You’re standing on the edge of the Atlantic at 6:00 AM. The water is that murky, morning grey, and the salt air is thick. You’ve probably heard the rumors. Maybe you saw a Facebook post about a "massive fin" spotted near 2nd Avenue Pier, or you’re just wondering if that shadow in the wave is a piece of driftwood or something with a lot of teeth.
Honestly? There is a great white shark Myrtle Beach connection, but it’s not what most people think. It isn't Jaws out there.
Most of the time, the sharks "patrolling" the Grand Strand are much smaller characters. We’re talking blacktips, spinners, and the occasional sandbar shark. They’re the locals. But the Great White? That’s a seasonal visitor, a heavyweight traveler passing through on a very long road trip.
The Winter Migration: When They Actually Show Up
Most tourists think shark season is summer. That makes sense—more people in the water, more "nips" reported from smaller species. But if we’re talking about the big guys, the Carcharodon carcharias, they actually prefer the Carolinas when the crowds have gone home.
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Data from OCEARCH has shown us that Great Whites are huge fans of the "Lowcountry" and the Grand Strand during the winter and spring. Just this January 2026, trackers have been pinging like crazy. We’ve seen sharks like Contender, a 13-foot, 1,600-pound beast, and Goodall, another 13-footer, hanging out off the coast.
Why? It’s basically a massive highway.
They spend their summers up in the North Atlantic—think Cape Cod and Nova Scotia—feasting on high-calorie seals. When the water gets too cold up there, they head south to the warmer (but not too hot) waters of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. They aren't here to hunt people. They’re here because the water temperature is in that "Goldilocks" zone, and there’s plenty of fish to keep them fueled.
Are They "Lurking" Near the Shore?
Short answer: rarely.
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Great Whites are deep-water specialists. While a blacktip might zip through the surf looking for a snack, a 15-foot Great White generally stays several miles offshore. They follow the continental shelf.
Chris Fischer, the founder of OCEARCH, has mentioned that these animals use the South Carolina coast as a sort of "overwintering" ground. They aren't looking for a beach day. In fact, many of the "pings" you see on shark trackers are miles out at sea. When a tracker "pings," it means the shark’s dorsal fin broke the surface long enough for a satellite to grab its location.
Even though they're "close" in a geographical sense, they’re worlds away from your boogie board.
Real Talk on the Numbers
Let's look at the stats because people tend to panic.
- Total shark attacks in Myrtle Beach: In 2024, there were zero reported attacks.
- Typical annual average: One or two minor incidents.
- Fatalities: The last fatal shark encounter in the Myrtle Beach area was way back in 1852.
You’re more likely to get injured by a falling coconut or a rogue beach umbrella than by a Great White. Still, the idea of them being out there is... well, it's a lot. I get it.
How to Tell if You’re Looking at a White Shark
If you’re on a boat or a pier and you see a fin, how do you know it’s a Great White and not just a very ambitious Bull Shark?
- The Two-Tone Look: Great Whites have a very distinct "counter-shading." Their top is dark grey (sometimes almost black or brownish), and the bottom is a sharp, clean white. The line where the colors meet is usually pretty jagged.
- The Fin Shape: Their first dorsal fin is a large, sturdy triangle. Unlike some other species where the fin might look floppier or more curved, the White Shark’s fin comes to a sharp point.
- Size: It sounds obvious, but these things are massive. A mature Great White is going to be 11 to 16 feet long. Most of the sharks people see from the beach are 4 to 6 feet. If it looks like a literal van is swimming through the water, it might be a White.
Why They Matter to Myrtle Beach
We often view sharks as the "bad guys" of the ocean, but they’re more like the janitors. They keep the fish populations healthy by taking out the sick and the weak. Without them, the coastal ecosystem of South Carolina would basically collapse, which would be a disaster for the local fishing industry and the environment.
Researchers are currently watching sharks like Contender very closely this year. There’s a theory that the waters off the Carolinas might be a mating ground. We still don't know exactly where Great Whites mate—it's one of the biggest mysteries in marine biology. Identifying these "hotspots" helps scientists protect the species, which was nearly wiped out in the 20th century.
Staying Safe (And Sane)
Look, the ocean is their house. We’re just visiting. If you want to be smart about your next trip to the beach, follow these basic rules:
- Ditch the Bling: Sharks have incredible eyesight, but they aren't always great at distinguishing "shiny jewelry" from "shiny fish scales." Leave the gold chains on the nightstand.
- Avoid the Piers: People fish off the piers. They use bait. They throw scraps in the water. This is basically a dinner bell for sharks. Don't swim within 150 yards of a pier.
- Golden Hour is for Photos, Not Swims: Sharks are most active at dawn and dusk. The light is low, the water is murky, and they’re in hunting mode. Stick to the middle of the day for your dips.
- Watch the Bait Fish: If you see schools of small fish jumping out of the water or dark patches of water moving quickly, get out. Something is chasing them. You don't want to be in the middle of that chase.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
If you’re genuinely fascinated by the great white shark Myrtle Beach activity, don't just rely on beach rumors. Use the tools the pros use.
- Download the OCEARCH Tracker: You can see real-time pings from sharks that are currently off the coast. It’s a great way to educate kids (and yourself) about where these animals actually spend their time.
- Visit the South Carolina Aquarium: If you’re in the area, go to Charleston. They have incredible exhibits on local shark species and can give you a much deeper understanding of the "why" behind their behavior.
- Report Sightings to Experts: If you think you’ve seen something significant, don't just post it on TikTok. Note the location, time, and any identifying marks, and reach out to local marine biology departments or organizations like the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy.
The reality is that these animals have been swimming past Myrtle Beach for millions of years. We just finally have the technology to see them doing it. Respect the water, stay informed, and enjoy the surf.