Beaufort & Port Royal

Because of the deep, safe harbor, two of the first European settlements in what would become the Colony of South Carolina were established in the mid-1500s. Beaufort, and sister-city, Port Royal occupy the lower half of Port Royal Island, and offer visitors a glimpse of historic sites and homes of the antebellum South.

Beaufort and Port Royal have quiet neighborhood streets, overhung by giant live oaks and Spanish moss it is perfect for walking tours or a narrated, horse-drawn carriage ride. Read our blogs on the Historic Homes of Beaufort’s Bay Street and More Architectural Treasures in Historic Beaufort.  Visitors can also take a self guided tour of the Historic Churches of Beaufort.

If you love seafood, Beaufort and Port Royal boast some of the best seafood restaurants in the State. Several festivals and events are held during the year that celebrate the heritage, food, culture, and environment that these two communities share.

One of the area’s two public beaches is located in Port Royal, The Sands is just across the Beaufort River from Parris Island and is a favorite place to view 4th of July fireworks. The ocean beach at Hunting Island State Park is a 17 mile drive east of Beaufort.

Full service marinas assist boaters and fishermen who enjoy the protected waters of the Intracoastal Waterway, or easy access to the open ocean for deep sea fishing and diving.

From antique shops to unique gift items to hand made chocolates are found in the quaint shopping districts of the two towns, along with waterfront dining and bed & breakfast inns in lovingly restored historic homes.
Nature lovers can take kayak tours, walk the long, marsh-front board walk and climb the tower overlooking the waterfront in Port Royal. Read our Cypress Wetlands Rookery, Henry Robinson Boardwalk and Sands Beach blog.

Be warned however, many visitors fall in love with our friendly towns and mild temperatures and find it hard to leave. In fact many return to make Beaufort, Port Royal and surrounding communities their new home.

For other nearby attractions, see: Sights to see in Beaufort / Port Royal; and see Tours.

 

cannon park
Port Royal Landing Marina July dawn

See what our visitors love about the
SOUTH CAROLINA LOWCOUNTRY

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The Lowcountry & Resort Islands Region of South Carolina includes the four, southern-most counties in the state, Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton, which are bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by the Savannah River and the state of Georgia.

