Murrells Inlet is a paradise for those who love the outdoors, lying between the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Waccamaw River on the west. It is one of the few areas in the United States with access to both freshwater rivers and saltwater creeks. From its early beginnings as rice and indigo plantations to the rapid growth that began in the 1970s, Murrells Inlet has prospered because of its rich natural resources that natives and visitors enjoy. The saltwater creeks provided nourishment, entertainment, and a nursery to the creek rats, fishermen, families, and captains who ventured out to the muddy banks.