Your Guide to Beaufort, NC

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Beaufort, NC

Beaufort is a picturesque coastal town on North Carolina's Crystal Coast, known for its historic charm, scenic waterfront, and rich maritime heritage.

Founded in 1709, Beaufort is the third-oldest town in North Carolina and offers a blend of beautifully preserved architecture, waterfront views, and small-town hospitality. Visitors can explore the town's walkable historic district, visit the North Carolina Maritime Museum, or take a ferry to nearby islands like Shackleford Banks, home to wild horses and pristine beaches. The town's harbor is a favorite stop for boaters and offers plenty of opportunities for sailing, kayaking, and waterfront dining.

Beaufort offers a variety of lodging options, including waterfront inns and vacation rentals. The town is ideal for travelers looking to relax, explore history, and enjoy the natural beauty of the coast. Whether you're watching boats drift by from the boardwalk, taking a sunset cruise, or learning about pirates at the local museum, Beaufort delivers a quiet, charming escape with timeless appeal.

The coastal town of Beaufort has quickly become one of the most popular vacation destinations for Inner Banks travelers and boating enthusiasts of all varieties, and for good reason. The small 2.7 mile town, (surrounded by nearly a mile of water), is a vacationer and maritime lover's dream, with a hearty downtown scene lined with shops, galleries, and acclaimed restaurants, in addition to dozens of maritime supply stores.

Beaufort NC waterfront

Small parks and benches border the seemingly endless docks, and cafes and coffee shops have sprung up all along the harbor front so folks passing through, or anyone enjoying an early morning stroll, can relax with a hot cup of Joe or a big breakfast while enjoying the scene. Home to some of the Inner Banks' best loved dining establishments and galleries, and a 20 minute water taxi or maritime shuttle away from the enticing Shackleford Banks, Beaufort has gained a recognizable name on the North Carolina tourism scene as one of the best spots to unwind and let your inner mariner shine through.

Beach day adjacent to Beaufort NC on Rachel Carson Reserve

Hundreds of years ago, well before European settlers appeared, the town of Beaufort was called "Cwarioc," or "Fish Town" by the local Coree Indians who called the region home. Early settlers began purchasing property in the region around 1709, and by 1713, a local Craven County merchant hired a surveyor to lay out to the not-yet fully constructed town. The surveyor designated streets and names, including Anne, Queen and Moore Streets, (named after Colonel Moore who ended the Tuscarora War), and the names have stuck ever since. It should be noted that Beaufort's busiest stretch of town, located right along the downtown's waterfront, wasn't constructed until the early 1800s, and as commerce grew along this road, the street was eventually called "Front Street," in honor of its waterfront locale.

Beaufort waterfront boardwalk

After these early town layouts and surveys, Beaufort was officially appointed a port for unloading vessels by the Lords Proprietors, the New World's form of government, and the town blossomed with dozens of lots and sites purchased within the city's limits by merchants, traders, boat builders, and countless other members of the maritime industry. The port town of Beaufort grew, and commerce blossomed.

Unfortunately for the town, a thriving port town was just the sort of allure that attracted pirates in the late 1600s and early 1700s, and sure enough, Beaufort was a popular destination for both Edward Teach, (more commonly known as Blackbeard the Pirate), and his former lieutenant, Stede Bonnett, a gentlemen by birth but eventually a successful pirate in his own right. Both notable pirates were frequent visitors to the Core Sound, located on the outskirts of Beaufort, and also of the town itself - Blackbeard was said to be a regular guest at Beaufort's own "Hammock House."

A beautiful alleyway garden in downtown Beaufort NC

After the era of pirates had subsided, (with Blackbeard meeting his end off the coast of Ocracoke just 40 or so miles away), the town grew at an unhurried pace, still serving as a port town, and delving into a little bit of the commercial fishing industry that is a prime characteristic of the Outer and Inner Banks.

Today, not much has changed since the town was first patched together in the 1700s. Historic homes stand a block or two away from Front Street, carefully preserved by the Beaufort Historical Association, although more modern buildings have taken up residence along the busier waterfront downtown sections as well, catering to passing mariners, day-trippers, and long weekend or weeklong tourists who want to admire the coastal scene. The area has also become a favorite retirement or second-home spot for water lovers, and new communities can be found outside of the downtown with private boat docks or community boat launches for easy access to both the Shackleford Banks and the Core Sound.

A first-time visitor to Beaufort will find plenty of ways to stay entertained, beginning with the incredible dining options located throughout the town. Several restaurants are historic sites in their own right, dating back over a century, while a half-dozen downtown eateries feature unparalleled outdoor seating overlooking the always busy waterfront docks. All of these restaurants feature fresh seafood in abundance, including oysters, blue crabs, NC shrimps and scallops, and plenty of seasonal fish, and are a perfect destination for any seafood lover.

Rachel Carson Reserve

The downtown also has a renowned collection of shops and galleries that vary from the practical to the downright fun. In Beaufort, travelers will find a bevy of maritime supply stores to replace or add onto existing boating equipment, innumerable galleries, and souvenir shops to take a few treasures back home.

