Beaufort is a charming coastal town filled with history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime resident, there’s always something new to discover on a guided tour. In this blog, we’ll explore the best tours in Beaufort, from walking tours of the historic district to boat tours of the surrounding waterways. So sit back, relax, and let us take you on a journey through the heart of the Lowcountry.
Henry C Chambers Waterfront Park
Downtown Tours
Emma’s Historical Tours
Emma’s Earth Shop offers luxury golf cart tours of Beaufort, SC. Inspired by the people mover at Disney World, Emma and her dad wanted to bring an easy and enjoyable ride to their hometown. The eco-friendly 8-man Golf Cart tour offers an hour of southern hospitality, with a host sharing Beaufort’s rich history, movie filming locations, fun facts, and ghost stories. Enjoy a unique way to experience Beaufort and its culture.
Janet’s Walking Tours
You will be swept up in the 500 year story of Beaufort “The Jewel of the South” as told by Janet Matlock, whose passion for history is equaled only by her delight in telling it to visitors to our beautiful town. Janet’s deep knowledge and infectious enthusiasm for Beaufort’s history will make your tour an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious about this beautiful town, you’re sure to come away with a new appreciation for its rich past and vibrant present.
Call 843-226-4412 or email Janet at janet@janetswalkinghistory.com to reserve your space
Grayline Beaufort
Explore the rich history and captivating sights of Beaufort with the Kelly Tours LLC/Grayline Beaufort team. With a range of tours available, including Gullah Heritage, Reconstruction Era, City Walking, Land and Sea combo, and Pat Conroy’s Beaufort, there’s something for everyone. Whether you prefer walking, driving, or boating, their experienced guides are excited to showcase the beauty and charm of this stunning city. Visit https://www.kellytoursbeaufort.com to book your tour now!
Click here to see availability and pricing
Tales of the Lowcountry
Experience the charm of Beaufort with historical tours, which include a two-hour walking tour or a one-hour air-conditioned van tour, packed with over 500 years of history and intriguing folktales. Their ghost tours are also a fun way to learn a little about local lore, intertwining ghost stories with the history of Beaufort. Their ghost walk ventures through the oldest graveyard in town, visits the Grenache, and strolls down Bay Street past the infamous tavern where pirates once gathered.
For bookings, please call 843-812-2924 or click here to book online
Lands End Paddling
Lands End Paddling gives both kayak and Stand Up Paddleboard(SUP) instruction while making sure your experience is safe and fun! With over 20 years of experience, they offer guided tours throughout the Lowcountry’s beautiful waterways, including the Beaufort River, the ACE Basin, and Hunting Island. Their knowledgeable and friendly guides provide a unique and educational experience, highlighting the area’s rich history, ecology, and wildlife. Whether you’re an experienced paddler or a beginner, Lands End has something for everyone, including sunset and moonlight tours, private tours, and rentals.
Beaufort Dolphin Adventures
One can take a private boat tour of Beaufort’s stunning waterways with a locally owned and operated company led by passionate captains. The tours showcase highlights such as dolphins, coastal birds, the vibrant marsh ecosystem, and local history. The company offers eco tours throughout the day and a sunset eco tour each evening. Additionally, groups seeking a fun and unique adventure can enjoy trips to island beaches only accessible by water.
All trip options and booking pages can be found here
Beaufort Kayak Tours.
Beaufort Kayak Tours specializes in providing historical, ecological, and sight-seeing tours through the downtown waterways, creeks, and marshes of Beaufort. The company offers a unique and thrilling experience for both novice and experienced kayakers, allowing them to explore the natural beauty of the area while learning about its rich history and diverse ecosystems. The tours are led by experienced guides who are knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna, and who are passionate about sharing their love for the outdoors with their guests.
Book here or contact (843) 525-0810 or info@beaufortkayaktours.com for more information
Carriage Tours
Enjoy a ride with one of our favorite carriage companies. We work with both Southurn Rose Carriage Company and Sea Island Carriage tours! Leave from the Marina parking lot on Bay Street, and don a pair of headphones so you can hear your guide delight you with facts and anecdotes about the charming historical Old Point neighborhood. Guests love the relaxed pace and learning about the history of Beaufort and the surrounding area. Don’t forget to ask your tour guide about the long list of blockbuster movies filmed in the area!
