Beaufort, South Carolina

Beaufort town, located on Port Royal Island, remains the Queen of the South Carolina Sea Islands thanks to its charm, natural beauty, fascinating history, and rich, diverse cultural heritage. On this 1.25-hour driving tour, explore the historic district of Beaufort, including the famous Old Point area and The Bluff with its antebellum houses and churches.  As you drive around in air-conditioned comfort, your guide will introduce some of these beautiful, historic sites. See townhouses up close and learn about the architecture and people behind them. Discover what happened to the houses and the people of Beaufort during the Civil War Union Occupation. See filming sites made famous by the over 24 Hollywood films shot in the area. Gear up for an exciting and fascinating tour of South Carolina's second-oldest city. Discover an area that delights visitors with its breathtaking natural beauty and impressive colonial and antebellum architecture.

This 1-hour tour by golf cart covers Beaufort’s historic district and gives you a chance to learn more about the town and its history. Discover the sites and homes where the stars stayed in downtown Beaufort. Ride by locations surrounding Beaufort such as The Gump Medical Center (funded by Forrest’s “gazillions” he earned running the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company) and The National Cemetery where The Great Santini was buried. See the bridge from Forrest Gump that he crossed on the way back east from his cross-country run. Yes, the “Mississippi River” bridge is actually here in Beaufort.

Embark on a 3-hour tour to South Carolina’s Sea Islands in a comfortable, climate-controlled vehicle. Visit several areas of Beaufort County and discover its history and Gullah-Geechee culture. Soak up some history and discover Lady’s Island, St. Helena, Hunting Island, and more notable locations. See the site of one of the country’s first schools for freed slaves, a local treasure and National Historic Landmark. Marvel at the ruins of the island churches and learn the stories and songs that are part of their rich history. See a historic plantation house from the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle.

See Pat Conroy’s Beaufort in this 1-hour 15-minute tour of sites from Pat’s writing life, as well as locations connected to the filming of The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini.  Discover homes in the historic point where Pat lived and wrote, sites related to his teachers and friends, plus the graves of the Great Santini, Pat's mother Peg, and The Boo. Thursdays through Sundays from 12 noon to 4pm, enjoy free admission to the Conroy Center where you can see artifacts from Pat’s life, including his writing desk and chair, the Great Santini’s flight jacket, and the handwritten prologue to The Prince of Tides.

This two-hour waking tour will cover the historic Point neighborhood as well as historic churches and graveyards. We will discuss traditional folklore, oral traditions, and Sea Island lore. Imbued with a rich tradition of stories and customs from diverse cultures, which have blended on these sea islands for hundreds of years and passed through generations down to the present. Ranging from early pirates, to Civil War hospitals, to Gullah superstitions, come join us on our tour into the shockingly freighting history of Beaufort. Expect to walk about 2 miles during the course of this walking tour.

Beaufort’s “Tipsy Tour” is a brand-new tour specifically designed for adults! Enter this exciting experience and explore two of Beaufort’s favorite drinking establishments. Whether you’re sampling the local spirits at RLB distillery or tasting unique brewed favorites at Shellring Ale Works, this tour is sure to be a blast! You’ll learn all about the history of Port Royal Island as you are escorted to the best local establishments. Come enjoy yourself with fellow fun-lovers and maybe even discover your new favorite cocktail or beer. So come on out and join the party—Kelly Tours Tipsy Tour is waiting for you!