Barefoot Resort, North Myrtle Beach: getting around the waterway and the swing bridge

Barefoot Resort sits on the western bank of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina — a mix of golf communities, waterfront homes, a marina and rental villas spread between the waterway and Highway 31. Directly across the water is Barefoot Landing, the boardwalk shopping, dining and entertainment district that fronts Highway 17.

The two sides are stitched together by the Barefoot Landing Swing Bridge at waterway mile 353.3. That single span is the reason a two-minute drive can occasionally become a ten-minute wait, and it is what this app watches.

For residents and guests on the resort side, the swing bridge is the short way to Barefoot Landing, Highway 17 and the oceanfront. When a vessel requests an opening, the centre span rotates and road traffic stops on both approaches until the boat is clear and the span relocks.

You are not trapped when that happens. Barefoot Resort Bridge Road feeds the Highway 31 corridor, which links to Highway 22 and Highway 9 and reaches the same destinations without touching the waterway crossing. It is longer in miles and usually shorter in minutes during a busy opening window.

Openings cluster where boat traffic clusters: weekend mornings and late afternoons in spring and summer, and during the seasonal migration of larger cruising boats up and down the waterway in spring and autumn.

Approaching from the waterway, know your air draft before you get close. Most small powerboats and center consoles pass under the closed span without a request. Sailboats and taller motor yachts need an opening.

Call the bridge tender on VHF channel 9, identify your vessel, give your position and direction of travel, and hold station clear of the span until you are acknowledged. Restricted periods apply during peak road traffic — the bridge hours and rules guide covers the schedule and the tender protocol in detail.

Wind and current at the span matter more than the forecast temperature. The app carries a five-day National Weather Service forecast for the immediate area, updated through the day.

See the five-day forecast

Beyond the bridge, the app tracks civic notices, road and utility work, municipal meeting outcomes and local stories across North Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand — the things that change your week rather than your afternoon.

Read community news · Official notices

Where is Barefoot Resort?

Barefoot Resort is in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on the west side of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway across from the Barefoot Landing shopping and entertainment district. The Barefoot Landing Swing Bridge connects the two at waterway mile 353.3.

Does the Barefoot Landing bridge open on a schedule?

The swing bridge opens on request for vessels that cannot clear it closed, rather than on a fixed timetable, with restricted periods during peak road traffic. Boaters call the tender on VHF channel 9.

How long does a bridge opening take?

A single opening typically clears in a handful of minutes from the moment the span starts to swing until traffic moves again, but back-to-back requests during busy boating hours can hold road traffic longer.

Is there another way in and out of Barefoot Resort?

Yes. Barefoot Resort has road access that does not require crossing the swing bridge, using Barefoot Resort Bridge Road and the Highway 31 and Highway 22 corridors. Only the direct hop to Barefoot Landing and Highway 17 depends on the swing span.

How do I know if the bridge is open right now?

The live status page reads vessel movement on the waterway and states in plain language whether the bridge is closed to boats, likely to open, or currently opening. Tap Check Now before you leave.

What clearance does the bridge have when closed?

Closed clearance is low enough that sailboats and taller motor yachts must request an opening, while most small powerboats and center consoles pass underneath without one.

What channel do boaters use to call the bridge?

VHF channel 9. Call the tender by the bridge name, state your position and direction, and wait for acknowledgement before committing to the span.

Where can I see local weather and waterway conditions?

The news page carries a five-day National Weather Service forecast for the North Myrtle Beach area alongside community notices and local stories.