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Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Comprehensive Guide

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MCAS Beaufort Housing Guide

Checking in, returning, or moving to the Lowcountry, this section covers the Military Housing Office, privatized family housing, popular neighborhoods, rentals, Inns of the Corps, BAH tools, and VA-loan tips for families serving at MCAS Beaufort and the Tri-Command.

On-Base & Privatized Housing

  • Military Housing Office (MHO): Bldg 1140, MCAS Beaufort • (843) 228-6000 • Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 07:30–16:00; Wed 07:30–14:00 • Official MHO page.
  • Tri-Command Family Housing (AMCC/Hunt): Privatized neighborhoods serving MCAS Beaufort, MCRD Parris Island, and Naval Hospital • Tri-Command Family Housing (Laurel Bay, Naval Hospital, Parris Island communities).
Area Commute to Gates Typical Home Types Why People Choose It
Port Royal 10–15 min SFH, cottages, townhomes Close to Sands Beach and boardwalk; small-town vibe, quick access to base
Lady’s Island 15–25 min SFH, newer subdivisions Schools, shopping hubs, easier routes to Beaufort and Fripp/Hunting Island
Mossy Oaks & Historic Beaufort 10–20 min Historic homes, bungalows Walkable waterfront and parks; established neighborhoods
Burton / Shell Point 10–20 min SFH, townhomes Value and proximity to Ribaut Rd corridor and services
Bluffton / Okatie 35–50 min Master-planned, SFH, townhomes Amenities, shopping; access to HHI and SAV flights

Rental Market Snapshot

  • FY2026 2-BR HUD FMR (Beaufort County SC HMFA): about $1,822 per month (area payment standards vary by PHA and ZIP).
  • Tip: For fastest base access, start in Port Royal, Burton, or Mossy Oaks; expand to Lady’s Island for more schools and neighborhood options.

Temporary Lodging (Inns of the Corps)

BAH & Buying with a VA Loan

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Things to Do Near MCAS Beaufort

Lowcountry beaches, trails, and heritage—here are nearby favorites with quick details, addresses, and military-friendly notes.

Top Attractions

Attraction Details Address Notes
Hunting Island State Park Beach, lighthouse area, trails, camping 2555 Sea Island Pkwy, St. Helena Is. State park fee; busy on weekends
Parris Island Museum USMC history and recruit training exhibits 111 Panama St, Parris Island Free admission; base access rules apply
Beaufort History Museum Local history at the Arsenal 713 Craven St, Beaufort Check hours; tours/events vary
Spanish Moss Trail 10-mile paved rails-to-trails greenway Trailheads in Beaufort/Port Royal Free; expanding connectors
Pat Conroy Literary Center Author exhibits, readings, workshops 601 Bladen St, Beaufort Programs and events calendar online
Port Royal Sound Maritime Center Coastal ecology exhibits, touch tanks 310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie Free admission; donations welcome

Outdoors & Parks

Site What to Expect Address Notes
Port Royal Cypress Wetlands Boardwalks, rookery, birding Paris Ave, Port Royal Free; dawn to dusk
Sands Beach & Boardwalk Observation tower, shark-tooth hunting 50 Sands Beach Rd, Port Royal Parking by landing; check local notices
Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park Downtown riverfront promenade Bay St, Beaufort Free; festivals and events seasonally
Hunting Island Area Trails Dunes, maritime forest, pier area Sea Island Pkwy to park entrance Check park advisories

Sports & Entertainment

Venue/Team Details Address Notes
USCB Center for the Arts Live performances and film series 805 Carteret St, Beaufort Seasonal lineup; military pricing often posted
Arts Center of Coastal Carolina Professional theater and concerts 14 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Buy via box office; avoid resellers
Savannah Bananas Banana Ball shows in Savannah & tour stops 1401 E Victory Dr, Savannah High demand; use official Fans First
Charleston RiverDogs (MiLB) Single-A affiliate at “The Joe” 360 Fishburne St, Charleston Promos vary; check schedule

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Military Discounts Around Beaufort

Bring a valid Military or Veteran ID and verify at purchase; offers can change by venue and season.

