Pat Conroy’s Beaufort





Trip Highlights

Guides who know the stories

Historic downtown Beaufort

The golf cart with Pat's name on it

The Lowcountry marsh he wrote about

Guides who know the stories

Historic downtown Beaufort

The golf cart with Pat's name on it

The Lowcountry marsh he wrote about
Description
“I’ve come home to the place I was always writing about. I’ve tried to make Beaufort, South Carolina, my own.” Pat Conroy wrote that in The Death of Santini. This golf cart tour shows you the town he meant. We present it in partnership with the Pat Conroy Literary Center.
In about one hour and 15 minutes you see the sites of Pat’s writing life. You see homes in the historic Point where Pat lived and wrote, places tied to his teachers and friends, his parents’ grave site, and locations from the filming of The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini.
After the tour, visit the Conroy Center at 601 Bladen Street. You can see his writing desk and chair, the Great Santini’s flight jacket, and the handwritten prologue to The Prince of Tides. Tour guests get a 10% discount on gifts and books there.
Itinerary
Tour info
Why ride with Beaufort Tours
Departure times
Every day, Monday to SundayTimes can change with the season. Pick your date in the booking calendar on this page to see the open seats for that day.
We meet at the Downtown Marina at 1006 Bay Street, Beaufort, SC 29902, at the benches on the waterfront side of the Marina Store, at the entrance to the Waterfront Park. We suggest the marina's pay parking lot. If you are lost or running late, call 843-838-2746.
In partnership with the Conroy Center
We present this tour with the Pat Conroy Literary Center, the home of his desk, his papers and his story.
The books on screen
See locations connected to the filming of The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini.
The Point, where Pat lived and wrote
Homes in the historic Point, and sites tied to the teachers and friends who shaped his work.
For readers and for newcomers
You do not need to know the novels. The tour is also a fine way to see Beaufort.
Included
- Guided golf cart tour, about 1 hour 15 minutes
- 10% discount on gifts and books at the Conroy Center
Excluded
- Parking at the marina
- Gratuity for your guide
Frequently asked questions
Things to know
Departure times
Prices
Tour duration
Where we meet
Conroy Center discount
Departure times
Prices
Tour duration
Where we meet
Conroy Center discount
Recent Reviews
Roberta Burkhart
September 17, 2026
My best friend and I went on the Pat Conroy golf cart tour. Michael was very thorough and informative. He was very knowledgeable. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
Russ Morgan
September 7, 2026
Very enjoyable and knowledgeable tour on Pat Conroy and Beaufort in general. Michael was very informative and entertaining. Great personality, abundance of history and insight. Highly recommend taking this hour and forty five minute golf cart tour. Russ & Sharon
Rob R
August 29, 2026
Went on the Pat Conroy tour in Beaufort South Carolina this afternoon - our tour guide Mike was very entertaining and knowledgeable. We toured around a lot of the locations used in filming parts of the Conroy books, as well as places he lived, and this tour is a must for anyone i…
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More Beaufort tours

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Some towns you see best on foot, and Beaufort is one of them. This two hour walking tour of the historic district gives you over 300 years of history, plus stories about the Hollywood movies and actors that came to town. You can ask questions as you stroll.
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The Spanish, the French and the English all explored this coast. They left us a rich history, beautiful antebellum homes, scenic views and a town with friendly local charm. You sit back in our Yamaha Concierge golf cart. We do the driving and the talking. Ask us anything along the way.
Hollywood likes Beaufort too. About one tenth of the tour covers the films made here, from The Big Chill to Forrest Gump. If the films are your main reason to come, read our Movie Tour page. It is the same tour on the same schedule.

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Forrest Gump ran across a bridge over the Mississippi River. That bridge is here in Beaufort. On this one hour golf cart tour you see it, along with film sites from The Big Chill, The Great Santini, The Prince of Tides and more.
We want you to know what you book. This is our History and Movie tour. Most of the hour is the story of Beaufort and its historic district. The film stops and the stories about the stars are woven in along the way, about one tenth of the tour.
You ride in our Yamaha Concierge golf cart past sites and homes where the stars stayed in downtown Beaufort. It is the same tour and the same schedule as our History Tour by golf cart. Book either page and you get the same seat.

Custom Tours
Tell us what your group wants to see, and we build the tour around it. Custom tours run for a half day or a full day, in Beaufort and out on the Sea Islands. They work well for families, reunions, clubs and visiting groups.
Popular requests are the history of Beaufort, the movie locations, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and its history museum, and St. Helena Island with the Penn Center, Darrah Hall and a Gullah art gallery. Your guide shares the Gullah history of the Sea Islands along the way.
Do you arrive with your own motor coach? See our Step-On Bus Tour Guides page. For everything else, call 843-838-2746 or write to billr@beauforttours.com and we plan it with you.
