Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Vacation Rental

Featured Vacation Rentals

Modern Cottage Downtown. Pets are allowe...

This BRAND NEW, Modern Cottage has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. This home has been completely remodeled and modestly designed for our guests to relax, reset, and discover the Beaufort area. Long & short-term guests are welcome. ✔ PET-FRIENDLY ✔...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Deep water paradise!

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR PARADISE, YOU'VE FOUND IT! This property has been described by some as the most pretty location in all of Beaufort! With water on 3 sides at high tide, you're never without a view! This home was completely modernized in 2017...

  • Beaufort
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Gritz & Giggles, Southern Charm Meets Be...

???? Welcome to Gritz & Giggles — Where Southern Charm Meets Belly Laughs!We’re thrilled to host you in the handsome Beaufort/Port Royal area — a magical corner of the Lowcountry where history, nature, and hospitality meet in ideal...

  • Port Royal
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Spectacular Sunset Views, Quiet Location...

Find your sanctuary and feel the anxiety of daily life melt away from the calming amenities of this comfortable, elegantly refreshed bungalow overlooking a marsh panorama.  A sense of calm mindfulness will wash over you as you watch egrets and Ibis...

  • Fripp Island
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
276 Tarpon Blvd - Private Pool!!! and Pe...

Huge Private Pool. Short walk to beach access. "Bohemian Blue" is an  Eclectic and cavernous 5 bedroom, 3 bath home  on the corner of Tarpon and Sea Dragon (2)4 seat golf carts are included. Pet friendly for pre approved family pets with a fee...

  • Fripp Island
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 14
Beaufort -Close to Parris Island and His...

This freshly remodeled mobile home is centrally located in Beaufort, close to beaches and is less than 5 mins. drive to Parris Island, MCAS Air Station and handsome Historic Downtown Beaufort. The home has all new floor, trim, paint, tile, bathrooms...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8

Beaufort Tours & Activities

Indigo Dye Workshop

Port Royal Sound Foundation

Book online
$15.00

duration: 1.5 Hour meeting_point: Maritime Center 310 Okatie Highway, Okatie, SC 29909 min_age: 10 group_size: 20 description: Learn about the history of indigo usage and how to dye fabrics using "Shibori" techniques. All participants will be...

Beaufort River Tour (3 Hrs or More)

Beaufort Dolphin Adventures

Book online
$457.55 - $683.96

duration: 3 Hours (Longer trips can be booked via phone and email) 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...

Half-Day Kayak Trip OR Shuttle Service

Vintage View River Retreat

Book online
$15.00 - $70.00

meeting_point: 1545 Sunny Acres Rd, Pacolet SC 29372 description: Book a fun and relaxing date with nature that’s sure not to be forgotten! Duration 2-3 hours Location This event will start and end at: Upper Pacolet Shoals Take Out 1545...

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...

Beautiful Beaufort Tours

Emma's Earth Shop Golf Cart Tours

Book online
$15.00 - $36.00

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...

Marsh Bunnies- Nature Camp

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$40.00 - $50.00

duration: 3 hours cancellation_summary: 48- hour in advanced meeting_point: Peg Legs min_age: 5 max_age: 12 group_size: 13 description: Join our Head Naturalist and transform into Marsh Bunnies exploring through Fripp’s saltmarsh! This event will...

Bentley Switch

Santee Boat Rentals

Book online
$250.00 - $400.00

meeting_point: 401 Bass Dr. Santee, SC, 29142 description: Enjoy a day on the water on the Bentley Switchback! Duration Full Day - 8 Hours Half Day - 4 Hours About It’s a 22 foot Tritoon with a 140Hp Suzuki outboard on the back. This...

¾ Day Excursion (5-6 Hours)

Beyond Beaufort Excursions

Book online
$45.00 - $85.00

duration: 5-6 Hours cancellation_summary: Cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance. meeting_point: 29 Robert Smalls Parkway Beaufort, SC 29906 min_age: 4 group_size: Maximum 13 people description: At Beyond Beaufort Excursions you will...

Daydream Cruise

Beaufort Boat Charters LLC

Book online
$320.00

description: Join us for a Lowcountry Adventure! Duration 2 Hours About This trip offers a bit more time to settle in on the water. Some options include dolphin and bird watching, stopping at a local waterside restaurant for a drink...

Screen 3

Highway 21 Drive-In Theater

Book online
$6.00 - $11.00

description: More Info - Ticket Window and Concessions Open at 6:00PM - The first show will start when the sun goes down - Please arrive early on Friday and Saturday nights - Double Features on Friday and Saturday nights only PLEASE OBSERVE...

Seas The Day Cruise

Beaufort Boat Charters LLC

Book online
$480.00

description: Join us for a Lowcountry Adventure! Duration 3 Hours About Our 3 hour cruise allows time to get in even more during your time on the water! Some options may include visiting a local sandbar (tide dependent), a trip to...

Custom Adventure

Beaufort Boat Charters LLC

Book online
$160.00 - $960.00

description: Join us for a Lowcountry Adventure! Duration 1-6 Hours About Contact us about customizing your boating adventure to design a trip just for you! 828-279-3707 or [email protected] Options include, but are not...

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