Why you should go: For all its Boardwalk diversions, Myrtle Beach still holds havens of unspoiled natural beauty, and one of them is the undeveloped barrier island of Waties, located just off the coast of North Myrtle Beach. Accessible by kayak or paddleboard, it’s the perfect place to escape the beach-town bustle and get back to nature with a stroll or an oceanfront horseback ride. To facilitate your outing, Inlet Point Plantation stables and Great Escapes Kayak Expeditions offer guided tours of the roughly three-mile-long isle.
Fill up on Atlantic views and fresh catch with the help of one of the area’s many fantastic charter outfits. Pick your timeframe—a full day or only a few hours—and your captain will have you casting for bonito, tuna, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and even barracuda in no time. Pro tip: The quiet fishing town of Little River, South Carolina, offers some of the best charters in the area. Of course, if you’d rather watch than reel, you’ll find plentiful options for dolphin-spotting trips and sunset cruises.
