Best time to visit Myrtle Beach
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart recolours live for your heat & sea limits 27°C · sea 29°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
Default 29 °C is the Beach Climate Index "bathtub" line (Morgan et al.) — where the sea stops being refreshing and starts feeling like a warm bath.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
Compare with another destination
Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Tours in Myrtle Beach
30 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you.
- 1
Surf Lessons in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - 2
2 Hour Semi-Private Surf Lesson - 3
Catamaran Dolphin Cruise in Myrtle Beach with Barrier Island Stop - 4
Myrtle Beach Area Ghosts, Pirates and Historic Families Trolley Tour - 5
Capture Unforgettable Moments: Private Holiday Photography - 6
Private Surf Lesson in North Myrtle Beach - 7
Axe Throwing in North Myrtle Beach - 8
Waccamaw River Nature and Wildlife Tour - 9
Best Magic Show in Myrtle Beach! Comedy & Magic Michael Bairefoot - 10
The Escape Game at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach - 11
Original Motown Tribute Show - 12
2-Hour Guided Segway Tour of Huntington Beach State Park in Myrtle Beach - 13
Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show Ticket in Myrtle Beach - 14
Award Winning Las Vegas-Style Magic Show! Charles Bach Wonders! - 15
Legends in Concert Myrtle Beach Admission - 16
Private Surf Lessons in Myrtle Beach - 17
Kayak Salt Marsh Maze Tour - 18
Steve Falcon's Comedy Hypnosis Hour - 19
Kenny Rogers and Friends Live Tribute Show - 20
Jet Boat Ride on the Thrillseeker - 21
Riga Tony's Murder Mystery Dinner Show - 22
Original Motown Christmas Tribute Show - 23
Segway Tour at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex - 24
Myrtle Beach History, Movies and Music Trolley Tour - 25
Day Trips to Charleston#7 See Ft Sumter,CarriageTour,Lunch & more - 26
Myrtle Beach to Charleston with Horse & Carriage Ride, Harbor Cruise, Boone Hall - 27
Early Myrtle Beach History and The WWII Years Trolley Tour - 28
River Tubing & Kayaking - 29
Ocean Sunset Dolphin & Sealife Cruise in Murrells Inlet - 30
Murder in the Wild West
Last refreshed 2026-08-16.
Similar climatesCharleston97% · Tampa84% · Sitges83%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Myrtle Beach (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Myrtle Beach's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6–14 | 11 | 11 | 92 | 8.4 | 66% | 20 | 173 | 3 | Quiet | 7 |
| Feb | 7–16 | 14 | 9 | 93 | 10.3 | 67% | 20 | 162 | 4 | Quiet | 7 |
| Mar | 11–20 | 18 | 8 | 90 | 11.3 | 64% | 21 | 203 | 6 | Moderate | 9 |
| Apr | 13–23 | 21 | 7 | 64 | 9.1 | 57% | 22 | 250 | 7 | Moderate | 9 |
| May | 18–26 | 26 | 11 | 116 | 10.5 | 63% | 20 | 261 | 7 | Busy | 8 |
| Jun | 21–29 | 31 | 17 | 160 | 9.4 | 67% | 19 | 261 | 8 | Peak | 5 |
| Jul | 24–30 | 35 | 22 | 203 | 9.2 | 74% | 17 | 259 | 8 | Peak | 2 |
| Aug | 23–30 | 34 | 21 | 210 | 10.0 | 75% | 16 | 239 | 8 | Busy | 3 |
| Sep | 20–28 | 30 | 13 | 142 | 10.9 | 69% | 18 | 221 | 7 | Quiet | 6 |
| Oct | 15–24 | 24 | 5 | 56 | 11.2 | 65% | 16 | 219 | 5 | Quiet | 9 |
| Nov | 11–19 | 18 | 7 | 73 | 10.4 | 64% | 18 | 185 | 4 | Quiet | 9 |
| Dec | 7–16 | 13 | 9 | 81 | 9.0 | 66% | 19 | 174 | 2 | Quiet | 8 |
UV Index in Myrtle Beach by Month
UV index in Myrtle Beach peaks at 8 (very high) in June, dropping to 2 (low) in December. June, July reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
Best months in detail
April
9/1013–23°C (feels 21°C) · 7 rain days (64h) · 250 sun hours · 57% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
October
9/1015–24°C · 5 rain days (56h) · 219 sun hours · 65% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (high)
November
9/1011–19°C (feels 18°C) · 7 rain days (73h) · 185 sun hours · 64% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 4 (moderate)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
January
