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11 Myrtle Beach Thrill Rides to Visit During Your Vacation

By Admin Monday, October 4th, 2021

While Myrtle Beach is known for its miles of peaceful beachfront, vacationers won’t have any trouble finding experiences that add a little more thrill to their beach vacation. From family-friendly rides to those only for the truly adventurous, you’ll love adding these extra doses of fun to your South Carolina getaway.

The best Myrtle Beach thrill rides swoop and soar, twist and turn, and dip and dive! If you’re looking for an experience that will leave your heart pounding and adrenaline racing, you won’t want to miss our ranking of Myrtle Beach thrill rides to enjoy during your next beach vacation.

These are the 11 Myrtle Beach thrill rides you really shouldn’t miss, organized from least to most thrilling.

1. Helicopter Tours

Take the ultimate tour of Myrtle Beach aboard a helicopter! Riders will enjoy a unique view of the Atlantic Ocean, marshland, and towns that encompass the Myrtle Beach area. This is truly something that can only be experienced when you book a helicopter sightseeing tour. And, while it might not sound as invigorating as a rollercoaster, trust me, when you’re up in the air, your heart will be pounding!

There are a handful of companies that offer helicopter tours so you’ll be able to shop around to find the tour that fits best with your schedule. We recommend you reach out to one of these 2 companies:

Oceanfront Helicopters | 3000 S Kings Hwy
Helicopter Adventures | 1860 21st Ave N

2. Zipline Adventures

While most people think of ziplining through jungles, did you know you can go ziplining at the beach, too? Ziplining is the perfect mix of a thrill combined with outdoor adventure. This family-friendly activity zooms riders through the air at high speeds.

Several zipline companies also offer ropes courses for those looking for an aerial challenge.

Check out the following zipline experiences in Myrtle Beach:

Myrtle Beach Zipline Adventures | 321 9th Ave N
Soar and Explore Zipline and Ropes Course | Broadway at the Beach

3. Outbreak - Dread the Undead

While not a ride, this zombified walkthrough experience will have your heart pounding. Outbreak - Dread the Undead is ideal for those that love jump scares and haunted houses, this experience isn’t for the faint of heart! Luckily, you don’t have to wait for Halloween to hear your screams, Outbreak is open year round.

Located inside the Hollywood Wax Museum in Myrtle Beach, the theme behind the experience is that guests are placed in the middle of a government experience gone awry and have to find their way out to safety.

The Hollywood Wax Museum is at 1808 21st Ave N (Unit A).

4. Shark Wake Park 843

Splish, splash, and ride at one of the Grand Strand’s more unique attractions. Shark Wake Park 843, located just outside Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach in Little River, is home to two unique attractions: Obstacle Island and Cable Park.

Obstacle Island is a floating island filled with climbing towers, slides, and is suitable for kids and adults. For the most thrills, we recommend making a reservation at Cable Park. Here, a pulley system pulls kneeboarders, wakeboarders, water skiers, water skaters, and foil boarders around a large lake filled with ramps and rails for performing tricks.

Whether it’s your first time or 10th time, you won't want to skip this on your next Myrtle Beach vacation!

Shake Wake Park 843 is in Little River at 150 Citizens Circle.

5. Parasailing, Banana Boat Rides, Kiteboarding & More

Downwind Sails Watersports is the oldest watersports company in Myrtle Beach, so they know a thing or two about having a good time on the water. Located right next to Crown Reef Beach Resort and Waterpark, we recommend scheduling a parasailing flight that can be enjoyed side by side with a friend or family member.

Other thrilling seasonal water rides include kiteboarding, jet skis, and banana boat rides!

Visit Downwind Sails Watersports at 2985 S Ocean Blvd.

6. Beach Rider Jet Boat

Dubbed a “roller coaster on the water”, the Beach Rider Jet Boat is not your typical day out on the water. Located at Broadway at the Beach, this thrilling experience pushes passengers to the brink with twists, turns, and speed on Lake Broadway.

Imagine being in a race car, but on the water. A ride on this jet boat will take you through the canals at Broadway at the Beach at high speeds and swift turns. It’s a whole lot of fun for the whole family!

Broadway at the Beach is located at 1325 Celebrity Circle.

7. The Funplex Myrtle Beach

Located just steps from the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, The Funplex is one of our Myrtle Beach amusement parks. The Funplex is home to several thrill and family rides and seriously is a whole lot of fun, as the name says!

Some of their most thrilling rides include Up & Overboard, which swings riders around and around through the air, and Fun in the Sun, a coaster where no two on-ride experiences are alike! There are also a handful of rides and games here that are ideal for small children.

Visit the Funplex at 1405 N Ocean Blvd.

8. Swamp Fox Roller Coaster

The Swamp Fox Roller Coaster at Family Kingdom Amusement Park is one of Myrtle Beach’s most iconic thrill rides. Riders will reach speeds up to 50 miles per hour and heights up to 75 feet. For those not scared of heights, you also need to try the Slingshot. This is a sky fall ride that’s sure to make you scream!

While the Swamp Fox Roller Coaster is certainly our favorite thrill ride here, what makes Family Kingdom Amusement Park so special is that it’s Myrtle Beach’s only seaside amusement park and they offer plenty of thrills and fun for all ages! There are even water rides at their Splashes Water Park for those especially hot summer days.

The Family Kingdom Amusement Park is located at 300 S Ocean Blvd.

9. Myrtle Waves Water Park

At Myrtle Beach’s largest waterpark, everyone is bound to find some fun and excitement. If you didn’t get your fill of water rides at Family Kingdom Amusement Park, be sure to visit Myrtle Waves Water Park.

For thrill seekers, we recommend the Turbo Twisters. This ride is a group of enclosed body slides that shoot riders down at 50 feet per second! The Rockin’ Ray is a double tube ride that plunges riders up and down a half-pipe slide. There are also plenty of tamer slides and attractions to be enjoyed as well at this seasonal attraction.

Visit the Myrtle Waves Water Park at 3000 Mr. Joe White Ave.

10. Pavilion Park at Broadway at the Beach

Pavilion Park operates as two separate parks at the Broadway at the Beach entertainment district. At Pavilion Park, you can have your share of excitement at Fun Park and Action Park.

Fun Park offers a mix of thrilling rides that younger children will enjoy, like a mini coaster, teacups, and an observation wheel.

Action Park, on the other hand, is not for the faint of heart. Here, visitors will find thrill rides like The Beast, a high-flying hang gliding experience, Speed XXL, a high-flying ride that spins and rotates riders, and Moonraker 20, a giant spinning platform that rises and tilts in mid-air.

Choose the park perfect for you and your family or dabble around at both for varying levels of excitement.

Broadway at the Beach is located at 1325 Celebrity Circle.

11. The Slingshot

Saving the most thrilling of all Myrtle Beach thrill rides for last, introducing The Slingshot! Located on Ocean Boulevard, just steps away from the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, The Slingshot takes the crown as Myrtle Beach’s most thrilling attraction.

Riders are launched towards the sky and reach speeds over 100 miles per hour. At its apex, riders will reach 300 feet above the ground. And thanks to on-ride cameras, those waiting in line get to see real-time reactions from riders as they’re launched at speeds that reach G forces. Laugh now because while you’re in the hot seat, all eyes will be on you!

The Slingshot is located near the Boardwalk at 12th Ave North.

You’re Ready to Get Your Thrills In

With these 11 great thrill rides in Myrtle Beach, you’re sure to get your adrenaline pumping. Exchange a few hours of relaxing beach time for something a little more exciting. Pick and choose which of these 11 thrill rides you can handle and have some real fun!