As we leave the MarshWalk, you’ll see the Murrells Inlet Veterans Pier, a public fishing pier built on the historic site of a World War II U.S. Army Air Forces Crash Boat Station (circa 1943–1945). The station supported aerial gunnery training from the nearby Myrtle Beach Army Air Field and was used to locate and recover pilots and aircraft involved in training accidents over the coastal waters and marsh. The facility included a long marsh dock, storage buildings, and a radio shack used to coordinate rescue operations. Local boat captains and volunteers often assisted military personnel in coastal patrol and recovery efforts, making it an important support site along the Grand Strand during the war. After WWII, the military abandoned the station and it transitioned into a public fishing pier. Over time, storm damage, including Hurricane Hugo in 1989, destroyed much of the original structure. The site was later rebuilt and incorporated into the MarshWalk area in the early 2000s.

Keep an eye along the shoreline and you might spot one of the area’s most unusual landmarks — the so-called “UFO House” in Garden City. Built in 1976, this round, elevated structure looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, which is exactly how it earned its nickname. But this home isn’t just for looks — it was actually designed as a hurricane-resistant structure, engineered to withstand extreme coastal storms with its unique shape and elevated design. Surrounded by traditional beach homes, the UFO House quickly became a local curiosity and has since turned into a must-see landmark along the Grand Strand. It’s even survived major hurricanes with little to no damage, proving that its futuristic design was far ahead of its time. Still owned by the original family and used as a vacation home, they usually are only seen around the holidays. And while we might not see the owners too often, locals like to joke that the only regular residents are George, Jane, Judy, and Elroy.

As we continue through Murrells Inlet, you’ll pass Oyster Cove, one of the area’s most exclusive waterfront communities. Known for its “million-dollar homes,” this neighborhood features private docks, sweeping marsh views, and direct access to the tidal creeks of the inlet. It offers a glimpse into Lowcountry waterfront living, where boats are as common as cars and every home overlooks the ever-changing salt marsh.

As we continue towards the jetties, you’ll pass Huntington Beach State Park, one of South Carolina’s most important protected coastal preserves. This undeveloped stretch of shoreline features wide, natural beaches, dunes, and maritime forests that remain largely untouched by development, offering a rare glimpse of the Grand Strand as it once was. The park is part of a vital coastal ecosystem that supports a wide variety of wildlife, including shorebirds, sea turtles during nesting season, and frequent dolphin activity just offshore. Its estuaries and salt marshes are also part of the larger Murrells Inlet watershed, one of the most biologically rich tidal systems on the East Coast. Huntington Beach State Park is widely recognized for its conservation efforts and natural beauty, making it a standout landmark along the South Carolina coast and a key example of preserved Lowcountry habitat.

Sail by Drunken Jack Island, a quiet and undeveloped barrier island surrounded by winding tidal creeks and salt marsh. According to local legend, the island takes its name from a pirate known as Drunken Jack, who was reportedly left behind by his crew after a night of celebration. The story goes that they intended to return for him, but days turned into weeks and weeks into months. When they finally made it back, all that remained was a weathered campsite marked by scattered bones and empty rum bottles — a haunting tale that has become part of Murrells Inlet folklore.

If we head south out of the jetties along the coast, we'll pass Atalaya Castle, located within Huntington Beach State Park. Built in the 1930s, this unique structure was the winter residence and artist studio of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, a wealthy industrialist and a world-renowned sculptor. The castle was designed in a distinctive Moorish-style layout, centered around a large open courtyard and built using simple materials like brick and iron to withstand coastal conditions. During their time in South Carolina, Anna Hyatt Huntington created many of her famous sculptures here, while Archer Huntington focused on philanthropy and cultural projects. The estate was intentionally designed to be functional rather than ornate, serving as both a creative workspace and a seasonal home along the coast. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains one of the most recognizable and unique historic coastal structures in South Carolina.