Springmaid Beach is a beach and pier break just north of the campground in Myrtle Beach State Recreation Park. Since hurricanes cleared out the sandbars it plays more like a shorebreak, so waves tend to break powerfully and close to shore. It's a non-restricted, all-day surfing spot, and swell direction decides whether the lefts or the rights are the better bet.
When It Works
The break faces swell from east to south (E-S), peeling over sand into both lefts and rights depending on the day's swell angle. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft, covering everything from small, playful days up to bigger, more powerful surf.
Wind and Tide
Look for northwest (NW) offshore wind to clean things up. The beach can work through most of the tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
Expect a busy lineup through summer, when the beach and pier draw plenty of surfers.
Access
There's camping right by the park along with a surf shop nearby. Keep in mind a 300 ft / 100 m 'distance from pier' rule is enforced in summer, and the water here can be affected by stormwater outfall and estuary runoff. Access may also change once the beachfront hotel and condo development is finished.
