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Intracoastal Waterway, marsh, inlet, creek and river homes
Myrtle Beach Waterfront Homes
I buy waterfront the way a boat captain would: depth, bridges, wake and tide first, kitchen second.
What kinds of waterfront homes are there near Myrtle Beach?
Waterfront homes near Myrtle Beach fall into four groups: Intracoastal Waterway homes from Little River to Socastee, marsh and inlet homes in Cherry Grove, Murrells Inlet and Garden City, blackwater river homes on the Waccamaw near Conway and Longs, and oceanfront houses on the beach. Each has different boating access, flood exposure and permitting, so the right choice depends on what you want to do on the water.
For listings I have featured, see my homes on the waterfront page. This guide is the checklist behind them.
Know your water
Intracoastal Waterway
The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway opened in 1936, and its South Carolina portion runs 203 miles, dredged to an average of nine to eleven feet (SC Encyclopedia). Communities: Little River, Barefoot Resort, Grande Dunes, Carolina Forest.
Marsh and inlet
Tidal creeks with sunset views and shallow water at low tide. Cherry Grove's channels were dug and filled from marsh in the mid-1900s (SC Encyclopedia); Murrells Inlet and Garden City face the same estuary.
Waccamaw River
Cypress-lined blackwater river through Conway and Longs, with public landings maintained by Horry County. Great for paddling and fishing.
My boater's checklist
Depth and tide
Visit at low tide or check soundings. A dock that floats your boat at high tide may sit in mud six hours later.
Bridges and distance to open water
Fixed and swing bridges, no-wake zones and the run time to an inlet decide how often you will actually use the boat. At the north end of the Strand, for example, the waterway passes the Little River Swing Bridge at S.C. 9 (North Myrtle Beach Comprehensive Plan).
Dock and lift
Get a dock inspection: pilings, decking, electrical and the lift's rated capacity. Ask for permits for any dock, boathouse or bulkhead work.
Flood zone and elevation
Waterfront lots are often in a Special Flood Hazard Area. With a federally regulated mortgage, flood insurance is required there, and coverage generally has a 30-day waiting period unless bought with the loan (FEMA). An elevation certificate can help price the policy.
Wind
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 (NHC). Roof and opening upgrades may qualify for SC Safe Home grants for eligible owner-occupants.
Critical areas
Marsh-edge and beachfront lots can fall under state coastal jurisdiction. SCDES notes critical areas may exist even landward of the setback line, so check before planning a dock extension or addition.
Matching the water to how you will use it
Cruisers and center consoles
Look for deep-water Intracoastal frontage or a marina slip with a short run to an inlet, and check bridge heights if your boat has a tower.
Skiffs, kayaks and paddleboards
Marsh and creek lots in Cherry Grove, Murrells Inlet and Garden City, or the Waccamaw River near Conway and Longs, are ideal. Shallow water is part of the charm.
Just the view
A marsh-view or lake-view lot can deliver sunsets with less dock maintenance and sometimes a lower flood risk. Ask for the elevation certificate to compare.
Whatever the water, I write offers with enough due diligence time for a survey, dock inspection, flood quote and wind quote. On the water, those four reports matter as much as the home inspection.
Living on the water here
Waterfront life on the Grand Strand ranges from pulling a skiff up to a marsh dock in Murrells Inlet to keeping a cruiser at a slip in Grande Dunes, whose marina offers 126 wet slips and is open to the public (Grande Dunes), or at Barefoot Resort, where Barefoot Marina sits at mile marker 354 (Barefoot Marina). If you would rather not own a dock, a community with a marina or a nearby public ramp can be the smarter buy.
Before you buy, read what to know when buying in a flood-prone area and why flood insurance matters even outside a flood zone. For the high end, see luxury homes.
Keep exploring
Back to the Myrtle Beach real estate guide, or continue with these related pages:
Frequently asked questions
What is the best waterfront for boating near Myrtle Beach?
For larger boats, deep-water Intracoastal lots close to an inlet are the most flexible. Marsh creeks suit skiffs and kayaks. The Waccamaw River is ideal for paddling and fishing.
Do all waterfront homes need flood insurance?
It is required for homes in a Special Flood Hazard Area with a federally regulated mortgage. Even when not required, I recommend a quote because standard homeowners policies generally exclude flood.
Can I build or extend a dock?
Docks and shoreline structures need permits, and marsh or beachfront critical areas add state review. Confirm what is permitted before you count on it.
How deep is the Intracoastal Waterway in South Carolina?
The South Carolina Encyclopedia describes it as dredged to an average depth of between nine and eleven feet. Depth at a specific dock can be much shallower.
Is marsh-front or Intracoastal better for resale?
Both have strong followings. Deep-water Intracoastal lots appeal to serious boaters, while marsh views appeal to buyers who want sunsets and quiet. Resale depends most on water depth, dock condition, elevation and the specific street.
What reports should I order on a waterfront home?
A survey, a dock and lift inspection, an elevation certificate or flood quote, a wind insurance quote and a standard home inspection. I build enough due diligence time into the offer for all of them.
Can you check a dock and channel for me?
Yes. I tour by land and, when it matters, look at access from the water, then bring in a dock inspector.
Let's map out your next move
Book a free buyer or seller consultation and get a straight answer from someone who lives here.
Sources
Facts on this page come from these sources, checked November 2026. Rules and programs change, so confirm details for your specific property.
- City of North Myrtle Beach 2018 Comprehensive Plan (PDF)
- South Carolina Encyclopedia: North Myrtle Beach
- South Carolina Encyclopedia: Intracoastal Waterway
- Barefoot Marina
- Grande Dunes: community amenities
- Horry County Parks & Recreation: public boat landings
- FEMA FloodSmart: Flood Insurance 101
- NOAA National Hurricane Center: tropical cyclone climatology
- SC Department of Insurance: SC Safe Home mitigation grants
- SC Department of Environmental Services: State Beachfront Jurisdictional Lines
