Beaufort City Guide

United States

Beaufort City Guide

South Carolina

Beaufort, South Carolina, is a coastal city known for its historic homes and relaxed Southern vibe. It offers a quiet pace and strong community, ideal for travelers and remote workers who enjoy natural beauty and calm surroundings.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
7

Local food focuses on Southern cuisine and seafood. Vegetarian options exist but vegan spots are few. Late-night choices are limited.

Local Dishes:
Lowcountry boil, Shrimp and grits, Fresh seafood, Southern comfort food
International Cuisine:
American, Southern, Seafood
Vegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Limited
5

Nightlife is quiet, mostly local bars and pubs with live music. It's more relaxed than lively.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Growing coffee scene with independent shops focusing on quality and relaxed atmosphere. Limited specialty roasters.

💰
Tipping
Required
18%

Tipping is expected in service industries. Restaurants and rideshares typically get 15-20%. Counter service tipping optional.

Top Attractions
Historic District
sightseeing
Walk and see antebellum homes and architecture.
Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
park
Scenic waterfront park with trails and views.
Penn Center
museum
Cultural and historical site.
Beaufort History Museum
museum
Learn about local history.
SIM Cards

SIM cards are sold at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile stores, and Best Buy. eSIMs are available from major carriers. ID or passport needed for activation.

Available at:
AT&T store
Verizon store
T-Mobile store
Best Buy
Recommended Apps
Google Maps(navigation)
Uber/Lyft(transport)
OpenTable(food)
Yelp(social)
The Weather Channel(utility)
AllTrails(outdoor)
ParkMobile(utility)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Excellent
8

Streets and tourist areas are generally clean. Waste and recycling services are reliable with no major issues.

24/7 Services
Limited
4

Some pharmacies and convenience stores open 24/7. Emergency hospital care available. Limited late-night food options mostly fast food.

Groceries
Publix
Harris Teeter
Food Lion

Supermarkets like Publix, Harris Teeter, and Food Lion serve basic needs with limited international foods. Farmers' markets offer fresh local produce.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Most businesses accept credit and debit cards. Cash is handy for small markets or minor purchases.

ATMs

ATMs are common at banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Truist. Out-of-network fees usually range from $2.50 to $5.00.

Schools
Local only

Beaufort County Public Schools and private schools like Beaufort Academy teach mainly in English. International schools are rare.

Available Schools:
Beaufort County School District
Beaufort Academy

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
4
Available Spaces:
The Hub at Beaufort Digital Corridor
Professional coworking and meeting rooms. Varies on 24/7 access.
BASEcamp at 500 Carteret Street
Offers coworking desks and private offices with day passes available.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Common Ground Coffeehouse
Good Wi-Fi and workspace with a community vibe.
City Java & News
Comfortable café with internet.
Panera Bread
Chain café with Wi-Fi and seating.
Starbucks
Widely available with Wi-Fi.
Old Bay Marketplace Cafe
Some seating with Wi-Fi.
Alternatives:
Beaufort County Library
Quiet place with Wi-Fi and study areas.
Hotel lobbies
Select hotels offer seating and Wi-Fi.
Community centers
Some have Wi-Fi; availability varies.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
2

Small nomad community with few meetups or co-living options. Some cafes and libraries offer Wi-Fi and workspace.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
8

Parks like Waterfront Park and Spanish Moss Trail provide shaded walking and running spots.

Running
Good
7

Popular routes include Waterfront Park and Spanish Moss Trail. Runs are generally safe during daytime.

Gyms
Available

Multiple gyms offer fitness options from traditional workouts to CrossFit and group classes.

Available Gyms:
Anytime Fitness
YMCA of Beaufort County
Planet Fitness
The Foundry Fitness Center
Omni Health & Fitness
EarthFIT
Tennis
Limited
5

Tennis courts are available at parks and clubs. Booking systems vary; equipment rental is limited.

Padel
Poor
0

Padel courts are not common in Beaufort.

Yoga
Good
6

Several studios offer styles like Hatha, Vinyasa, and hot yoga. Drop-in and memberships available with English-speaking instructors.

Martial Arts
Good
6

Several dojos offer disciplines like MMA, BJJ, Muay Thai, and Taekwondo. Classes are in English and often welcome drop-ins.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing options available.

Water Sports
Good
7

Good kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing options with rentals and guided tours. Windsurfing is rare.

Surfing
Poor
2

Small, inconsistent waves at nearby beaches suitable mostly for beginners or paddleboarding. Limited rentals and surf schools.

Diving
Poor
2

Water visibility is low due to sediment. Some offshore wreck diving with charters; limited rentals and certification centers.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
8

Beaufort Memorial Hospital offers good care with English-speaking staff. Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens provide OTC and prescription meds.

Hospitals:
Beaufort Memorial Hospital
Pharmacies:
CVS
Walgreens
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water meets federal and state safety standards and is safe to drink.

Common Scams
Online phishing scams, Phone scams like IRS impersonation, Vacation rental scams

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Excellent
8

Parks with playgrounds and family-friendly restaurants are common. Attractions like the maritime center and history museum suit kids.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Good
7

Generally accepting, especially downtown. Safe spaces and small pride events occur. Legal protections in place.

Pet Friendly
Excellent
8

Pet-friendly especially outdoors, with vet clinics, pet supplies, and dog-walking spots. Many outdoor restaurant patios welcome dogs.

Communities
Beaufort, SC Community Forum (social)
What's Happening in Beaufort, SC (events)
Beaufort, SC Foodies (food)
Beaufort, SC Buy, Sell, Trade (marketplace)
Beaufort, SC Events (events)

Quick Facts

Population
13,607
Power Reliability
Excellent
8/10

Power is usually stable but outages can happen during hurricanes or storms. Restored quickly most times.

Beach Access
Available

Hunting Island State Park is about 15-20 miles away with natural beaches, lighthouse, and wildlife.

Languages
English(95%)
Emergency
911
Emergency Services

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
Very Low Risk
1

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Hurricanes
June, July, August, September, October, November
Hurricane season runs June to November. Prepare for storms and possible flooding.
Flooding
June, July, August, September, October, November
Low-lying areas may flood during heavy rains or high tides.
Extreme Heat
June, July, August
Summers are hot and humid, often over 90°F (32°C).

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