Myrtle Beach in South Carolina — Live Webcam Online

Myrtle Beach: The Sunny Capital of the Carolinas

Myrtle Beach isn't just a dot on the map of the U.S. East Coast. It's an entire universe of sandy beaches where the Atlantic Ocean meets a 60-mile stretch of land known as Grand Strand. The city officially came into existence on March 12, 1938, but its history stretches back thousands of years when the indigenous Waccamaw and Winyah peoples inhabited these lands, calling them "Chicora" — simply "the land."

The resort's name derives from the wax myrtle trees that once densely covered the local dunes. Today, Myrtle Beach is a hub of recreation, golf, and nightlife, but venture just a few miles from the boardwalk and you'll discover quiet swamps, wild islands, and places locals prefer to keep secret.

From Spanish Ships to Military Bases

The European history of Myrtle Beach began long before the United States itself existed. The Spanish from Hispaniola landed here around 1526, founding the first European settlement within what is now the United States, just 30 miles south of the present-day resort. English colonists came later, but it was the Spanish who blazed the first trail, which later became the famous King's Highway.

In the 20th century, Myrtle Beach underwent a complete transformation. For nearly 50 years, it was a military town: first a U.S. Army Air Forces base in the 1940s, then Myrtle Beach Air Force Base from the 1950s onward. It wasn't until 1957, when the permanent population first exceeded 5,000, that the city officially became a city in the full sense of the word.

Grand Strand: 60 Miles of Coastline

Myrtle Beach is the heart of the Grand Strand, a vast coastal stretch spanning 14 unique communities. It's not just one beach, but a string of towns, each with its own character. North Myrtle Beach is quieter and more family-oriented, South Myrtle Beach is loud and youthful, and the center itself is an endless boardwalk with carousels, restaurants, and souvenir shops.

In 2018, Myrtle Beach was designated an "autism-friendly" city by the Champion Autism Network. This isn't just a pretty sign — the entire resort infrastructure is adapted for people with special needs, making it one of the most inclusive destinations on the East Coast.

The Dance Born on This Sand

Few people know that Myrtle Beach is the birthplace of the shag dance. This energetic partner dance with hops and spins originated here in the 1940s and remains an integral part of local culture to this day. In summer, on the boardwalk, you can see elderly couples and young people dancing the shag right under the open sky, preserving a tradition that's nearly 80 years old.

Wildlife Behind the Dunes

Behind the sandy dunes of Myrtle Beach lies an amazing world. Dolphins frolic in the coastal waters, and alligators inhabit the freshwater bodies. Every summer, loggerhead sea turtles lay their eggs on the beaches — massive marine reptiles that return to the same beaches where they themselves once hatched.

Bird lovers will be delighted: the area is home to the great black-backed gull — the largest member of the gull family, with a wingspan of up to 1.7 meters. And in quiet coves and swamps, you can spot horned grebes, great blue herons, and even owls that hunt at dusk.

Aquarium and Reptiles: Entertainment for the Curious

If you want to see marine life up close, head to Ripley's Aquarium. It features 87,000 square feet of underwater tunnels and aquariums, built for $40 million. And at Alligator Adventure near Barefoot Landing, crocodiles await — including the largest crocodile in the USA, listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

Speaking of records: Myrtle Beach is home to the tallest sand sculpture in the world, also recorded in the Guinness Book. And a liger lives here, recognized as the largest living cat on the planet.

Hidden Gems: Where the Locals Go

Beyond the boardwalk, Myrtle Beach hides true treasures. Brookgreen Gardens is a vast sculpture park and garden where bronze figures coexist with hedgerows and oaks draped in Spanish moss. And at Huntington Beach State Park, you'll find wild beaches and bird-watching towers — a place called the region's "best-kept secret."

Mystery lovers will appreciate Atalaya Castle — the ruins of a 1930s Moorish castle that locals describe as "absolutely eerie." And in Murrells Inlet, you can spend an entire day strolling scenic boardwalks and sampling fresh seafood at fish taverns.

Golf, Baseball, and Nightlife

Myrtle Beach is a golfer's paradise. Seven local courses are ranked among the "Top 100 Public Golf Courses in America" by Golf Digest. And if you prefer team sports, in summer you can catch a Myrtle Beach Pelicans game — the local Carolina League baseball team.

At night, the city transforms. The boardwalk lights up with neon signs, live music spills from bars, and ocean-view restaurants operate on the piers. TripAdvisor recognized Myrtle Beach as one of the "Most Outstanding Cities for Experiences" — one of only six U.S. cities to receive recognition in all categories.

What the Camera Shows

The Myrtle Beach webcam broadcasts a live feed from the beach — you see the very sand where the shag was once danced, and the very ocean where dolphins swim. The camera shows a wide stretch of coastline: waves rolling onto the shore, gulls soaring over the water, and the endless horizon line where the sky meets the Atlantic. In real time, you can watch the weather change, the tide come in and go out, and rare passersby leave their footprints in the sand — little stories that the ocean will wash away with the next wave.