When visitors to the Myrtle Beach area are looking for adventure, they won’t have to venture very far — on land and at sea, the opportunities for action-packed thrills abound on the Grand Strand. And for guests at North Beach Plantation, a pair of the area’s most enticing opportunities to get the adrenaline pumping can be found at one location within easy driving distance: the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex.
Also home to playgrounds, picnic shelters, baseball and soccer fields, walking and biking trails, a dog park, a 25-acre lake, and more, the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex houses two unique attractions for those looking to take their outdoor fun to the next level. Read on to learn more about these active destinations, one an oasis for wet and wild thrills, the other a place where visitors can travel through the treetops:
Shark Wake Park: For those looking to experience the extreme watersport of wakeboarding, a ski boat and a range of expensive gear are usually required. But at Shark Wake Park, adventure-seekers can simply show up and hit the water — as this unique attraction has all the needed gear available for rent, and it features a cable wakeboarding system that eliminates the need for a boat.
Here, wakeboarders are pulled around the lake by a high-tech pulley system rather than a ski boat. In fact, with both a five-tower, full-size cable system and a second, two-tower cable system, along with a number of ramps, sliders and kickers geared toward more experienced riders looking to polish their tricks, Shark Wake Park is a place where both pros and average Joes can have a blast on the water. Lessons are also available.
For the younger set (or just the young at heart), the attraction’s Aqua Park offers a floating obstacle course that covers over an acre of water. Among the inflatable attractions populating the water’s surface are slides, bounce pads, balance beams, bridges, towers, hurdles, swings and more. And when adventurers take a spill on the course, there are no hard landings — just splashes into the lake’s cooling waters.
Further, for those who’d rather stay dry, the Shark Shack offers a shaded place to watch all the action, as well as beer, wine, snacks and ice cream. Explore everything the attraction has to offer at sharkwakepark.com.
Go Ape! Treetop Adventure: Located right next door to Shark Wake Park, this high-ropes course and zipline adventure takes participants into the treetops for 2-3 hours of high-elevation thrills. The ropes course features suspended obstacles, wire-connected walking bridges, high-speed ziplines and more, all of which combine to create an immersive and visually stunning forest adventure. And don’t let a fear of falling keep you grounded — during a comprehensive 30-minute safety briefing that precedes the ascension into the forest canopy, course-goers are equipped with safety gear, including harnesses, pulleys and carabineers designed to keep them safe from spills.
The Go Ape! Treetop Junior Adventure offers similar high-elevation thrills for younger adventurers. Here, attractions include tree-to-tree crossings, obstacles, and a pair of zip lines at heights of 20 feet above the ground. As with the adult adventure, safety harnesses, pulleys and carabineers prevent falls, and participants stay attached the entire time they are in the trees.
To learn more, visit the Go Ape! website.
When you’re ready to treat your adventure-seeking crew to a thrilling Myrtle Beach area getaway, book a stay at North Beach Plantation. With our comfortable accommodations and luxurious amenities, we’ve got everything you’ll need to make some unforgettable memories on the Grand Strand.
