Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Featured Vacation Rentals

TideWatch - A First Class Property.  Spe...

NEWLY RENOVATED PROPERTY - Please see our other 2 properties for Reviews of our Personal Quality and Character (Vacation Rental By Owner - 912215 & 1256916). Do NOT miss booking this adorable bungalow. Totally refreshed + additions! Formerly...

  • Port Royal
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Casa De Chill - Quiet 4 BR w/ Golf Cours...

Welcome to Casa De Chill where your family will savor a roomy home on the Ocean Point Golf Course on Fripp Island. In a short golf cart ride you will have access to a impressive private beach, swimming pools, multiple eateries and two golf courses...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
Modern Coastal Escape on Beaufort's Batt...

Escape to Beaufort's Battery Creek and stay in this newly modernized Waterfront 1st-floor 1 bedroom / 1 bathroom end-unit condo in a gated community in Striking Beaufort South Carolina. Totally outfitted kitchen, laundry room, comfortable Queen bed...

  • Beaufort
  • 1 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
378 Blue Gill Road

Summary:Tranquil Luxury in the Heart of Fripp Island- 4-Bed/3.5-Bath Retreat for Families - Resort Access Supplied! Golf Cart Included!The Space:Tranquil Luxury in the Heart of Fripp: 378 Blue Gill - A 4-Bed/3.5-Bath Retreat for FamiliesFeel the...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 11
Newly Listed - Spacious Condo with Priva...

The Coastal Calm Condo is a elegant two-bedroom condo located in the Southern Living inspired community of Habersham. It is pet-friendly and well equipped for short and long-term units. The freshly painted condo offers coastal chic décor, new...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Low Country Cottage in Beautiful Habersh...

A attractively laid out 1400 sq. foot single-family single-story (no stairs) bungalow home in award-winning Habersham available for short-term or longer stays. This 3-year-old home is Located just a few miles from downtown Beaufort and a short...

  • Beaufort
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4

Beaufort Tours & Activities

Essential Oyster Tour

Lowcountry Oyster Co.

Book online
$150.00

duration: 90 Minutes description: Let's Adventure! Boat, Science, and Culinary Tour packed into one! Learn about the lifecycle of an oyster from start to finish. See one million oysters growing in our nursery followed by a boat ride through the...

Gullah Heritage Tour

Beaufort Gray Line

Book online
$20.00 - $49.00

description: 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...

Summer Art Camp for Tweens & Teens-11 and up-Afternoons

duration: 2.5 hours min_age: 11 max_age: 18 group_size: 8 accessibility: Second Floor description: Cheryl Johnson has some great projects in store for this summer There will be sculpture, jewelry, collage, painting projects, and more!

Guide's Choice Half Day Outing

Beaufort Photography Tours

Book online
$249.00 - $499.00

description: YOU PICK THE DAY, WE'LL PICK THE LOCATIONS! Options - **Semi-Private Tour**: Includes one non-shooting guest at no additional charge) - **Private Tour**: (1 -4 Guests) About READY FOR AN ADVENUTRE? THROW DOWN THE WILD CARD! If...

Kids Night Out 5pm-8pm

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$50.00 - $55.00

duration: 3 meeting_point: Drop-off/Pick-up at The Creekhouse min_age: 3 max_age: 12 group_size: 8 description: About Drop the kids off for a fun Kids Night Out! Expect your kids to engage in fun games, physical activities, crafts starting in...

3 Hour Private Charter

Tallboy Fishing Charters

Book online
$550.00

description: 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...

Summer Solstice

The Arts Port Royal

duration: 1 hour group_size: 20 accessibility: Second Floor description: Susan shares her shamanic practice of manifesting through the Medicine Wheel Ceremony. Please bring a list of 3 things you would like to ADD to your life and 3 things you would...

Maritime Center Eco Tour

Beaufort Dolphin Adventures

Book online
$20.00 - $40.00

duration: 90 Minutes cancellation_summary: Customers will receive a full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund in case of operator cancellation due to weather. meeting_point: Port Royal Sound...

Oyster Hatchery Tour and Tasting

Beaufort Kayak Tours

Book online
$35.00

description: Duration 1 Hour About

Custom Charter and Private Celebrations

duration: 3 hours + meeting_point: 1 Port Royal Landing Dr, Port Royal, SC 29935 group_size: 6 Passenger maximum for the cruise or 12 while docked at the marina or your private residence description: Life’s milestones deserve more than a table at...

Painting FUN-damentals - Color &  Composition

duration: 3 hours min_age: 14 description: All the basics you need to start or expand your art practice at home. Learn everything you need to start or expand your art practice at home including; supplies to buy without breaking the bank, how to...

Classic Tabletop Beer Pong Tournament at Adult Pool

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$12.00

duration: 1 hour meeting_point: Adult Pool min_age: 21 description: Gather your friends and get ready for some friendly competition in our classic tabletop beer pong tournament! Show off the college you, using precision and teamwork as you take...

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