Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Featured Vacation Rentals

Home with a large yard-Minutes from Down...

This home has two separate and private units. The smaller of the two units homes members well-known to the owners. The bigger of the two is what is being offered in this listing. Where you will be staying is a 3-bedroom 1-full bathroom unit with a...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Remodeled cozy ocean themed home with ou...

Bring the whole family to this great place with tons of room for fun. This home is ideal for a group of friends or family who want to get out of the city but still be close enough to appreciate the sights and sounds of Beaufort.The home has been...

  • Beaufort
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 15
Modern Downtown Cottage

Freshly constructed Allison Ramsey bungalow that is this centrally-located between downtown Beaufort and Pigeon Point makes this the ideal spot to discover Beaufort. The Downtown Waterfront is 9 blocks (~10min walk) and Parris Island is a fast 12...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
Pet friendly 5 mins to beach & Parris Is...

Summary:Welcome to our pet-friendly ($75 pet fee) beachside haven! Get your beach pass upon request. Deposit retained if not returned. Our backyard getaway has a screened outdoor lounge, propane grille, and fire pit, ideal for quality time together...

  • Port Royal
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Carriage House under Live Oaks In Histor...

This splendid South Carolina unit called Sweetgrass, in downtown Beaufort, is on the street level of the carriage home one block from the Beaufort River. It has two bedrooms, one queen bed and one modest full bed and one bath (connected to each...

  • Beaufort
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 3
515 Sunsuite - New to VRBO! Resort Acces...

515 Sunsuite is an efficiency unit located in the heart of Fripp Island. Just a short walk to the Beach Club, Island Bites, Sandbar, Tennis & Pickleball Courts, Exercise Center, and Guest Services. This 2nd floor, poolside studio layout is ideal...

  • Fripp Island
  • 1 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4

Beaufort Tours & Activities

Taste of the Lowcountry Cruise

Beaufort Boat Charters LLC

Book online
$160.00

Join us for a Lowcountry Adventure! Duration 1 Hour About This is a great option if you have a busy day planned, but want to get out on the water for a relaxing ride. Options include a slow cruise in the Beaufort River, finding some dolphins...

3 Hour Private Charter

Tallboy Fishing Charters

Book online
$550.00

Hop aboard Tallboy Fishing Charters with a local Expert! ___________________________________ Rates **Private Charter:** $550 *Up to 6 People* ___________________________________ Our 3 hour charters are offered between April and November and are...

Tie Dye at Creekhouse

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

duration: 1 hours meeting_point: Creekhouse min_age: 3 description: Get ready to mix, swirl, and create in our tie dye activity! This hands-on experience is perfect for anyone! Choose from a variety of colors and patterns to create a one-of-a-kind...

Beaufort Walking History/Movie Tour
Book online
$15.00 - $36.00

*Over 300 years of history plus stories about Hollywood movies and actors.* _________ Duration 2 Hours ________ About Walking tour of Beaufort’s historic district gives you a chance to learn more about our beautiful town and ask questions as...

Crabbing

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$13.00

No one ever feels crabby during our Crabbing and Seining Program! Duration 1 Hour About Curious about how to set a crab pot? Ever wanted an up close look at a blue crab or the small fish in the waves at the beach? Our Crabbing and seining...

Beachcombing & Eco Tour (2 Hrs)

Beaufort Dolphin Adventures

Book online
$372.64

duration: 2 Hours cancellation_summary: Customers will receive a full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances...

Carolina HydroFly Parties

Carolina Hydrofly

Book online
$800.00 - $1,600.00

Private Party About Enjoy a 4 or 8 Hour Group Lesson. Can have up to 8 people (Half day) & 16 people (Full day) in your party. - Includes 10 minutes of instruction time, fuel, life jacket, and helmet **What's Included** - Helmet - Life...

5 Hour Private Charter

Tallboy Fishing Charters

Book online
$850.00

Hop aboard Tallboy Fishing Charters with a local Expert! ___________________________________ Rates **Private Charter:** $850 *Up to 6 Passengers* ___________________________________ About the Captain Make memories fishing with me, Capt...

Deck the Porch

Brice Herndon Draft Horse and Carriage Company

Book online
$100.00

Ride in our Vis-a-vis Carriage A more intimate and private setting with your own personal horse and driver. Enjoy private time with your family or make it a couple's adventure strolling through the Front Porch of the Lowcountry! Seating Up to...

Beaufort City Tour

Beaufort Gray Line

Book online
$12.00 - $35.00

Book Online Now! Duration 75-105 minutes About Experience over three hundred years of history in Beaufort, South Carolina’s second oldest city. This charming city boasts a fascinating history of exploration by the Spanish, the French and...

Stepping Stones & Mosaic Coasters at Creekhouse

duration: 1 hour meeting_point: Creekhouse min_age: 3 description: Unleash your creativity in this hands-on workshop where you'll design and craft your own beautiful stepping stones and mosaic coasters! Whether you are looking to add a personal...

PTP: Special Sunset Cruises

Fripp Island Paddle Shack

Book online
$45.00

duration: 1.5 Hours meeting_point: 875 Bonito Dr, Fripp Island, SC 29920 description: Pledge The Pink: Special Sunset Cruises on The Big Fripper

Beaufort, SC

Beaufort is a historic waterfront town in South Carolina's Lowcountry, known for its antebellum architecture, moss-draped oaks, and scenic coastal views.

Founded in 1711, Beaufort is the second-oldest city in South Carolina and offers a rich blend of Southern charm and history. Visitors can stroll the walkable downtown, explore art galleries and boutiques, or take a horse-drawn carriage tour through the historic district. The nearby Sea Islands - including Hunting Island, Fripp Island, and Harbor Island - offer beautiful beaches, nature trails, and wildlife viewing, while the town itself is a favorite for boating, kayaking, and enjoying fresh local seafood.

