Grand Strand in October

April through October gives you swimmable water and all attractions open. But here's the breakdown: April and May offer the best deals with decent weather. You might catch a cool day, but hotel rates drop significantly. June through August is peak season. The water's warm, everything's open, but you're sharing the beach with half of North Carolina. Hotel prices double, and good luck finding parking near the boardwalk after 10am. September and October deliver the sweet spot — water's still warm from summer heating, crowds thin out after Labor Day, and hurricane season usually misses the Grand Strand. October can be absolutely perfect with highs in the 70s. Winter isn't dead here like other beach destinations. Many restaurants and attractions stay open, and you can score oceanfront hotels for under $50 per night. The water's too cold for swimming, but the beach is perfect for walking.