Coastal Update: Myrtle Beach Seaweed Sightings

Source NOAAUSGS Karenia brevis (red tide)

Natural algae growth reported along the Grand Strand coastline

By BC News Staff Writer

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — Recent sightings of red, seaweed-like material washing ashore along the Myrtle Beach coastline have sparked questions among residents and beachgoers. Following reports regarding this phenomenon, local officials have confirmed that the material is a naturally occurring marine algae, commonly dislodged from offshore reefs and rocky substrates by shifting tidal currents and wave energy.

While the appearance of red algae can be startling, there is no cause for public alarm.

Environmental monitoring confirms that this is not a harmful algal bloom, commonly referred to as “red tide” (Karenia brevis). Unlike toxic blooms that can threaten water quality and marine life, this red seaweed is non-toxic and is a standard seasonal feature of the Grand Strand ecosystem.

Furthermore, the Myrtle Beach coastline remains clear of the major Sargassum inundations currently impacting other parts of the Atlantic and Caribbean. Officials note that while small, sporadic accumulations of various seaweeds are typical during the summer months, there are no environmental threats to public safety or water quality at this time.

Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the beaches as normal, though as with any coastal environment, it is advised to avoid swimming through dense mats of seaweed, which may occasionally trap jellyfish or other marine debris.