Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Featured Vacation Rentals

An Ocean View from Every Room and Golf A...

This awesome oceanfront two-story townhouse offers spectacular vistas from every room and is only steps to handsome beaches, pool and golf.The villa is freshly painted and kitchen just remodeled and professionally decorated to invoke a coastal...

  • Fripp Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 7
Low Country Cottage in Beautiful Habersh...

A elegantly 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 drive...

  • Beaufort
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
Center Island, Steps to beach access –...

Great mid island location.  This home is literally the closest detached home to the Ocean Club and mid island ameneties.  Steps away from beach (about 30 steps from beach access 16), no cart necessary, walk to beach club, tennis, pickle ball...

  • Fripp Island
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 18
Comfortable Open Space. Pets are allowed

GREAT LOCATION! Located in the heart of Beaufort. Simple access to our ever-developing Shopping District w/ full access to various Eateries & Shopping Centers; Cross Creek (3 min), Walmart (3 min), Beaufort Plaza (7 min), Midtown Village (7 min), ...

  • Beaufort
  • 1 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
Charming 3-bedroom new building along Pa...

Discover the tranquility of Beaufort from this Brand new 3-bedroom building. Each bedroom features a queen bed, ensuring a pleasant nighttime's sleep for all guests. With 2 bathrooms equipped with a hair dryer and bathtub, relaxation is key. The...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Cozy 2-bedroom house in delightful Port ...

Walkable Downtown Port Royal Getaway| Near Parris Island | Family-Friendly Coastal HomeSavor a relaxing, well-located private home in the heart of Port Royal—ideal for families, Marine graduation visits, and travelers looking to experience the...

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

Beaufort Tours & Activities

Painting the Beauty of our Trees

The Arts Port Royal

Book online
$75.00

duration: 2.5 hours meeting_point: The Arts Port Royal group_size: 8 description: Our trees inspire us in so many ways Celebrate our trees with beautiful creations in acrylic. They are especially beautiful when spring is alive with color. We...

Fripp Island Sunrise

Beaufort Photography Tours

Book online
$75.00

description: About Join us for a sunrise photography session. We'll provide some tips and tricks and give constructive input to improve your shot. Duration 1.5 Hours

Beaufort Lands End Paddling

Book online
$20.00 - $60.00

duration: 1.5-2 hours meeting_point: Safe Harbor Beaufort, 1006 Bay St, Beaufort, SC 29902 description: Discover downtown Beaufort like never before—from the water at high tide, where history and Southern charm come together for an unforgettable...

Reiki-4-Kids (no class fee)

duration: 90 min. cancellation_summary: Full refunds available up to 24 hours before the class. Within 24 hours, a gift cert. will be issued. No refunds for no-shows. min_age: 7 max_age: 16 group_size: 9 accessibility: Second Floor description: ...

Spring Florals - Acrylic Workshop

The Arts Port Royal

Book online
$75.00

description: Bring in spring with an afternoon of painting florals in a fun representational style. We will have lots of inspirational photos to spark ideas or you can bring one of your own garden to use. Instructor Anne McCall Wilson...

Beaufort Walking History/Movie Tour
Book online
$15.00 - $36.00

description: *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...

Tuesday Camp Fripp-Game On

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$57.00 - $65.00

duration: 3 hours meeting_point: Creekhouse min_age: 3 max_age: 12 description: Join us for an exciting Sports Camp filled with fast-paced games, friendly competition, and plenty of outdoor fun! Campers will try a variety of sports, learn new...

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...

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...

Historic Carriage Tour

Sea Island Carriage Company

Book online
$14.00 - $36.00

description: 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...

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...

Lil Fripper

Fripp Island Paddle Shack

Book online
$300.00 - $400.00

duration: 1.5 meeting_point: Fripp Island Paddle Shack group_size: 6 description: Let's cruise the island's waterways and watch the sunset on our new Lil' Fripper. This captained social boat comfortably accommodates six guests, ensuring lots of fun...

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