SkyWheel’s 15th Anniversary!
15 Years of Views, Memories, and Myrtle Beach History
For 15 years, SkyWheel Myrtle Beach has been part of the Myrtle Beach skyline. It has also become a highlight of the Boardwalk experience. Since opening in 2011, SkyWheel has welcomed millions of riders. Along the way, it has helped guests celebrate life’s biggest moments and create lasting memories.
Myrtle Beach Before SkyWheel
Myrtle Beach has drawn visitors to its shoreline for more than a century. In the early 1900s, it was a quiet seaside retreat. However, over time it grew into one of the country’s most popular vacation destinations.
As tourism expanded, the oceanfront evolved. Shops, attractions, and gathering spaces began to shape the area. Eventually, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk was developed to bring these experiences together. As a result, visitors could enjoy the coastline in a more connected and walkable way.
Myrtle Beach continues to grow as a premier coastal destination, supported by tourism organizations like Visit Myrtle Beach.
From Vision to Skyline Landmark
Building something iconic
In late 2010, construction began on a new attraction for the Boardwalk. The goal was clear. SkyWheel would give guests a completely new view of the ocean, the city, and the shoreline.
Opening day and first rides
On May 20, 2011, SkyWheel officially opened and took its first spin. From the beginning, the experience stood out. Guests enjoyed enclosed gondolas, smooth movement, and panoramic views. Because of this, SkyWheel quickly became a must-do stop for visitors.
A major refresh for the next decade
In 2021, SkyWheel celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a major revamp project. During this time, the attraction received a refreshed wheel and a new lighting system.
As a result, SkyWheel could now display brighter colors and more dynamic patterns. In addition, the upgraded lights allowed for custom shows that celebrate holidays, community causes, and special events throughout the year.
This investment ensured SkyWheel would remain a centerpiece of the Myrtle Beach skyline for years to come.
Growing with the city
Since then, SkyWheel has continued to grow alongside Myrtle Beach itself. Visitors return year after year. Meanwhile, locals often bring friends and family to experience the view. Because of this, SkyWheel has become part of the shared tradition of visiting the coast.
15 Years in the Myrtle Beach Skyline
From sunrise views over the Atlantic to nighttime rides above the lights of the Boardwalk, SkyWheel offers a perspective that reflects what Myrtle Beach has always been about: relaxation, celebration, and time spent together.
Fifteen years after its first spin, SkyWheel remains one of the most photographed, visited, and talked-about attractions in the area. What began as a new addition to the shoreline has become a defining part of the modern Myrtle Beach experience.
Fun SkyWheel Facts
SkyWheel stands 187 feet tall, about the same height as 15 great white sharks stacked nose to tail.
Each gondola costs about as much as a new luxury car, showing the level of engineering behind every ride.
A fully loaded SkyWheel would weigh roughly the same as an average blue whale.
If you laid all of SkyWheel’s spokes end to end, it would stretch longer than six football fields.
Celebrate With Us
Whether this is your first visit or your fifteenth, we invite you to celebrate 15 years of SkyWheel Myrtle Beach with us in 2026.