Ocean temperature at Myrtle Beach

[ChiMom]

Given the recent discussion about Pirateland, I thought this might be the best forum for my question. I've never been to the beaches south of NJ, where I know the water temps are best in July and August (low to mid 70's). I'd like to stay in Myrtle Beach in October, but only if the ocean beaches there are swimmable at that time of year. Any advice? Is the water clean or perhaps filled with seaweed, jellyfish, or, gulp, sharks?

[dodge_guy]

We had a great time when we were there last week. glad I didn`t watch the "Sharks at Myrtle Beach" videos on You Tube until after we got home Yikes!!!!

[Mr_Beebo]

We will be there next Tuesday for about 4 days. I supposed I could just swim with my 45 strapped to my leg.

[Community Alumni]

ChiMom wrote:
Thanks to all for your non-sugar-coated answers. I wasn't serious about the sharks, but your answers have given me pause. 🙂 Sounds like Myrtle Beach might be a good "late summer" destination for us.

Although we spend the month October there, in my opinion mid-September thru mid-October is the best time.

... Eric

[ChiMom]

Thanks to all for your non-sugar-coated answers. I wasn't serious about the sharks, but your answers have given me pause. 🙂 Sounds like Myrtle Beach might be a good "late summer" destination for us.

[mosseater]

Gee, thanks folks! Heading to Myrtle in a week. Could you lie to me a little?

[lawnspecialties]

Terryallan wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:
Here are some interesting statistics about sharks from National Geographic:

Who knew toilets and air fresheners could be so dangerous? Well, at least statistically speaking it appears sharks seem to pose less of a threat than many things we encounter every day.

In 1996, toilets injured 43,000 Americans. Sharks injured 13.

You have a one in 63 chance of dying from the flu and a one in 3,700,000 chance of being killed by a shark.

You have a one in 218 chance of dying from a fall and a one in 3.7 million chance of being killed by a shark.

In 1996, buckets and pails injured almost 11,000 Americans. Sharks injured 13.

In 1996, room fresheners injured 2,600 Americans. Sharks injured 13.

The U.S. averages 19 shark attacks a year. Lightning kills about 41 people a year in coastal states alone.

Since 1959, Florida has had nine shark attack fatalities. Lightning fatalities = 459.

However. On the other hand. You have 0% chance of being eaten alive by a toilet.

I don't know. Ever sit down without putting the seat down? That thing will swallow you up.

[Terryallan]

Dog Folks wrote:
Here are some interesting statistics about sharks from National Geographic:

Who knew toilets and air fresheners could be so dangerous? Well, at least statistically speaking it appears sharks seem to pose less of a threat than many things we encounter every day.

In 1996, toilets injured 43,000 Americans. Sharks injured 13.

You have a one in 63 chance of dying from the flu and a one in 3,700,000 chance of being killed by a shark.

You have a one in 218 chance of dying from a fall and a one in 3.7 million chance of being killed by a shark.

In 1996, buckets and pails injured almost 11,000 Americans. Sharks injured 13.

In 1996, room fresheners injured 2,600 Americans. Sharks injured 13.

The U.S. averages 19 shark attacks a year. Lightning kills about 41 people a year in coastal states alone.

Since 1959, Florida has had nine shark attack fatalities. Lightning fatalities = 459.

However. On the other hand. You have 0% chance of being eaten alive by a toilet.

[Dog_Folks]

Here are some interesting statistics about sharks from National Geographic:

Who knew toilets and air fresheners could be so dangerous? Well, at least statistically speaking it appears sharks seem to pose less of a threat than many things we encounter every day.

In 1996, toilets injured 43,000 Americans. Sharks injured 13.

You have a one in 63 chance of dying from the flu and a one in 3,700,000 chance of being killed by a shark.

You have a one in 218 chance of dying from a fall and a one in 3.7 million chance of being killed by a shark.

In 1996, buckets and pails injured almost 11,000 Americans. Sharks injured 13.

In 1996, room fresheners injured 2,600 Americans. Sharks injured 13.

The U.S. averages 19 shark attacks a year. Lightning kills about 41 people a year in coastal states alone.

Since 1959, Florida has had nine shark attack fatalities. Lightning fatalities = 459.

[riven1950]

I live about 30 miles from MB. According to my depth finder water temp now is about 84 - 85 in the waterway, maybe a degree or two cooler in the ocean. In early to mid Oct I think you could expect around 70-72 +/-. About what I saw in the Bahamas in Jan-Feb. Takes a little getting used to but doable. I've seen folks from up North, especially kids swimming later than Oct., but not for me.

The small round Jellyfish you see most often here do not sting, but there are others that do. Most common after rough weather blows them around.

As for sharks, odds are you will never see one but they are here. We catch them very close to shore all the time. But like someone said, sharks are everywhere. Serious bites are very rare. Saw a thing on news today about a beach closing in Spain due to a 5 ft shark spotted.

[magnusfide]

diazr2 wrote:


Just remember no matter where you swim in no matter what ocean, as soon as you get in the water you take a giant step down on the food chain. A marine biologist told me that once and I have always lived by it. :E

Precisely. There's no substitute for being alert and aware.

[Terryallan]

For me, A Southern Boy. The water in Oct will be too cold. As for the sharks. Yes they are there, and yes they do bite. Woman was bitten on the NC coast last week. A Pirateland surf fisherman caught a 4 foot Shovel head shark while we were at PL over the 4th. I too have seen large Sand Tigers cruising the beach. I hahve stood on the pier and watched sharks swim within 100 feet of swimmers.
However. They want to bite me. They better learn to walk.

[Community Alumni]

In Myrtle Beach in October the water temps are typically high 70's/low 80's down to low 70's high 60's as you approach November.

The water along our beach at Myrtle Beach Travel Park is great. You will find jellyfish that end up on the beach overnight but they are cleaned up by municipal maintenance staff. We swim in the ocean in October and never see jelly fish daytime. It's a great time for surf fishing, a lot of Blues, some Flounder, Red Drum and of course the odd shark. We usually get to see a couple 3'-4' sharks cruising the surf but they are never a real concern. My wife had one swim by her leg in knee deep water as she was looking for shells last October. They just go on their merry way.

[lawnspecialties]

We went to Ocean Lakes years ago in late October. My son and I were able to swim but it took quite a bit of getting used to. But we're NC folks. Being used to NJ temps, I think you'll be fine.

One time I was in Hampton Beach, NH in late June. The water was so cold, my feet were turning purple. I don't know how anyone up that way could stand it.

[D___M]

Surf-Forecast.com predicts 77 degrees, based on 20 years of data. Of course it's just a prediction. Ya pays ya money, ya takes ya chances.

This lady knows that there are sharks in Hilton Head, S.C., just a couple hundred mils down the coast. But the odds of getting bit are 1 in 11 million. More likely to get struck by lightning.

[Dog_Folks]

edsland wrote:
I was walking on the pier when a fisherman caught a shark, later that day my son and I went shark fishing on a charter. They took us out a few miles where everyone on the boat caught a couple sharks. Yep there are sharks around Myrtle Beach.

Note: There are sharks everywhere in the ocean.