When the heat of July rolls in, it’s time to get your shark on. A summertime entertainment fixture for many, Shark Week spotlights the awesome power of our oceans and their inhabitants. Popularized by the Discovery Channel, Shark Week is known for its combination of educational and sci-fi programming. Whether you’re tuning in to Shark Week on TV or finding some fin-spiration locally, take this opportunity to appreciate all things marine. Let’s touch on some Grand Strand spots that are sure to psyche you up for Shark Week.
BEACHWEAR
Travel into the belly of the beast to get outfitted for your beach vacation at Jaws Resortwear. You can’t miss this beachwear shop in Murrells Inlet, notable for its photo-worthy entrance. Here, you’ll pass through the gaping mouth of a massive shark to browse the wide selection of beach essentials. The shark’s mouth is framed by Lifeguard chairs for staging a memorable family photo. View live sharks inside the store’s aquarium, which features species like the nurse shark. Look down low! The nurse shark is benthic, meaning that it lives on the ocean floor.
Jaws Resortwear is one of many beachwear stores in the area; other outfitters include Breeza Beachwear and Tsunami Surf Shop in Garden City, or Bargain Beachwear and Eagles Beachwear in Surfside. Shop around to gather the clothing and equipment you need to maximize your fun in the sun. Shark tooth necklaces, shark-inspired swimwear, and shark-themed souvenirs are among the many provisions at these tourist-friendly superstores.
SHARK WAKE PARK
Once you’ve secured your beach attire, you can dive right into the summer amusements. Shark Wake Park in North Myrtle Beach features a floating playground, wakeboarding, knee boarding, and water skiing. Water adventure seekers, look no further! Slip down the inflatable slides and climb the floating towers during an active day of water sports. You can take a break from the attractions and recharge at the park’s snack bar—a great place for parents to relax while the kids are making a splash.
AQUARIUMS
Ripley’s Aquarium is another favorite local attraction, year-round (and a popular rainy-day activity). Located at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, this aquarium houses marvelous exhibits of marine life. From the amphibians of the rainforest to the reptiles of the Amazon River, you can enjoy an educational experience that incorporates aquatic creatures from around the globe. A variety of sharks, including the blacktip reef, zebra, whitetip reef, sandbar, leopard, sand tiger, and Atlantic nurse, can be spotted gliding through these artfully recreated ecosystems. Take a peek at the tank floor and you will notice an abundance of shark teeth. On average, a shark will lose a tooth each week. The quantity and size of the tooth will depend on the shark’s age and species.
Venture just two hours south of Garden City to downtown Charleston, to visit the South Carolina Aquarium. Well worth a day trip to The Holy City, this aquarium houses over ten thousand plants and animals. Located in the historic Charleston Harbor, the aquarium also operates a Sea Turtle Care Center that performs rescue and rehabilitation of sea turtles in addition to research and conservation projects.
STATE PARKS
For a deeper dive into all things shark, Myrtle Beach State Park is hosting a weekly Sharks! Informational Program for all ages. Running every Wednesday from June 12, 2024, to August 7, 2024, park rangers will share shark facts and demystify the lore surrounding these impressive creatures. Visitors are welcome at the Activity Center Classroom from 1 to 1:30 p.m.
SHARK TOOTH HUNTING, FISHING CHARTERS AND CRUISES
Take your newfound knowledge and apply it to the sand and seas. Sign up for a shark tooth search expedition with Fossils Forever Shark Tooth Hunting Adventures or Myrtle Beach Shark Tooth Adventures. Join these guided hunts for fossilized treasures or, if the water is calling you, sign up for a shark fishing charter. Salty Hooker Fishing Charters and Crazy Sister Fishing & Cruises offer tours into the deep blue, where you can encounter a variety of species including bull, tiger, and blacktip sharks. Reel ‘em in—then toss ‘em back, of course, as these fishing charters are a sustainable activity. Most fishing charters practice catch-and-release to protect the shark population.
Perhaps you are more of a spectator than a sportsman. If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing option, you might try a dolphin cruise with Blue Wave Adventures. Your captain will lead you through the aquatic habitat for an opportunity to encounter sharks, turtles, jellyfish, and rays.
RESTAURANTS
When you’re ready for a bite, Landshark Bar and Grill, a buzzing oceanfront hangout in Myrtle Beach, serves up tasty seafood favorites. Feed your cravings while basking in the salty air on the restaurant’s expansive beach deck. Check their entertainment calendar for details on the firework viewing parties and live music. Pier 14 is another excellent destination for sea-centric dining. Start your meal with the “Shark Bites,” a popular appetizer of fried white fish. This historic establishment was built over the ocean, offering guests an unmatched view. A late dinner will treat you to a divine moonlit view of the Atlantic.
From shark teeth to shark t-shirts and everything in between, Garden City Realty has got you covered for a jam-packed Shark Week. If you want to stick close to your South Strand vacation home, visit either the Surfside or Garden City Beach piers to catch sharks swimming around the coastal waters. Peek over the pier’s edge and witness the sharks in their natural habitat, enjoying the snacks the fishermen leave behind.
- Lauren Evanousky, Garden City Realty, Guest Services Vacation Specialist
