The sand is still warm under your toes. The waves are just as blue, and the Boardwalk’s neon glow beckons. But your wallet? It can breathe easy too, as long as you pick the right month. Everyone raves about Myrtle Beach summers, but nobody spends more time talking about the months that let you snag oceanfront views without maxing out your credit card. Let’s bust the myth: you don’t have to settle for the most crowded, pricey times. There’s a sweet spot—hidden in plain sight—when hotel rates plummet, restaurants offer real specials, and the seagulls outnumber the tourists. So, when is it?
The Real Cheapest Month for Myrtle Beach Getaways
So what month consistently delivers the lowest prices for hotels and flights to Myrtle Beach? The answer is January. Yes, it sounds weird to dream of the beach right after the holidays with everyone swapping sand for snow, but if you look at the numbers, January stands like a budget champion. Between New Year’s and Valentine’s Day, shoulder season hits its lowest point. Cheapest month Myrtle Beach searches peak for a reason—you’ll see room rates drop 30-50% below summer highs. In a 2024 survey by TravelOffPath (a legit travel site), January’s median nightly hotel price was just $68, compared to $205 in July. That difference adds up over a week, leaving you with extra cash for seafood, golf or maybe an extra frozen custard on the Boardwalk. Airfares? They’re shivering too: according to Skyscanner, January flights landing in Myrtle Beach average 40% less than peak season.
So why is January so cheap? Simple: fewer people think "beach" when it’s colder (average highs hover in the upper 50s°F or low 60s°F). But this actually works in your favor, especially if you’re not interested in roasting under a blazing sun. While swimming might be reserved for the bravest, all the attractions, shops, and many restaurants remain open—just with a relaxed, uncrowded vibe. If you prefer calm walks on the sand and museum or aquarium trips over packed pool parties, you may honestly love it more.
What to Expect: Weather, Crowds, and Open Attractions
Myrtle Beach in the winter may not hand you scorchers, but let’s face it, most of us can skip sweating buckets on vacation. In January, daily highs sit around 56-61°F (that’s 13-16°C for the metric folks). You’ll want a hoodie in the evenings or for early mornings. Don’t be shocked if you spot golfers out, since courses like Barefoot Resort stay busy unless there’s frost. No lines for mini-golf, go-karts, or outlets either—places that usually see summer mobs slip into a peaceful, more personal mode.
Ocean waves look just as photogenic and the boardwalk is actually navigable without aggressive stroller-dodging. The SkyWheel usually runs weekends, and classic eateries like Sea Captain’s House and River City Café keep serving up favorites, but you might notice off-season specials or shorter hours. On the other hand, big outdoor pools are chilled but tons of indoor water parks in resorts like Crown Reef stay open year-round. Here’s something locals know: the area’s top shows (like The Carolina Opry or Pirates Voyage) offer discount tickets to fill winter seats, so you’ll snag prime views without fighting for a spot.
The best surprise? Lots of resorts pile on freebies to tempt off-season guests. Think: breakfast vouchers, coupons for seafood buffets, and BOGO mini-golf. Even pets get deals—Whiskers (my tabby, a discerning traveler) has tested more than one discounted pet-friendly suite. For bargain-hunters and peace-seekers? It’s the jackpot.
How Prices Compare: Table of Rates by Season
It’s easy to throw words like “cheap” around, so here’s some real data to back it up. Check out the comparison table below with average hotel rates, based on 2024 data compiled from Kayak, Expedia, and local Myrtle Beach tourist boards:
| Month | Avg. Nightly Hotel Rate | Airfare Estimate (Roundtrip, Major Airports) |
|---|---|---|
| January | $68 | $145 |
| March | $89 | $220 |
| June | $190 | $340 |
| July | $205 | $355 |
| September | $105 | $210 |
| December | $80 | $155 |
If you’re traveling on a shoestring, those January savings could mean two or three more days in paradise for the same price you’d pay in July!
Tips for Scoring the Best Deals During Off-Peak Months
If you want those rock-bottom prices, timing matters. The absolute lowest rates usually show up after New Year’s Day but before mid-February. Here are a few tricks that put more dollars back in your beach bag:
- Look for weekday stays—Friday and Saturday rates are still a bit higher even in winter.
- Sign up for hotel loyalty programs or book directly on a resort’s site. They’ll often email exclusive codes or last-minute upgrades during slow periods.
- Bundle where you can: search flight + hotel packages, which can sometimes shave off another 10-20% compared to booking separately.
- Try the flex-search options on booking sites—being willing to move your trip a day or two earlier or later can unlock a fantastic price drop.
- Don’t be afraid of smaller properties or family-run motels. Many of them never fill up off-season and will negotiate, especially for longer stays.
- If you’re a golfer (or a deal-savvy pet like Whiskers), look for resort packages—some include free rounds or free nights if you stay three or more weekdays.
- If you live within driving distance, last-minute deals become more common, since hotels would rather sell rooms at a discount than let them sit empty.
Your biggest risk? Booking too early and locking in a higher rate—off-season prices often drop closer to check-in when properties realize they still have rooms to move.
What’s Worth Doing in Myrtle Beach in the Cheapest Month?
Worried you’ll be bored in January? You shouldn’t. Myrtle Beach doesn’t hibernate just because summer’s gone. Broadly speaking, outside swimming is for polar bear challengers, but here’s what’s still lively and fun:
- Indoor water parks—several big resorts have these open daily. Your kids (or your inner child) will thank you!
- The Aquarium—Ripley’s keeps its doors open, and it’s way less mobbed during winter.
- Broadway at the Beach—shops, arcades, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! are great for chilly days.
- Shows—the Carolina Opry, Alabama Theatre, and Legends in Concert run all year, often with incentives like dinner-and-show packages.
- Golf—some courses offer the lowest rates of the year, and it doesn’t snow much. Locals are out there every dry day.
- Wildlife watching—the Grand Strand empties out, making it prime time for shelling and spotting dolphins (bring binoculars!).
- Hiking and biking—Huntington Beach State Park trails never close, and you’ll get those iconic pier shots with zero photo bombers.
- Food deals—seafood buffets, barbecue joints, and diners push out locals-only specials, with no lines and fresher food. January is truly shrimp-and-oyster festival time.
If you’re up for scenic drives, head to Murrells Inlet’s MarshWalk, Pawleys Island, or even Brookgreen Gardens. Winter sunsets over the marsh are Instagram material without the filter.
You really can have a beach trip with comfort, fun, and fewer dollars—if you’re cool with trading surfboards for sweatshirts. And if Whiskers approves, it’s got to be good.
