10 Things to Do in Beaufort County

 

Catch the excitement.

One of the most authentic experiences to have amidst all the bodies of water in the Lowcountry is to go fishing! Our area is open for fishing year-round and you will find many different types of fish in our local waters. From redfish to sea trout, flounder, black drum, sea bass, crevalle jack, and more. 

This is a great opportunity for you and your family to get out and become one with nature, exploring and learning about all the excitement under the water.

To learn more about fishing in Beaufort County and what the regulations may be, you can check out the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website here. 

 

Hang with the locals.

Take the time to hang with the locals while you’re here adventuring.

Here at the Port Royal Sound Foundation, you can take a Nature Hike with us! Take a walk through our 105-acre campus investigating the transition from a lush maritime forest to an active salt marsh. Birds, snakes, and arrowheads are often discovered on our hikes. Check out our calendar for dates!

There are several local outfitters that offer water-based activities such as kayak tours, paddle-boarding, and boating. Check out our friends at Outside Hilton Head here. 

 

Enjoy a show.

Enjoying a show doesn’t always mean you’re on Broadway in New York City – nature creates our shows here in the Lowcountry. The Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, right here in South Carolina.

For more information on the South Carolina Audubon Society, click here. 

There are lots of wild bird habitats in parks and wildlife refuges along the South Carolina coast. Hunting Island State Park in Beaufort County is the perfect place to go birding, with sightings of the Osprey, Bald Eagle, Black Skimmer, Bufflehead, and Hooded Merganser just to name a few.

To learn more about Hunting Island State Park, click here. 

You can also check out Widgeon Point Preserve and Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge for birding opportunities.

 

Eat local.

There’s something about fresh, local seafood that just can be matched. Here in Beaufort County, our connection to the fresh and salt waterways make the local seafood market abundant and always first-rate.

Not only is it delicious, but our state’s seafood industry is also imperative to its economy. The most recent statistics from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Department of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) show that South Carolina’s seafood industry has an economic impact of 1,209 jobs, contributing $39.3 million to South Carolina’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Shellfish are a particularly important piece of South Carolina’s seafood industry, namely shrimp, crabs, clams, and oysters. The shrimp and crabs are wild-caught, and the clams and oysters are both farm-raised (in aquaculture operations) and wild-harvested. 

Thank you to Hudson’s Seafood for being featured in our 10 Things To Do in Beaufort County video!

 

Explore the heritage.

One of the many beauties of the South Carolina Lowcountry is its deep heritage and history that is intertwined with the beautiful landscapes and scenery. Our Sound Vision Webinar Series works to explore this history and culture, with each focusing on specific topics pertaining to our area. To learn more about the series and to see a schedule of the webinars, click here. 

 

Leave your mark.

Beaufort County’s access to some of the most pristine beaches with epic views and southern sunsets are abundant. Hunting Island State Park & Beach is South Carolina’s single most popular state park, attracting more than a million visitors per year. Beaufort and Hilton Head Island’s beaches are perfect spots to catch some sun, play in the waves, and leave your mark along the sand. 

To find public access to a local river or beach, click here.

Be sure to follow all beach guidelines when visiting; pick up trash, fill in holes, knock down sandcastles, and lights out after dark! To make sure everyone is having fun while also staying safe, click here for a list of Beaufort County beach rules.

 

Find a treasure.

Walking along the shore in Beaufort County you can be sure of one thing: you’ll pass more than just one oyster shell while you’re here. Not only are oysters delicious as an appetizer, but they are also tremendously important to our local ecosystem and economy. 

Oysters provide key habitats for many economically important species like shrimp, blue crab, red drum, and flounder. Even greater, there are an estimated 120 species that rely on oyster reefs in one way or another. Along with habitat creation, oysters also protect our shoreline from erosion and flooding by trapping sediment, enhancing the salt marsh, and disseminating wave energy from boat wakes and storms. One single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day, thereby improving the overall quality of the system’s water. 

Oysters are what make the Lowcountry unique, dating back 4,000 years ago when indigenous Americans created “shell rings” for gatherings, ceremonies, and feasts. Oysters are also an inseparable aspect of the Gullah Geechee culture in the 1950s and 60s.

Their importance is not just environmental, but they also provide an important aspect to our local economy. From providing food on our tables to a way of life for watermen in the Lowcountry. 

 

Respect the wildlife.

Sea turtles are one of the most enchanting creatures that make Beaufort County, South Carolina their home. Respecting them is important to maintaining their health and ability to continue thriving along the Lowcountry coast. 

There are specific teams directed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) who monitor the sea turtle nests on the beach, ensuring their safety and guiding them to the ocean. But, there are also a few things you can do to keep them safe. These things include turning your home’s lights and flashlights off near the beach, removing all items from the beach, filling in holes, picking up trash, and staying away from any turtle tracks.

To learn more about how you can respect the wildlife, especially sea turtles, in the Lowcountry, click here.

 

Make a memory.

One of the best ways to make a lasting memory of your time in the Lowcountry is to take a trip down the one-of-a-kind trails draped in Spanish moss and exuding southern charm. One of those is the Spanish Moss Trail, a 10-mile greenway located in Northern Beaufort County that is a must-see experience for residents and visitors alike. A 12-foot wide, paved path dedicated to those who want to walk, run, bike, fish, skate, scoot, or stroll, the trail offers spectacular marsh and wildlife views. 

But the Spanish Moss Trail is just one example of making an outdoor Lowcountry memory. For a list of all the stunning trails around Beaufort County, click here. 

 

Visit the Maritime Center.

Located on the Chechessee River, The Port Royal Sound Foundation’s Maritime Center has exhibits that appeal to all ages; from a life-sized Megalodon jaw to a 3,000-gallon aquarium featuring local marine life. The Maritime Center also features work from local artists as well as photos and artifacts that help tell the story of how the Port Royal Sound has influenced the rich history and culture of the Lowcountry. 

Located between Beaufort and Bluffton at 310 Okatie Highway (US 170), the Maritime center is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. and Saturday 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. And, admission is always free!

To learn more about programs and events happening at the Maritime Center, click here.