.
However, Myrtle Beach does see five days of average rainfall in February. January in Myrtle Beach has the coldest temperatures and an average of six days of rainfall per month.
So while January has the best hotel rates, it is because the temperatures usually don’t exceed 57°F and can reach below 30°F. February temperatures also reach the low 30s, while highs usually don’t reach higher than 60°F.
It is also the windiest month of the year, so pack enough warm clothes and jackets to protect you from the chilly coastal winds.
There are virtually no crowds, and because of this, most attractions are closed or operating at reduced hours. Therefore, finding things to do and places to eat in Myrtle Beach is the most difficult during this time.
The benefit of visiting during January and February is that you’re likely to have the beach all to yourself, but it might be too cold to wear a bathing suit! However, if you enjoy sitting on the beach and enjoying the open ocean views, you’ll have plenty of room to do so.
The Summer High Season
The second worst time to visit Myrtle Beach is during the high season. If you visit Myrtle Beach in June and July, you’ll likely experience crowded beaches, busy restaurants, congested traffic, thunderstorms, and the highest hotel rates of the year.
Summer travelers flock to beautiful Myrtle Beach in crowds in June and July.
As a result, hotel rates rise, and some even sell out if you don’t book far enough in advance. All Myrtle Beach restaurants and attractions are open but will often require reservations or should be booked ahead because of the number of people visiting.
June gets an average of seven days of rainfall throughout the month, and thunderstorms are possible. July is the hottest month in Myrtle Beach, yet also one of the wettest.
With eight days of monthly rainfall, you’re likely to experience a rainy day and maybe even a thunderstorm during your trip in July. The highs in June and July can exceed 90°F. The lows in June can get as low as the mid 60s, but they will rarely break below 70°F in July.
So, What Is the Best Time to Visit Myrtle Beach?
Myrtle Beach is an ideal getaway spot along the coast of South Carolina. This stretch of beach paradise has fun activities and amusement parks, sandy beaches perfect for sunbathing or playing beach volleyball, and golf courses that are challenging and breathtaking.
The best time to visit Myrtle Beach is just before or just after the summer crowds when the weather is warm, attractions are open, and hotel rates are more reasonably priced.
Travel to Myrtle Beach in May/June or September/October to experience this idyllic place almost all to yourself. Ready to check Myrtle Beach off your travel bucket list? This affordable and easy to get to vacation spot is calling your name.
Happy travels!