Where can I get coordinates for artificial reefs off Myrtle Beach?

SCDNR posts a free PDF for each reef off northern South Carolina, PA-01 to PA-20, with the buoy and every structure's latitude and longitude, on its Marine Artificial Reef Program website.

How far offshore is Paradise Reef?

Paradise Reef (PA-09) is 3.2 nautical miles from the Murrells Inlet south jetty at 105 degrees, in 35 feet of water, with its buoy at 33° 31.071' N, 78° 58.140' W, according to SCDNR.

Do I need a fishing license to fish an artificial reef in South Carolina?

Yes. Most anglers 16 and older need an SC saltwater fishing license to fish SC marine reefs, except reefs next to fishing piers, according to SCDNR. Charter passengers are covered by the boat.

Where are North Carolina's artificial reefs listed?

The NC Division of Marine Fisheries lists its 43 ocean reefs in an online Interactive Reef Guide and a downloadable KMZ file. Its printed guide is accurate only through 2016.

Artificial reefs off Myrtle Beach and Brunswick County: locations and how to fish them

Q: What gear is allowed on South Carolina artificial reefs?

Most SC offshore reefs are federal Special Management Zones, where only hand-held hook-and-line gear or spearfishing gear without powerheads may be used, according to SCDNR.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) maintains 19 artificial reef sites off the northern South Carolina coast, numbered PA-01 to PA-20, from Little River Inlet south past Murrells Inlet, and it publishes each reef’s coordinates, depth and structures in a free PDF, according to the SCDNR Marine Artificial Reef Program as of Oct. 30, 2026. Off Brunswick County, North Carolina, reef locations are published by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) in its online Interactive Reef Guide.

Most South Carolina offshore reefs are federal Special Management Zones, where only hand-held hook-and-line gear or spearfishing gear without powerheads may be used, per SCDNR.

Where are the artificial reefs off Myrtle Beach?

These SCDNR reefs off Horry and Georgetown counties are marked by buoys, according to each reef’s SCDNR data sheet as of Oct. 30, 2026:

Reef	Location from inlet	Depth	Buoy (latitude, longitude)	Main structures
PA-01 Jim Caudle Reef	125°, 2.7 nm from Little River Inlet south jetty	30 ft	33° 48.812′ N, 78° 30.514′ W	110-foot dredge barge, concrete cones, reef balls
PA-04 Ron McManus Memorial Reef	211°, 5 nm from Little River Inlet south jetty	35 ft	33° 46.150′ N, 78° 35.900′ W	Shrimp trawler sections, 62-foot concrete boat
PA-07 Pop Nash Reef	072°, 9.3 nm from Murrells Inlet north jetty	35 ft	33° 34.490′ N, 78° 51.010′ W	Concrete junction boxes, culvert pipes
PA-09 Paradise Reef	105°, 3.2 nm from Murrells Inlet south jetty	35 ft	33° 31.071′ N, 78° 58.140′ W	Deck barges, Army armored personnel carriers, concrete cones
PA-11 Pawleys Island Reef	177°, 5.5 nm from Murrells Inlet south jetty	35 ft	33° 26.060′ N, 79° 00.680′ W	Landing craft, Army personnel carriers, 45-foot tugboat
PA-08 Bill Perry Jr. Reef	181°, 25 nm from Little River Inlet south jetty	65 ft	33° 25.694′ N, 78° 33.201′ W	Landing craft, two tugboats, eight New York City subway cars

Farther offshore, PA-06, an unmarked reef in 95 feet of water about 29.5 nautical miles from Little River Inlet, holds the 160-foot ship BP-25 at 33° 21.260′ N, 78° 25.479′ W, plus six New York City subway cars, according to SCDNR.

Each SCDNR reef PDF lists the coordinates of every structure on the site, not just the buoy. The SCDNR Office of Fisheries Management answers reef questions at 843-953-6368.

How do I find artificial reefs off Brunswick County, NC?

The NC DMF publishes North Carolina’s 43 ocean reefs in its online Interactive Reef Guide, which also shows coastal boat ramps, and in a downloadable KMZ file for GPS and mapping apps, according to the DMF Artificial Reef Program. The DMF says its printed reef guide is accurate only through 2016, so use the online guide.

North Carolina reefs carry “AR” numbers. The DMF’s artificial reef coordinator answers questions at 252-515-5481.

What are the rules for fishing artificial reefs?

The NC DMF asks reef anglers to observe all state and federal fishing regulations, including size limits, bag limits and seasons, use circle hooks, vent fish when needed, release unwanted fish right away and give anchored boats a wide berth, since reefs are first come, first served.

On South Carolina reefs that are Special Management Zones, only hand-held hook-and-line gear or spearfishing gear without powerheads is allowed, according to SCDNR.

Boats fishing for snapper-grouper species, including black sea bass, in federal waters must carry a descending device attached to at least 16 ounces of weight and 60 feet of line, a dehooking tool, and non-stainless steel circle hooks for natural bait, according to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. In South Carolina waters, non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks are required with natural bait on hooks 4/0 or larger when fishing for saltwater gamefish, under Act 231 of 2026.

Do I need a license to fish a reef?

Yes. A South Carolina saltwater fishing license is required for most anglers 16 and older fishing South Carolina’s marine reefs, except reefs next to fishing piers, according to SCDNR. Charter passengers are covered by the boat, per the SCDNR FAQ.

In North Carolina waters, anglers 16 and older need a Coastal Recreational Fishing License, according to the NC DMF.

Spotted a rule change or a closed ramp? Send it to the Grand Strand Dispatch through the contact page.

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