Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026 A Vik Media Group publication
Grand Strand Dispatch Myrtle Beach and Brunswick Islands news: Horry, Georgetown and Brunswick counties
Visitor guide

Winyah Bay

Beach Hazards Statement until Oct 18, 8:00 pm. Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 3:00AM EDT until October 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC Source: National Weather Service.

Winyah Bay is a coastal estuary in Georgetown County, South Carolina, where the Waccamaw, Pee Dee, Black and Sampit rivers meet. The historic port city of Georgetown sits on the bay, and the bay generally marks the end of the Grand Strand. The source for this guide does not describe current tide, weather or navigation conditions at Winyah Bay, so check those before you go fishing or boating.

Should you go to Winyah Bay today?

Better pick another day

  • NWS Beach Hazards Statement in effect.
  • Wind up to 22 mph on the water.
  • Moderate rip current risk.
  • Dry daytime forecast.
  1. Mon 19Wind up to 18 mph on the water
  2. Tue 20Breezy, up to 15 mph
  3. Wed 21Breezy, up to 15 mph
  4. Thu 22Light wind, up to 10 mph
  5. Fri 23Breezy, up to 12 mph

Updated Oct 18, 5:44 am. Our own calculation from official forecasts; conditions can change fast.

Weather at Winyah Bay, today

TimeSkyTempWindRain
8 amSunny51°FN 21 mph0%
10 amSunny54°FN 21 mph0%
12 pmSunny58°FN 21 mph0%
2 pmSunny61°FN 21 mph0%
4 pmSunny63°FN 20 mph0%
6 pmMostly Clear63°FN 20 mph0%

Source: National Weather Service hourly forecast for 33.266, -79.233.

Beach and surf

Rip Current RiskModerate
Surf Height1 to 3 feet
Water TemperatureIn the lower 70s
UV IndexModerate

Source: NWS surf zone forecast, zone SCZ056.

Daylight

Sunrise7:23 am
Sunset6:40 pm

Source: computed for the location (OpenStreetMap Nominatim).

Question visitors askWinyah Bay fishing and boating conditions?
CountyGeorgetown County

Winyah Bay: questions visitors ask

Where is Winyah Bay?

Winyah Bay is an estuary in Georgetown County, in eastern South Carolina, at about 33.29 N and 79.28 W. The historic port city of Georgetown is located on the bay, and the bay generally serves as the terminating point for the Grand Strand.

Source: Wikipedia: Winyah Bay.

Which rivers flow into Winyah Bay?

Four rivers meet at Winyah Bay: the Waccamaw River, the Pee Dee River, the Black River and the Sampit River. The article describes the bay as the fourth-largest estuary on the U.S. East Coast when classified by discharge rate.

Source: Wikipedia: Winyah Bay.

What wildlife can you find around Winyah Bay?

The article lists sturgeon, sharks, dolphins, red drum, stingrays, star drum, white shrimp, blue crabs, pelicans, bald eagles, cormorants and several species of seagulls. It also notes that the area was a prime fishing site for generations of Native American cultures.

Source: Wikipedia: Winyah Bay.

Who owns the islands at the entrance to Winyah Bay?

North Island, South Island and most of Cat Island, which flank the bay entrance, make up the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center. Tom Yawkey, a former owner of the Boston Red Sox, willed the islands to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Source: Wikipedia: Winyah Bay.

Is there a research reserve at Winyah Bay?

The article links to the North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in its See also section and shows an aerial photo of the reserve's north inlet. The article does not describe the reserve's programs, access or hours.

Source: Wikipedia: Winyah Bay.

Do I need a fishing license or follow special rules to fish in Winyah Bay?

The source for this guide does not cover fishing licenses, catch limits or other fishing rules. Check the current South Carolina fishing regulations before you go.

Source: Wikipedia: Winyah Bay.

What are the tide and navigation conditions at Winyah Bay?

The source for this guide does not give tide tables, channel conditions or navigation windows for Winyah Bay. Check current tide and marine forecast information for the bay before you go boating.

Source: Wikipedia: Winyah Bay.

Guide checked against official sources on October 18, 2026.

News about Winyah Bay

No articles yet. New stories from Winyah Bay appear here as soon as they are published.