Cherry Grove Beach Vibe: Family & Laid-Back | Best Season: Late Spring & Early Fall | Nearby Towns: Little River, Myrtle Beach, Loris
Most people hear “Myrtle Beach” and picture neon lights, bumper-to-bumper traffic, and a boardwalk packed shoulder-to-shoulder. Cherry Grove Beach hears that description and quietly disagrees. Tucked at the northern tip of North Myrtle Beach, Cherry Grove operates at its own relaxed frequency. The beach runs wide and uncrowded. A nearly 1,000-foot fishing pier stretches over the Atlantic like it’s been there forever (because it basically has). And the whole neighborhood gives off the distinct vibe of a place where families return year after year, renting the same house, fishing the same pier, eating at the same shack on Sea Mountain Highway.
Cherry Grove isn’t trying to impress you. It doesn’t need to. Once you show up, you get it immediately.
What Makes Cherry Grove Different From the Rest of the Grand Strand
Cherry Grove sits at the northern end of North Myrtle Beach, bordered by a gorgeous saltwater inlet to the north. The neighborhood traces its roots back decades. Cherry Grove Beach originally existed as its own community before merging with Windy Hill, Crescent Beach, and Ocean Drive to form North Myrtle Beach in 1968.
That independent spirit stuck around. Cherry Grove still feels different from the resort-heavy stretches to the south. The beach here runs noticeably wider. The rental homes outnumber the high-rise condos (though those exist too). Additionally, a genuine local culture survives here. The kind where the same families have been vacationing in the same houses for thirty years and everyone at the pier knows each other’s name.
The Beach: Wide, Warm & Wonderfully Unhurried
Cherry Grove’s beach delivers exactly what a proper family beach vacation promises. The sand stretches wide, the water runs clear in summer, and the wave action stays manageable enough for younger kids without boring teenagers to death.
The northern end of the beach near the inlet draws fishermen, paddleboarders, and families looking for extra space. Walk south and you’ll find the Cherry Grove Oceanfront Park. It’s a solid base camp with parking, restrooms, and beach access. Sunrise here earns its reputation. Pull yourself out of bed, grab a coffee from Salty Brews Café, and walk to the water’s edge before the day gets going. You’ll thank yourself.
The beach also supports water sports enthusiasts. Parasailing, banana boat rides, and kayaking through the tidal channels all operate out of Cherry Grove. Meanwhile, the saltwater channels throughout the neighborhood make for excellent crabbing. It’s a perfect activity for kids who need something to focus on besides asking when lunch is.
Cherry Grove Pier: Almost 1,000 Feet of Pure Grand Strand Character
Let’s talk about the pier because it deserves its own moment. The Cherry Grove Fishing Pier extends 985 feet into the Atlantic Ocean and has been drawing fishermen since the early 1950s. The Prince family has owned it since 1965, and their stewardship shows. This pier has survived multiple hurricanes, including complete destruction by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, and came back stronger each time. Most notably with the addition of the only two-story observation deck at any privately-owned pier in the Myrtle Beach area.
Climb that two-story deck. The views alone justify the walk out. Anglers cast lines for Spanish mackerel, King mackerel, flounder, and more. Better yet, the pier covers your fishing license. A pier fishing pass is all you need. The bait and tackle shop stocks everything: rods, reels, live bait including mullet, shrimp, and squid, plus crab nets for anyone who prefers their seafood adventures a little more hands-on.
Fishing runs year-round except December and January. Walking passes cost just $2 per person. At the far end, the Driftwood Restaurant and Bar serves burgers, seafood baskets, cold beers, and cocktails. This makes it one of the more satisfying lunch spots on the entire Grand Strand. Furthermore, the pier hosts fishing tournaments throughout the year; check the schedule at cherrygrovepier.com before your trip.
Rentals: Beach Houses, Canal Homes & Oceanfront Condos
Cherry Grove runs almost entirely on vacation rentals, and the variety genuinely impresses. Whether you want a beachfront condo with a balcony or a canal-side house with a private dock, Cherry Grove has a match.
