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What is The Point at Cherry Grove?
The Point is the northernmost tip of Cherry Grove Beach, where the island narrows down to a point and the Atlantic Ocean meets the Cherry Grove Inlet. Walk far enough up the beach from the main access area, and eventually the shoreline curves inward on both sides and you're standing at the very end of the island with water in front of you, to your left, and to your right.
It sounds simple — and it is. But there's something about standing at the tip of a barrier island, with pelicans landing nearby, boats passing through the inlet, and the whole Grand Strand stretching away behind you, that makes it feel like the best kind of discovery. Especially when the tide is out and a wide sandbar appears, seemingly out of nowhere, extending the land another hundred feet into the water.
Cherry Grove Beach itself is a small, quiet community at the northern end of the Grand Strand in South Carolina — about 5 miles north of the North Myrtle Beach strip. It draws repeat visitors who prefer its low-key character over the busier stretches to the south. The Point is the reason many of them keep coming back.
The Point from above — where the Atlantic meets the Cherry Grove Inlet. This is your hero image for this post.
The Point isn't a developed attraction. There's no sign pointing to it, no parking lot right next to it, and no snack stand when you get there. It rewards the people who know about it and show up prepared — which is exactly what this guide is for.
Getting to Cherry Grove Beach
Cherry Grove is at the northern end of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, about 75 miles northeast of Charleston and 20 miles north of Myrtle Beach proper. From the Hickory/Charlotte area of NC it's roughly a 3–3.5 hour drive southeast via I-85 and US-17. From Raleigh, plan for about 3 hours.
Put Ocean Boulevard, Cherry Grove Beach, SC into your GPS. Once you're on Ocean Boulevard, drive north as far as the road goes. Park at the northern end of the boulevard — metered street parking runs about $1.50–2.00/hour in season.
Arrive before 9am on summer weekends. By mid-morning the northern lots fill up completely. Early arrival also puts you at The Point during the best light and lowest crowds of the day — win-win.
The walk to The Point
From the northern parking area, head to the beach and turn left (north). Walk along the shoreline. The beach will gradually narrow and curve. Keep walking. After about three-quarters of a mile the geography opens up and the inlet appears in front of you — that's The Point. Total walk: about 15–20 minutes at a relaxed pace. You can't get lost. Just keep walking north until you run out of island.
The beach gradually narrows as you head north. Add a photo of the walk here — this is great for showing readers what to expect.
If there's one thing to take from this entire guide, it's this: check the tide chart before you go. The difference between visiting at low tide and high tide is the difference between an unforgettable experience and a pleasant but ordinary beach walk.
What happens at low tide
At low tide, a wide sandbar emerges at the very tip of The Point. The water pulls back and exposes a flat expanse of wet sand that extends well beyond where the dry beach ends. You can walk out onto it, stand in the middle of what was underwater an hour ago, and look in every direction at open water. It's one of those places that photographs can't quite capture.
Low tide is also when the shelling is best. The inlet floor is exposed, bringing up shells from both the ocean and the sound side. Shark's eye moon snails, lettered olives, lightning whelks, scotch bonnets — the variety at The Point during a good low tide is exceptional.
The Point at low tide — the sandbar fully exposed.
Same spot at high tide — the sandbar disappears.
What happens at high tide
At high tide, the sandbar is completely submerged. The beach narrows significantly at the tip. The Point still exists, but you're standing at the waterline instead of out on a sandbar. It's still a nice walk — but a fundamentally different, less spectacular experience.
| Tide condition | What you'll find | Rating for first visit |
|---|---|---|
| Low tide (±1 hr) | Full sandbar exposed, wide beach, best shelling, pelicans everywhere | Perfect — go now |
| Incoming tide | Sandbar partially exposed, water moving in, active and dynamic | Great — worth it |
| Outgoing tide | Sandbar appearing, excitement builds as it emerges | Good — arrive early |
| High tide (±1 hr) | Sandbar submerged, narrow beach at the tip | Skip if possible |
How to time your visit perfectly
Aim to arrive at The Point about 60–90 minutes before low tide. This gives you the sandbar coming in — you'll watch it appear and grow as the water recedes. Then you have 2–3 hours of optimal conditions before the tide turns and starts covering it back up. For a full breakdown of how tides work here, see our complete tide timing guide.
Check the tide chart the night before using a free app like Tides Near Me or MyTides. Search "Little River Inlet, SC" for the most accurate local predictions. There are two low tides per day, roughly 12 hours apart — pick whichever one fits your schedule best.
We've talked to dozens of visitors who went to The Point once at the wrong tide, found a narrow strip of sand at the water's edge, and came away mildly disappointed. All of them wish someone had told them about the tide chart. Now you know.
The Point feels different from the main beach. It's quieter — not because it's a secret, but because the walk self-selects for people who actually want to be there. You'll find a mix: families in low-sling chairs watching the inlet, couples walking the sandbar's edge, kids hunting for shells, the occasional person sitting alone watching the pelicans. It has the feeling of a place people have discovered and returned to every summer for years.
The wildlife is one of the highlights. Brown pelicans are almost always present — they congregate at the tip to fish the inlet, and at low tide they'll land on the sandbar close enough to get a good look. Dolphins are frequently spotted in the inlet, especially in the morning. Osprey hunt overhead.
Brown pelicans on the sandbar at low tide — one of the signature sights at The Point. Add your own wildlife photo here.
The inlet current can be strong, especially during tidal movement. The water at the very tip moves quickly as the tide fills or drains — it's not a place to swim. Keep young children close to the water's edge here.
The walk is about a mile each way and there's nothing to buy at The Point. Pack for a half-day even if you're planning a shorter visit — you'll almost always stay longer than planned.
Water shoes deserve a special mention. The walk is all soft sand, but where the inlet meets the beach it gets rocky and shell-covered. Water shoes protect your feet and let you wade in without hesitation. For a full gear breakdown with specific product recommendations, see our complete packing guide for The Point.
Time of day
Early morning is the best time to visit The Point, full stop. Before 9am in summer you'll often have the sandbar nearly to yourself. The light is golden and soft, the water is calm, the pelicans are active, and the heat is still manageable. By 11am on a summer weekend the crowds arrive in force.
Sunrise at The Point — especially at low tide — is genuinely spectacular. The inlet catches the early light and the sandbar glows. It's worth setting an early alarm for at least one morning of your trip. Our dawn guide covers exactly how to plan it.
Sunrise over the Cherry Grove Inlet. This is the shot that makes people set their alarm. Add your best morning photo here.
Time of year
Late May, early June, and September are the sweet spots. The weather is warm, the water is swimmable, and the crowds are meaningfully smaller than peak summer. Our seasonal guide covers every month in detail if you're deciding when to plan your trip. September in particular is extraordinary — warm enough for full beach days, low humidity, and The Point almost to yourself on weekdays.
Peak summer (late June through August) is still wonderful — busier and hotter, but arrive early, check the tide chart, and you'll have a great experience. Winter visits are underrated: the shelling is exceptional after storm activity, the light has a clarity that summer haze eliminates, and The Point is almost entirely yours.
Looking back from the tip of The Point toward Cherry Grove Beach. Add a wide landscape shot from the sandbar here.