Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Featured Vacation Rentals

711 Yellow Perch Road

Summary:711 Yellow Perch Road - Resort Access and Golf Cart Included! Ocean front!The Space:Coastal luxury awaits you! Stunning beachfront home with dipping pool and direct access to the beach is now ready for your family hideaway. This cavernous...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12
Beautiful and renovated townhouse

Spectacular home with access to the entire home. Close to Parris island for graduations. Close to stores and eateries. Calm and nice enviroment to stay with family. Have coffee, tea, and kitchen needs. Own entrace with unique code. Backyard not...

  • Port Royal
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
PERFECT LOCATION, 2 bedroom two bath fur...

Unwind in Beaufort at this cozy bungalow. Located downtown in the Historic Old Point District you will be steps away from the handsome waterfront park, eateries, stores and history. Savor your favorite drink in the striking courtyard or settle down...

  • Beaufort
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
\nExperience USMC History: 10 min to Par...

Escape to Twin Oak, your home away from home in Beaufort County. Just 10 mins. from Parris Island for Marine boot camp graduations and 10 mins. to the Historic Waterfront with delicious eateries. Book for 30+ days at $2500/month.Appreciate the...

  • Port Royal
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
Near Ocean at Beach Access 10, Golf Cart...

Welcome to your island getaway at 621 Dolphin Road on Fripp Island, featuring 5 roomy bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms.The generous open living and dining area, complete with a fireplace, flows seamlessly to a screened porch and outdoor decking.  The...

  • Fripp Island
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 14
425 Ocean Point Lane

Summary:Stunning Ocean Front Home -- 6 Bedroom 5.5 Bath on Ocean Point Lane - The Atlantic Ocean is Your Backyard! -- Resort Access and Golf Cart Supplied!The Space:This oceanfront home has the best front-row seat to every sunrise and sunset, with...

  • Fripp Island
  • 6 Bedrooms
  • 5 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12

Beaufort Tours & Activities

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...

Guided Kayak Full Moon Paddle

Edisto Watersports and Tackle

Book online
$60.00 - $120.00

description: Enjoy a guided kayak tour at night during a full moon! Tours will head out with the tide and enjoy paddling the creek by full moon.

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 group_size: 20 description: Join us for an exciting Game Camp filled with fast-paced games, friendly competition, and plenty of outdoor fun! Campers will try a variety of games...

Big Fripper Monkey Island Cruise

Fripp Island Paddle Shack

Book online
$60.00 - $75.00

duration: 3 Hours meeting_point: 875 Bonito Dr, Fripp Island, SC 29920 description: Approximately 3-Hour Tour to see Monkey Island. Morgan Island, better known locally as "Monkey Island" is home to approximately 3,500 free ranging monkeys. Morgan...

Public Field Pass

Red Oak Airsoft & Paintball

Book online
$25.00 - $45.00

description: Book your battleground today! Duration 10 - 5 About All day field pass to our field. This does not include any rental equipment. Players must have an airsoft gun that is approved by Red Oak Airsoft and Paintball along with all...

TWO DAY-Reiki 3/Master Class

The Arts Port Royal

Book online
$700.00

duration: 7 hours min_age: 15 group_size: 8 accessibility: Second Floor description: Day 1, Intuitive Healing...Day 2, Learn to Teach Reiki. On Day 1, we will go further into the process of Intuitive Healing and deep listening. We will do practical...

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...

Kayak Rental

Edisto Watersports and Tackle

Book online
$40.00 - $80.00

meeting_point: Edisto Beach, SC description: *Book Online Now!* ___________________________________ Rates **Single Kayak:** $40 **Tandem Kayak (Seats 2):** $80 **Tandem Kayak + Child(under 10):** $60 *Must be 18+ to Rent* *Ages 4 & over...

Annual Membership

Red Oak Airsoft & Paintball

Book online
$250.00

description: Field Pass for 1 year 10% off all purchases About Join our annual membership pass and save! Players must have an airsoft gun that is approved by Red Oak Airsoft and Paintball along with all of the required safety equipment. No...

Family Master LEGO Building Competition at Beach Club Greene

duration: 1 hour meeting_point: Beach Club min_age: 3 description: Get ready to unleash your creativity at our LEGO Building Competition! Whether you're a master builder or just love to build, this fun-filled challenge is perfect for anyone! Put...

Wildlife Refuge Birding & Nature Tour

Beaufort Photography Tours

Book online
$249.00 - $499.00

description: LET'S GET WILD WITH A BIRDING AND NATURE TOUR! Options - **Semi-Private Tour**: Includes one non-shooting guest at no additional charge - **Private Tour**: (1 -4 Guests) About COME AND EXPLORE THE WILD SIDE OF BEAUFORT...

Shamanism-A Deep Dive

The Arts Port Royal

Book online
$175.00

duration: 6 hours cancellation_summary: Full refund for cancellations 24 hours or more before class. Day of class, a gift certificate refund, and no shows, no refund. min_age: 15 group_size: 12 accessibility: Second Floor description: A deep dive...

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