simplysoutherncottage keeps us in awe with each her projects. This bed swing refresh is one of our favorites!
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📸: simplysoutherncottage⠀
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#bedswing #prettyinpink #backporchliving #backporch #porchdecor #cottagestyle #bhgprojectjoy #bhghome #slhomes #southernstyle #bohostyle #bohodecor #bohochic #lowcountryliving #summervillesc #realestate #summervillerealestate #visitsummerville #sclowcountry #explorechs #mysouthernliving #charlestonrealtor #charlestonsc #summervillerealtor #72soldsc #jimbrantleyrealtor ⠀
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Discover the fascinating story of Thomas Heyward Jr., one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Born in St. Luke's Parish, now Jasper County, Heyward played a pivotal role in shaping American history. You can even visit his final resting place at the Old House Plantation near Ridgeland, SC. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Jasper County and uncover the legacy of this iconic figure.#thatsmylowcountry #naturallyamazing #sclowcountry #thomasheywardjr #schistory
Sunset sizzle. 🔥#lowcountrysc #lowcountryliving #lowcountry #lowcountrylife #chs #sclowcountry #lowcountrysunset #lowcountryphotographer #creeklife #boatlife #beresfordcreek #scmarsh #saltwatermarsh #lifeonthewater #charlestonsc #chslove #chucktown #socharleston #southcarolina #sc #danielisland #danielislandsc #di #viewsofthesouth #bestofcharleston #coastalliving #clpicks #sltravels
#southcarolinaliving #southcarolina #edistobeach #edistosc #southcarolinanature #bestofthepalmettostate #onlyinsouthcarolina #treesofinstagram #treeporn #lowcountry #lowcountryliving #sclowcountry #southcarolinabeaches #charleston #charlestonsc #ig_naturelovers #ig_southcarolina #viewsofthesouth #charlestonlife
A different type of sunrise for #sunrisesunday today. This is blue hour on Pawleys Island. Blue hour lighting hits different. Especially in places like this where there's such a vastness to the sky and you can see a gradient from stars to blues to the earliest purples from the sun's first rays in the sky, long before it even crests the horizon. Added benefit, no one in their right mind wakes up this early to be out an hour before sunrise. Except for me, that is. So, with my gas station coffee in hand, I get to enjoy this beautiful beach without another soul around. Just me, the waves, and the noseeums aggressively attacking me.
“July”, 10x15,  oil on linen.  hortonhayesfineart hortonhayesfineartstudio markkelvinhortonstudio #sky #skydrama #skypainters #marsh #marshpainting #southcarolina #sclowcountry #charlestonsc #charlestonartists #landscapepaintingnow #landscapeartist #waterways #contemporarypainting #sunsets #sunsetpaintings #studiopainting
Headed down the road....Edisto Island.  #edisto #sclowcountry #trees #endofday  #beauty #islandsofsc
“The Morning Show”, 36x48, oil on canvas. markkelvinhortonstudio hortonhayesfineartstudio hortonhayesfineartstudio #oilpainting #charlestonsc #charlestonartist #southcarolina #southcarolinaartist #sclowcountry #mtpleasantsc #hobcawcreek #sunrise #sunrisepainting #oiloncanvas #marshpaintings #marshpainting #marsh #creek #contemporarytonalism #contemporaryart #contemporarypainting #sky #skypainters #skypaintings
“Stillwater”, 11x14, oil on linen.  hortonhayesfineart markkelvinhortonstudio markkelvinhortonstudio #lowcountry #sclowcountry #charlestonsc #charlestonart #charlestonartists #marsh #marshpainting #liveoaks #braysisland #creek #creekpainting #contemporarypainting #contemporaryartist #mtpleasantsc #artistsoninstagram #artofinstagram
A gorgeous mushroom shows off on Edisto Island. #mushrooms #fantasticfungi #wildmushrooms #beachmushrooms #islandlife #mushroomphotography #toadstools #forestlover #woodland #woodlandphotography #forestcore #woodlandaesthetic #cottagecore #fairycore #magicforest #sclowcountry #edistoisland #fypシ #allthemushroomtags #takeawalk #observenature
Barred Owlet #barredowl #owl #birdsofprey #raptor #birds #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #sclowcountry #magnoliaplantation #magnoliaplantationandgardens  #magnoliamoments #shotoncanon #nationalgeographic
"Hunting," Red-shouldered Hawk #redshoulderedhawk #hawk #raptor #birdofprey #birdofpreyphotography #birds #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #sclowcountry #magnoliaplantation #magnoliaplantationandgardens #magnoliamoments #palmettostate #bestofpalmettostate #getoutside #shotoncanon #audubonsociety #nationalgeographic #natgeo
“Highlights”, 12x9,  oil on linen.🔴hortonhayes markkelvinhortonstudio hortonhayesfineart hortonhayesfineartstudio #southcarolina #sclowcountry #mtpleasantsc #charlestonsc #charlestonartist #oilpainting #hobcawcreek #I’On #marsh #marshpainting #creek #sunset #sunsetpaintings #contemporaryart #contemporarypainting #skyporn #skypainters #waterway #artistsoninstagram
What were your weekend views today? #DiscoverSC 📸📍Botany Bay Beach: charlestonshopcurator
Hope you’ve had a beautiful Saturday in South Carolina! #DiscoverSC 📸📍: Botany Bay: donniewhitaker

The South Carolina Lowcountry Guidebook is filled with many things to see and do in the beautiful Lowcountry of South Carolina. Please fill out the information and we will send you a FREE GUIDE BOOK.

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