91°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
44%
27
Horry County, SC · Atlantic Ocean
Garden City Beach
Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
A laid-back unincorporated beach community south of Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach straddles the Horry/Georgetown county line. Its centerpiece is the Garden City Pier with arcade, restaurants, and live music, anchoring a family-friendly stretch of wide Grand Strand beach.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · 44% rain · 83°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 101. Southwest wind 3 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2am and 5am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind 1 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Weather
- 91°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- 44% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 83°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
23 /100
skip
17 Swim
40 Sunbathe
13 Walk
30 Fish
26 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
91°F
Clear
Wind
3 to 9 mph
SW
Rain
44%
Today
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
86°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Water
Water Temp
83°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
6:26 PM
6.4 ft · in 3.1h
Barometer
30.09 inHg
1019 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
82 MPN/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 7mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:14 AM
Sunset
8:28 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:15 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 5:57 AM | High | 4.7 ft |
| 12:04 PM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 6:26 PM | High | 6.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:12 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 6:57 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 1:02 PM | Low | -0.7 ft |
| 7:24 PM | High | 6.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:08 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 7:54 AM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 2:00 PM | Low | -0.8 ft |
| 8:18 PM | High | 6.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00 AM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 8:48 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 2:56 PM | Low | -0.7 ft |
| 9:10 PM | High | 6.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:49 AM | Low | -0.5 ft |
| 9:42 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 3:50 PM | Low | -0.6 ft |
| 10:00 PM | High | 6.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:36 AM | Low | -0.4 ft |
| 10:37 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 4:42 PM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 10:52 PM | High | 5.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:22 AM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 11:34 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 5:34 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 11:45 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8661070, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
86°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
59%
25
86°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
62%
24
89°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
27%
40
92°
Sunny
5%
76
93°
Sunny
9%
74
91°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
30%
32
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 83°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 44% rain chance
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 91°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Major
10:10 PM - 12:10 AM
Minor
3:30 AM - 4:30 AM
Major
10:40 AM - 12:40 PM
Minor
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Free year-round parking at all oceanfront beach accesses and at Horry County Nash Street access. Paid parking lots available along Magnolia Drive off Waccamaw Drive.
Dogs
Horry County portion: leash required at all times (max 6 ft); dogs prohibited on beach 10am–5pm from May 1 through Labor Day. Georgetown County portion: leashed 9am–7pm, voice control other hours.
Entry Fee
Free beach access; free oceanfront parking
Address
Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Garden City Beach today?
Garden City Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Garden City Beach dog-friendly?
Horry County portion: leash required at all times (max 6 ft); dogs prohibited on beach 10am–5pm from May 1 through Labor Day. Georgetown County portion: leashed 9am–7pm, voice control other hours.
Is there an entry fee at Garden City Beach?
Entry to Garden City Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Garden City Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Garden City Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Garden City Beach?
Amenities at Garden City Beach include lifeguards (seasonal, May 15 – Sept 15), restrooms, showers, fishing pier, arcade, restaurants.
When is the water warmest at Garden City Beach?
Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.
Where is Garden City Beach located?
Garden City Beach is in Horry County, SC, at Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS