Cherry Grove Fishing Pier
4.5(3.7K)google
4.1(10)yelp
BeachFamilyFishingOutdoorScenic Lookout
Overview
The Cherry Grove Fishing Pier is a beloved, historic maritime landmark located on Cherry Grove Beach, serving proudly as an icon of North Myrtle Beach heritage since its original construction in the 1950s. Stretching an impressive 985 feet into the roaring waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the pier is globally famous for being the site of numerous record-breaking catches, including a legendary world-record tiger shark. The pier features a fantastic, elevated two-story observation deck that provides travelers with spectacular panoramic views of the coast, alongside a well-stocked bait and tackle shop and a charming family-friendly seafood cafe.
Practical Info
Every day6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-3 hours
Best TimeMay through October during the active fishing season, with the absolute peak during a clear sunset (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM). The golden hour light stretches beautifully down the 985-foot wooden pier boardwalk, creating perfect silhouettes against the Atlantic and aligning with changing tides when mackerel and flounder bite aggressively.
Getting ThereSituated in North Myrtle Beach. No viable public transit linked; driving is best. From coastal highway US-17 N, take the exit for Sea Mountain Highway and drive east to the ocean dead-end, then turn left onto North Ocean Boulevard and proceed to 3500 N Ocean Blvd to use the paid pier lot managed by the resort.
Travel Tips
- Entering the pier requires a mandatory fee regardless of activity: 3.00 USD for walking and 10.00 USD for fishing; complimentary upper-level parking is strictly limited.
- The pier closes immediately during Atlantic tropical alerts; the two-story observation deck shuts when winds exceed 25 mph, verify live weather before arrival.
- The pier structure monitors maritime compliance; oversized crab traps are illegal, and all catches must stringently comply with South Carolina DNR sizing regulations.
Reviews
Positive
- This historic wooden pier extending hundreds of feet into the Atlantic delivers excellent visual symmetry, making it the top spot for sunrise and sunset photo ops.
- A two-story observation deck and fishing nets at the end provide great fun, backed by clear directional signs for both casual tourists and anglers.
- Superb accessibility right in the heart of North Myrtle Beach, surrounded by mature dining and surf shops, making it an iconic landmark destination.
- Charging a very budget-friendly admission fee to stroll, enjoy the sea breeze, and watch people reel in giant rays offers high freedom and perfect value.
Heads up
- During summer weekend prime hours, the narrow wooden walkway is swarming with photo-snapping tourists, completely erasing the pristine harbor peace.
- The onsite parking lot is very small, pricey, and has strict time limits; frequent parking patrols easily issue hefty tickets to unwary visitors.
- Constantly exposed to harsh ocean winds and salt spray, sections of the wooden railings and decking look weathered, needing better daily maintenance.
- The retail snack shops and gift stores at the pier head have high commercial markups with overpriced items, offering low value for money.