Protecting Paradise: How Cherry Grove’s Dunes Are Being Strengthened for the Future

Some places don’t just look beautiful—they feel right. Cherry Grove has always been one of those places. There is something quietly powerful about that stretch of shoreline where the neighborhood thins out, the dunes rise higher, and the ocean seems a little less hurried. It feels like the edge of the world in the best possible way.

That sense of natural balance is exactly what the City of North Myrtle Beach is working to protect.

Why Dunes Matter More Than Most People Realize

To many visitors, dunes are just part of the scenery—soft hills of sand with sea oats dancing in the breeze. To coastal communities, they are something far more important. Dunes are nature’s first line of defense. They absorb storm surge, reduce erosion, and help shield homes, roads, and wildlife from the full force of the Atlantic.

When dunes are healthy, beaches stay wider, landscapes stay greener, and the rhythm of the coast stays intact. When dunes weaken, everything behind them becomes more vulnerable.

North Myrtle Beach understands this, and Cherry Grove is a prime example of why that awareness matters.

Cherry Grove’s Unique Place on the Strand

Cherry Grove is not just another beach access on the map. It is one of the most beloved corners of the Grand Strand, known for its fishing pier, wide shoreline, and the peaceful character that has drawn families here for generations. It is where early mornings belong to pelicans and joggers, and sunsets feel like private shows staged just for those who took the time to stay.

That natural charm depends on a delicate balance between land and sea. When recent federal beach renourishment work stopped short of the northern end of Cherry Grove, the city did not look away. It looked closer.

When the City Steps In to Protect What Matters

Instead of waiting and hoping, North Myrtle Beach developed its own plan to reinforce the dunes from the Cherry Grove Pier all the way to Inlet Point. Using sand that will be available from an upcoming dredging project, the city will rebuild and strengthen the dune system in this area, restoring the natural barrier that protects both the landscape and the community.

This is not about cosmetic fixes. It is about long-term protection. It is about preserving the shoreline so that future storms do less damage, and future generations can still walk the same beaches.

For visitors, that means something simple but powerful: a coastline that is cared for, not neglected.

Why This Is Great News for Visitors

When dunes are strong, beaches stay wide. When beaches stay wide, walking is easier, views are better, and space feels more generous. Families have more room to spread out. Children have safer places to play. Photographs look better. Sunrises feel bigger.

There is also peace of mind in knowing the destination you chose is actively protecting itself. A community that invests in its natural defenses is a community that plans for the future. That stability matters, especially for travelers who return year after year and want to see the same beauty waiting for them.

Cherry Grove is not being treated as an afterthought. It is being treated as something worth defending.

When Nature and Tourism Work Together

At Thomas Beach Vacations, this kind of initiative matters deeply. Our guests come here for the ocean, the open sky, the quiet mornings, and the feeling that life has slowed down just enough to be enjoyed. None of that exists without healthy beaches and protected shorelines.

We believe tourism and environmental care should never be in conflict. The best destinations in the world are the ones that respect their natural setting. North Myrtle Beach continues to prove that growth and preservation can coexist, and Cherry Grove is a beautiful example of that balance in action.

Every restored dune is an investment in the experience our guests come here to enjoy.

A Beach That’s Protected Is a Beach Worth Visiting

Cherry Grove has always had a special place in the hearts of those who know it. With the city’s dune restoration plan moving forward, that special place is being protected with intention and care.

If you have been thinking about a spring or summer escape, this is a wonderful reminder that North Myrtle Beach is not just beautiful—it is thoughtfully maintained. The shoreline you love is being looked after, and the character that makes Cherry Grove so unique is being preserved.

When you are ready to experience wide beaches, peaceful neighborhoods, and a coast that is cared for, Thomas Beach Vacations would love to welcome you. You can explore our Cherry Grove properties and other North Myrtle Beach rentals at www.NorthMyrtleBeachVacations.com, or reach our local team at (866) 249-2100. We are always happy to help you find the perfect place to stay, right where the dunes meet the sea.

North Myrtle Beach Begins Preparations for Upcoming Beach Renourishment Project

🌅 A Shoreline Worth Protecting

For generations, the beaches of North Myrtle Beach have been more than a vacation destination—they’ve been a place where families gather, wildlife thrives, and visitors find peace in the steady rhythm of the waves. Every sunrise, every sandcastle, and every footprint left in the sand tells part of a shared story that stretches across generations.

Now, that shoreline is entering a new chapter of care. The City of North Myrtle Beach, working closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Charleston District, is preparing for a major Beach Renourishment Project that will strengthen and restore the coastline in the months ahead.

The project is currently in its mobilization and planning phase, with engineers, environmental experts, and local officials finalizing logistics before work begins in late 2025. This isn’t a response to crisis—it’s a forward-looking effort, grounded in science and stewardship, to protect the city’s most treasured natural asset for future generations.

By investing now, North Myrtle Beach ensures that its iconic shoreline remains wide, walkable, and welcoming—for residents, visitors, and the wildlife that call it home.

