With 60 miles of sandy beaches flanked by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Intracoastal Waterway to the west, and lots of pristine wetlands and woodlands in between, the Myrtle Beach area offers plenty of opportunities to step outside your comfort zone and into the fun zone. And with dozens of tours, rentals and extreme-sports attractions to choose from, you can find the right fit for your sense of adventure. Here are four ways to do something different during your Myrtle Beach vacation:
* Jet skiing: Experience full-throttle thrills by hopping aboard one of these motorcycles on water. Rent a ride for an hour or all day and make some serious waves in local inlets and waterways. Patrons receive safety instruction and equipment to go with their high-horsepowered machine, and outfitters can give you direction on the best waters for sightseeing or for opening it up on open stretches. Adults can carry children as passengers, or each licensed driver can rent his or her own and your party can go out as a pack. Visitors have lots of options for local outfitters, including Aloha Watersports, just one block north of The Breakers. Other popular outfitters include Downwind Sails, Express Watersports, Island Adventure Watersports, Myrtle Beach Watersports and Ocean Watersports.
* Kayaking: If you prefer to explore local waters with a little more tranquility and a lot less horsepower, kayaking has become a popular pastime in the booming ecotourism industry. Outfitters offer rentals and guided tours to some of the Grand Strand's hidden secrets you can only reach by boat, such as Bird Island and Waites Island on the North Strand, and Huntington Beach State Park and The Point in Garden City Beach on the South Strand. Great Escapes Kayak Expeditions and Glass Bottom Kayak Tours, both operated out of North Myrtle Beach, also offer trips down the Intracoastal Waterway and Waccamaw River. Crazy Sister Marina and Express Watersports in Murrells Inlet offers kayak rentals and tours of the Waccamaw Neck and barrier islands of the Lowcountry. If you prefer standing over sitting, these same outfitters also offer paddleboarding lessons and tours.
* Sailing: Why not hit the high seas while you are so close to the shore? Whether you want to go deep-sea fishing, take a dolphin-watching cruise or simply take a tour of some of the more scenic spots on the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, a plethora of charter boats offers all kinds of trips. For a tamer excursion, the Barefoot Princess at Barefoot Landing offers daily tours down the Intracoastal Waterway, while the Big M Casino cruise ship provides a scenic trip out to international waters for a day or night of casino-style gambling. Perhaps the most unique voyage is the Blackbeard's Pirate Cruise in North Myrtle Beach, which takes the crew on a hunt for hidden treasure in a race against the notorious pirate of local lore. Check your Sun Fun Rewards package for a free ticket to this attraction and others.
* Zip Line/Ropes Course: For those who like to stay high and dry rather than engage in water sports, the Grand Strand has you covered. The explosion of ecotourism attractions in the area includes several zip line and ropes courses, such as Adrenaline Adventures on the former Pavilion site in the downtown district, Radical Ropes on South Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach and Soar + Explore at Broadway at the Beach. For a more natural experience, the new Go Ape Treetop Adventure course at the North Myrtle Beach Sports and Recreation Complex is the way to go. Maneuver through a series of obstacles high in the canopy and zip across a 25-acre lake for a thrilling finish to the fun.
After a long day of trying something new, you can return to the familiar comfort and hospitality you can expect from The Breakers Resort. We look forward to helping you make more happy vacation memories.
