Cypress Wetlands is a small but rewarding nature area in Port Royal, a few minutes from Beaufort. A short boardwalk and path loop through cypress trees, blackwater pools, and nesting bird habitat, giving you the Lowcountry wetland experience without committing to a long drive or boat trip.
Come quietly and look slowly. Egrets, herons, turtles, and alligators are the usual cast, and the setting is especially good in the morning when the light hits the knees of the cypress trees. It is not a wilderness adventure, but it is one of the easiest ways to see Beaufort's watery landscape up close.