Grande Dunes is a 2,200-acre gated, master-planned resort community in Myrtle Beach that stretches from the Atlantic oceanfront across Ocean Boulevard to the Intracoastal Waterway. It is anchored by a private deep-water marina, two golf courses, the members-only Grande Dunes Ocean Club, and a mix of housing from waterway townhomes to multimillion-dollar custom estates.
About Grande Dunes
Grande Dunes is the closest thing the Grand Strand has to a self-contained luxury resort town. The community is organized into distinct villages on both sides of Highway 17, and the side of the road a home sits on largely defines its character and price.
The oceanfront and Ocean Boulevard side carries the Ocean Club membership and the highest-value lots. The Intracoastal Waterway side holds the marina, the Members Club golf course, the Del Webb active-adult enclave, and the newer Living Dunes neighborhood. What ties it together is amenity access: a resident in a $600K waterway townhome and an owner of a $3M estate use the same marina, the same golf, and the same beachfront cabana club.
The buyer profile skews toward second-home owners, relocating executives, and active retirees, many of them arriving from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic — a community built for people who want the resort experience as a daily condition.
Grande Dunes Real Estate Market
~$500K (waterway townhomes) to $4M+ (custom estates)
Oceanfront, Intracoastal/marina, golf course, interior
Community HOA plus optional Ocean Club and golf memberships
Home values in Grande Dunes are influenced by more than just square footage. Waterfront location, golf course views, and access to amenities like the Ocean Club can all have a major impact on price, so two similar homes may be valued very differently. Understanding which features truly add long-term value can help buyers make a more informed decision. The luxury buying guide explains how to evaluate waterfront and luxury home premiums along the Grand Strand.
Schools Serving Grande Dunes
Grande Dunes is zoned to Horry County Schools, with students generally attending the Myrtle Beach-area attendance track:
- Myrtle Beach Elementary School
- Myrtle Beach Middle School
- Myrtle Beach High School
Because Grande Dunes draws a high share of second-home and 55+ buyers, schools are a secondary factor for much of the community. Families relocating full-time should confirm current zoning with the district.
Amenities and Lifestyle
- Grande Dunes Marina — a full-service deep-water marina on the Intracoastal Waterway with roughly 126 wet slips, capable of handling vessels of 120 feet or more.
- Marina Inn at Grande Dunes — a four-diamond resort hotel within the community, with Waterscapes restaurant and a Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
- The Resort Club golf course — a public-access Roger Rulewich design, one of two courses in the community.
- The Members Club golf course — a private Nick Price design on the waterway side, reserved for members.
- Grande Dunes Ocean Club — an oceanfront amenity with pools, dining, and beach service for eligible members.
- Del Webb at Grande Dunes — a gated 55+ enclave within the community, with its own amenity center for active-adult residents.
HOA and Community Details
Grande Dunes is a guard-gated, deed-restricted community with a master HOA. Several villages carry their own sub-association dues on top of the master fee, and the Ocean Club and golf memberships are separate, optional costs. Buyers should request the full schedule of master dues, sub-association dues, and membership fees for any specific home, since the all-in monthly carrying cost varies meaningfully across the community.
Buying in Grande Dunes
Buying well in Grande Dunes means understanding the village structure and the membership layer before the home itself. The membership question is the one most out-of-state buyers underestimate — the community HOA, sub-association dues, the optional Ocean Club, and golf memberships are separate line items. A buyer should price the full stack, not just the list price, and confirm which memberships convey with a given property.
Because Grande Dunes also sees steady new construction, buyers weighing a resale home against a build should compare not only price per square foot but the timeline, the lot premium, and the difference in dues between an established village and a newer one. The luxury buying guide covers how to weigh coastal premiums like these.
Why buyers choose Grande Dunes
Grande Dunes is a top choice for buyers looking for luxury living with resort-style amenities in one master-planned community. From waterfront estates and golf homes to low-maintenance residences, it offers a variety of options along with a private marina, championship golf, and an oceanfront beach club. It’s especially popular with relocating buyers, retirees, and those looking for an active coastal lifestyle.
Buyers often compare Grande Dunes with the classic luxury of The Dunes Club or the oceanfront homes along the Golden Mile. While each has its own appeal, Grande Dunes stands out for its combination of amenities, lifestyle, and housing choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