Hunting Island State Park Lighthouse
Hunting Island Tours
We recommend booking a trip with St Phillips Island Ferry for an incredible day trip. take a ferry from Hunting Island for a naturalist-led tour of St. Phillips Island where you can explore trails, enjoy the beach and see wildlife of this pristine barrier island. Book a tour here
You can also stop by the nature center and sign up for a guided walk with a naturalist who will gladly point out all the different species in the park. If you want to head out on your own, print off the Hunting Island Birding Checklist and see how many you can check off.
Beaufort Photography Tours
Are you an eager naturalist looking to hone your photography skills and gain some knowledge of the area? Check our out Beaufort Photography Tours! Your guide will pick you up directly from our inn and show you the wild side of Beaufort. Their Wildlife Refuge Birding and Nature Tour focuses on the wide variety of species including birds, dolphins, alligators, turtles who call the Lowcountry home. Expect an exciting day of searching for these beautiful creatures and learning how to maximize your camera settings to get the best shot.
Fishing Tours and Charters
If you’re new to the area, new to fishing, or would like to test your skills with a local guide, there are so many great tours and charters to choose from. When you book with Castaway Charters, voted the Beaufort Lowcountry and Sea Islands Premier Fishing Charter Company, you can expect private trips for beginners to experts that include licenses, equipment, bait/tackle, and coolers for beverages and snacks. For larger parties they host an exclusive “Cast Away Fishin’ Tourney” aboard multiple boats, complete with a certificate, prize and bragging rights to the winning team. Novices to seasoned anglers can reel in impressive trophy fish! We also send our guests to the nearby Bay Street Outfitters, Beaufort Sport Fishing, Reel Chance Charters, and Sea Wolf Charters, all great options for tours and charters.
Photo courtesy of www.explorebeaufortsc.com
Seasonal Tours
October: Exchange Club CAPA Beaufort Ghost Tours
Join the Exchange Club’s Annual Ghost Tour throughout the month of October and immerse yourself in a haunted tour of historic Downtown Beaufort. As you journey through the streets and alleys, costumed storytellers will regale you with ghostly tales and legends of the town’s haunted past. With a focus on Beaufort’s most eerie neighborhoods, the tour is sure to leave you spooked. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride with Southurn Rose or enjoy a walking tour to get the full experience. Don’t miss out on this thrilling event!
November: Homes for the Holidays
The Beaufort Homes for the Holidays annual event features an easy walking tour of 7 incredible homes plus a “Cookie Cottage”. These unique homes, nestled in a delightful section of historic downtown Beaufort across from the Intracoastal Waterway, feature creative renovations, new construction and a wide variety of architectural styles. They will be professionally decorated for the holidays by local interior designers and talented artists. You will be inspired with many new and exciting ideas for creating your own Holiday Magic!
View galleries from previous years here
June: Beaufort Garden Club Garden a Day
The Beaufort Garden Club hosts the weeklong Garden-A-Day tour every year during the first full week of June to celebrate National Gardening Week. This event is highly anticipated and draws visitors from throughout the state, and from all over the world. It is a free tour of private gardens and serves as a special tribute to the people of Beaufort and the Sea Islands.
Click here for more information
October: Fall Festival of Houses and Gardens
https://historicbeaufort.org/event/49th-fall-festival-of-houses-gardens/
Hosted by the Historic Beaufort Foundation, the Fall Festival of Houses and Gardens in Beaufort provides an opportunity for visitors to tour historic homes, gardens from all periods including ones that appear on Hollywood sets or have been featured in popular culture. The tour guides visitors through historic cottages, grand estates and to historic churches built between 1786 and the early 1900s.
Stay at the Cuthbert House Inn
If you’re looking for a charming getaway in Beaufort, SC, look no further than the Cuthbert House Inn. This waterfront bed and breakfast offers stunning views of the Beaufort River, comfortable rooms and suites, and award-winning breakfasts that will leave you feeling satisfied and ready to start your day.
The Cuthbert House Inn is known for its hospitality, and our concierge is available to help you plan your visit to Beaufort. Whether you’re interested in a walking tour of the town’s historic district or a boat ride along the river, the concierge can help you book the perfect excursion.
