RULES AND GUIDELINES

Metal Detecting Myrtle Beach

If you’re visiting Myrtle Beach and planning to do some metal detecting, please be aware of the rules. The City of Myrtle Beach had passed new guidelines (May 2021), and under the new regulations, it is now illegal to dig a hole deeper than two feet on the beach, and no holes can be left unfilled. In addition, metal shovels are no longer permitted for digging at the beach. Metal sand scoops are permitted while metal detecting. We have also noticed that there has been some confusion among vacationers about the “area” of Myrtle Beach. The City of Myrtle Beach has about 10 miles of shoreline. North Myrtle Beach is not a northern section of Myrtle Beach; it is an entirely different City with basically the same rules, except smoking on the beach is prohibited. Now, let’s address the area that some folks call The Grand Strand. The term “The Grand Strand” refers to roughly 60 miles of beach land that extends along the coast of the Carolinas. Metal detecting rules will vary throughout The Grand Strand as listed below.

BEACH METAL DETECTING RULES / GUIDELINES

Metal Detecting is permitted day or night. This does not include the dunes, always stay off the dunes and do not dig near them. City Parks are also off-limits.
1. Ocean Isle Beach, NC - Metal Detecting is permitted.
2. Sunset Beach/Bird Island, NC - (southern tip in SC) is part of the North Carolina Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve. Metal Detecting is permitted on the beach area only.
3. Cherry Grove Beach, SC - Metal Detecting is permitted.
4. North Myrtle Beach, SC - Metal Detecting is permitted, $100 fine for not filling in any holes left open or digging deeper than two feet on the beach. Smoking is also prohibited.
5. Atlantic Beach, SC - Metal Detecting is permitted.
6. Briarcliffe Acres, SC Beach - Metal Detecting is permitted.
7. Apache Pier, SC Area - Metal Detecting is permitted.
8. Ocean Club Grande Dunes, SC Beach Area (Myrtle Beach) access by 82nd Ave North - Metal Detecting is permitted.
9. Myrtle Beach (inside the city limits) Metal Detecting is permitted, $100 fine for not filling in any holes left open or digging deeper than two feet. Metal shovels are now prohibited for general use, but a metal shovel or sand scoop is permitted while metal detecting ONLY.
10. Everything south of 82nd Ave North (Myrtle Beach) all the way down to Myrtle Beach State Park, SC - Metal Detecting is permitted. The State Park will permit metal detecting on the beach only.
11. Pirate Land Campground, SC Beach Area, and Ocean Lakes Campground, SC Beach Areas - Metal Detecting is permitted on the beach, but you will need to be a guest of the said facility for easy access to the beach. If not a guest, you still may lawfully access the beach area only by walking up the beach/coastline from the south end or down the beach/coastline from the north end. You will be trespassing if you exit the beach and enter either campground. This can be quite a long walk, be sure to check a map before doing this.
12. Surfside Beach, SC - Metal Detecting is permitted, and there is a no-smoking policy in public areas.
13. Garden City Beach, SC - Metal Detecting is permitted.
14. Huntington Beach State Park, SC - Beach detecting only with special park authorization.
15. Litchfield by the Sea Beach, SC - Metal Detecting is permitted.
16. Pawleys Island, SC - Metal Detecting is permitted. The north end of the Island has a gated community, and the beach can be legally accessed by walking up the beach/coastline or if you’re a guest of the community. If you enter the community from the beach, you will be trespassing.

For ALL Beach Rules & Regulations like pets, fireworks, alcohol, etc. please see HorryCounty.org/About-Our-Beaches

As always, be safe and happy hunting!

VIEW ALL BEACH RULES

MYRTLE BEACH PUBLIC BEACH ACCESSES and PARKING INFORMATION

Finding available parking at many locations can be difficult during peak season. You’ll find that early morning and late afternoon are the best times to find an empty parking space. For more information about public beach access parking, restrooms, and more, we recommend visiting the Horry County website. With this interactive map, you can search by location for more details about each beach access point. Remember to use the quick navigation option or the search icon, then zoom in. Street map or imagery view options are also available on the toolbar menu.

JUNE 21, 2026

SEPTEMBER 22, 2026

MYRTLE BEACH HUNTING SEASON

Beach Hunting Season 36 officially kicks off on the first day of summer and ends on the last day of summer, but many of the local hunters just recognize this as the best time of year for beach detecting. Several LMS Group Members live in the Myrtle Beach area and detect regularly throughout the year, and others mainly hunt the beaches when it gets too hot for Relic Hunting. In fact, we sometimes beach hunt at night when fewer people are on the beach, and the temperatures are a little more forgiving.

