Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

Beaufort-SC.com logo

Find your perfect Beaufort

Vacation Rental

Featured Vacation Rentals

Gorgeous Sunsets and Marsh Views, Pet Fr...

Spectacular marsh vistas greet you from the moment you step inside this family-friendly home at the heart of Fripp Island near the Beach Club. The living room, dining room, and sitting area have walls of windows looking out to the marsh.  Very...

  • Fripp Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Modern Port Royal 2 bedroom Townhome - C...

A centrally-located freshly refreshed home in Port Royal! Discover comfort and convenience in a 2-bedroom (plus couch bed), 1.5-bath townhome. Centrally located near Parris Island, Beaufort, Hunting Island State Park & Beach, Hilton Head and Lady's...

  • Port Royal
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
\

Unwind and relax at one of Mermaid Cottage's favorite spots - The Oyster Bay Cottage . This 2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Cottage sleeps 4. Rental includes amenities such as Bicycles (2) and use of Hunting Island State Park & Beach Pass. Located mins. away...

  • Beaufort
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
702 Whiting Road - Resort Access and Gol...

702 Whiting offers the best of all worlds! This exceptional second-row home features ocean vistas, is directly across from beach access, and is centrally located on the island near Fripp’s best beach area and all island amenities.Appreciate your...

  • Fripp Island
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 13
Charming Port Royal Cottage: Walk to Din...

"Port Royal Cottage by the Park" location cannot be beat! It is only a five min. ride to Parris Island MCD for those traveling to see their Marine graduate. It's less than a 2 min. bicycle ride to to the Spanish Moss Bicycle/ Walking trail and a 5...

  • Port Royal
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
The Bluetop private  Lowcountry  Luxury ...

. This is a LUXURY HOME with no shoe zones . Layeredwith plush rugs wood floor and plush couches not to mention plush pillow top bed for a great nighttime stay . Equipped with gorgeous amenities to welcone guest on lowvountry luxury hideaway. The...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6

Beaufort Tours & Activities

Eggstra Dive in Egg Hunts at Cabana Club// Resort Guests/Members ONLY

duration: 1 hour meeting_point: Cabana Club max_age: 15 description: Make a splash this Easter with our Eggstra Dive Easter Egg Hunt! Dive in and search for colorful floating eggs filled with surprises. Enjoy looking for eggs in the pool! There will...

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...

West End Walking Tour

Greenville History Tours

Book online
$25.00

duration: 1 hour description: Take a fascinating walk through Greenville's historic West End and hear some amazing stories about the evolving of this neighborhood from working class neighborhoods to a dynamic new extension of Greenville's downtown...

Thursday Camp Fripp: Pirate Cruise

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$110.00 - $116.00

duration: 5 hours cancellation_summary: 48- hour in advanced meeting_point: Peg Legs (Next to Paddle Shack) min_age: 3 max_age: 12 accessibility: 3 description: Drop the kids off for a fun Camp Fripp Exploration! Camp Hours: 8:45 am - 2 pm Embark...

Beaufort River Tour from Downtown  (2 Hrs)

Beaufort Dolphin Adventures

Book online
$353.77 - $542.45

duration: 2 Hour Private Boat Tour 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...

Gift Cards

Emma's Earth Shop Golf Cart Tours

Purchase the perfect gift: a gift card with a value of your choosing!

Giant Beer Pong Tournament at Adult Pool

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$4.00 - $6.00

duration: 1 hour meeting_point: Adult Pool min_age: 21 description: Think you got what it takes to dominate in this oversized twist on a classic favorite? Join us for a giant beer pong tournament, where buckets and soccer balls replace cups and ping...

Drawing 101-Perspective

The Arts Port Royal

Book online
$75.00

If your drawings look wonky, it's probably a problem with your perspective. In this class you will learn to scale your drawings and create perspective. Creating the illusion of distance is the fundamental reason to create convincing...

Mississippi Kite Flight

Carolina Safari Co.

Book online
$40.00

duration: 2 Hours meeting_point: West Columbia Riverwalk & Amphitheatre group_size: Maximum 8 people description: It’s Spring Time and you know what that means… Migration is upon us! This time of year hundreds of species of birds are migrating...

Taste of the Lowcountry Cruise

Beaufort Boat Charters LLC

Book online
$160.00

description: 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...

Shark Dissection

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$75.00

meeting_point: Creek House description: Sharks help maintain the delicately balanced ecosystems that keep our oceans healthy. However, the challenges facing this critical apex predator are many, and seemingly overwhelming. More than 100 million are...

Pat Conroy's Beaufort by Golf Cart
Book online
$20.00 - $45.00

*“I’ve come home to the place I was always writing about…. I’ve tried to make Beaufort, South Carolina, my own.”—Pat Conroy, The Death of Santini* ____ Duration and Availability - 1Hr15Mn - Monday through Sunday (7 days a week) at...

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