Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Featured Vacation Rentals

Newly Renovated LowCountry Cottage with ...

Recently modernized 3 bedroom 2 bathroom Lowcountry bungalow, centrally located and less than 10 mins. from Downtown Beaufort, Parris Island, and Port Royal.Located under the Spanish moss-draped oak trees the bungalow is positioned ideally to...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
NEW LISTING \

Located in Beaufort, this enchanting home features 3 comfortable bedrooms - 2 with queen beds and 1 with a twin bed. With amenities like a washing machine, AC, WiFi, and a hair dryer, guests will feel right at home. The 2 bathrooms are equipped with...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 5
Gorgeous Marsh Views, Across from the Be...

Rejuvenate in the sea air at FrippNOutrageOus, a completely refreshed 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 3rd floor condo overlooking the calming salt marsh in the heart of Fripp Island. With beautiful expansive marsh and canal vistas from nearly every window and...

  • Fripp Island
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 5
The Gathering Tide - Sleeps 6 - Waterfro...

Welcome to The Gathering Tide, a relaxing 3-bedroom, 2-bath waterfront getaway in striking Beaufort, SC. With room for up to 6 guests, this home offers impressive river vistas, a roomy backyard, and all the amenities of a comfortable Lowcountry...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
FrippinFun - Three Bedroom House, Sleeps...

Spectacular marsh vistas and sunsets in this appealing 3 bedroom, 2 bath lowcountry bungalow This home is in one of the most serene neighborhoods on the island. We are located at the end of a private street, surrounded by handsome marshes, adjacent...

  • Fripp Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
3-bedroom mobile home in tranquil Beaufo...

This 3-bedroom mobile home in Beaufort is ideal for your escape to relaxation. With a relaxing king bed, a phenomenal queen bed, and a comfortable twin bed, guests will feel right at home. Savor the convenience of WiFi, AC, and a washing machine...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 5

Beaufort Tours & Activities

Port Royal Cypress Wetland & River Sunset

Beaufort Photography Tours

Book online
$299.00 - $499.00

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH WATER, WILDLIFE AND A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET! Options - **Semi-Private Tour**: Includes one non-shooting guest at no additional charge - **Private Tour**: (1 -4 Guests) About BEAUFORT IS CALLED THE LOWCOUNTRY FOR A REASON...

Guided Kayak Tour to Pine Island

Edisto Watersports and Tackle

Book online
$70.00 - $140.00

duration: 2.5 hours cancellation_summary: 7 days advanced cancellation for full refund. At least 48 hours for 50% refund meeting_point: Edisto Watersports & Tackle min_age: 12 group_size: 6 people description: Enjoy a Kayak tour across the sound to...

Beachcombing & Eco Tour (3 Hrs)

Beaufort Dolphin Adventures

Book online
$448.11

duration: 3 Hours cancellation_summary: Customers will receive a full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances...

Sunset Cruise

Beaufort Boat Charters LLC

Book online
$320.00

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! This trip...

Sunset River Cruise (2 Hrs)

Beaufort Dolphin Adventures

Book online
$316.04 - $504.72

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...

Big Fripper Dolphin Cruise

Fripp Island Paddle Shack

Book online
$30.00 - $40.00

duration: 2 Hours meeting_point: 875 Bonito Dr, Fripp Island, SC 29920 description: Cruise on our 42 foot Pontoon Boat. This cruise will take you into the backwaters of Fripp Island looking for dolphins. The Captain will talk about the area's...

Flood Tide Fishing

Green Heron Adventures

Book online
$550.00

Do to high demand, my flood tide trip openings aren't always shown online. Contact me for details/available dates. Duration 4, 6, and 8 hour trips are available. The flood tide window itself can be from 1.5 to 4 hours with additional time...

ACE Basin/Dolphin Boat Tour

Edisto Watersports and Tackle

Book online
$30.00 - $50.00

*Online booking encouraged!* ___________________________________ Rates **Adult (Ages 11+):** $50 **Child (Ages 10 & under):** $30 ___________________________________ Duration 1.5 Hours ___________________________________ About Enjoy a 1.5...

Beaufort Land and Sea Combo

Beaufort Gray Line

Book online
$32.00 - $63.00

Combine our 75-minute Beaufort City Tour with Coastal Expedition's 90-minute Dolphin and History Boat Cruise Departing from the downtown Beaufort marina at the Waterfront Park, this land and sea combo is a fun and family-friendly escape...

A.C.E. Basin & Monkey Island Tour

Beaufort Dolphin Adventures

Book online
$353.77

duration: 2 Hours cancellation_summary: Customers will receive a full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances...

Flyboard 20 Minute

Carolina Hydrofly

Book online
$99.00

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. If...

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