7/106–14°C (feels 11°C) · 11 rain days (92h) · 173 sun hours · 66% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 3 (low) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 4 (moderate)
February
7/107–16°C (feels 14°C) · 9 rain days (93h) · 162 sun hours · 67% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 4 (moderate)
March
9/1011–20°C (feels 18°C) · 8 rain days (90h) · 203 sun hours · 64% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 6 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 7 (high)
May
8/1018–26°C · 11 rain days (116h) · 261 sun hours · 63% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
June
5/1021–29°C (feels 31°C) · 17 rain days (160h) · 261 sun hours · 67% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 8 (very high)
July
2/1024–30°C (feels 35°C) · 22 rain days (203h) · 259 sun hours · 74% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 8 (very high)
August
3/1023–30°C (feels 34°C) · 21 rain days (210h) · 239 sun hours · 75% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
September
6/1020–28°C (feels 30°C) · 13 rain days (142h) · 221 sun hours · 69% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (very high)
December
8/107–16°C (feels 13°C) · 9 rain days (81h) · 174 sun hours · 66% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 2 (low) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 3 (moderate)
Sixty miles of beach, and one very short swimming season either side
Myrtle Beach anchors the Grand Strand, an almost continuous 60-mile arc of sand along the South Carolina coast. That length is why it absorbs enormous summer numbers without feeling as dense as a single-resort beach — the crowd spreads along it.
The season is sharply bounded at both ends by water temperature rather than air temperature. July is the crowd peak and the reliable swimming month; by November the Atlantic here is cold and the strip quietens dramatically, and it does not warm again until well into spring, when the air can already feel like summer.
That gap between a warm afternoon and a cold ocean is the single most common misjudgement visitors make in April and May.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information — coastal water temperatures , Visit Myrtle Beach — official visitor information
What month is best to go to Myrtle Beach?
June or September. Both give warm air and swimmable water without July's peak crowds and prices — September in particular keeps the ocean at its warmest after a summer of heating while families have gone home. July is the busiest month of the year here by a clear margin. The Atlantic lags the air by weeks, so September water is warmer than June water despite the cooler air.
What months can you swim at Myrtle Beach?
Comfortably from June through September, with August and September the warmest water. May is swimmable for the hardy but the Atlantic lags the air by weeks, so a warm spring afternoon often meets a cold sea. By late October the water has cooled beyond most people's tolerance.
What is the cheapest month to go to Myrtle Beach?
January and February, when the strip is quiet and rates fall to a fraction of summer. The trade-off is that swimming is out and some attractions close for the season. Golf is the main winter draw, and the courses stay open and busy through the cooler months. Golf packages are the main winter draw and are priced far below the summer beach rates.
What are the rainy months in Myrtle Beach?
Summer carries the most rain, arriving as short afternoon thunderstorms rather than all-day cloud, so beach mornings usually survive. The period also overlaps the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June to November and peaks August through October — worth flexible booking in that window.
How many days do you need in Myrtle Beach?
Three to four for a beach break: time on the sand, an evening on the boardwalk, and a round of golf or a trip to Brookgreen Gardens. A week suits families using it as a full holiday base. It is a destination for staying put rather than for touring. Rates and crowds both peak in July, so a shoulder-week stay of the same length costs noticeably less.
