Murrells Inlet Live Cam

Walk among the wetlands, cruise the creek, savor our world-famous seafood, and explore our onshore pleasures. From our rich history of buried pirate treasure, to our ecology tours of the spectacular salt marsh, Murrells Inlet is a world apart.

Where else but Murrells Inlet can you experience a "hush" puppy, a "clap" house, and "Drunken" Jack? All are part of the folklore and heritage of this sleepy fishing village that spans from the pirates of the 1700's, and plantations of the 1800's to the summer retreat cottages of today.

The "Seafood Capital of South Carolina" earns its name from the freshest grouper, flounder, tarpon, clams, oysters, and crabs prepared by award-winning chefs at more than 30 restaurants dotting the creek side.

The beauty and solitude of nature beckons you to stroll along the village's 1,400 foot Marshwalk that winds over the adjacent wetlands, and observe the wildlife and waterfowl, or explore the waters on our ecology tours.

Marinas dot the marsh offering the experience of offshore fishing, parasailing, and boat rentals, and our antique shops are full of treasures just waiting to be discovered. Internationally acclaimed golf, Huntington Beach State Park, and world-famous Brookgreen Gardens complete a memorable visit.

Murrells Inlet— Rich With History and Abundant Natural Beauty

Blackbeard the pirate knew every twist and turn of the inlet in the 1700's and used them often to bury his treasure. Murrells Inlet is rich in heritage at every crook in the road, every bend in the various creeks.

The native Americans - Waccamaws, Seewees, and Winyah tribes - traded and interacted with English and Spanish explorers along the creek banks and tall- pined areas. Novice collectors can unearth pottery and arrowheads today in shellbanks.

The 1600 and 1700's brought the notorious renegade pirates like Blackbeard into the inlet's channels where one tale is entrenched firmly in the mud of the creek. Legend has it that Blackbeard made a run in the inlet to unload and bury a supply of hi-jacked rum. A frenzied night of celebration led to an early morning sail the next day, forgetting about a crewman named Jack who was still sleeping off a stupor. Two years later, Blackbeard slipped back into the inlet to pick up the buried rum. But what faced him on that inlet island was empty casks of rum and a human skeleton believed to be that of a "drunken Jack." To this day, Drunken Jack island is known for Blackbeard's pirate, Jack.

The 1700 and 1800's brought plantation owners to the area for summer retreats in a location where mosquitoes were few, seafood was plentiful, and the ocean and inlet breezes were cool. The rice plantations which grew as abundant as the golden grains of rice were tucked all along the area referred to as Waccamaw Neck which included Murrells Inlet. By the mid 1800's, rice had established the area as one of the nation's wealthiest and most influental. In the summer, entire plantations would move to the inlet's quiet, oak-laden banks to enjoy their wooden clapboard houses with porches perched along the marsh. Life was good and enjoyed at a slow and easy pace.

Near the 1900 century mark, though, emphasis was once again put on the creek and fishing. As Captain Bill Oliver piloted boats into the inlet for fishing excursions, he began operating Oliver's Lodge as a boarding house and fishing lodge. Soon, both the popularity of the sport and swell of appetites for seafood transformed this sleepy area into the "Seafood Capital of South Carolina", a self-proclaimed title which it holds to this day. In fact, in 1948, a seafood dinner cost $1.50, .O5 for a glass of Southern sweet tea. Today, that same restaurant is operated by the granddaughter and her family, one of nearly 30 restaurants dotting Murrells Inlet. Today, too, shellharvesting for oysters and clams as well as commercial fishing for flounder is an everyday occurrence at the inlet. A half dozen marinas dot the marsh line, offering half-day and full-day fishing, environmental tours, parasailing, kayaking, and banana boat ventures.

Murrells Inlet Marsh Ecology

Think you do a good job of protecting the environment? Get a copy of our self-assessment test and see if you are eligible to win the Golden Oyster Award for good stewardship.

Did you know that the inlet's saltmarsh is a nursery? Fish and shellfish of all varieties are born and live here. They feed off the marsh grass when it dies off in the fall. Grouper, tarpon, shrimp, oysters, clams, and crabs call the inlet home. Waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds such as herons, egrets, ducks, and kingfishers are seen here right from the Marshwalk. The inlet offers much— but respect is what it needs most. During Spring Tide in April each year, residents retrieve litter from the waters. Preserving and protecting the creek is the community's top goal.

There are ways we all can help keep the creek Healthy: Do pick up trash; Practice "Plus-One Boating" (What you take out, bring back - PLUS ONE); Don't flip cigarettes into the water; Limit boat wakes since they cause erosion; Avoid running boats into the marsh grass; Use only Non-Toxic or "Phosphate-Free" cleaners; Avoid fuel and oil spills into the water; Walk your pets away from the creek and other natural waterways, their waste gets into the creek by way of ditches, creek banks, and storm water drainage. As we say in the inlet, "Litter Makes Us Crabby".

Area residents and businesses volunteer to help preserve the water quality of the creek and clean up the environment with group efforts and financial support provided by various fund raisers throughout the year. Committes help educate the public about the delicate balance of wetlands ecosystem, and work with businesses and agencies to ensure that the architectural vision of the fishing village is maintained in new construction, and that stormwater drainage plans are implemented to protect the creek. We are an involved community dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of our surroundings for future generations to enjoy.

Murrells Inlet is a non-profit organization formed in 1997 for the betterment of our community. It operates through a variety of funds, including private an corporate donations, sale of various items such as plaques, grant and foundation awards, and specific project funds which flow through county governments.