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1. When is the pier anticipated to be complete and open to the public?

Surfside Pier is slated to be walkable later in 2023, seven years after it was destroyed by Hurricane Matthew. The old Surfside pier was heavily damaged by Hurricane Matthew on October 8th, 2016. Consensus Construction was awarded the $14.6 million project in September 2021 and marked the start of a long-awaited project for residents and visitors of the town of Surfside Beach. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in December 2021. (Updated estimated cost of the pier has risen to +$20 Million as of 2022) 

2. How many vacant buildings will be be available on the new Surfside Beach pier?

There are currently four interior retail spaces in three buildings, two interior walk-up spaces & a pavilion structure being planned near the end of the pier. The largest building is already leased by the owners of the former Surf Diner, Atlantic Restaurant Group. The other three spaces are in the process of being recommended by the Pier Committee through “Request for Proposals” submitted by the Town of Surfside Beach on April 8th, 2022, and subsequently reviewed by the Pier Committee. The Town Council will then proceed to vote on the Pier Committee’s recommendations and potentially negotiate new lease terms with the tenants chosen. 

3. What is the length & width of the new Pier?

The total pier length will be 814ft long from the entry stairs to the end of the pier.
The beginning of the pier will be 16ft wide between retail spaces
Middle of the pier will be 24ft wide  
The end of the pier will be 36ft wide at the last 83ft of the pier.
Pier will be 25ft tall (Nine feet taller than the old pier).
Pier will have staircase, elevator & accessible ramps.

4. What year was the first pier built in Surfside Beach?

The pier was first built in 1953 and has been rebuilt three times since storm damage. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Holliday Family owned and operated the pier. It was destroyed by Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and then again by Hurricane Hugo in 1989  and wasn’t rebuilt until March of 1993. The Town of Surfside has owned and operated the pier since 2008. Surfside Pier, Inc., which was comprised of a group of businessmen, first built a pier in Surfside Beach in the 1950s.

—John Monroe Johnson Holliday and his brother Joseph were stockholders and became owners of the pier in 1953.

—John Monroe Johnson Holliday became the pier’s sole owner in 1988 and eventually sold it to Pier Properties, Inc. (owned by the Scalise family) on May 25, 2000.

—Pier Properties, Inc. remodeled the pier and organized a reopening ceremony that was held on April 21, 2001.

The Town of Surfside Beach later purchased the pier in 2008. 

5. What are Surfside Beach Fishing Pier Rules?

Surfside Beach Fishing Pier Rules

SURFSIDE BEACH SOUTH CAROLINA 

The following items/activities are prohibited on the pier:

1. Smoking
2. Glass containers
3. Pets (other than service animals)
4. Fireworks
5. Jumping from pier, standing/sitting on railings or disruptive behavior
6. Bicycles, skateboards, skates or similar equipment
7. Littering including balloons, lanterns, confetti or glitter
8. Outside alcohol not purchased on the pier
9. Feeding of birds

All Town of Surfside Beach ordinances are in effect on the fishing pier

All SC DR fishing rules are in effect; No commercial fishing; No shark fishing  

Hooked or entangled sea turtles or pelicans call 800-922-5431

Emergencies call 911; Non-emergencies call Surfside Beach Police: 843-913-6368

6. Who do I contact for more general information or suggest another FAQ?

 Piercommittee@surfsidebeach.org or the Town of Surfside Beach @ 843-913-6111.

 Attend a Pier committee or council meeting & share in public comments.

 We look forward to regularly updating these FAQs as the Pier Committee makes recommendations on retail spaces, kiosks and overall operating functions.