Rental types include:
Oceanfront condos. The most popular choice, with direct beach access, ocean-view balconies, and resort amenities like pools and hot tubs. Beach Cove Resort and Cherry Grove Villas rank among the most-booked in this category
Canal and inlet homes. A Cherry Grove specialty. These stilted beach houses back directly onto the saltwater channels, often with private docks for fishing, crabbing, and kayaking right from your backyard
Single-family beach houses. Classic raised homes, typically 3–5 bedrooms, perfect for families or friend groups. Many sit within a few blocks of the ocean
Townhomes and cottages. More affordable options, often near golf courses, ideal for couples or smaller groups
Large group homes. Multi-bedroom properties sleeping 10–14+, ideal for reunions or multiple families traveling together
Local rental agencies like Elliott Beach Rentals, Thomas Beach Vacations, North Beach Vacations, and Sea Mountain Vacations offer curated Cherry Grove inventories with strong local knowledge. National platforms like VRBO and Airbnb also list hundreds of Cherry Grove properties. Booking locally often means better communication, flexible policies, and insider tips for the area.
Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
After checking around online for what seemed like hours, we actually got the best deal ever on Travelocity so we highly recommend it.
Pro tip: canal homes book fast. Families who discover the dock-life experience rarely go back to regular beach houses. Reserve yours by winter for any summer week.
Food: Southern Comfort, Fresh Seafood & the Best Breakfast anywhere
Cherry Grove doesn’t overwhelm you with restaurant choices, but every spot it does offer earns its place.
The Shack tops nearly every local list. This award-winning, old-school café has been a Cherry Grove tradition for over 40 years, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday through Saturday. Order the shrimp and grits, the chicken and dumplings, or the chicken fried steak. The Shack delivers the kind of Southern cooking that makes you understand why people return to Cherry Grove every single year. It sits just two minutes from the beach, making it the ideal post-beach lunch stop.
Snooky’s Oceanfront Dining puts you right on the sand with ocean views and a seafood menu built around daily fresh catches. The grilled grouper sandwich and the shrimp & grits draw consistent praise. Sit on the patio, watch the waves, and accept that this is now your life.
Salty Brews Café handles breakfast and lunch with fresh coffee, hearty egg dishes, shrimp omelets, and creative sandwiches. Locals fuel up here before hitting the pier or the beach. Arrive early, because the good stuff goes fast.
Driftwood Restaurant and Bar, right at the end of Cherry Grove Pier, serves casual American fare: burgers, seafood baskets, salads, and cocktails with a view of open Atlantic water in every direction. Lunch here after a morning of fishing feels completely correct.
Roca Roja Cantina earns serious attention for its marsh-view location and tequila collection (reportedly the largest in South Carolina). Voted Best Mexican Restaurant by Restaurant Guru in 2023, it delivers strong tacos, ceviche, and margaritas alongside some of the best sunset views in North Myrtle Beach.
Filet’s at Harbourgate Marina steps things up for those wanting a nicer dinner. It has waterfront tables, locally sourced steaks and seafood, a dedicated sushi bar, and live music on weekend evenings.
For fresh seafood to cook in your rental, Cherry Grove also has two full-service seafood markets stocking locally caught flounder, shrimp, and crab legs. Stock the kitchen, fire up the grill, and eat like a local.
Honest Comparison: Cherry Grove vs. Other South Carolina Destinations
| Feature | Cherry Grove | Myrtle Beach | Pawley’s Island | Surfside Beach |
| Crowds | Low to moderate | Very high | Very Low | Low to moderate |
| Vibe | Laid-back Family | Party, Resort | Quiet Upscale | Quiet Family |
| Pier | 985 ft historic | mulitple piers | x | yes |
| Rental Variety | High | High (mostly hotels) | Moderate | Moderate |
| Restaurants | locally owned, casual | Chain restaurants dominate | upscale, limited | limited |
| Best For | Families, anglers | party groups | couples | families |
Cherry Grove wins on authenticity and rental quality. Myrtle Beach beats it on sheer entertainment volume. Pawleys Island feels quieter but lacks the pier and channel character. For fishing-focused families who want real beach-house living without resort-strip chaos, Cherry Grove has no equal on the Grand Strand.
