Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Featured Vacation Rentals

Renovated, Golf cart included, pet frien...

Appreciate extraordinary vistas from this 2-story island home.  Located at the north end of Fripp Island, you are a short walk to the Ocean Point Golf Club and Grille.  Take a calming walk over to the close by beach or spend an afternoon soaking...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
Pet friendly, golf cart included - \

Welcome to The Bailey-Wick! Bring the whole family to this all one level ranch-style home. The home provides minimal steps at the entrance for simple access for kids and grandparents. The home offers multiple living areas available for dining...

  • Fripp Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 14
Sweeping Marsh Views, Golf Cart Included...

Feel refined coastal living in this newly remodeled, luxury 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom single-story residence, where every suite offers its own ensuite and a level of privacy typically reserved for boutique retreats. Framed by sweeping broad marsh...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
Serendipity - Golf Cart Included

Savor Fripp Island beauty in this cavernous 3 bedroom, 3 en-suite bathroom home.  Striking vistas overlooking a laogon and the 8th hole of Ocean Point Golf course.  This home offers a private setting, just a few mintues walk to the beach. Located...

  • Fripp Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 7
Stunning Marsh Views from 4 Porches, Gol...

Welcome to 850 Bonito Drive, a peaceful marsh front getaway offering sweeping deep-water vistas and classic Lowcountry appeal. Tucked along the serene salt marsh, this thoughtfully designed home invites you to slow down and soak in the natural...

  • Fripp Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
NEW! Renovated 2 Bed 2 Bath Apartment Do...

Summary:Brimming with modern style and Southern appeal, this Beaufort vacation rental promises a calming stay! The 2-bedroom, 2-bath apartment features a sleek full kitchen and modren finishes mere steps away from the historic heart of town. Stroll...

  • Beaufort
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4

Beaufort Tours & Activities

Low Country Expressions

The Arts Port Royal

Book online
$85.00

duration: 3 hours meeting_point: The Arts Port Royal group_size: 4 description: From marshes to beaches to magnificent sunsets in expressionism style Expressionists paint not just what they see but also what they feel. It is often described as...

Freestyle Fun

The Arts Port Royal

Book online
$85.00

description: Paint loose, big and bright.... Painting quickly and with freedom can bring out our most beautiful paintings. This class is designed to put the most fun in creating.

Fripper II Pirate Cruise

Fripp Island Paddle Shack

Book online
$30.00 - $45.00

duration: 1.5 Hours meeting_point: 875 Bonito Dr, Fripp Island, SC 29920 description: Drift back in time to the carefree days of pirates. Sit back and relax as your children laugh and play under the watchful eyes of Capt. John Fripp and his friendly...

Columbia's Shrimp & Grits Fest

Columbia's Shrimp and Grits Fest

Book online
$25.00 - $75.00

meeting_point: Seawell's, 1125 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29201 description: Columbia's Shrimp & Grits Fest >On Saturday, June 20th, 2026 area restaurants will compete in Columbia's 11th Shrimp & Grits Fest. One restaurant will be named...

Beaufort Lands End Paddling

Book online
$40.00 - $60.00

duration: 1.5-2 hours meeting_point: Port Royal Boat Landing, Sands Beach Rd description: Paddle from Sands Beach in Port Royal over to Parris Island and back. Crossing Battery Creek, we will keep a keen eye out for dolphin friends! Along the way...

Big Fripper Sunset Cruise

Fripp Island Paddle Shack

Book online
$30.00 - $50.00

duration: 1.5 Hours meeting_point: 875 Bonito Dr, Fripp Island, SC 29920 description: Scroll to November 29 date to book the Big Fripper Boat Parade Cruise! Sunset cruise on our 42 foot Pontoon Boat going in the backwaters behind Fripp Island...

Thursday Camp Fripp: Pirate Cruise + Pirate Party

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 group_size: 20 description: Drop the kids off for a fun Camp Fripp Exploration! Camp Hours: 9:00am - 2pm Embark on...

Family Archery Outing with Range Time

duration: 1 Hour Range Time group_size: Up to 2 Adults & 3 Children (under 16 Years old) description: Bring the whole family together for a fun and memorable activity everyone can enjoy. Our family package includes equipment rental and range time...

Sunset Cruise

Beaufort Boat Charters LLC

Book online
$320.00

description: Please note, we may need to slightly adjust the trip departure time to ensure we are in the right time window to catch the Sunset for the day you choose :) Duration 2 Hours About Come enjoy a beautiful Lowcountry Sunset with us...

Abstraction Unbound - Painting in the language of today

description: Painting in the Language of Today Abstract Expressionism didn't end with the New York School - like Jackson Pollock. It has mutated, absorbed new influences and kept going. In this class we turn our attention to the painters...

SC Pimento Cheese Festival - Tasting Ticket

meeting_point: Saluda Shoals- 6071 St Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29212 description: A festival to showcase South Carolina's Favorite snack, Pimento Cheese Rates General Admission is Free and $5 Parking Fee per car at Gate Tasting Tickets are...

3 Hour Rental

Pedego Electric Bikes Greenville

Book online
$15.00 - $64.00

description: Ride out our front door onto the Swamp Rabbit Trail! ???? Experience the Thrill of Greenville's Iconic Swamp Rabbit Trail with Pedego Electric Bikes! ????‍♂️ Ready for an adventure like no other? ???? Step right up and...

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