Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Featured Vacation Rentals

Tropical Paradise! 200' from Fripp Islan...

You won’t go wrong staying in this gorgeous home with partial ocean vistas. It is right in the center of everything yet very peaceful and private. Just 200 feet from the huge beach even at high tide by Beach Access #19. You can play all day in the...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 11
601 Dolphin Road

Summary:601 Dolphin Road - Resort Access Included!The Space:LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION are the golden words! Sitting across the street from the best beach access is the place to be. Centrally located and just a short walk to the Adult Pool...

  • Fripp Island
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 14
Pet Friendly, Chef's Kitchen, Exercise R...

Welcome to 1 Fiddlers Point, a attractively maintained coastal getaway located on a roomy corner lot in the beautiful Fiddler’s Trace neighborhood of Fripp Island. With over 3,400 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space, this...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
622 Newhaven

Summary:622 Newhaven - Resort Access and Golf Cart Supplied!The Space:Welcome to 622 Newhaven Court, a striking 1-bedroom condo that can sleep up to 4. This newly listed end unit offers a comfortable, fresh living space with additional windows and a...

  • Fripp Island
  • 1 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
717 Pompano Road

Summary:717 Pompano Road - Resort Access and Golf Cart Included!The Space:717 Pompano is an elegant three-story home located in the heart of Fripp Island. This four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath home is ideal for groups or family gatherings. Four...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 13
Beachfront Home, Pet Friendly, Golf Cart...

Step into this striking beachfront home and get ready for the vacation of your dreams.  Overlooking the Atlantic, the sizable, screened porch and open decks offer great vistas and cool ocean breezes.The open concept living area includes a...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10

Beaufort Tours & Activities

Club 15.5 - Beach Rentals

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$15.00 - $350.00

duration: 9:00 - 5:00 meeting_point: Beach Hut description: Enjoy the luxury and relaxation of Fripp Island beaches without having to bring or set up anything on the beach! Walk right off the boardwalk and into the perfect beach day. No need to run...

Friday Camp Fripp: Nature Day

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$57.00 - $65.00

duration: 3 hours cancellation_summary: 48- hour in advanced meeting_point: Creekhouse (behind Nature Center) min_age: 5 max_age: 12 group_size: 20 description: Drop the kids off for a fun camp of all things Nature on Fripp! Camp Hours: 9am - 12...

Oyster Hatchery Kayak Paddle, Tour and Tasting
Book online
$75.00 - $90.00

description: Duration 4 Hours About Join Beaufort Kayak Tours as they paddle from Single Lady Oyster Hatchery on McCalley's Creek, return to the oyster hatchery for a tour and end with an Oyster tasting. One of the things that Jim and Teri...

Bentley Switch

Santee Boat Rentals

Book online
$350.00 - $500.00

meeting_point: 401 Bass Dr. Santee, SC, 29142 description: Enjoy a day on the water on the Bentley Switchback! Duration Full Day - 8 Hours Half Day - 4 Hours About It’s a 22 foot Tritoon with a 140Hp Suzuki outboard on the back. This...

Guided Kayak Outgoing Tidal Tour

Edisto Watersports and Tackle

Book online
$50.00 - $100.00

duration: 2 hours meeting_point: Edisto Watersports & Tackle description: Enjoy a lovely Kayak tour guided by one of our experts! Rates **Single Kayak:** $50 **Tandem Kayak (Seats 2):** $100 *Ages 4+ Welcome!...

Giant Beer Pong Tournament at Adult Pool

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$4.00 - $6.00

duration: 1 hour meeting_point: Adult Pool min_age: 21 description: Think you got what it takes to dominate in this oversized twist on a classic favorite? Join us for a giant beer pong tournament, where buckets and soccer balls replace cups and ping...

ACE Basin/Dolphin Boat Tour

Edisto Watersports and Tackle

Book online
$30.00 - $50.00

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

Cornhole Tournament at Peg Legs

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$12.00

duration: 1 hour meeting_point: Adult Pool 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 for anyone...

Daydream Cruise

Beaufort Boat Charters LLC

Book online
$320.00

description: Join us for a Lowcountry Adventure! Duration 2 Hours About This trip offers a bit more time to settle in on the water. Some options include dolphin and bird watching, stopping at a local waterside restaurant for a drink...

One Hour Axe Throwing

Wolverine Axe Throwing

Book online
$20.00

description: Enjoy your time at Wolverine Axe Throwing throwing axes! Duration 1 hour About Welcome to Wolverine Axe Throwing in Woodruff, SC. If you have never thrown an axe before, there is nothing to fear. When you arrive our axperts...

OUTPOST PHOTO ACADEMY

Guy Harvey Outpost

Book online
$75.00 - $350.00

meeting_point: Beaufort, SC description: Join us for a special Outpost Photo Academy hosted by professional photographers Mark Krancer. Capture the beauty of historic Beaufort, SC and all its southern charm all while becoming a better...

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...

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