Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Featured Vacation Rentals

10 Periwinkle Court - Two Bedroom Villa,...

PERIWINKLE PARADISE, 10 Periwinkle, sleeps 6 comfortably and includes a lot of extras to make your stay delightful. This roomy 2 bedroom/2 bath villa is located right on the salt-marsh. It has a fun and comfortable coastal décor and is centrally...

  • Fripp Island
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Resort Access Included! Golf Cart Includ...

Appreciate an island hideaway in this elegantly landscaped, bespoke-constructed home on a secluded lot set back from the road. With great vistas of the 12th fairway and green on the Ocean Point Golf Links, this home offers modern amenities for a...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
The Beaufort Pearl SC

Welcome to The Beaufort Pearl a relaxing and cozy 3-bedroom, 1-bath home located near downtown Beaufort and a short 10 mins. from Parris Island. Ideal for a calming hideaway, our beautiful getaway offers comfortable accommodations and simple access...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
707 Silverside

Summary:707 Silverside, Oceanview with Guest Cards Supplied!The Space:Welcome to 707 Silverside - Your Ideal Summer Retreat on Fripp Island. Just steps from the sand and across from beach access #16, this attractively designed 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 11
266 Tarpon Blvd

Summary:266 Tarpon Blvd, Crab Cottage - Resort Access Included!The Space:Welcome to Crab Cottage: Your Fripp Island RetreatCrabb Cottage is being freshly refreshed, and new photos are pending!- All new stainless steel appliances, including a...

  • Fripp Island
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12
Marsh-Front Fripp Island Retreat   Limo ...

Marsh-Front 3BR Home on Fripp Island Resort | Golf Cart Supplied3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | Sleeps 6 | Marsh Front | Fripp Island, SCEscape to this handsomely located marsh-front vacation home in the charming Sawgrass community of Fripp Island...

  • Fripp Island
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8

Beaufort Tours & Activities

Sharks Teeth Hunting & Eco Tour (2 Hrs)

Beaufort Dolphin Adventures

Book online
$372.64

duration: 2 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...

Taste of the Lowcountry Cruise

Beaufort Boat Charters LLC

Book online
$160.00

description: Join us for a Lowcountry Adventure! Duration 1 Hour About This is a great option if you have a busy day planned, but want to get out on the water for a relaxing ride. Options include a slow cruise in the Beaufort River, finding...

Archery Party

Jeffery Archery

Book online
$229.00

duration: 2 Hours description: Make your next birthday, corporate event, or private gathering unforgettable with an interactive archery party experience. We provide equipment, instructor supervision, range time, tables, and chairs—you simply bring...

Flood Tide Fishing

Green Heron Adventures

Book online
$550.00

meeting_point: Beaufort, SC description: Do to high demand, my flood tide trip openings aren't always shown online. Contact me for details/available dates. Duration 4, 6, and 8 hour trips are available. The flood tide window itself can be...

3 Hour Hilton Head Island Lunch Trip

Tallboy Fishing Charters

Book online
$600.00

meeting_point: Beaufort, SC description: Travel by boat to beautiful Hilton Head Island for lunch at one of three excellent restaurants. See the Town of Port Royal, Paris Island, and Port Royal Sound along the way as well as Dolphins, Sea Turtles...

Gaga Ball Tournament at Beach Club Walk-up ONLY

meeting_point: Beach Club min_age: 4 description: Step into the Gaga pit and get ready for an action-packed tournament full of fast-paced fun! Gaga ball is a high-energy, dodgeball style game that is perfect for players of all ages! It’s quick...

History, Marshlands & Live Oak Expedition

Beaufort Photography Tours

Book online
$499.00 - $999.00

description: TURN BACK THE CLOCK AND EXPERIENCE THE PAST! Options - **Semi-Private Tour**: Includes one non-shooting guest at no additional charge) - **Private Tour**: (1 -4 Guests) About MUCH OF THE SOUTH WAS DESTROYED, BUT IF YOU KNOW...

All Day Float Pass

Edisto River Adventures

Book online
$55.00

description: Are you here to Float - this is the option for YOU! Duration Float all day! Weekends only, starting at 9 am and the last float goes out at 230 pm. Arrival to last check in at our checkin kiosk/Givhans Ferry State Park must be by...

Pritchards Island Excursion

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$15.00 - $80.00

duration: 2-4 hours cancellation_summary: No refunds if cancelled within 24 hours of excursion meeting_point: Nature Center group_size: Maximum 8 people description: Pritchard's Island is a pristine undeveloped natural barrier island just south of...

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...

Beaufort River Tour from Downtown (90 Min)

Beaufort Dolphin Adventures

Book online
$325.47 - $533.02

duration: 90 Minute 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...

Habersham for the Holidays (NOT LOCATED DOWNTOWN)
Book online
$15.00 - $325.00

meeting_point: Habersham, SC description: Duration Approx 20 Mins Rates Adult ( 13 yrs & over ): $25.00 Child ( For ages 4 to 12 ) : $15.00 Lap Child : Free Full Carriage ( Up to 12 people ) : $325.00 About EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF THE...

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