South Carolina’s Hammock Coast has miles of beautiful beaches accessible in Garden City, Murrells Inlet (Huntington Beach State Park), Litchfield and Pawleys Island. These wide stretches of sand and beautiful landscapes have welcomed visitors for generations. Whether your idea of beach fun is sunning, playing games, fishing, walking, gathering shells, surfing, or body surfing the waves, Hammock Coast beaches are the place for you. They offer clean water, clean sand and plenty of room to spread out. With most of our accommodations being beach homes, even during the busiest summer week, you won’t feel crowded on the Hammock Coast.
Georgetown County beach rules and regulations (includes Garden City and Litchfield beaches):
No littering (depositing refuse on beach or in water is unlawful) No alcoholic liquors No glass containers No vehicles on beaches or dunes No obstruction of free access No tents, cabanas or other items may be left overnight. Items left overnight will be considered abandoned and may be removed No loitering on beach accesses No personal property allowed within 25 feet of any emergency beach access Dogs must be leashed from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dogs that are not leashed during other hours must be under voice control and owners must be able to demonstrate voice control to a law enforcement officer, if asked No horses on the beach from March 1 to October 31 No nudity No sleeping on the beach from midnight to sunrise Fishing that creates unsafe conditions is unlawful Fires on the beach are allowed in unincorporated areas. However, some communities restrict open burning and you should contact those communities before you decide to burn. In the unincorporated areas of Georgetown County, visitors are asked to follow these guidelines for fires on the beach: • Call the SC Forestry Commission burn notification number at 1-800-986-5256 and follow the instructions • Call the Georgetown County Dispatch number at 843-527-6763 and inform them of the location of the burn and provide them with a contact number • Use 5-gallon bucket(s) to carry your wood to the beach • Bring a shovel/rake to create a shallow pit large enough to control the fire • Fill the 5-gallon bucket(s) with water as a means of controlling and extinguishing the fire • Do not leave the fire unattended at any time • Watch your embers to ensure they are not going into dry grass • Extinguish your fire, place the remaining wood coals in your 5-gallon bucket(s), and rake out your area
Following these simple instructions will ensure that you, your family, and your friends have an uneventful and enjoyable time on the beach Many areas of Georgetown County’s beaches are included in “fireworks-free zones.” If in doubt, contact the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office at 843-546-5102 to check your area. Also note that debris produced from fireworks is considered litter. Those shooting fireworks are responsible for cleanup and removal from public beaches
No lifeguards. Swim at your own risk. All dogs must be on a leash from May 1 – Sept. 30 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) Pick up after your pets No tents or umbrellas can be left overnight No motorized vehicles allowed No camping or overnight sleeping No man-made holes can be left unfilled No fireworks No soliciting or vending Please keep the beach clean Open fires are prohibited, but you may obtain a permit at town hall for a fire pit on the beach under following circumstances: No free-standing barbecues are allowed on the beach, charcoal fires only in a hole dug in the sand, and absolutely no open flames
The three miles of pristine beach are reserved for swimming, running, fishing or just relaxing No acting in a disorderly manner or creating any noise which would result in annoyance to others Alcohol is prohibited in state parks Dogs are allowed only on the south end of the beach. Dogs are prohibited in buildings, including Atalaya and on the north end of the beach. The north end extends from the beach access at the north parking lot to the jetty Dogs must always be on a leash, no longer than six feet Please clean up after your pet Park admission: $8/adult; $5/ S.C. Senior; $4/youth age 6-15; free for children 5 and younger Park hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m., daily (extended to 10 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time)
