News Summary
The Myrtle Beach area is gearing up for a bountiful oyster season with new harvesting regulations aimed at ensuring seafood safety. With a focus on farmed oysters and various local dining deals, this season promises to delight seafood enthusiasts. Restaurants are offering specials, and the recreational harvesting season is set to start soon. The 3rd Annual Beach Brews and Oyster Festival adds to the excitement ahead. Locals and visitors can enjoy fresh oysters while following health guidelines and laws.
Myrtle Beach – The Myrtle Beach area is excitedly gearing up for an abundant oyster season, with new deals and harvesting regulations that seafood lovers should note. As part of the Grand Strand coastline, known for its sandy beaches and rich maritime culture, the region attracts both locals and visitors seeking to indulge in the seasonal delicacy of oysters.
Despite the long-held belief that oysters are best consumed only during the months with an “R” in their names, spanning from September through April, this notion is now considered outdated. Current guidelines focus on the warmer summer months, which see a rise in both ocean temperatures and the growth of vibrio bacteria, which can pose health risks. To mitigate this, South Carolina law prohibits the harvesting of wild oysters once ocean temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
This regulation impacts local dining options significantly. During the warmer months, restaurants in Myrtle Beach can only offer farmed oysters or those harvested from cooler regions. Farmed oysters follow stringent health protocols that greatly reduce the risk of vibrio contamination, and importantly, they do not spawn during summer, preserving their quality and flavor.
For oyster enthusiasts, numerous restaurants throughout Myrtle Beach are offering enticing deals. Many establishments are running $1 oyster specials, typically requiring orders of at least half a dozen. Original Shucker’s Raw Bar serves 99-cent oysters from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, combined with drink specials for a complete experience. In North Myrtle Beach, diners can enjoy half a dozen oysters for $6 or a dozen for $12 during happy hour, available every day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
1229 Shine in Myrtle Beach features a happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., offering house oysters for $1 each, while their blue point and chef selection oysters range from $2 to $3 each. On the Half Shell in Murrells Inlet takes it further on Mondays with $1 oysters available all day, while other days see prices that fluctuate according to market conditions. Bimini’s Oyster Bar also participates in the happy hour trend, offering 25% off oysters between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., setting the typical price a little over $1 each.
The Myrtle Beach area is rich in seafood culture, with a variety of dining options ranging from all-you-can-eat buffets to raw bars, notably including establishments like Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant and Rockefellers Raw Bar, both famous for their fresh seafood offerings and inviting ambiance.
The recreational shellfish harvesting season in South Carolina spans from October 1 to May 15, although health-related changes may lead to modifications. Aspiring harvesters must obtain a SCDNR Saltwater Recreational Fishing License, which is easily accessible online. There are specific limits to adhere to: recreational harvesters can only collect two days a week and are restricted to harvesting a maximum of 2 bushels of oysters or 4 gallons of clams per day.
In addition to following the law, the SCDNR recommends responsible practices such as culling in place, which involves breaking clusters so smaller oysters can grow, and recycling shells for habitat restoration efforts. However, potential harvesters should be aware that many waterfront areas, including Myrtle Beach and Little River Inlet, have restrictions due to health regulations.
Looking ahead, seafood lovers can mark their calendars for the 3rd Annual Beach Brews and Oyster Festival taking place on October 26 and 27 in Downtown Myrtle Beach. The event will feature live music, a vibrant atmosphere, and a variety of vendors focusing on the region’s rich seafood offerings.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Discover Myrtle Beach: A Golfer’s Paradise for Summer 2025!
Myrtle Beach Golf: Your Must-Visit Summer Destination for 2025
North Myrtle Beach Introduces Zesty Authentic Greek Cuisine
Scary Stats: South Carolina Restaurants Cited for Sanitation Issues
South Carolina Ranked 19th Best State for Business in 2024
Grand Strand Celebrates Black History Month with Unity and Pride
South Coast Beer Project to Open in Carolina Forest
Myrtle Beach Celebrates 19th Annual Black History Celebration
Beach House Bar & Grill Reopens for Spring Break 2025
Murrells Inlet Hosts 16th Annual Shuckin’ on the Strand Oyster Roast
Additional Resources
- WBTW: Quality of Life in North Myrtle Beach
- Myrtle Beach Online: Local News Article
- WMBF News: Beach Brews Oyster Festival
- WFXB: Oyster Roast Events
- Myrtle Beach Online: Another Local News Article
- Wikipedia: Oyster
- Google Search: Oysters Myrtle Beach
- Google Scholar: Oyster Harvesting
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Oysters
- Google News: Oyster Festivals Myrtle Beach
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
