Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Featured Vacation Rentals

Lady's Island Cottage

Our giant one-room studio apartment on Lady's Island, SC is a 20 min. drive to Hunting Island beach, Parris Island, and MCAS, as well as a 5 min. drive to Historic Downtown Beaufort. You’ll appreciate our place! We have converted our in-law suite...

  • Beaufort
  • 1 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 2
579 Remora Drive

Summary:579 Remora Drive - Resort Access and Golf Cart Supplied!The Space:Located along the Ocean Point Golf Course with an ocean view, 579 Remora is ideal for sizable families or groups looking to take advantage of all the amenities Fripp Island...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 17
46 Davis Love Drive

Summary:Firefly Shack - Charming 2-Bedroom Cottage - Sleeps 8 - Golf Cart and Resort Access Supplied!The Space:Savor Firefly Shack! This striking, vibrant bungalow is really the ultimate beach/golf hideaway, located next to a fairway of the Ocean...

  • Fripp Island
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Circa 1785- Whole Hotel!

Summary:Welcome To Circa 1785 This meticulously restored home was originally constructed in 1785 and includes 5 individually coded guest suites. Each guest Suite features a King size Canopy Bed, granite bathroom with rain shower, sitting area and...

  • Beaufort
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 5 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
Gorgeous Oceanview Fripp Home on Golf Co...

New to the Steel Magnolia in 2025 - a striking reclining leather sectional, new cushioned rockers for the front porch, and both decks have been replaced. We look forward to hosting your family in our gorgeous Fripp home. Welcome to Steel Magnolia...

  • Fripp Island
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12
474 Tarpon Blvd

Summary:OCEANFRONT Steps from the Beach - 474 Tarpon Blvd - Private Boardwalk, Screened-in Porch, 6-Bedroom 3-Bath Sleeps 14! Resort Access Supplied!The Space:474 Tarpon is a 6-bedroom, 3 bath, oceanfront, 24/7 beach home. Located centrally on...

  • Fripp Island
  • 6 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 14

Beaufort Tours & Activities

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...

Kids Fishing Tournament

Fripp Island Paddle Shack

duration: 7 hours min_age: 5 max_age: 15 description: This is a sign up for the Kids Fishing Tournament on November 28th! Each child participating need to be signed up individually. You will have to attend the captains meeting on November 28th at...

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...

Paddle Board Rentals

Fripp Island Paddle Shack

Book online
$45.00 - $360.00

duration: 1–8 Hour Rentals meeting_point: 875 Bonito Dr, Fripp Island, SC 29920 description: The Paddle Shack is your go-to for an unforgettable day on the water! Hop on a paddleboard for an adventure, for up to 8 hours! what_is_included:

Pine Island Excursion Boat Ride

Edisto Watersports and Tackle

Book online
$30.00 - $50.00

duration: 3 hours meeting_point: Edisto Watersports & Tackle description: Explore Pine Islands beach, sandbars and tidal pools at low tide. You'll find ample marine life and shorebirds feeding and resting on this deserted ACE Basin...

4 Hour Private Charter

Tallboy Fishing Charters

Book online
$700.00

description: Hop aboard Tallboy Fishing Charters with a local Expert! ___________________________________ Rates **Private Charter:** $700 *Up to 6 Passengers* ___________________________________ About the Captain Make memories fishing with...

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...

Big Fripper Sunset Cruise

Fripp Island Paddle Shack

Book online
$30.00 - $50.00

duration: 1.5 Hours meeting_point: 875 Bonito Dr, Fripp Island, SC 29920 description: Scroll to November 29 date to book the Big Fripper Boat Parade Cruise! Sunset cruise on our 42 foot Pontoon Boat going in the backwaters behind Fripp Island...

Summer Art Camp for Kids-MORNINGS

The Arts Port Royal

Book online
$250.00

duration: 2 hours min_age: 8 max_age: 11 group_size: 8 accessibility: second floor description: Miss Cheryl has all kinds of arts and crafts in store for the kids this summer! We will have collage, painting, pottery, sculpture, and various...

Single Kayak Rental

Fripp Island Paddle Shack

Book online
$30.00 - $240.00

duration: 1–8 Hour Rentals meeting_point: 875 Bonito Dr, Fripp Island, SC 29920 description: - Sit-on-top style - Length: 8 feet 10 inches - Width: 32.75 inches - Height: 14.25 inches - Dry weight: 44 pounds - Weight capacity: 300 pounds - Seating...

Family Feud *Adult After Hours* at the Sandbar

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$10.00

duration: 1.5 hours meeting_point: Sandbar min_age: 21 description: Join us on TUESDAYS to play the spin off of the hit game show Family Feud. Play against another family and go head-to-head with questions winning the grand prize!! **Gameshow...

Learn to Sail Adventure

Otter Sailing Adventures LLC

Book online
$600.00

description: Duration 5 hours About Experience the thrill of learning to sail all by yourself on one of our 8 or 10 ft Bauer Sailing Dinghies and then end the day off by learning the "ropes" as we sail the Liahona, our 38' Catalina Sailboat...

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