Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Featured Vacation Rentals

Salty Breeze at 846 Marsh Dunes – Reno...

Welcome to Salty Breeze!  Tucked among the pines and palms of the peaceful Sawgrass neighborhood, this newly refreshed home offers a relaxing Lowcountry getaway with light, bright coastal appeal throughout. Just steps from the community pool, this...

  • Fripp Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
My Blue Bungalow, huge porch, fenced yar...

This enchanting bungalow is the ideal home base, whether traveling for work or an extended stay in handsome Port Royal. With three comfortable bedrooms, including two king beds and one full bed, you'll find plenty of space to relax. The master...

  • Port Royal
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Cottage Under the Magnolia Trees / Near ...

Cottage Under the Trees – Your Home Away from Home in BeaufortUnwind in this beautiful 3-bedroom bungalow, thoughtfully set up for comfort and convenience. The bedrooms include a queen bed, a full bed, and a twin bed—plus the living room has an...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 7
Luxury Oceanfront Retreat | 6 Ensuite Be...

Luxury Oceanfront Retreat | 6 Ensuite Bedrooms | Sleeps 14 | Golf Cart Included | Steps to the Beach ClubDiscover one of Fripp Island's premier oceanfront homes. Recently refreshed and new to the rental market, this impressive beachfront getaway...

  • Fripp Island
  • 6 Bedrooms
  • 6 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 14
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
Direct Oceanfront 1BR! Resort Access & P...

Upscale Captain John Fripp Villa 101 is really OCEANFRONT and located at the BEST BEACH, in the most beautiful part of the island. Just step out your door onto the beach. Reserved parking is at your door. NO STEPS TO CLIMB.Our Captain John Fripp...

  • Fripp Island
  • 1 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4

Beaufort Tours & Activities

Private Farm Tour

Lowcountry Oyster Co.

Book online
$300.00 - $450.00

meeting_point: 15823 Bennetts Point Rd, Green Pond, SC, United States description: Reserve a farm & boat tour all to yourself with this exclusive option! Enjoy a private and personalized tour of our farm facilities followed by a boat ride out into...

Summer Solstice

The Arts Port Royal

duration: 1 hour group_size: 20 accessibility: Second Floor description: Susan shares her shamanic practice of manifesting through the Medicine Wheel Ceremony. Please bring a list of 3 things you would like to ADD to your life and 3 things you would...

Carolina HydroFly Parties

Carolina Hydrofly

Book online
$800.00 - $1,600.00

description: Private Party About Enjoy a 4 or 8 Hour Group Lesson. Can have up to 8 people (Half day) & 16 people (Full day) in your party. - Includes 10 minutes of instruction time, fuel, life jacket, and helmet **What's Included** ...

SINGO!

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$5.00

duration: 1 hour cancellation_summary: 6- hour in advanced meeting_point: CreekHouse min_age: 5 description: Join Us for Singo! ($5 per card) at the Cabana Club Enjoy singing along to your favorite hits, all while competing for a chance to win...

Full-Day Kayak Trip OR Shuttle Service

Vintage View River Retreat

Book online
$15.00 - $55.00

meeting_point: 1545 Sunny Acres Rd, Pacolet SC 29372 description: Book a fun and relaxing date with nature that’s sure not to be forgotten! Duration 4-6 hours Location This event will start and end at: Upper Pacolet Shoals Take Out 1545...

Beach Day Chair Rentals

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$15.00 - $65.00

duration: 6 hours cancellation_summary: 48- hour in advanced meeting_point: beach access 15 (Beach Club boardwalk) min_age: 18 description: The Beach Hut is located at the end of the Beach Access boardwalk at the Beach Club, between Access 15 and ...

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...

Screen 2

Highway 21 Drive-In Theater

Book online
$6.00 - $11.00

description: More Info - Ticket Window and Concessions Open at 6:00PM - The first show will start when the sun goes down - Please arrive early on Friday and Saturday nights - Double Features on Friday and Saturday nights only PLEASE OBSERVE...

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...

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...

Rocky Land RC

Red Maple Event

Book online
$5.00

duration: 5 minutes meeting_point: Saluda Shoals Park min_age: 6 description: Customer will be able to drive a RC Crawler for 5 minutes on the Mobile Crawler Course what_is_included: Course Rules: -Stay in the course boundaries -No wreck less...

Craft Hour Easter Wooden Egg Painting at The Creekhouse

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$24.00

duration: 1 hour meeting_point: Creekhouse min_age: 3 description: Unleash your creativity at Craft Hour! Whether you're a beginner or a crafting pro, this is the perfect activity to relax, create, and have fun! Walk-up or reservation

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