Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Featured Vacation Rentals

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
CUSTOM HOME 3 BED/3.5 BATH ON OCEAN PT G...

LOOK NO FURTHER- ENJOY "ABOUT FRIPPIN' TIME" CUSTOM BUILT NEWER HOME FIRST TIME ON RENTAL MARKET. OPEN FLOORING PLAN. MAIN LEVEL HAS ALL HARDWOOD FLOORS. 2450 SPACIOUS SQUARE FEETSavor the sizable, open floor plan on the main level, designed for...

  • Fripp Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
49 Nautical Watch Way

New Listing | Harbor Vistas – Harbor Island, SC Find your calm at Harbor Vistas, a serene Lowcountry getaway tucked inside the gated community of Harbor Island. Surrounded by marsh vistas, coastal wildlife, and gentle ocean breezes, this...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
Charming Beaufort Retreat Entire Home Ju...

L.J.’s Hideaway offers a serene and secluded setting for your family, located in the relaxing neighborhood of Mossy Oaks. This two-bedroom, one-bathroom home on a roomy half-acre lot sits on a peaceful dead-end street, providing the ideal getaway...

  • Beaufort
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
189 Beach Club Villa

Summary:189 Beach Club Villa - New to Airbnb! Resort Access and Golf Cart Included!The Space:This 2 bedroom, 2 bath home was completely refreshed in Fall 2017 and is ideal for visitors who are interested in taking advantage of a fresh, updated unit...

  • Fripp Island
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
511 Sunsuite - New to VRBO! Resort Acces...

Welcome to 511 Sunsuite, a striking and conveniently located condo available for rent. Located on the 1st floor of the Sunsuite villas, this property offers a comfortable and fun living experience. Whether you're looking for a short stay or monthly...

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

Beaufort Tours & Activities

Fripp Island Sunrise

Beaufort Photography Tours

Book online
$75.00

description: About Join us for a sunrise photography session. We'll provide some tips and tricks and give constructive input to improve your shot. Duration 1.5 Hours

Cornhole Tournament at Beach Hut

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$12.00

duration: 1 hour min_age: 5 group_size: 2 description: Grab a partner and head to the Beach Hut for a fun-filled game of Cornhole!

Summer Camps

Camelot Farms Equestrian Center

Book online
$650.00

duration: 6 Hour Camp Days meeting_point: 101 Tom and Mike Road Saint Helena Island, SC 29920 min_age: 5 group_size: 8 participants description: Have your young rider join us at Camelot Farms for a 4-day camp experience! Our camps are available to...

SC Pimento Cheese Festival Merch
Book online
$2.00 - $18.00

Color Beyond the Wheel - Advanced

The Arts Port Royal

Book online
$75.00

duration: 3 description: Color Beyond the Wheel Color is one of the most powerful tools in a painter's hands. This advanced class takes you far beyond the standard color wheel and into the rich, nuanced world of color as your unique language. ...

Beachcombing & Eco Tour (3 Hrs)

Beaufort Dolphin Adventures

Book online
$481.13

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...

Stunning Best of Beaufort Experience

Beaufort Photography Tours

Book online
$499.00 - $999.00

description: LOOKING FOR A FULL LOWCOUNTRY PHOTO EXPERIENCE? Options - **Semi-Private Tour**: Includes one non-shooting guest at no additional charge - **Private Tour**: (1 -4 Guests) About IF YOU LOVE BEAUFORT AS MUCH AS WE DO, THIS IS...

Saint Helena Day Sail

Otter Sailing Adventures LLC

Book online
$350.00

description: Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Low Country waterways and the Saint Helena Sound Duration 2.5 hours About Private Sailing Charter - Price Per Group (up to 6) Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Low Country waterways...

Gullah Heritage Tour

Beaufort Gray Line

Book online
$20.00 - $49.00

description: Duration 3 hours About Travel back in time to explore the Gullah and Geechee heritage of South Carolina's Sea Islands in our comfortable, climate-controlled vehicle. On this tour we'll visit several areas of Beaufort County and...

Family Archery Outing with Range Time

duration: 1 Hour Range Time group_size: Up to 2 Adults & 3 Children (under 16 Years old) description: Bring the whole family together for a fun and memorable activity everyone can enjoy. Our family package includes equipment rental and range time...

6 Hour Private Charter

Tallboy Fishing Charters

Book online
$1,000.00

description: Hop aboard Tallboard Fishing Charters with a local Expert! ___________________________________ Rates **Private Charter:** $1000 *Up to 6 Passengers* ___________________________________ About the Captain Make memories fishing...

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...

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