Beaufort features a variety of lodging options, including historic inns, charming bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals with waterfront views. The area is ideal for those looking to relax and take in the culture, history, and natural beauty of the South Carolina coast. Whether you're exploring Gullah heritage, visiting the lighthouse at Hunting Island State Park, or simply enjoying a quiet evening along the river, Beaufort offers a peaceful and unforgettable Lowcountry getaway.

Beaufort is, at its heart, a small southern town with a big population, that's chock-full of historical sites, a thriving arts scene, and plentiful attractions, which are readily available for curious newcomers to explore. Smaller than its' northern South Carolina neighbor Charleston, Beaufort nonetheless has a far-reaching reputation as one of the most historically relevant and undeniably charming towns along the eastern coastline.

Beaufort SC Waterfront Park

Named by Southern Living Magazine as the "Best Small Southern Town," and featured by both American Style Magazine and the New York Times in recent praising articles, the secret about Beaufort's appeal is clearly out, but visitors can still enjoy miles of quiet waterfront, cool art scenes, or happening downtown streets at their leisure, during any time of the year. An easy day trip that combines the best of the legendary Coastal Carolinas and the modern southern scene, Beaufort, SC clearly deserves its glowing designation as one of the best big little towns in the Lowcountry.

Beaufort SC

The town of Beaufort was originally founded in 1711, as an integral part of the southernmost colony that originated with early English explorations and settlements. The initial growth of the town, (or rather the colony), was quite slow at first as the region was subject to a number of Native American attacks and threats by competing European settlers, (namely, the Spanish explorers.) After these initial growing pains, however, the city of Beaufort flourished as a shipbuilding center, die in no small part to its easy proximity to the Beaufort River, and later as an elite locale for local Lowcountry planters, who thrived in the booming Indigo and rice industries.

Beaufort SC

This affluent lifestyle would change significantly during the Civil War, when Beaufort was quickly seized and occupied after the Battle of Port Royal, one of the earliest battles of the war, which took place on November 7th, 1861. As a result of this early occupation, Beaufort attracted a large number of escaped slaves during the war, and a local Freedmen's Bureau worked with these new residents well into the Reconstruction period to provide an education and an overall preparation for full independence in the years to come.

Beaufort SC

After the war, the rich plantation era ended, but Beaufort slowly regained notoriety as a phosphate mining center. With the new mining industry, the town was slowly coming back to life until an 1893 hurricane brought the region to its knees, causing massive devastation that took Beaufort a full half-century to recover from. It wasn't until the second half of the 20th century, in fact, that visitors began to trickle into the area, and locals realized their town's inherent potential as a viable tourism destination. Today, the city is thriving with an eclectic mix of modern restaurants and galleries coupled with historic graveyards and historic sites, and visitors have ample room and centuries to explore. From the initial colonization to recent revitalization projects along key portions of the historic downtown, Beaufort, after a long recovery, is clearly a city on the rise.

Beaufort SC

The bulk of the city itself is situated on Port Royal Island, an interior island that features several local towns, (including the town of Port Royal), and which is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by St. Helena Island, Parris Island, and Hunting Island and the Hunting Island State Park. Despite these island borders, the city is essentially surrounded by water, primarily via the wide Beaufort River, which cuts through this mainland region and connects with the neighboring Atlantic Ocean. At a whopping 33.6 square miles in area, (including 6 square miles of water), the population of 12,300 residents or so in Beaufort almost seems somewhat small. In fact, the outlaying portions of the city are relatively quiet, while the downtown area has most of the action with plenty of sites and attractions for locals and visitors alike to enjoy.

Local outdoor attractions like the Beaufort National Cemetery, the Spanish Moss Trail and the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park will keep visitors smiling at the prospect of staying outdoors and enjoying the scene, while local historical attractions like the John Mark Verdier House Museum, the James Robert Verdier House, the Thomas Hepworth House, and the St. Helena's Episcopal Church add a touch of Beaufort's legacy and long history to the surroundings.

Beaufort SC

Cultural outposts, including a world of art galleries, local theater groups and the USCB Center for the Arts, keep visitors and locals alike thoroughly entertained with one of the most acclaimed arts scenes in the region, while shoppers will find plenty of classic boutiques and treasured antique stores to go around.

Beaufort SC

The dining scene in Beaufort is equally exquisite, with more than 130 restaurants to explore within this Lowcountry area. Local waterfront cafes, barbecue joints, and even southern-style gastro pubs can be found side-by-side on some of the more populated city blocks, and visitors are encouraged to sample the local seafood, (especially the shrimp and blue crabs), for an authentic taste of this coastal town.

For accommodations, the lodgings of choice for most visitors are local hotels, motels, and B&Bs, and there are approximately 20 of these accommodation options within the city limits. With chic loft hotels and antebellum mansions converted into beautiful inns, potential visitors will find a wide variety of lush accommodations that are close to the local attractions, and fit in effortlessly with the laid-back southern atmosphere. There are also a handful of vacation rentals available as well, namely small cottages and townhomes, and travelers heading to the area by sea will find an ample number of marinas to dock for a night or two and enjoy a little inland exploring.

Easily one of the most peaceful and surprisingly varied southern destinations, Beaufort is rising to fame as one of the most accommodating and interesting communities along the East Coast. A small southern city with a big personality, Beaufort is sure to keep visitors entertained and smiling with its coastal atmosphere, gorgeous landscapes, local sights, and general warm southern nature that makes out-of-town guests feel welcome and essentially right at home.

Beaufort Vacation Guides