If you saw a dark shape off the shore of Myrtle Beach last week, you might have wondered if something was lurking beneath the waves. A viral video claimed it was a submarine, but local officials and marine experts quickly identified it as something far more common: a large school of fish. This story shows how easily ordinary ocean phenomena can spark extraordinary rumors online — and why it pays to wait for the facts.

4 related posts

Viral claim date: June 2025 ·
Actual object: Large school of fish (likely cobia or similar) ·
Official debunk source: Myrtle Beach Police Department & local experts ·
Facebook post reach: Thousands of shares within days

Quick snapshot

1What happened
2Official response
  • Myrtle Beach Police Department issued a statement.
  • No submarine was present in the area.
  • Public cautioned against spreading unverified news.
3Why it went viral
  • The video was shared widely on Facebook and X.
  • Similar past hoaxes (e.g., NJ coast) added credibility for some.
  • Lack of immediate official clarification fueled speculation.
4What experts say

Six key details that cut through the viral noise:

Fact Value
Date of viral post Late June 2025
Location Off the coast of Myrtle Beach, near 7th Ave
Object identified as A large school of fish (likely cobia or menhaden) (Hindustan Times)
Debunking agency Myrtle Beach Police Department
Original source Facebook post by a local resident
Bait ball behavior Defensive grouping of small fish near the surface, often appearing as an oily patch (Times Now News (news outlet))

What this means: The shape that sparked a thousand shares was a natural — and common — marine gathering, not any kind of military craft.

Was a submarine spotted off of Myrtle Beach?

The short answer from every official source is no. The dark shadow that appeared in a Facebook video in late June 2025 was not a submarine but a bait ball — a dense school of small fish swimming together near the surface. Myrtle Beach Sun News (local newspaper) reported that lifeguards see these black spots every year, and they are typically caused by fish, sandbars, or shadows.

What the viral video actually showed

  • The footage, taken from a pier or high vantage point, captured a large dark blue or black shape moving slowly in the water.
  • Perspective made the school appear much larger and more solid than it actually was. Marine experts interviewed by Hindustan Times (international news outlet) explained that bait balls can look like a submarine from a distance because the fish pack tightly to confuse predators.

Official response from authorities

  • The Myrtle Beach Police Department issued a statement confirming the object was not a submarine and urging the public not to spread unverified claims.
  • Local media outlets such as Myrtle Beach Sun News and Hindustan Times published debunks within 24 hours.
The catch

Even experienced beachgoers can mistake a bait ball for something ominous. The difference between a panic-inducing rumor and a harmless fish school often comes down to a single expert identifier.

The implication: When a single video can reach millions before any fact-check, the burden falls on viewers to pause before sharing.

Why is there a submarine on Myrtle Beach?

The question itself reflects how the rumor took hold. There is no submarine — the phrase comes from a viral post that described a “submarine spotted off Myrtle Beach.” The dark shape in the video was actually a bait ball, a defensive formation used by species like menhaden or cobia. Times Now News (news outlet) reported that these dense fish groups often appear as dark or oily patches from the surface.

Explanation of the visual misinterpretation

  • Bait balls form when small fish school tightly to avoid predators. From a distance — especially from a pier — the group looks like a solid, dark object.
  • Nick Jackson, a marine expert quoted by Myrtle Beach Sun News, said “fish school up to trick predators as a defense mechanism.”
  • Similar optical illusions have occurred off the New Jersey coast and elsewhere, where schools of fish were misidentified as submarines or sea monsters.

Role of social media in spreading the rumor

  • The original Facebook post reportedly drew more than 1,500 shares and 4,000 comments within days, according to Myrtle Beach Sun News.
  • Because no immediate official statement was available, the rumor snowballed until local authorities stepped in.
Why this matters

A single unverified post can reach tens of thousands of people before the truth catches up. For Myrtle Beach, the damage was mild — but the same mechanism could cause real panic in a more sensitive context.

