Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Featured Vacation Rentals

King Street Cottage - Beaufort Historic ...

Welcome to King Street Cottage, a restored Freedman’s bungalow on the Beaufort Historic Registry. Blending historic appeal with modern amenities, it features heart pine floors, shiplap walls, and a curated library. The master bedroom has a king...

  • Beaufort
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
1 Mi to Sands Beach: Walkable Island Hom...

'Port Royal Blue Island Getaway' | 5 Mi to MCRD Parris Island | 2 Living AreasStep into the quintessential Lowcountry experience at this 3-bed, 2-bath vacation rental in the heart of the historic district in Port Royal. From here, walk to the...

  • Port Royal
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 9
Stay at Frogmore Lodge – Stylish Comfo...

Frogmore Lodge – Elegant Comfort in a Private RetreatDiscover refined relaxation at Frogmore Lodge, a attractively appointed 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom escape designed with luxury in mind. Ideal for couples or solo travelers seeking something special...

  • Beaufort
  • 1 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 2
Golf Course Getaway, Pet Friendly, Golf ...

Come and appreciate an island hideaway in this handsome Lowcountry home.  From the welcoming front porch to the open concept living areas, you’ll find plenty of room to relax and relax.  The huge living and eat-in-kitchen areas offer...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
Relax at Sandpiper Cottage: Fripp Island...

Appreciate a private space to call home during your sunny beach vacation on Fripp Island! Sandpiper Cottage is a ideal place to appreciate a calming Lowcountry hideaway. You are close by all amenities while still having your own piece of heaven on...

  • Fripp Island
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
110 Sandpiper Run -  Resort Access and G...

Welcome to 110 Sandpiper! This marsh-front home, with striking vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, is located on the north end of Fripp Island in the peaceful Quail Cove neighborhood. With two bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, this is the ideal hideaway for...

  • Fripp Island
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4

Beaufort Tours & Activities

Stunning Best of Beaufort Experience

Beaufort Photography Tours

Book online
$499.00 - $999.00

LOOKING FOR A FULL LOWCOUNTRY PHOTO EXPERIENCE? Options - **Semi-Private Tour**: Includes one non-shooting guest at no additional charge - **Private Tour**: (1 -4 Guests) About IF YOU LOVE BEAUFORT AS MUCH AS WE DO, THIS IS THE TRIP FOR...

ACE Basin/Dolphin Boat Tour

Edisto Watersports and Tackle

Book online
$30.00 - $50.00

*Online booking encouraged!* ___________________________________ Rates **Adult (Ages 11+):** $50 **Child (Ages 10 & under):** $30 ___________________________________ Duration 1.5 Hours ___________________________________ About Enjoy a 1.5...

Vista Bar Crawl Tour

SC Pedal Parlor

Book online
$30.00 - $400.00

Rates • Adult - $30-35 if booked individually • 21+ years of age • Fits up to 16 people total • Private and public options available • Private tours discounted if you have more than 12 individuals • "Public" tours must have 10 riders...

Oyster Hatchery Kayak Paddle, Tour and Tasting
Book online
$75.00 - $90.00

Duration 4 Hours About Join Beaufort Kayak Tours as they paddle from Single Lady Oyster Hatchery on McCalley's Creek, return to the oyster hatchery for a tour and end with an Oyster tasting. One of the things that Jim and Teri love most about...

Reiki I & II

The Arts Port Royal

Book online
$250.00

duration: 6 hours cancellation_summary: Full refund for cancellations 24 hours or more before class. Day of class, a gift certificate refund, and no shows, no refund. min_age: 14 group_size: 10 accessibility: Second Floor description: Reiki is a...

Gullah Heritage Tour

Beaufort Gray Line

Book online
$20.00 - $49.00

Duration 3 hours About Travel back in time to explore the Gullah and Geechee heritage of South Carolina's Sea Islands in our comfortable, climate-controlled vehicle. On this tour we'll visit several areas of Beaufort County and discover it's...

Private Full Day Cruise

Unwritten Charters LLC

Book online
$1,500.00

Come enjoy a couple of hours on the water with us! Duration 6 Hours About This Full Day cruise in the harbor will take you to The Battery, The Ravenel Bridge, and out to Ft. Sumpter. A great way to see Charleston from a completely different...

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...

Reiki-4-Kids

The Arts Port Royal

Book online
$30.00

duration: 90 min. cancellation_summary: Full refunds available up to 24 hours before the class. Within 24 hours, a gift cert. will be issued. No refunds for no-shows. min_age: 7 max_age: 16 group_size: 9 accessibility: Second Floor description: ...

Plant Native!

Port Royal Sound Foundation

Book online
$15.00

duration: 1 hour min_age: 5 description: This interactive one-hour workshop introduces participants to native plants, their ecological benefits, and practical seed-planting techniques. Guests will learn how to select and plant seeds, care for young...

Otter Island Excursion Boat Ride

Edisto Watersports and Tackle

Book online
$30.00 - $50.00

duration: 3 hours meeting_point: Edisto Watersports & Tackle description: Enjoy a boat ride over to one of our protected islands in the heart of the St. Helena Sound. There you will be dropped off to spend 2.5 hours enjoying & exploring this...

Birds of the Low Country-Watercolor Class

duration: 3 hours cancellation_summary: Full refund for cancellations 24 hours or more before class. Day of class, a gift certificate refund, and no shows, no refund. min_age: 14 group_size: 9 accessibility: Second Floor description: Low Country...

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