Waterway Palms Plantation in Myrtle Beach, SC: What Buyers Should Know

If you're researching Waterway Palms Plantation in Myrtle Beach, this guide breaks down the location, amenities, home prices, and real market data — pulled straight from the MLS — so you know exactly what you're looking at before you tour a home.

Quick Summary

• Waterway Palms Plantation is a gated community in Carolina Forest, sitting directly on the Intracoastal Waterway
• Homes currently range from $588,000 to $1.4–$1.5 million, with 2,400 to 4,500 heated square feet
• HOA dues run about $145/month, paid quarterly
• The community includes a two-story clubhouse, resort-style pool, playground, basketball court, tennis and pickleball courts, and private gated boat storage with a private boat launch
• Over the last 12 months, 63 homes sold with a median of 100 days on market and a median sold price of $800,000
• It's about a 15-minute drive to the beach — this is a waterway lifestyle community, not a walk-to-the-sand community

Where Waterway Palms Plantation Is Located

Waterway Palms Plantation sits in the Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach, just off Highway 501. Shopping and dining along both 501 and River Oaks Drive are only minutes away, and the drive to the beach itself runs about 15 minutes.

That distinction matters for anyone comparing communities: Waterway Palms isn't a walk-to-the-sand neighborhood — it's built around a different kind of lifestyle, centered on the Intracoastal Waterway rather than the ocean itself.

The community is gated, and it falls within the Carolina Forest School District. If school assignment is a factor in your decision, confirm your exact attendance zone directly with Horry County Schools before you buy, since zones can shift independently of neighborhood boundaries.

Amenities: What's Actually Inside the Gates

Waterway Palms Plantation is built around a fairly substantial amenity complex, all concentrated near the community's center.

Clubhouse and Pool

The two-story clubhouse serves as the hub of the community. Right next to it sits the community pool, surrounded by palm trees, with a large playground nearby for kids.

Courts

The community includes a newly resurfaced basketball court, along with a newly resurfaced tennis court and recently added pickleball courts.

Boat Storage and Waterway Access

This is what sets Waterway Palms Plantation apart from most other Grand Strand communities: private, gated boat storage, plus a private boat launch directly onto the Intracoastal Waterway. If boating is part of your lifestyle, this kind of direct, private access is uncommon in the area.

Some available lots also allow buyers to build a custom home with a private boat dock, putting the waterway literally in your backyard.

Getting Around

The neighborhood is completely walkable, with sidewalks throughout, and it's golf cart friendly — a detail that matters more than it might sound like for day-to-day life in a community this size.

Homes for Sale in Waterway Palms Plantation

As of this writing, there are 22 active listings in the community.

Price range: $588,000 (further from the water, deeper into the neighborhood) up to $1.4–$1.5 million for homes directly on the Intracoastal Waterway with a boat dock and lift
Size range: 2,400 to 4,500 heated square feet
New vs. resale:18 of the 22 active listings are resale, and 4 are new construction — builders including Southern Shores Construction, Howell Homes, and Nations Homes are still actively building in the community
HOA dues: approximately $145/month, paid quarterly

What the Market Data Actually Shows

Here's the number most listing sites won't give you: over the last 12 months, 63 homes sold in Waterway Palms Plantation, with a median of 100 days on market. That's a realistic, healthy pace — homes here aren't sitting for a year, and they're not gone in a weekend either.

The median sold price over that same period was $800,000, with sellers typically getting about 95.6% of their asking price. Broken down by square footage, sold homes averaged around $244 a square foot — a number pulled straight from the MLS, not estimated.

Is Waterway Palms Plantation Right for You?

If you're looking for waterway and boat access, resort-style amenities, and a gated community within Carolina Forest, Waterway Palms Plantation is worth serious consideration. Every buyer has different priorities, though — this guide is meant to give you the real information you need to decide if it fits what you're looking for, not to tell you it's right for everyone.

FAQ

How far is Waterway Palms Plantation from the beach?
About a 15-minute drive. It's a waterway lifestyle community rather than a walk-to-the-sand community.

Is Waterway Palms Plantation a gated community?
Yes, it's a gated neighborhood in Carolina Forest.

Can you keep a boat at Waterway Palms Plantation?
Yes — the community has private, gated boat storage and a private boat launch onto the Intracoastal Waterway. Some available lots also allow for a private boat dock.

What are the HOA fees at Waterway Palms Plantation?
Approximately $145 per month, paid quarterly.

How much do homes cost in Waterway Palms Plantation?
Current active listings range from $588,000 up to $1.4–$1.5 million, depending on lot location and waterway access.

How fast do homes sell in Waterway Palms Plantation?
Over the last 12 months, 63 homes sold with a median of 100 days on market.

If this looks like it could be a fit, I'm happy to send over current listings or set up a time to tour the community. No pressure — just reach out whenever you're ready to talk it through.