A wild horse on Rachel Carson Reserve

There are a number of adventures to be had in Beaufort as well, and local cruise ships and ferry vessels offer everything from a water taxi to the neighboring Shackleford Banks to full-on pirate cruises with the option to shoot cannonballs at rival vessels.

A quick ferry ride to Shackleford Banks is a very popular venture, as this island is home to the famous "Shackleford Ponies," the barrier islands' feral residents and the supposed descendants of shipwrecked Spanish Mustangs from passing Spanish ships of the 1500s. In addition, the beaches produce some incredible seashells, sand dollars and starfish, and are a sunny and secluded respite for Beaufort visitors who want to soak up miles of the sand and sun. Located just 15-20 minutes away by passenger ferry, with summertime and seasonal departures every 30 minutes or so, a waterfront taxi to a neighboring island is a must for anyone who loves spending the majority of their vacation time on the water.

Beaufort NC Mural

Accommodations are relatively limited, but very enticing. There are several waterfront inns, complete with boat docks and fantastic views, a number of cabins and vacation rentals, and several campgrounds on the outskirts of the town. There are also a number of Bed and Breakfasts located in converted historic homes along the downtown's side streets, which are idyllic romantic and quiet retreats. Due to Beaufort's growing popularity, especially in the summer season when the climate is warm and inviting and the town is home to a number of events like the annual 4th of July Celebration, advanced reservations are strongly recommended for in-town accommodations. Rooms and vacation rentals can fill up months in advance, and early bookers will enjoy their pick of places to stay, in addition to plenty of time to look forward to their vacation.

Beaufort is, at its heart, a nautical town. Filled with maritime stores, restaurants featuring fresh seafood, and hundreds of docks bordering the waterfront Front Street, this North Carolina community never lost its ties to its history as a reliable port town. A popular destination for maritime traffic and day-trippers alike, visitors will find Beaufort a charming and unique destination, as well as a definite highlight of the Inner Banks' tourism scene.

Beaufort NC Mural

Emerald Isle Indian Beach Pine Knoll Shores Atlantic Beach Shackleford Banks Beaufort Morehead City Cape Lookout Cedar Island Harkers Island New Bern

Beaufort Vacation Guides

Upcoming Events

July 18, 2025

Dive into an Outer Banks staple that has been making appearances on local menus and dinner tables for generations with this annual event that is celebrating its 19th year in 2025. The Annual Crab Cake Cook-off is a competition of acclaimed and...

July 18, 2025

Celebrating its 18th year in 2025, the Carteret Community College Spanish Mackerel & Dolphin Fishing Tournament is a great opportunity for anglers of all ages and abilities to test their skills in the plentiful waters of the Crystal Coast...

August 7, 2025

Beaufort has a deep-seated history and legacy when it comes to sailing, and competitors and spectators alike can celebrate this culture by participating in the Traditional Skiff Regatta. Held in early August, this event features a fast-paced cruise...

August 15, 2025

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of excitement and generosity! Crystal Coast Habitat for Humanity presents Casino Night, where every spin of the wheel and shuffle of the cards builds homes and hope for local families. Join us at the Swansboro...

August 30, 2025

The Carteret County Arts & Crafts Coalition's Biannual Arts & Crafts Show and Sale will take place at the Beaufort Historic Site at 130 Turner St., Beaufort, N.C., on August 30th & 31st, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free, family-friendly, and...

October 11, 2025

If you’re a southern seafood fan, then you’re going to love the annual Mullet Festival of Swansboro. This two-day affair features a wealth of ways to enjoy this local crystal coast staple, as well as plenty of games and activities that...

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Local Spotlight

Island Express Ferry Service

Island Express Ferry Service LLC is the only authorized concessionaire to drop off at Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Shackleford Banks! Offering departures from both Beaufort and nearby Harkers Island, Island Express Ferry Service serves as the...

Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway - Crystal Coast

Visitors of all ages will have a blast at this destination that is designed for great times along the Crystal Coast shoreline. Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway is situated in the centrally located beach community of Salter Path, and...

Kitty Hawk Kites

Founded as the world's first hang gliding school in 1974, Kitty Hawk Kites has grown into a beloved retail and outdoor recreation venture with more than 28 locations up and down the east coast! With more than 50 years of teaching the world to fly...

Morehead City Ferry Service

The Crystal Coast is best explored from the water, and Morehead City Ferry Service will take explorers to some of the most remote and beautiful corners of this long stretch of Southern Outer Banks shoreline. Launching from the heart of Downtown...

Mac Daddys

Located on the southern end of Emerald Isle, and easy to reach for visitors staying throughout the Crystal Coast, Mac Daddy’s is the destination of choice for countless fun-seeking vacationers of all ages who want a big dose of entertainment...

Beaufort Pirates Revenge

Jump aboard the pirate ship "REVENGE" at 600 Front Street in Beaufort, North Carolina. Our interactive voyages offer fun and adventure for families and swashbucklers of all ages. Come join our crew, take part in a pirate adventure, and enjoy festive...

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