Please remember always to follow the Metal Detecting Code of Ethics. Before beginning, you should always be aware of the legal requirements in your area, including federal, state, county, and local legislation. It would be challenging to list and keep up to date with all the legislation for each region in one location; therefore, we recommend that if you are unfamiliar with the legislation in your particular area, please take the time to learn it.

JAN 1, 2025

JAN 8, 2025

BEACH HUNTERS
FULL MOON KING TIDES!

Thursday, January 1, 2026, through Thursday, January 8, 2026
(See your lowest tide dates and times here)

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Beach Rental Equipment

LMS offers the right level of support, expertise, and value that you expect.
30-day pre-reservation is required for free delivery & pick-up on rentals, or you can rent one today at the Murrells Inlet, SC main office. Must be 18 years or older with a valid driver's license.
We do carry children's metal detectors and scoops for purchase.

Sand Scoop rental (2 day min deposit required)

$70/two days

Rental rates decrease with longer terms.
Rent Pro-Fortis FMX Sand Scoop | Red Fiberglass Handle.

More Info

Detector & Scoop Rental (2 DAY MIN DEPOSIT REQUIRED)

$140/two days

Rental rates decrease with longer terms.
Rent X-Terra Pro Metal Detector and Pro-Fortis FMX Sand Scoop.

More Info

DETECTOR & SCOOP RENTAL (2 DAY MIN DEPOSIT REQUIRED)

$180/two days

Rental rates decrease with longer terms.
Rent X-Terra Elite Metal Detector and Pro-Fortis FMX Sand Scoop.

More Info

The Gear

LMS Metal Detecting - Your Authorized Dealer Connection:
A day outdoors metal detecting is even better when you have the right tools at hand. We have listed some of the most widely used metal detecting accessories for relic and/or beach detecting. You’ll find there are many variations, types, and styles offered. Avoid cheap knockoffs that look similar to the original brand-name equipment. They are basically garbage and not the best way to make your hunting easy, fun, and most importantly, productive.

Gear Talk

A special thank you to the friends we have made throughout our travels. We truly appreciate your support, and we’re so grateful for the trust you’ve placed in us with your property. We sincerely hope you are satisfied with your experience and will recommend us in the future.

Office Hours: (New Winter Hours: Closed Sunday and 6 pm on Saturday)

Sunday Closed
Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

RULES AND GUIDELINES

Metal Detecting Myrtle Beach

LMS Metal Detecting

MYRTLE BEACH METAL DETECTING RULES

BEACH METAL DETECTING RULES / GUIDELINES

MYRTLE BEACH PUBLIC BEACH ACCESSES and PARKING INFORMATION

MYRTLE BEACH HUNTING SEASON

BEACH HUNTERS
FULL MOON KING TIDES!

Beach Rental Equipment

Sand Scoop rental (2 day min deposit required)

Detector & Scoop Rental (2 DAY MIN DEPOSIT REQUIRED)

DETECTOR & SCOOP RENTAL (2 DAY MIN DEPOSIT REQUIRED)

All of Your Metal Detecting Equipment Needs.

More than just a metal detecting shop!

The Gear

We’re here to help!

Office Hours: (New Winter Hours: Closed Sunday and 6 pm on Saturday)

LMS Metal Detecting LLC

Quick Links

RULES AND GUIDELINES

Metal Detecting Myrtle Beach

LMS Metal Detecting

MYRTLE BEACH METAL DETECTING RULES

BEACH METAL DETECTING RULES / GUIDELINES

MYRTLE BEACH PUBLIC BEACH ACCESSES and PARKING INFORMATION

MYRTLE BEACH HUNTING SEASON

BEACH HUNTERSFULL MOON KING TIDES!

Beach Rental Equipment

Sand Scoop rental (2 day min deposit required)

Detector & Scoop Rental (2 DAY MIN DEPOSIT REQUIRED)

DETECTOR & SCOOP RENTAL (2 DAY MIN DEPOSIT REQUIRED)

All of Your Metal Detecting Equipment Needs.

More than just a metal detecting shop!

The Gear

We’re here to help!

Office Hours: (New Winter Hours: Closed Sunday and 6 pm on Saturday)

LMS Metal Detecting LLC

Quick Links

BEACH HUNTERS
FULL MOON KING TIDES!