We are getting ready to go to North Myrtle Beach for a week. We are interested in either dolphin watching tours or somewhere like a park that has dolphins. Does anyone know where we could go? Also any information about shelling would be appreciated. Thank You

Lwc,

There are no dolphin parks, but there are quite a few boats that offer dolphin viewing (there are lots of dolphins here, so I think your chances of seeing some on these cruises are pretty good). The ones closest to you are based in Little River or Calabash (although there are cruises out of Murrells Inlet, south of MB, also).

Here's a link to a summary of various water sports/cruises:

http://www.northmyrtlebeachtravel.co...ndfishing.html

As to shelling, my advice is to get out very, very early (or very, very late, with a flashlight) and try to catch a falling tide about 3/4 toward Low Tide. As you might expect, larger shells (like whelks) don't tend to travel too far up the beach, so I wouldn't waste a lot of time near the High Tide mark. Look for Sea Pens, Sand Dollars, Whelks, Giant Atlantic Cockles (we refer to them as MB ash-trays), and Lettered Olives (SC's state shell).

Good Luck!

Thank you so much Beach_dweller. Are there any particular things you think we should do while visiting? We are bring four kids ages 4, 5, 9, and 14. What are the best attractions for kids?

Go down to Huntington Beach State Park near Murrell's Inlet/Litchfield. Plan to spend the day and picnic. There are ranger tours and excellent beaches and shelling. Lots of alligators!!

Thanks Gretchen I looked Huntington Beach up on the net and it sounds great. Have you participated in very many of the activities there? If so which ones would you recommend?

Our adult children have toured the house and gone shelling. We are going next week and will do some tours. When we are there in the "off' season, there are not many tours-and the alligators are hibertnating.

OK. So I need some good things to do in North Myrtle Beach Cherry Grove Area any suggestions? Thanks

Lwc,

with kids 4-14, I would recommend the following (in or relatively near NMB):

Alligator Adventure (in Barefoot Landing, in NMB)

Any of the many, many miniature golf (putt-putt) places; all on HIghway 17 in NMB, some of the ones that come to mind are Pirate's Adventure (not sure of the name, but it has a pirate ship out front) and Hawaiian Rumble.

Pier fishing off Cherry Grove pier (you can rent equipment and bait).

In or near Broadway at the Beach (on 17 Bypass in MB--between 29th and 21st Avenues North): NASCAR Speedpark; Myrtle Waves (waterpark); Ripley's Aquarium (a really decent aquarium with good kids programs); MagicQuest just opened (not really sure what it is, but it sounds like a live-action video game, where kids act out parts); and Dragon's Lair is an elaborate mini-golf place in Broadway.

In the heart of Myrtle Beach there are two amusement parks (roller coasters, etc.) the kids might like--both on Business 17 (a/k/a Kings Highway): the Pavilion at 9th Avenue North and Family Fun Kingdom at about 6th Avenue South.

Finally, you could consider a "river" cruise from Barefoot Landing--that's actually the intracoastal waterway (but depending on how far the boat goes south, you might connect with the Waccamaw River).

I never received a reply on my condo question so I thought I would try again. Does anyone know anything about ocean view villas in North Myrtle Beach? We went through Elliott Rentals.

Lwc,

I doubt whether anyone is ignoring you. There are THOUSANDS of different condo buildings along the grand strand. The odds that someone browsing this forum has stayed in any particular one (except some of the larger resorts) are long. That said, Elliott is a very reputable rental agency down here.

Thank you beach dweller. That makes me feel better. Can't wait to get there.