Attractions & Activities

Attraction Typical Offer (verify) How to Redeem
Parris Island Museum Free admission; base access required Show driver’s license, registration, insurance at gate
Port Royal Sound Maritime Center Free admission, donations appreciated Walk-in during posted hours
Hunting Island State Park Standard park fees apply Review SC Parks passes and policies
Beaufort History Museum Seasonal programs; occasional specials Check hours/events calendar

Retail & On-Base Essentials

Facility Services Location
MCX — MCAS Beaufort Tax-free retail, services, barbers 1283 Geiger Blvd • (843) 228-7769
Commissary — MCRD Parris Island Groceries for authorized patrons Bldg 407, Wake Blvd, Parris Island • (843) 228-2679
Information, Tickets & Travel (ITT) Theme-park & attraction tickets 1283 Geiger Blvd • (843) 228-6385

Travel & Transportation

Program/Hub Offer/Details How to Access
Palmetto Breeze Transit Beaufort routes (501/502) and commuter lines See route maps and rider info
Amtrak Yemassee (YEM) Silver Service platform stop 15 Wall St, Yemassee • schedules online
Savannah/Hilton Head Int’l (SAV) Major regional airport Airlines, parking, flight status on site
Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) Commercial service; easy access 120 Beach City Rd, HHI • routes and flights

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Financial & Family Resources

On-base support, VA healthcare, education, childcare, counseling, and Veteran organizations serving the MCAS Beaufort and Tri-Command community.

On-Base Support

Office Services Contact
Marine & Family Programs (MCFTB) TAP workshops, EFMP, finances, LifeSkills 1283 Geiger Blvd • (843) 228-6141
Naval Hospital Beaufort Hospital & specialty clinics 1 Pinckney Blvd • Info (843) 228-5200 • Appts (843) 228-5175
Branch Health Clinic — MCAS Primary care; M–F 07:30–16:00 Bldg 598 • (843) 228-7424
Legal Assistance (LSSS-East) Wills/POAs, SCRA, landlord-tenant Bldg 400, Parris Island • (843) 228-2559

Veterans Healthcare & Vet Centers

Facility Services Contact
Beaufort VA Clinic Primary/specialty care; mental health 1 Pinckney Blvd • (843) 770-0444
Savannah Vet Center Confidential counseling & outreach 321 Commercial Dr, Savannah • (912) 961-5800
Charleston Vet Center Readjustment counseling; groups 3625 W Montague Ave • (843) 789-7000
Vet Center Call Center 24/7 support for Veterans & families 1-877-WAR-VETS (1-877-927-8387)

Banking & Financial

Institution Services Local Contact
Navy Federal Credit Union Checking, savings, lending 203 Robert Smalls Pkwy, Beaufort • (888) 842-6328

Employment & Education

Resource Focus Contact
Transition Readiness (TAP) Workshops, résumés, benefits Career Resource Mgmt Ctr • (843) 228-7353
USC Beaufort — Veterans Affairs Admissions, VA benefits, advising Beaufort/Bluffton campuses • (843) 208-8029
Technical College of the Lowcountry — VRC GI Bill support, career pathways Beaufort campus • (843) 525-8340

Childcare & Youth

Counseling & Mental Health

  • Naval Hospital Beaufort / BHC: Central appointments (843) 228-5175; BHC main (843) 228-7424 • See clinic hours online.
  • Vet Center Call Center: 1-877-WAR-VETS for confidential 24/7 counseling and local referrals.
  • Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then press 1; text 838255; chat via veteranscrisisline.net.

Veterans Organizations

Organization City Address / Phone
American Legion Post 207 (Samuel J. Bush) Beaufort 23 Chowan Creek Bluff • (843) 379-7084
VFW Post 8760 (Jess C. Gregg) Beaufort 37 Castle Rock Rd • (843) 524-8760

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