Is Myrtle Beach worth visiting?
For a straightforward, affordable American beach holiday, yes — 60 miles of sand, a huge range of accommodation and one of the highest concentrations of golf courses anywhere. It is commercial rather than scenic, so visitors after quiet or unspoilt coastline should look at the state parks nearby instead.
What is the Grand Strand?
The name for the roughly 60-mile continuous arc of beach running along the South Carolina coast from Little River down to Georgetown, with Myrtle Beach at its centre. It takes in North Myrtle Beach, Surfside, Garden City, Pawleys Island and Murrells Inlet — each with a distinctly different character and price level.
What not to miss in Myrtle Beach?
The oceanfront boardwalk and SkyWheel, Brookgreen Gardens for sculpture and low-country landscape, Murrells Inlet's MarshWalk for seafood, and Huntington Beach State Park for a quieter stretch of coast and excellent birdwatching — a genuine contrast to the developed strip. Murrells Inlet is also the departure point for salt-marsh boat trips, which show a coastline the strip hides.
Is Myrtle Beach good for families?
It is built for them — shallow, gently shelving sand, a boardwalk with amusements, mini-golf everywhere and a large stock of family-sized condos. The busiest weeks are the American school holidays from mid-June to mid-August, when prices peak and the beach is at its fullest. Huntington Beach State Park nearby offers a quieter alternative when the main strip feels too busy.
When is hurricane season in Myrtle Beach?
1 June to 30 November, peaking August through October, which overlaps the back half of the beach season. Direct strikes are infrequent but the coast does see tropical systems, so travel insurance and refundable bookings make sense for late-summer trips. Warnings come days ahead.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Myrtle Beach
When is the best time to visit Myrtle Beach?
April is the highest-scoring month (9/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 13–23°C (7 rainy days). The top three months by score are April, October, November.
What is the worst time to visit Myrtle Beach?
July is the lowest-scoring month (2/10, capped by extreme heat). Typical conditions: 24–30°C (22 rainy days).
Is Myrtle Beach too hot in summer?
4 months (June, July, August, September) trip the heat deal-breaker in our scoring: apparent temperature crosses the comfort cap, so even with clear skies and low rain the score is held down. Plan around it if heat tolerance is low.
When are crowds lowest in Myrtle Beach?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in November and peaks in July. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
Which months in Myrtle Beach have good weather but fewer tourists?
October (climate 9/10, crowd index 14) and November (climate 9/10, crowd index 0) — shoulder months with above-average climate and below-median search-interest. Often the best value-for-weather trade.
What is the UV index in Myrtle Beach by month?
UV peaks at 8 (very high) in June and is lowest in December at 2 (low). Monthly peak values: Jan 3, Feb 4, Mar 6, Apr 7, May 7, Jun 8, Jul 8, Aug 8, Sep 7, Oct 5, Nov 4, Dec 2. June, July reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
What is the UV index in Myrtle Beach in June?
June is the peak UV month in Myrtle Beach, with a daily-peak UV index of 8 (very high). At this level, sunburn can occur in under 20 minutes on unprotected fair skin. Apply SPF 50+, wear protective clothing and a hat, and avoid direct midday sun (11:00–17:00).
How high can UV get in Myrtle Beach on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. May is the worst case: typical days average UV 7 (high), but the top 10% of days reach UV 9 (very high) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: January, March, April, May, August, September, October, December. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.
Is air quality in Myrtle Beach bad for travelers?
PM2.5 (fine-particle pollution) exceeds the WHO sensitive-group guideline (15 µg/m³) in 4 months: March, June, July, August. The worst month is June with a typical-day mean of 13 µg/m³ (moderate); on the worst 10% of days PM2.5 reaches 18 µg/m³ (unhealthy for sensitive) and higher. People with asthma, heart conditions, or sensitive children may want to avoid these months or limit outdoor activity. Source: CAMS via Open-Meteo.