92°
Sunny
6%
69
Horry County, SC · Atlantic Ocean
Garden City Beach
Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
A laid-back unincorporated beach community south of Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach straddles the Horry/Georgetown county line. Its centerpiece is the Garden City Pier with arcade, restaurants, and live music, anchoring a family-friendly stretch of wide Grand Strand beach.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 85°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 104. South wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 80. Heat index values as high as 102. Southwest wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Weather
- 92°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 85°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
- NWS alert active — heat advisory issued july 18 at 2:52pm edt until july 18 at 8:00pm edt by nws wilmington nc
48 /100
ok
31 Swim
56 Sunbathe
75 Walk
43 Fish
73 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.7 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Beach Hazard Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Strong south to north longshore current. * WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal Pender and Coastal New Hanover Counties. In South Carolina, Coastal Horry and Coastal Georgetown Counties. * WHEN...Today. * IMPACTS...Longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers into rip currents, piers, jetties, and other hazardous areas. It may sweep swimmers off their feet, making it difficult to return to shore.
Weather alert in effect
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:52PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Atmosphere
Air Temp
92°F
Clear
Wind
17 mph
S
Rain
6%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
94°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
85°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
11:45 PM
5.3 ft · in 2.6h
Wave Height
3.3 ft
5s · S swell
Barometer
29.99 inHg
1016 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
82 MPN/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 7mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:18 AM
Sunset
8:25 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:22 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 11:34 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 5:34 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 11:45 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:07 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 12:30 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 6:27 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:38 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 6:52 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 1:24 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 7:22 PM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:29 AM | High | 4.5 ft |
| 7:39 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 2:14 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 8:22 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:19 AM | High | 4.2 ft |
| 8:29 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 3:04 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 9:25 PM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:09 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 9:23 AM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 3:53 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 10:25 PM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:01 AM | High | 3.9 ft |
| 10:17 AM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 4:44 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 11:16 PM | Low | 1.1 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8661070, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
94°
Sunny
13%
63
92°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
22%
34
91°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
30%
25
90°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
37%
19
86°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
74%
17
86°
Rain Showers Likely
56%
54
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 17 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 85°F
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 92°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Minor
10:20 PM - 11:20 PM
Major
3:50 AM - 5:50 AM
Minor
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Major
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Free year-round parking at all oceanfront beach accesses and at Horry County Nash Street access. Paid parking lots available along Magnolia Drive off Waccamaw Drive.
Dogs
Horry County portion: leash required at all times (max 6 ft); dogs prohibited on beach 10am–5pm from May 1 through Labor Day. Georgetown County portion: leashed 9am–7pm, voice control other hours.
Entry Fee
Free beach access; free oceanfront parking
Address
Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Garden City Beach today?
Garden City Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Garden City Beach dog-friendly?
Horry County portion: leash required at all times (max 6 ft); dogs prohibited on beach 10am–5pm from May 1 through Labor Day. Georgetown County portion: leashed 9am–7pm, voice control other hours.
Is there an entry fee at Garden City Beach?
Entry to Garden City Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Garden City Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Garden City Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Garden City Beach?
Amenities at Garden City Beach include lifeguards (seasonal, May 15 – Sept 15), restrooms, showers, fishing pier, arcade, restaurants.
When is the water warmest at Garden City Beach?
Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.
Where is Garden City Beach located?
Garden City Beach is in Horry County, SC, at Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS