The Grand Strand already has nature’s ultimate water park — a 60-mile stretch of Carolina coastline boasting beautiful white-sand beaches and the Atlantic Ocean serving as a real-world wave pool. But the Myrtle Beach area is also home to several man-made aquatic thrill parks featuring some state-of-the-art waterslides and other rides to give your family a change of pace from a day at the beach. Here are three popular water parks that are open to the public, plus one that is just for our guests at The Strand.
Breakers Resort: Located a few blocks south of The Strand, sister resort The Breakers is open to our guests and has perhaps the closest thing you will find to a water park on an oceanfront resort property. Stretching the length of the five buildings that make up The Breakers, the oceanfront pool deck offers indoor and outdoor water features, a 418-foot lazy river, hot tubs and a replica of a pirate ship with a splash deck for kids. During the daytime, the main pool deck is home to live entertainment such as DJs hosting dance parties and karaoke contests. Best of all, there’s no admission fee for guests at The Strand.
Myrtle Waves: The largest water park in South Carolina is only a couple of miles away from The Strand, and it offers water-filled fun for everyone in the family. Featuring more than a dozen unique aquatic attractions, Myrtle Waves is best known for its hair-raising thrill rides like the Aruba Tooba, Riptide Rockets, Turbo Twisters, Snake Mountain, Rockin’ Ray and Super Chute. The latest addition to the extreme lineup is the Flow-Rider, a surfing simulator/waterslide that offers a wild ride for the adventurous. But Myrtle Waves also has plenty of fun, kid-oriented activities such as Saturation Station and Bubble Bay, and for those who prefer life in the slow lane, the Layzee River and Wave Pool serve as top destinations. Opening for the season on May 7, Myrtle Waves offers half-price admission after 5 p.m.
Splashes Waterpark/Family Kingdom: This downtown attraction is perfect for water lovers and landlubbers alike. On the east side of Ocean Boulevard in the heart of downtown Myrtle Beach is Splashes, the only truly oceanfront water park on the Strand. Directly across the street to the west is sister attraction Family Kingdom, the only amusement park in the downtown district. Splashes is the perfect place to play by day, cooling off on the speed slides, water flumes, lazy river and kiddie pool splash deck before crossing the street for an adrenaline rush aboard the many thrill rides at Family Kingdom. Guests can purchase all-day admission wristbands to one or both attractions, but admission is free for folks who prefer to stay dry and keep their feet on the ground. Family Kingdom is open for the season, and Splashes turns on the water May 28.
Wild Water & Wheels: The 15-mile drive to Garden City Beach is worth the trip for those who want to get wet and take a spin around the racetrack. Wild Water & Wheels has more than 20 waterslides and other water attractions to keep the whole family entertained, such as the Free Fall Cliff Diver, White Water Express and Wild H20 Racer thrill rides for the adventurous types and a wave pool, lazy river and kids aquatic playgrounds for the less extreme. Wild Water & Wheels also offers several go-cart racetracks, miniature golf, a modern arcade and other attractions for a full day of fun, and Fridays feature a weekly Live After Five promotion with live music and half-price admission after 5 p.m.
For a more serene day on the water, simply relax at the resort and enjoy The Strand’s oceanfront pool and hot tub, tanning deck and easy access to the beach. It’s all part of the boutique hotel experience you can expect during your stay at The Strand.