Best Season to Visit Cherry Grove Beach
Late spring (mid-April through May) hits the sweet spot. Temperatures reach the mid-70s°F, crowds stay manageable, and the pier is fully operational. Spring fishing picks up strongly, a good time for Spanish mackerel runs off the pier.
Early fall (September through October) rivals spring as the smartest time to visit. Summer vacationers have gone home, water temperatures stay warm well into October, and rental rates drop noticeably. September is particularly golden and the locals know it, and so do the smart repeat visitors.
Summer delivers the full Cherry Grove experience: warm water, crowded-but-not-overwhelming beaches, active pier fishing, and every restaurant firing on all cylinders. Book well in advance; summer weeks disappear by January or February at the best properties.
Nearby Towns Worth a Day Trip
Little River (about 5 miles north) charms visitors with its working waterfront, fresh seafood docks, and the Blue Crab Festival held each May. Clark’s Seafood & Chop House, a Grand Strand institution, sits here. It’s worth the short drive for a special dinner.
Myrtle Beach (about 15 miles south) offers everything Cherry Grove deliberately lacks: Broadway at the Beach, SkyWheel, large-scale entertainment venues, and outlet shopping. It makes a great half-day excursion for families craving a dose of Grand Strand spectacle.
Loris (about 20 miles inland) brings a different flavor entirely. The annual Loris Bog-Off Festival each October celebrates South Carolina’s beloved chicken bog dish and draws visitors from across the state for small-town fun.
Final Verdict: Should You Choose Cherry Grove Beach?
Absolutely! We loved it! Especially if you’ve grown tired of fighting for a parking spot at a beach that smells like funnel cake and sunscreen. Cherry Grove offers a genuinely better version of the classic American beach vacation: a real neighborhood, a legendary fishing pier, canal houses with private docks, and a restaurant scene built around Southern cooking and fresh local seafood.
Come for one week. Watch your kids catch their first fish off that pier. Eat shrimp and grits at The Shack two mornings in a row. Sit on a dock at sunset with something cold in your hand.
Then start planning next year before you even leave.
For more Carolina vacation area guides and Carolina coastal travel inspiration, keep exploring explorecarolinabeaches.com
FAQ
Is Cherry Grove Beach part of Myrtle Beach?
Not exactly. Cherry Grove is a neighborhood within the city of North Myrtle Beach. It’s a separate city from Myrtle Beach, located about 15 miles north along the Grand Strand.
Do you need a fishing license to fish at Cherry Grove Pier?
Nope. Your pier fishing pass covers all licensing. The bait shop sells passes, rods, reels, crab nets, and live bait right on site.
What’s the best rental type in Cherry Grove?
Canal homes are the local secret weapon. Stilted houses on the saltwater channels with private docks for fishing, crabbing, and kayaking right from your backyard. Oceanfront condos are the most popular (which is what we rented), but canal homes convert everyone who tries them.
When is the Cherry Grove Pier open?
The pier is open year-round. Fishing runs every month except December and January. Walking passes cost $2 per person, and the Driftwood Restaurant stays open year-round too.
What restaurants do locals actually recommend?
The Shack leads nearly every local list. It’s a 40-year Southern cooking tradition. Snooky’s Oceanfront covers fresh seafood with ocean views. Salty Brews handles breakfast. Driftwood at the pier end handles lunch.
How crowded does Cherry Grove get in summer?
Busier than spring or fall, but far less chaotic than central Myrtle Beach. The northern location and rental-home character keep the neighborhood from feeling overwhelmed even in peak July weeks.
What’s the best time of year for fishing off the pier?
Spring and fall offer the strongest fishing. Spanish mackerel runs in spring, and flounder and red drum peak in fall. Summer fishing stays active too, especially early morning before the heat arrives.
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