Waccatee Zoo

Spread over 200 hectares of spectacular private woodland, the delightful Waccatee Zoo is a fantastic destination for families of all ages. This natural wildlife sanctuary is an exciting playground for animals and visitors alike and makes a great addition to any Myrtle Beach visit.

Waccatee is a family-run zoo that started off as the private menagerie of the pioneering Futrell clan. Today it houses over 100 different species of native and exotic animal ranging from birds and reptiles to lions and buffalo. The zoo also serves as a breeding ground for a host of migratory birds including herons and egrets, so budding ornithologists will have plenty to explore here too.

Children and adults will have great fun exploring this adventure-filled zoo. Grab a map and delve into the interactive enclosures cleverly dotted along an exciting network of trails. Weave in and out of forests, fields and rivers and keep a special eye out for the collection of haughty peacocks as they strut their stuff. If you’re lucky, you might even get to hand-feed one or two.

Amble at your leisure through the zoo’s African Safari and admire the stealthy leopards, sleek cougars and grazing zebras as they roam the grasslands.

Before you leave, make sure to say hi to Chico, the cheekiest chimpanzee you’ll ever meet and the darling of the zoo’s founder, the late Archie Futrell.

Only 15 minutes from the centre of busy Myrtle Beach, this is the perfect family-friendly destination for a relaxing afternoon. So why not pack a hamper of goodies, hop in the car and hit the road?