As a transplant to this area, I’ve learned a few things over the years. I thought it would be helpful to share a few of my best tips for your visit to North Myrtle Beach.
Hydration and Sunscreen
First, it may seem like common sense, but drink plenty of water and use plenty of sunscreen. Dehydration and sunburn lead to a pretty miserable vacation. I’ve seen so many people crash and burn on their first day of vacation. Trust me, it’s not worth it. The sun is stronger down south and you’ll want to protect yourself. I know when people are on vacation they tend to let loose but moderation is the key. Alcohol robs the body of hydration so promise yourself you’ll drink water every two or three drinks.
Meal Time
My next piece of advice? Eat your meals at odd hours. You’ll avoid the crowds and have more time for fun if you plan to dine out during the non-busy times. Have breakfast earlier (or, if you want to sleep in, wait and have it later – say 11:00). This leads into a later lunch and dinner. Peak times for lunch are noon and dinner is 6. If you plan accordingly, you can avoid spending time in line. Who wants to stand in line while on vacation?
Fun Stuff
Speaking of fun, I highly recommend parasailing and Aloha Water Sports is amazing! Located right on the beach in Cherry Grove, these folks know what they are doing and are truly one of the best around. Their awesome safety record, friendly team members and highly qualified drivers ensure you have the most fun in the safest way possible. Personally, I find their true concern for safety very impressive. This team puts money aside and shuts down when the weather becomes questionable. Not all water sports operators do this. To me, that speaks volumes as to the quality of their character.
This year, they’ve added pontoon boat and jet ski rentals to their offerings. They also offer jet ski dolphin tours which have quickly become quite popular. This piece of their business is located at Anchor Marina. Did you know if you plan your parasailing or banana boat excursion early, you’ll save quite a bit of money? You can learn more by visiting their website. https://www.love2livealoha.com/specials.
(Aloha Water Sports: from right to left – Russell, Priscilla, and Randy. Koa is in the front.)
Ouch!
Jellyfish sting? You’ll hear all kinds of Old Wives Tale remedies but your best bet is to seek immediate attention from a lifeguard. The sooner you tend to it, the better off you’ll be. According to WebMD, the best course of treatment is as follows:
1. Get Out of the Water
2. Stop the Stinging
• Rinse the area with vinegar for at least 30 seconds. (Lifeguards have vinegar at their stations.)
• If there are tentacles remaining, remove with a pair of tweezers.
• After you remove anytentacles, soak the affected area in hot water (104-113 F or 40-45 C) for at least 20 minutes. Make sure the water is hot but not scalding. A hot shower is OK if that’s easier than soaking. Stay in the water for 20 to 45 minutes.
3. Treat Discomfort using a mild hydrocortisone cream or an oral antihistamine to relieve itching and swelling.
For less severe stings:
• Use ice packs or over-the-counter pain relievers or antihistamines for welts.
• Clean open sores three times a day and apply antibiotic ointment. Bandage if needed.
(Note: These treatments may not work for all stings. When in doubt, seek medical attention).
DO NOT use any of the following: baking soda, meat tenderizer, pressure bandage, urine, alcohol, scraping out stingers, rinse with fresh water, or rub with a towel.
Don’t Get Towed!
Parking is a premium here. Beginning June 15th, all public access lots will require fees of $2.00 per hour. If you’re staying at a resort, leave your car there and walk to the beach. If you have to drive to get here, Boulineau’s has about 150 free spaces that are open to the public. These spaces go quickly so plan to get here early if you want to save some money.
Finally, save souvenir purchases for the last day of your vacation. This allows the little ones time to look at everything out there and choose wisely. It also gives them something to look forward to (not advocating a bribe but sometimes it does work!).
We hope you’ve found this information helpful and we’d love to hear your best tips and tricks for things to do here in beautiful Cherry Grove. Remember, Boulineau’s is your one-stop shopping destination for everything you need for a great beach vacation here in Cherry Grove. Trusted since 1948, we’ve been providing locals and visitors with a unique one-of-a-kind shopping experience coupled with exceptional customer service. Stop by today and experience the Boulineau’s difference. You’ll see why Boulineau’s is “where everybody goes”!
(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed within are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Boulineau’s Inc. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion, and are not intended to malign any religion, ethics group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.)
