About the Area - Beaufort, Port Royal & Sea Islands of South Carolina
Situated on Port Royal Island, you will find a little harbor town nestled away that boasts exquisitely preserved antebellum architecture and a downtown area designated to its rich history. Beaufort, South Carolina, is more than just a Lowcountry hidden gem—it's a transformative destination that has charmed visitors since 1512. Its winding, historic streets framed by natural foliage and centuries-old, moss-draped live oak trees make Beaufort something out of a storybook or movie.
Travelers who wish to take in all that Beaufort has to offer can turn to the South Carolina tourism experts at Visit Beaufort. We provide guests with great insight into what makes this area such a great place for vacations, helping you plan your visit with recommendations on things to do, places to stay, where to eat, and much more. Learn more about the area to find out why Beaufort is such a great destination.
The Best Ways to Experience Beaufort
Guests of Beaufort can admire its charm in a variety of ways. Take in the area with a walking tour, as part of a private group car or motorcoach bus, or from the delightful seat of a horse-drawn carriage.
Take part in guided island coach tours, fishing charters, and boat and kayak tours. All of these opportunities showcase the area’s rich history, Gullah heritage, and natural beauty of the coastal Lowcountry. In addition, sport fishing, bike tours, horseback riding, and adventure tours are popular year-round on our protected, pristine beaches and peaceful Intracoastal waterways.
A Brief History of the Area
Being the second oldest city in South Carolina, there’s no shortage of rich history in Beaufort. The Lowcountry region saw numerous European explorations and colonization attempts from various
nations.
Just 22 years after Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492, Spanish explorer Captain Pedro de Salaza of Hispanola landed on what is now Parris Island. Capt. de Salaza named the area Santa Elena, or St. Helena, and built a makeshift settlement. Since then, ten flags have flown over the Beaufort area. By the early 1700s, English planters and traders had established a strong foothold in the Beaufort-Charleston area and the official founding of Beaufort occurred in 1711.
During the Civil War, Beaufort was home to many turning points that helped shape the outcome of the war. It was the first southern city conquered by Union forces after the U.S. Navy victory in Port Royal on November 7, 1861. Beaufort then became the headquarters of the U.S. Army, Department of the South, with most of the buildings being converted into hospitals for wounded Union soldiers.
After the war, Beaufort saw great prosperity as a commercial and industrial center. This new-age revolution was led by transplanted northern or immigrant merchants and capitalists. Cotton, timber, phosphate mining, and shipping all transformed Beaufort from a model of the Old South before the war to a model of the New South after the war. Today, Beaufort continues to grow, bringing tourists and vacationers to its city limits every year.