The pattern: Social media amplifies ambiguity. When a harmless bait ball becomes a “submarine,” it’s not the ocean that’s deceptive — it’s the speed of sharing without verification.

Why lifeguards look for black spots in the ocean

Lifeguards along the Grand Strand regularly scan for dark areas in the water. These spots are usually sandbars, patches of seaweed, or schools of fish. According to Myrtle Beach Sun News, “lifeguards see these black spots every year.” The threat they watch for is not submarines but rip currents and, occasionally, predator activity near bait balls.

Common marine phenomena mistaken for threats

  • Sandbars appear as dark lines parallel to shore.
  • Bait balls can look like large, moving shadows.
  • Floating debris or seaweed patches also create dark patches.

Actual danger: rip currents, not submarines

  • Rip currents are the leading cause of rescues at Myrtle Beach.
  • When bait balls attract predators like sharks, lifeguards may temporarily clear the water as a precaution. But Nick Jackson noted that bait balls have not recently led to shark attacks, comparing the statistical risk to being struck by lightning (Myrtle Beach Sun News).

The trade-off: Lifeguards prioritize real hazards (rip currents, heat exhaustion) over optical illusions. The viral submarine panic, while harmless this time, diverts attention from the genuine risks beachgoers face every day.

What happened in Myrtle Beach with a submarine?

Here is a timeline of how the event unfolded:

  • June 23–24, 2025: A Facebook video shows a dark shape off Myrtle Beach. Users speculate it is a submarine.
  • June 24, 2025: Myrtle Beach Police Department confirms it is not a submarine.
  • June 25, 2025: Local news outlets publish debunks with expert quotes.
  • June 25–30, 2025: National and international media amplify the correct explanation.

Myrtle Beach Sun News reported the initial claim and its swift rebuttal. The story shows the lifecycle of a modern rumor: born on social media, briefly amplified, then debunked by authorities and experts.

Bottom line: The dark shape was a bait ball, not a submarine. For beachgoers: enjoy the ocean, but check with lifeguards or local news before sharing that “submarine” video. For social media users: wait 24 hours for official confirmation — or risk fueling the next false alarm.

Confirmed facts

  • The shape was a large fish school, not a submarine.
  • Myrtle Beach PD confirmed no submarine was present.
  • Viral video was taken from a pier/high vantage point, causing perspective distortion.

What’s unclear

  • Exact species of fish not officially named.
  • Identity of original poster remains unknown.
  • Whether similar misidentifications will recur.

“The dark shape was not a submarine.” – Myrtle Beach Police Department spokesperson (Myrtle Beach Sun News)

“Fish school up to trick predators as a defense mechanism.” – Nick Jackson, marine expert, quoted by Times Now News

“Lifeguards see these black spots every year.” – Myrtle Beach Sun News report

For Myrtle Beach residents and visitors, the lesson is clear: before sharing a viral ocean sighting, check with local authorities — or risk spreading the next fake submarine story. The ocean is full of wonders, but submarines off the Grand Strand aren’t one of them.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

Was there really a submarine off Myrtle Beach?

No. The shape was a large school of fish, confirmed by the Myrtle Beach Police Department and marine experts.

What did the viral video show?

A dark blue/black shape moving in the water, filmed from a pier. It was a bait ball — a dense school of small fish.

Why do people sometimes mistake fish for submarines?

From a distance, a tightly packed school of fish can appear solid and submarine-like, especially when viewed from a high angle.

How did the Myrtle Beach police respond?

They issued a public statement confirming the object was not a submarine and urged caution against sharing unverified claims.

Are there any real submarines near South Carolina?

Naval submarines operate in the Atlantic, but none were reported near Myrtle Beach at the time of the sighting. The U.S. Navy did not comment.

What should I do if I see something unusual in the ocean?

Contact local lifeguards or the beach patrol. Do not post unverified footage — wait for official confirmation to avoid spreading misinformation.

Related reading