Myrtle Waves Water Park

Myrtle Waves Water Park is the anchor water park for Myrtle Beach vacations — the place families put on the itinerary before they even book the trip. With 3,244 reviews and a functional 4.2-star rating, it's one of the most-visited paid attractions in the entire Myrtle Beach area.

The park's scale is its defining characteristic. Multiple thrill slides of varying intensity give older kids and teens genuinely exciting options, while the dedicated children's area with smaller slides and interactive spray features keeps the under-8 crowd thoroughly entertained without requiring them to brave anything scary. The wave pool is the great equalizer — every age group gravitates toward it, and parents can supervise while floating alongside their kids.

The lazy river deserves special mention as the parent lifesaver. While kids cycle between slides, parents can maintain a relaxed float that keeps them in the general vicinity without exhaustion. It's the functional heart of any good family water park.

The honest assessment on cost: Myrtle Waves is expensive. Admission for a family of four before any food or extras pushes into $120-160 territory. In-park food adds significantly to that.

Buying tickets online in advance saves money, and packing sealed snacks to supplement the food court spend is practical. Arriving at the 10AM opening is strongly recommended — peak summer waits for major slides can stretch to 30-45 minutes by early afternoon.

For families on Myrtle Beach vacations with a full week, Myrtle Waves is worth one full day. The scale justifies the price compared to smaller water attractions, especially for families with kids ranging from toddlers to teens who each need something appropriate to their level.