Boating on the Grand Strand
In South Carolina, anyone born after July 1, 2007, needs an approved boater education course to run a boat or jet ski of 10 hp or more; to rent, a rental safety certificate in their name, valid 30 days, is enough (SCDNR). In North Carolina the course is required for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 (NCWRC).
What you need to rent a boat or jet ski from Calabash to Georgetown, the public boat landings, how South Carolina and North Carolina rules differ, and whether today is a good day to go out. Rules come from SCDNR and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
Can I rent or drive a boat? Check in 10 seconds
- SC: born after July 1, 2007, motor of 10 hp or more. You need an approved boater education course, or for a rental only, a rental safety certificate in your last name, valid 30 days from issue.
- NC: born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, motor of 10 hp or more. You need a NASBLA-approved boating education course before you operate a boat of 10 hp or more. In N.C. you must be 16 to operate a jet ski; 14 and 15-year-olds only with a person 18 or older aboard, or with a boating safety card and proof of age. No jet skis from sunset to sunrise, and everyone aboard wears a life jacket.
On the water today
- 2nd Avenue Pier: Go, but check conditions first. NWS Small Craft Advisory in effect
- Springmaid Pier: Go, but check conditions first. NWS Small Craft Advisory in effect
- Apache Pier: Go, but check conditions first. NWS Small Craft Advisory in effect
- Cherry Grove Pier: Go, but check conditions first. NWS Small Craft Advisory in effect
- Kingfisher Pier: Good day to go. Dry daytime forecast
- Surfside Beach Fishing Pier: Good day to go. Dry daytime forecast
- Oak Island Pier: Better pick another day. NWS Coastal Flood Advisory in effect
- Ocean Isle Beach Pier: Good day to go. Dry daytime forecast
- Sunset Beach Pier: Good day to go. Dry daytime forecast
- Holden Beach Pier: Good day to go. Dry daytime forecast
Rules that get boaters ticketed
Jet skis in North Carolina
No riding between sunset and sunrise. All riders, passengers and anyone being towed wear an approved life jacket. Jet skis rented to the public must carry at least $300,000 in insurance.
Public boat ramps and landings
Horry (10)
| Ramp | Where, hours and fee |
|---|---|
| T. Craig Campbell Landing | 148 Morgan Ave., Little River |
| Johnny Causey Landing | 2111 Little River Neck Road, North Myrtle Beach |
| Peter Vaught Sr. Landing | 10923 Schultz Way, Myrtle Beach |
| Enterprise Landing | 7999 Bay Road, Myrtle Beach |
| Socastee Landing and Park | 4299 Peachtree Road, Myrtle Beach |
| Rosewood Landing | 4698 Peachwood Court, Myrtle Beach |
| Stanley Drive Landing | 292 Stanley Drive, Garden City |
| Cherry Grove county boat ramp | 53rd Ave., Cherry Grove Beach, on Hog Inlet |
| Nixon Crossroads county ramp | Under the U.S. 17 bridge, on the Intracoastal Waterway |
| Garden City boat ramp | End of S.C. 816, on Main Creek |
Georgetown (10)
| Ramp | Where, hours and fee |
|---|---|
| Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex | 101 River Walk Drive, Georgetown |
| Murrells Inlet boat landing (SCDNR) | U.S. 17 Business, on Murrells Inlet |
| Wacca Wache Landing | End of S.C. 62 off U.S. 17, on the Waccamaw River and Intracoastal Waterway |
| Pawleys Island north landing | Pritchard St. West, on Main Creek |
| Pawleys Island middle landing | 3rd St. West, on Main Creek |
| Pawleys Island south landing | Shell Road West, on Pawleys Creek |
| Hagley Landing | Hagley Plantation Road, on the Waccamaw River |
| East Bay Street (Ballpark) Landing | East Bay Park, on the Sampit River |
| South Island Ferry landing | End of County Road 18, on Winyah Bay |
| Pole Yard landing | U.S. 17 at the North Santee River |
Brunswick (8)
| Ramp | Where, hours and fee |
|---|---|
| Sunset Beach access area | 101 Sunset Blvd. |
| Ocean Isle Beach access area | 67 Causeway Drive |
| Brick Landing | 1921 Brick Landing Road SW, Shallotte |
| Holden Beach access area | 99 S. Shore Drive |
| Sunset Harbor | 356 Riverview Drive SE, Bolivia |
| Oak Island access area | 4950 Fish Factory Road SE, Southport |
| Rices Creek | 797 Gordon Lewis Drive SE, Winnabow |
| Pireway | 9739 Pireway Road NW, Ash |
Boat and jet ski rentals on the Grand Strand
See all 1 boat and kayak rentals ›
Rent boats, pontoons or jet skis?
Permits for rental businesses
Renting boats in South Carolina
Renters born after July 1, 2007, can run your boats with a 30-day rental safety certificate in their last name instead of the full course.
Renting jet skis in North Carolina
Each jet ski rented to the public needs at least $300,000 in insurance.
Boaters, help keep this guide right
Questions boaters ask
Do I need a boating license to rent a boat in Myrtle Beach?
Only if you were born after July 1, 2007, and the boat has 10 hp or more; a 30-day rental safety certificate in your name is enough (SCDNR).
How old do you have to be to drive a jet ski in North Carolina?
16, or 14 and 15 with an adult 18 or older aboard or with a boating safety card (NCWRC).