Enjoy an Aviator’s Vacation in North Myrtle Beach
SC—Are you looking for a relaxing place to park your plane and enjoy some quiet ocean views while still being close to all the action? If you said that sounds great, flying into Grand Strand Airport (CRE) and vacationing in North Myrtle Beach, SC, may be your ideal vacation. North Myrtle Beach is about 14 miles north of Myrtle Beach and has its own airport. Let’s take a look at what makes North Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand Airport (CRE) so great.
Vacation with Your Airplane at North Myrtle Beach
North Myrtle Beach is part of the 60 miles of beaches in the Grand Strand. It was first settled in 1735 and encompasses the neighborhoods of Crescent Beach, Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, and Windy Hill. As of 2022, it had a year-round population of 19,836 and spanned slightly more than 22 square miles. During the busy season, the Myrtle Beach area hosts an estimated 19 million visitors.
Grand Strand Airport (CRE)
Grand Strand Airport (CRE) is located one mile from the business district in North Myrtle Beach. It contains one runway, Runway 5/23. The surface is 5,997 feet long and 100 feet wide. Pilots can get 100LL, and Jet A. Myrtle Beach Approach and Departure can be contacted on 119.2. The Grand Strand tower can be contacted on 124.6 and 257.6 from 7 AM until 9 PM. Grand Strand Ground can be contacted on 121.8 or 257.6, and the CTAF is 124.6.
The airport averages 98 operations per day. Forty-one percent is transient general aviation, thirty-nine percent is local aviation, seventeen percent is comprised of air taxis, and three percent is military. Grand Strand Airport has 35 aircraft based on the field: 28 single-engine airplanes, five multi-engine airplanes, one jet, and one helicopter.
CRE offers a crew lounge, showers, Wi-Fi, coffee, bottled water, flight planning, and vending machines. Pilots can park on the ramp and tie down their airplanes. The airport also offers lavatory services and towing. For pilots who are looking to stay a bit longer, they have transient and monthly hangar rentals.
Places to Stay in North Myrtle Beach
Visitors love North Myrtle Beach because it’s calmer than Myrtle Beach. However, since it’s only 14 miles down the strand, vacationers can enjoy the sites, like the Ferris wheel and upsidedown building, then return to their quiet accommodations and peaceful ocean views.
Vacationers can choose from beach homes, resorts, hotels, and condos. Some popular places to rent beach homes include Seaside Vacations, Elliot Realty Grande Villas, and Cherry Grove Beach Houses. If staying in a luxury resort is more your style, you might check out the accommodations at the Tilghman Beach and Golf Resort, the Avista Resort, the Bay Watch Resort & Conference Center, Beach Cove Resort, and the Harbourgate Marina Club by Vacasa. Vacationers can choose one of the many hotels, including Best Western Ocean Sands, Comfort Inn North Myrtle Beach, Edgewater Inn, and Fairfield Inn by Marriott.
North Myrtle Beach Beaches
North Myrtle Beach includes Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, and Windy Hill Beach. Cherry Grove Beach is located at the north end and includes Cherry Grove Pier. Visitors to this beach can visit the bait and tackle shop to pick up the gear for a day of pier fishing. They can enjoy parasailing with Aloha Watersports and grab a bite to eat at the Ocean Grill or Boardwalk Beach Cafe.
Ocean Drive Beach is home to Carolina Shag Dancing, Fat Harold’s Beach Club, Melt ice cream shop, and Main Sweets. Windy Hill Beach is located at the south end and offers beach cart and bike rentals.
Take a Trip Down the North Myrtle Beach Intracostal Waterway
The Intracoastal Waterway encompasses 3,000 miles between Massachusetts and Texas. It is comprised of rivers, canals, bays, inlets, and sounds. It was created to help keep smaller boats, ships, and watercraft out of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a safe place for kayaking, speedboating, and jet skiing. There are even dolphins in the waterway. In fact, Action Water Sports rents jet skis specifically for dolphin watching. You can also go fishing on the various charter boats, including Calabash Fishing Fleet and Hurricane Fleet Fishing Center.
North Myrtle Beach Nightlife
While North Myrtle Beach is quieter than Myrtle Beach, it still has a vibrant nightlife. Catch dinner and a show at Molly Darcy’s, Captain Archies, or the House of Blues. If you’re looking for fantastic performances, catch a show at The Alabama Theater. If tasting wine is more your thing, you can visit Wine Therapy, which offers wines from around the world. Beer lovers can visit the Crooked Hammock Brewery.
North Myrtle Beach offers plenty to see and do on land and the water. Just fly your plane into Grand Strand Airport, check in at your preferred beach house, resort, or hotel, and hang out on the beach, go fishing, or find a delicious place to eat.