Windy Hill – North Myrtle Beach

✓ Last Updated: March 2026

About Windy Hill Beach

Windy Hill Beach occupies the southernmost section of North Myrtle Beach, running from the Atlantic Ocean west to the Intracoastal Waterway — a position that gives the neighborhood a genuine dual identity. On the ocean side, quiet residential streets lined with shade trees run behind oceanfront condos and beach homes. On the waterway side, Barefoot Landing’s 100-plus acres of shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, and lake boardwalks create one of the most popular destinations on the entire Grand Strand.

Windy Hill is one of four historic beach communities — along with Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, and Crescent Beach — that merged to form the City of North Myrtle Beach in 1968. Of the four, it is the one that blends residential beach life most seamlessly with major entertainment infrastructure.

A Name with a Story: The History of Windy Hill

Windy Hill’s name has a colorful pedigree. According to local history, the area takes its name from an incident during George Washington’s 1791 southern tour. Washington reportedly stopped at an inn near White Point Swash and — standing on a sand dune — declared: “This is a windy hill.” The name stuck.

The White Point Swash area has an even more dramatic backstory. During the Golden Age of Caribbean Piracy in the early 18th century, the coves and inlets around Windy Hill were known hiding spots for pirates including Blackbeard (Edward Teach) and Stede Bonnet, who used the shallow waterways to evade British naval hunters. Today, Windy Hill’s history as a hideout has become a point of local pride — the pirates are long gone and the neighborhood now draws a rather different crowd.

Barefoot Landing: The Neighborhood’s Crown Jewel

Barefoot Landing is the defining attraction of the Windy Hill neighborhood and one of the most visited destinations in all of South Carolina. The complex spans more than 100 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway, built around a series of lakes and boardwalks that give it a genuinely scenic, promenade-like atmosphere in addition to a packed roster of entertainment and dining options.

Live Entertainment: Alabama Theatre & House of Blues

Alabama Theatre is one of the most storied performance venues on the Grand Strand, hosting concerts, seasonal productions, and Broadway-caliber shows that attract visitors from across the region. The venue is particularly renowned for its holiday and summer season productions.

House of Blues Myrtle Beach is the Grand Strand’s premier music club for national touring acts. From rock and blues to country and R&B, the House of Blues calendar spans genres and generations. The Sunday Gospel Brunch — a full brunch buffet with live gospel music — is one of the most beloved dining experiences in all of North Myrtle Beach.

Golf at Barefoot Resort

Barefoot Resort & Golf offers four championship courses designed by legends of golf course architecture: The Fazio Course (Tom Fazio), The Love Course (Davis Love III), The Dye Course (Pete Dye), and The Norman Course (Greg Norman). Four completely distinct playing experiences, all within the same resort complex. For guests staying in vacation rentals in Windy Hill, Barefoot Resort tee times are the most convenient Grand Strand golf option available — a 5-minute drive or less from most Windy Hill properties.

The Beach at Windy Hill

The Atlantic beach at Windy Hill shares the same wide, clean character as the rest of North Myrtle Beach’s shoreline. The beachfront here has a mix of high-rise condos and mid-rise resort buildings along South Ocean Boulevard, giving it a slightly more resort-like feel than the quieter residential stretches at Cherry Grove or Crescent Beach — while still being far calmer and less crowded than the Myrtle Beach boardwalk area to the south. Many guests in Windy Hill describe sunrise walks as one of the most memorable parts of their stay.

Waterway Activities

Windy Hill’s position on the Intracoastal Waterway opens up water-based activities that the oceanfront-only neighborhoods cannot offer. The Barefoot Queen Riverboat offers dinner and sightseeing cruises from the Barefoot Landing dock — a romantic and scenic way to see the Waterway at sunset. Marinas in and around Windy Hill provide boat launches, rentals, and fishing charter access to both the Waterway and the Atlantic. Kayaking and paddleboarding on the calmer waterway waters is increasingly popular from Windy Hill.

Annual Events & Seasonal Highlights

Barefoot Landing drives a robust events calendar for Windy Hill throughout the year. Summer brings SummerFest and the weekly Monday evening fireworks show. Fall features BooFest, one of the Grand Strand’s most popular Halloween events. Lighting of the Landing in November/December transforms Barefoot Landing into one of the most festive holiday destinations on the coast. The 4th of July Golf Cart Parade along Windy Hill’s residential streets is a beloved local tradition that reminds visitors this is a real neighborhood, not just a resort zone.

Vacation Rentals in Windy Hill

Windy Hill offers a diverse rental inventory. Oceanfront condos along South Ocean Boulevard provide direct beach access and Atlantic views. The Barefoot Resort communities along the Intracoastal Waterway — including Arbor Trace, Cypress Bend, Yacht Club Villas, and others — offer marina views, waterway access, pool amenities, and the prestige of staying within a world-class golf resort. North Beach Towers — an 18-story, 800-unit Neo-Classical condominium complex — is one of the most prominent resort properties in Windy Hill, offering oceanfront luxury condos with resort amenities. Yacht Club Villas residents enjoy a front-row view of the weekly Barefoot Landing fireworks every Monday in summer.

Thomas Beach Vacations has offered vacation rentals in Windy Hill since 1962, with properties ranging from cozy one-bedroom oceanfront condos to large multi-bedroom homes for family reunions and group retreats.

Getting Around & Nearby Attractions

Frequently Asked Questions