How Tides Work at Myrtle Beach and Why They Matter for Beachfront Living

Tides at Myrtle Beach follow a predictable twice-daily cycle that rises and falls about 5 to 6 feet

Myrtle Beach experiences semidiurnal tides, meaning the ocean rises and falls twice each day. High tide occurs roughly every 12 hours and 25 minutes, and low tide falls between them. The tidal range—the difference between high and low water—typically measures 5 to 6 feet, though this varies with the lunar cycle and weather.

If you live in a beachfront apartment or are considering one, understanding these tides matters for daily life. High tide can narrow the beach significantly, sometimes eliminating the dry sand entirely. Low tide exposes a wider beach and reveals sandbars, tide pools, and shells. Storm surge during hurricanes or nor'easters can push water far beyond normal high-tide marks, which is why flood insurance and elevation matter for ground-floor units.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) publishes tide tables for Myrtle Beach that show exact times and heights for each day. You can find these free tables at tides.noaa.gov by searching "Myrtle Beach" or "Winyah Bay," the nearest official tide station. Most smartphone weather apps also display tide times for your location.

Key Takeaways

• Myrtle Beach tides rise and fall twice daily with a typical range of 5 to 6 feet between high and low water.
• High tide narrows the beach and can affect beach access, parking, and water activities; low tide exposes more sand and reveals natural features.
• NOAA publishes free daily tide tables at tides.noaa.gov that show exact times for your location.
• Spring tides (during full and new moons) create larger tidal ranges and can increase flood risk for ground-floor beachfront apartments.
• Storm surge during hurricanes or nor'easters can push water well above normal high-tide levels, making flood insurance essential for units near sea level.

How the Moon and Sun Drive the Tidal Cycle

Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and, to a lesser extent, the sun on Earth's oceans. As the moon orbits Earth and the Earth rotates, different parts of the coastline face the moon at different times, creating the twice-daily rise and fall. The sun's gravity also pulls on the ocean, but its effect is weaker because the sun is much farther away.

The strength of the tide changes throughout the month. During a full moon and new moon, the sun and moon align and their gravitational forces combine, creating spring tides—the highest highs and lowest lows. About a week later, during the first and last quarter moons, the sun and moon pull at right angles to each other, creating neap tides—smaller tidal ranges. This cycle repeats every 29.5 days.

For beachfront residents, spring tides mean higher flood risk during storms and less beach access at high tide. Neap tides bring smaller swings, so high water doesn't rise as far and low water doesn't drop as low. If you're apartment hunting near the beach, asking about spring tide flooding during the leasing office tour is a practical question.

Reading a Tide Table and Planning Your Beach Day

NOAA tide tables show four pieces of information for each day: the time and height of the first high tide, the time and height of the first low tide, the time and height of the second high tide, and the time and height of the second low tide. Heights are measured in feet above or below mean lower low water, a reference point used nationwide.

If you want to walk the beach or search for shells, low tide gives you the most sand. If you plan to swim or surf, check whether the tide is rising or falling—a rising tide brings more water and can create stronger currents. Kayakers and paddleboarders often launch at high tide to avoid shallow water near the shore. Fishing piers and jetties fish best during the hour or two before and after high tide, when baitfish move closer to structure.

Most beachfront apartments have a small beach access point or boardwalk. At high tide, this access may be partially underwater or very narrow. If you have mobility concerns or use a wheelchair, low tide is the better time to visit the beach. Checking the tide table before you head out takes 30 seconds and saves frustration.

Tidal Flooding and Storm Surge for Ground-Floor Units

Normal high tides rarely flood beachfront apartments because buildings are elevated or set back from the waterline. However, king tides—the highest spring tides of the year, usually in fall—can push water onto roads and into low-lying parking areas. If your apartment is on the ground floor or has a ground-level garage, ask the leasing office whether the building has experienced tidal flooding in the past five years.

Storm surge is far more dangerous than normal tides. During a hurricane or nor'easter, wind pushes ocean water onto shore, and the low atmospheric pressure of the storm allows water to rise higher than it normally would. A Category 3 hurricane can push water 10 to 12 feet above normal high tide. If your unit is within a few blocks of the ocean and below the base flood elevation, flood insurance is not optional—it is essential. Standard homeowners or renters insurance does not cover flood damage.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) publishes flood maps showing which areas are in the 100-year floodplain (a 1 percent annual chance of flooding). You can view your address at msc.fema.gov. If your apartment is in a flood zone, your lease should disclose this, and your landlord or mortgage lender will require flood insurance.

Seasonal Tidal Patterns and Winter Nor'easters

Tidal ranges at Myrtle Beach are slightly larger in fall and winter than in spring and summer, though the difference is modest—usually less than a foot. Winter nor'easters, which can occur from November through March, combine high tides with strong winds and heavy rain, creating the highest flood risk of the year. These storms don't have the sustained winds of hurricanes, but they can stall over the coast for days, allowing water to pile up.

If you move to a beachfront apartment, winter is the season to pay closest attention to weather forecasts and tide tables. A nor'easter arriving during a spring tide can flood parking areas and low-lying roads. Local news stations and the National Weather Service issue coastal flood advisories when this risk is high. Signing up for emergency alerts from Horry County (where Myrtle Beach is located) ensures you receive warnings on your phone.

How Tides Affect Beach Erosion and Sand Replenishment

Tides don't cause erosion directly, but they interact with waves and storms to shape the shoreline. During high tide, waves reach farther up the beach and can erode the dune line. During low tide, the beach is wider and more stable. Over decades, the balance between erosion and sand deposition determines whether a beach grows or shrinks.

Myrtle Beach has experienced significant erosion in some areas, particularly near the downtown boardwalk and near Surfside Beach to the south. To combat this, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local governments periodically pump sand from offshore onto the beach in a process called beach nourishment. This sand is temporary—waves and tides gradually move it back offshore—so nourishment projects repeat every few years.

For apartment renters, erosion matters mainly if you're in a building very close to the dune line. Ask how far the building is from the water's edge and whether the property has experienced erosion in the past decade. Some older beachfront buildings have been demolished or relocated because the beach eroded beneath them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is high tide at Myrtle Beach today?

Tide times change daily and vary by a few minutes depending on your exact location. Visit tides.noaa.gov, search "Myrtle Beach," and select the nearest station. Most weather apps also show today's tide times if you set your location to Myrtle Beach.

Can I swim safely at high tide or low tide?

Both are safe for swimming, but conditions differ. High tide brings more water and can create stronger currents near piers and inlets. Low tide exposes sandbars and can create shallow areas. Check the forecast for wind and waves, which matter more than the tide itself.

Do I need flood insurance if my apartment is one block from the beach?

It depends on your elevation and whether you're in a FEMA flood zone. Check your address at msc.fema.gov. If you're in a flood zone, your lender will require it. If you're outside the mapped zone but in a low-lying area, ask your landlord or insurance agent whether the building has flooded before.

How much does the tide change during a hurricane?

Storm surge during a major hurricane can raise water 10 to 12 feet or more above normal high tide, depending on the storm's strength and the local geography. This is far higher than any normal tide and is the main reason flood insurance and building elevation matter for beachfront living.

Why do tides happen twice a day instead of once?

As Earth rotates, different parts of the coast face the moon and the point opposite the moon. Both create a bulge in the ocean, so most coastlines experience two high tides and two low tides per day. Myrtle Beach follows this pattern.