Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Featured Vacation Rentals

Pet-Friendly Bungalow Near Parris Island...

Step into our chic boho bungalow located in the cozy Pigeon Point neighborhood of Beaufort! Only 15 mins. away from Parris Island, we're ideal for graduation groups. Appreciate the ideal balance of serenity and accessibility to all the local...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Oceanfront, Steps from the beach, 706 Wh...

Plan your island hideaway in this handsome, oceanfront home freshly modernized in early 2024.  Appreciate the marvelous ocean vistas from numerous rooms and the cool ocean breezes as you relax on the enormous deck, screened porch or the dune-dock...

  • Fripp Island
  • 6 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 14
7 Fiddlers Point - New to VRBO! Resort A...

Stunning marsh and water vistas greet you as you enter this completely remodeled three-bedroom home with three full baths at 7 Fiddlers Pt. This very private neighborhood set among the moss-covered oaks offers all the beauty and tranquility you want...

  • Fripp Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Near Parris Island, minutes to M.C.R.D a...

In the heart of Beaufort is located this enchanting 3-bedroom bungalow. Conveniently located 12 mins. from the MCRD-Parris Island and just a 4-min. drive from the University of South Carolina-Beaufort and a 5-min. drive from the vibrant Bay Street...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 7
617 Newhaven - Three Bedroom Villa, Slee...

3 Bedrooms, 3 1/2 Baths Overlooking the Ocean! Freshly Renovated, New Golf Cart Supplied!When you walk through the front door, your eyes immediately see a view of the ocean.Villa has undergone a complete remodel. This is a impressive...

  • Fripp Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Modern Comfort in the desirable Mossy Oa...

New Listing - Modern Comfort in the charming Mossy Oaks neighborhood (with many upgrades!)This alluring home consists of 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. Two bedrooms have king beds and one has a queen bed. Master bedroom, en-suite bath, walk-in...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6

Beaufort Tours & Activities

Beaufort River Tour (90 Min)

Beaufort Dolphin Adventures

Book online
$259.43 - $448.11

duration: 90 Minutes cancellation_summary: Customers will receive a full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation or if we have to cancel due to weather meeting_point: 1 Port Royal Landing Dr, Port Royal, SC 29935 group_size: Up to 14...

Private Sunset Cruise

Unwritten Charters LLC

Book online
$600.00 - $900.00

Enjoy a Beautiful Sunset Cruise! Duration 2 or 3 Hours About Unwritten Charters will provide bottled water and soda. You and your guests are welcome and encouraged to bring on board your own food and adult beverages (for those 21 and up) for...

Swallowtail Kite Flight

Carolina Safari Co.

Book online
$50.00

duration: 2 Hours meeting_point: USC Salkehatchie Admissions Office group_size: Maximum 9 people description: Have you ever seen a Swallow-tailed Kite? These birds will flock up by the hundreds to roost. In the early mornings they descend upon cow...

Flyboard 30 Minute

Carolina Hydrofly

Book online
$129.00

30 Minute Flyboard Pro Series Experience About Each guest will have 20 minutes of flight time and 10 minutes of instruction time. If you would like to book for more than one person, then please process one booking per person by selecting the...

Abstract Expressionism  - The TOOLS
Book online
$85.00

duration: 3 hours meeting_point: The Arts Port Royal group_size: 6 description: Explore techniques and tools of abstract expressionism The famous American Expressionists of 1950s style, like Pollock, Frankenthaler, Mitchel, and Krasner used...

3 Hour Rental

Pedego Electric Bikes Greenville

Book online
$15.00 - $64.00

Ride out our front door onto the Swamp Rabbit Trail! ???? Experience the Thrill of Greenville's Iconic Swamp Rabbit Trail with Pedego Electric Bikes! ????‍♂️ Ready for an adventure like no other? ???? Step right up and immerse yourself...

Low Country Passport

High Tide Aviation - Beaufort

Book online
$200.00

About Do you want to see the entire Lowcountry from above? This is the tour for you. You will get to see many sites including. Morgan Island, Harbor Island, Hunting Island State Park & Lighthouse, Fripp Island, Pritchard’s Island, Bull Point...

Sunset

Lowco Tiki

Book online
$40.00 - $380.00

duration: 2 hours meeting_point: 1 Port Royal Landing Dr, Port Royal, SC 29935 group_size: 6 Passenger maximum description: Beaufort sunsets are unforgettable and there’s no better way to experience them than aboard the LowCo Tiki. As the sky...

Beautiful Beaufort Tours

Emma's Earth Shop Golf Cart Tours

Book online
$15.00 - $30.00

Duration One Hour About A fun and eco friendly golf cart tour full of information of the historical homes, movies, and folklore of Beaufort South Carolina. Each ticket includes coupons from restaurants and stores around downtown Beaufort and a...

Adult Game Show Night

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$10.00

duration: 1hour meeting_point: Oceanview Lounge (above Beach Club) min_age: 21 description: Join us on FRIDAY to play either The Couples Game with teams of 2 (against other teams of 2) or Family Feud After Hours (against another family) and go...

Guided Kayak Sunrise Tour

Edisto Watersports and Tackle

Book online
$50.00 - $100.00

Sunrise Tour to Scott Creek - One and half-hour guided tour leaving early morning and paddling to Scott Creek to enjoy an early morning sunrise on the water - Beginners welcome on this trip - $50 per adult/$25 age 10 and under

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