🏗️ The Grand Strand Beach Renourishment Project

In December 2024, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Charleston District awarded a $72 million contract to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, one of the most experienced coastal engineering firms in the country. Their mission? To restore the beaches along 26 miles of the Grand Strand coastline, including North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, and Garden City.

This project will move roughly two million cubic yards of sand—the equivalent of 200,000 dump trucks—from offshore sources back onto the beaches. That’s enough to rebuild dunes, strengthen the coastline, and create a wide, resilient buffer against storms and erosion.

The renourishment is 100% federally funded, meaning no local tax dollars are used. It’s a remarkable partnership between federal engineers and local leadership, ensuring that one of South Carolina’s most beloved destinations continues to thrive.

📅 Project Timeline and Construction Details

Work officially begins with mobilization in October 2025 in North Myrtle Beach. Crews will start here, move south into Myrtle Beach in February 2026, and conclude in Garden City and Surfside Beach by mid-summer 2026.

Each week, teams will work in 1,000-foot sections—restoring, reshaping, and reinforcing the dunes as they move along. No section will be under construction for more than a few days at a time, minimizing disruptions for visitors and residents.

The timeline is carefully designed to avoid peak hurricane season and to stay on schedule, weather permitting. Crews will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, using specialized dredging and pumping equipment to move sand from the sea floor onto the beach.

Visitors may notice equipment, pipelines, and temporary fencing in active work zones, along with some noise from back-up alarms or lights during nighttime operations. But rest assured: the City and the Corps are taking every step to ensure public safety and convenience.

🐢 Protecting Nature and Wildlife

One of the most impressive aspects of this project is how it balances engineering precision with environmental care. Before any sand is moved, environmental specialists from the Corps and Horry County conduct daily monitoring of sea turtles, shorebirds, and marine life.

If a sea turtle nest is discovered in a construction area, it’s gently relocated by trained biologists. Hatchlings are monitored until they safely reach the ocean. Work halts immediately if turtles or protected wildlife are present.

Migratory shorebirds also receive daily observation, ensuring nesting sites remain undisturbed. This delicate balance between preservation and progress is central to the project’s mission: restoring the beach while safeguarding the creatures who call it home.

🚧 Public Safety and Beach Access

While the project involves heavy machinery and constant motion, safety remains the top priority.

Only active construction zones—about 1,000 feet at a time—will be temporarily closed to the public. Adjacent sections of the beach will remain open, and visitors can easily access the shore using the next available access point.

Signage, fencing, and city staff will clearly mark closed areas, and updates will be posted regularly online. The City encourages all beachgoers to stay alert, follow posted guidance, and respect safety barriers.

Most importantly, visitors can rest easy knowing that the majority of North Myrtle Beach’s shoreline will remain open throughout the process.

🤝 A Partnership for the Future

This renourishment effort highlights a long-standing partnership between local government, federal agencies, and private contractors. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Charleston District manages the project’s funding and execution, while the City of North Myrtle Beach ensures coordination, communication, and public engagement.

Together, they are ensuring the project runs efficiently, protecting not only the beach itself but also homes, businesses, and public infrastructure behind the dunes.

This partnership has proven its worth. During previous storms—like Hurricane Ian (2022) and Hurricane Debby (2024)—the dunes and prior renourishment efforts helped reduce storm surge and protect property. The system worked exactly as designed, proving that investment in shoreline protection pays real dividends in community safety.

🌴 Why Beach Renourishment Matters

Beach renourishment is about much more than aesthetics. It’s a coastal defense system and an economic safeguard rolled into one.

Healthy beaches provide:

• Storm surge protection: Dunes absorb the force of waves and prevent flooding.
• Wildlife habitat: Sea turtles, shorebirds, and coastal plants depend on wide, stable beaches to survive.
• Tourism stability: A strong, scenic shoreline attracts millions of visitors annually, fueling the local economy.
• Community identity: The beach defines North Myrtle Beach—it’s a shared resource, a cultural anchor, and a source of pride.

When the project wraps in mid-summer 2026, the beach will be wider, safer, and ready for another generation of beachgoers to enjoy.

📍 Tracking Progress and Staying Informed

Transparency is key to keeping the community connected to the project.

The City of North Myrtle Beach has launched an interactive Beach Renourishment Tracker showing live progress, work locations, and completion maps:
👉 North Myrtle Beach Tracker

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Charleston District also provides updates on their online project tracker and through their social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and X at @CharlestonCorps.

Residents and visitors can follow along daily to see which sections of beach are active and when they’ll reopen.

🏖️ Plan Your Visit with Thomas Beach Vacations

The best news? North Myrtle Beach remains open, beautiful, and welcoming.

The renourishment work is just one more example of how this community protects what makes it special. And there’s no better time to experience that care firsthand. Whether you’re visiting this winter to catch a holiday show, walking the quiet shoreline in spring, or planning your summer escape, you’ll see the results of this stewardship in every grain of sand.

At Thomas Beach Vacations, we’re proud to be part of this story—helping families and friends experience the very best of North Myrtle Beach, year after year.

🌴 Explore our properties at NorthMyrtleBeachVacations.com or call (866) 249-2100 to plan your stay.
The beach is being renewed, restored, and made ready for you.