Prices · August 2026
Myrtle Beach fishing charter prices, by trip type
Every trip that runs on the Grand Strand, what it costs, and exactly what the number does and doesn't cover.
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The short answer
How much does a Myrtle Beach fishing charter cost?
A head boat seat costs $40–100/person for four to six hours. A private half-day inshore charter costs $300–500 for the boat. A full-day offshore charter costs $800–1,500. A twelve-hour Gulf Stream run starts around $1,400+. Summer shark trips run $500–700. Private charters start at $400+.
Boat prices cover up to six anglers. Rods, bait, tackle and the South Carolina licence are included. Food, drinks and the mate's tip — 15 to 20 percent, cash, at the dock — are not.
Ranges under verification · Murrells Inlet, Little River & North Myrtle BeachThe table
What does each Myrtle Beach charter type cost?
Ranges across Grand Strand operators, not a single boat's rate card. Where a range is open-ended, the top depends on distance and boat size.
| Trip type | Price | Length | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-day inshore | $300–500/boatRange under verification | 4 hours | Best with kids |
| Full-day offshore | $800–1,500/boatRange under verification | 8–10 hours | Most booked |
| Head boat | $40–100/personRange under verification | 4–6 hours | Cheapest seat |
| Gulf Stream run | $1,400+/boatRange under verification | 12+ hours | 12 hours |
| Shark trip | $500–700/boatRange under verification | 4–6 hours | Summer only |
| Private charter | $400+/boatRange under verification | 4–12 hours | Your group only |
The fine print
What's included in a Myrtle Beach fishing charter price?
The gap between the headline number and what you actually hand over is roughly 20 percent, and almost all of it is the tip.
| Item | Included? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rods, reels and tackle | Always | Bring your own only if you have a preference. |
| Bait | Always | Live bait on inshore trips, cut and frozen offshore. |
| South Carolina saltwater licence | Always | Covered by the boat for everyone aboard. |
| Ice and fish box | Always | Bring a soft cooler for your own food and drink. |
| Cleaning and bagging your catch | Usually | A few boats charge for filleting. Ask when booking. |
| Food and drink | Never | Bring more water than you think you need. |
| Mate’s tip | Never | 15–20% of the trip, cash, at the dock. |
| Fuel surcharge | Sometimes | Applied by some operators on Gulf Stream runs. |
The maths
Is a head boat or a private charter cheaper?
It flips sooner than most people expect. Head boat seats are $40–100/person. A private inshore boat is $300–500 and takes up to six anglers.
At two people, the head boat is clearly cheaper. At four, take the midpoints and it is close to even. At five or six people the private boat usually wins on price — and it also wins on everything that isn't price: your own schedule, the captain fishing your group only, no waiting for a spot at the rail, and the option to come in early if a child has had enough.
One caveat worth the money: on a head boat you pay per person, so if two of your six drop out the night before you simply pay for four. On a private boat you have booked the hull. That risk is real for large groups with loose plans.
When are Myrtle Beach charters cheapest?
Rates move far less across the year than availability does. The real saving in shoulder season is that the good boats are still free. May, September and October cost about what August costs and have half the demand — same water, better captains available, better tide slots.
If price is the binding constraint, a weekday head boat in October is the cheapest way onto the Grand Strand's water. If time is the constraint, book March for a July trip and stop reading price pages.
Why don't you list a single price per boat?
Because there isn't one. Charter rates on the Strand move with fuel, boat size, trip length, season and how far the captain has to run to find fish. A page that prints "$325" is quoting one boat on one day and calling it the market. Ranges are honest, and they age better.
Every figure here is dated, and any range still being checked says so next to the number rather than in a footnote.
Questions
Myrtle Beach charter price questions
How much does a fishing charter cost in Myrtle Beach?
As of August 2026, a head boat seat costs $40–100/person for four to six hours. A private half-day inshore charter costs $300–500 for the boat. A full-day offshore charter costs $800–1,500. A twelve-hour Gulf Stream run starts around $1,400+. These are per-boat prices unless marked per person, and they cover up to six anglers.
What is the cheapest way to go fishing in Myrtle Beach?
A head boat seat, at $40–100/person. You buy one seat on a shared boat rather than the whole vessel, and rods, bait and the licence are included. Weekday mornings are the least crowded.
How much is a private fishing charter in Myrtle Beach?
Private charters start around $400+ for a half-day inshore trip and run to $1,400+ for a twelve-hour Gulf Stream run. A private boat takes up to six anglers, so at five or six people the per-person cost is often lower than head boat seats.
Are tips included in a Myrtle Beach fishing charter price?
No. The mate’s tip is separate and customarily 15 to 20 percent of the trip price, paid in cash at the dock. Budget for it — it is not optional in practice.
Do you need a fishing licence for a Myrtle Beach charter?
No. Licensed South Carolina charter and head boats carry a saltwater licence that covers every angler aboard. It is included in the price and you do not buy your own.
What is not included in a Myrtle Beach charter price?
Food, drinks and the mate’s tip are never included. Fuel surcharges apply on some long offshore runs, and a few boats charge separately for filleting your catch. Rods, reels, bait, tackle, ice and the licence are always included.
When are Myrtle Beach fishing charters cheapest?
Rates move less than availability does. May, September and October cost about the same as August but have half the boats booked, so you get better captains and better tide slots for the same money. November through February is cheapest and quietest, with a shorter list of species running.
All Myrtle Beach fishing charters
Every trip type, who it suits, and where it leaves from.
Deep sea fishing in Myrtle Beach
How far out you go, and what's there when you arrive.
Murrells Inlet fishing charters
The deepest fleet on the Strand, off the MarshWalk.
When to book
Twelve months of Grand Strand demand data.
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