Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Featured Vacation Rentals

Affordable Cottage close to Parris Islan...

This cute bungalow has freshly been refreshed and sits on an additional sizable lot with plenty of parking for cars and/or a boat in the heart of Port Royal. The master bedroom has a humongous comfortable king bed while the second bedroom has a...

  • Port Royal
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Gorgeous Oceanview Fripp Home on Golf Co...

New to the Steel Magnolia in 2025 - a charming reclining leather sectional, new cushioned rockers for the front porch, and both decks have been replaced. We look forward to hosting your family in our gorgeous Fripp home. Welcome to Steel Magnolia...

  • Fripp Island
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12
7 Fiddlers Point

Summary:7 Fiddlers Point-Fantastic Marsh VistasThe Space:Stunning marsh and water vistas greet you as you enter this completely refreshed 3-bedroom home with 3 full baths at 7 Fiddlers Point. This very private neighborhood, set among the...

  • Fripp Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
756 Bonito Road

Summary:756 Bonito Road - Resort Guest Carts and Golf Card Supplied!The Space:Welcome to 756 Bonito, a beautiful two-story coastal getaway located on the beautiful south end of Fripp Island. Just a short walk to the Ocean Marina and the Bonito...

  • Fripp Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
520 Sunsuite -  Resort Access Included!

Located on the second floor, this impressive rental has just undergone a complete remodel in 2024, ensuring that every aspect of your stay is nothing short of exceptional.Welcome to 520 Sunsuite, your premier destination for a Fripp Island hideaway...

  • Fripp Island
  • 1 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 3
Charming Beach House, Pets considered, B...

Welcome to Beyers Bungalow, located at 343 Deer Lake Drive in the gorgeous Deer Lake neighborhood.Our 3-bedroom getaway comfortably accommodates 6 guests in comfortable beds, offering a roomy and inviting home with unique features. We have added...

  • Fripp Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6

Beaufort Tours & Activities

Summer Camps

Camelot Farms Equestrian Center

Book online
$650.00

duration: 6 Hour Camp Days meeting_point: 101 Tom and Mike Road Saint Helena Island, SC 29920 min_age: 5 group_size: 8 participants description: Have your young rider join us at Camelot Farms for a 4-day camp experience! Our camps are available to...

Barrier Island Tour

High Tide Aviation - Beaufort

Book online
$120.00

description: About With this beautiful tour you get an overhead view of Morgan Island, Harbor Island, Hunting Island State Park & Lighthouse, Fripp Island, Pritchard’s Island, Bull Point Beach, St. Phillip’s Island, Parris Island, and Fort...

Beaufort River Tour (90 Min)

Beaufort Dolphin Adventures

Book online
$268.87 - $471.70

duration: 90 Minutes 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 14...

7 Hour Private Charter

Tallboy Fishing Charters

Book online
$1,200.00

description: Hop aboard Tallboy Fishing Charters with a local Expert! ___________________________________ Rates **Private Charter:** $1,200 *Up to 4 Passengers* ___________________________________ Full Day Offshore Charter Full day fishing...

Variety Craft Hour at Creekhouse

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$10.00

duration: 1 hour meeting_point: Creekhouse min_age: 3 description: Unleash your creativity at Variety Craft Hour! Each session features a fun, hands-on project, from painting, seasonal decorations, to DIY keepsakes. Whether you're a beginner or a...

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...

Kayak Rental

Edisto Watersports and Tackle

Book online
$40.00 - $80.00

meeting_point: Edisto Beach, SC description: *Book Online Now!* ___________________________________ Rates **Single Kayak:** $40 **Tandem Kayak (Seats 2):** $80 **Tandem Kayak + Child(under 10):** $60 *Must be 18+ to Rent* *Ages 4 & over...

Shallow Water Fishing Charter

Seas So Shallow Fishing Guide Service

Book online
$500.00 - $700.00

duration: 4 Hours meeting_point: 17 Meridian Road Beaufort, SC 29907 group_size: Maximum 4 people description: Enjoy a day at sea with Captain Steve, whose been guiding charters since 2007. Shallow waters species specialty. Let's explore...

Merchandise

Carolina Hydrofly

Flyboard 20 Minute

Carolina Hydrofly

Book online
$129.00

description: 20 Minute Flyboard Pro Series Experience What's Included? 15 Min Flight Time. Includes 10 minutes of instruction time, fuel, life jacket, wetsuit, and helmet We advise everyone to arrive at least 30 minutes before your start time...

Swallowtail Kite Flight

Carolina Safari Co.

Book online
$50.00

duration: 2 Hours meeting_point: USC Salkehatchie Admissions Office group_size: Maximum 9 people description: Have you ever seen a Swallow-tailed Kite? These birds will flock up by the hundreds to roost. In the early mornings they descend upon cow...

Family Feud at the Beach Club Stage

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$12.00

duration: 1 hour meeting_point: Beach Club min_age: 3 description: Get ready for a fun-filled game of Family Feud! Gather your team and go head-to-head in this exciting, fast-paced trivia challenge based on the classic game show. Answer survey-style...

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