Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Featured Vacation Rentals

183 Beach Club Villa

Summary:183 Beach Club Villa - Great Fripp Island Location - Resort Access Always PROVIDED!The Space:183 Beach Club Villa – Fripp Island Coastal Retreat Discover the ideal island escape in this elegantly refreshed 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo located...

  • Fripp Island
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
Tranquil Marshfront Retreat, Pet Friendl...

Pelican's Post: A Tranquil Marshfront Retreat on Fripp IslandEscape to the serene beauty of Fripp Island at Pelican's Post, a beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bath home located in the heart of the island. This enchanting property offers striking marsh vistas...

  • Fripp Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
New Home includes 6 seat golf cart - 3 I...

Peaceful OasisThis 2400 square-foot home was finished in March of 2023. It is located just over the bridge in the Fiddlers Cove area in a private, calming, setting with handsome trees and wildlife.This home has an open floor plan with a enormous...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 11
721 Sea Dragon Lane

Summary:721 Sea Dragon Lane - Golf Cart & Resort Access always supplied!The Space:Tranquil Coastal Haven: 721 Sea Dragon - A Serene 3-Bed/2-Bath Retreat Near the OceanDiscover the tranquility of 721 Sea Dragon, a peaceful gem tucked just off Tarpon...

  • Fripp Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
Oceanfront, Steps from the beach, 706 Wh...

Plan your island hideaway in this impressive, oceanfront home freshly remodeled in early 2024.  Appreciate the extraordinary ocean vistas from multiple rooms and the cool ocean breezes as you relax on the enormous deck, screened porch or the...

  • Fripp Island
  • 6 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 14
Charming Port Royal Townhouse - 2 Miles ...

We have wifi!  Tired of being stuck at home?  Come see us in handsome Port Royal!  Equipped with complimentary wifi, this shining clean 2 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath townhouse with sleeper couch is a ideal place to get away for a weekend, numerous days...

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

Beaufort Tours & Activities

Beaufort Lands End Paddling

Book online
$20.00 - $60.00

duration: 1.5-2 hours meeting_point: White Hall Boat Landing - Factory Creek, Sea Island Pkwy & Meridian Rd, Beaufort SC 29907 description: Experience the heart of the Lowcountry from the water on our guided paddle through Downtown Beaufort that...

Annual Membership

Red Oak Airsoft & Paintball

Book online
$250.00

description: Field Pass for 1 year 10% off all purchases About Join our annual membership pass and save! Players must have an airsoft gun that is approved by Red Oak Airsoft and Paintball along with all of the required safety equipment. No...

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...

Historic Carriage Tour

Sea Island Carriage Company

Book online
$14.00 - $36.00

Rates - Adults: $36 - Military: $34 - Child (Ages 4-12): $15 - Lap Child (Ages 0-3): $Free - Must sit on lap Duration 50-55 minutes About Experience Beaufort's rich history & unique charm on a 50-55 minute, fully-narrated, horse drawn...

Deck the Porch

Brice Herndon Draft Horse and Carriage Company

Book online
$15.00

Group Carriage Rides Climb aboard and stroll through our beautiful town as we harness in some of our Christmas magic. Travel along historic Hampton Street in Walterboro, known as the Front Porch of the Lowcountry and enjoy the twinkle of Christmas...

Kayak Tour

Port Royal Sound Foundation

Book online
$40.00 - $55.00

duration: 2 Hours description: Join a PRSF Naturalist for a 2-hour guided kayak tour of the Chechessee River departing from the Maritime Center. Children ages 5-12 must be on a tandem kayak with an adult (18+). Designed for all experience...

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...

Simple Figure Painting in Watercolor

duration: 3 hours min_age: 14 group_size: 8 accessibility: second floor description: Learn how simple lines, and little color can create the illusion of a human figure. No drawing required. You will also learn how to transfer images for faster and...

Guided Kayak Sunrise Tour

Edisto Watersports and Tackle

Book online
$50.00 - $100.00

description: 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

Afternoon Delight & Scenic Excursion

duration: 1.5 hours meeting_point: 1 Port Royal Landing Dr, Port Royal, SC 29935 group_size: 6 Passenger maximum description: Soak up the sunshine and experience the Beaufort and Port Royal on the water! Glide along the river as dolphins play in the...

Cornhole 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: Ready, set, toss! Grab a partner and test your tossing skills in a fun and friendly game of cornhole! Whether you are a seasoned pro or a first-timer, this classic game is prefect...

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...

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