As we depart, you’ll see the Murrells Inlet Veterans Pier, a public fishing pier built on the historic site of a World War II US 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.

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 storey 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.

As we continue towards the jetties, you’ll see the natural beauty of Huntington Beach State Park, one of South Carolina’s most treasured coastal preserves. This undeveloped stretch of shoreline is home to wide beaches, maritime forests, and abundant wildlife, including shorebirds, dolphins, and other native species. Nestled within the park is the historic Atalaya Castle, the former summer home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington — a wealthy industrialist and a renowned sculptor. Built in the 1930s in a unique Moorish-style design, Atalaya adds a rich cultural and historical layer to this otherwise untouched coastal landscape, offering a rare glimpse into both the natural and artistic heritage of the area.

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 film, 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 holiday 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.