Things to do nearDaufuskie Island
Daufuskie Island, a remote Sea Island off the South Carolina coast, draws visitors with its Gullah heritage, car-free roads, and unspoiled marshland scenery.
Daufuskie Island sits between the Calibogue Sound and the New River in South Carolina's Beaufort County, reachable only by boat. That isolation has preserved a landscape and culture largely unchanged for generations, drawing travelers seeking something genuinely off the beaten path.
The island's Gullah-Geechee heritage is its cultural heart. Descendants of enslaved Africans built a self-sufficient community here, and their traditions in language, craft, and faith still echo across the island. The old Haig Point Lighthouse and the Mary Fields School, where author Pat Conroy once taught, are quiet landmarks that tell layered stories.
Outdoors, the island rewards those who slow down. Cyclists and golf-cart riders move through maritime forests and past tidal creeks teeming with herons and egrets. The beaches on the Atlantic side are wide, shell-strewn, and rarely crowded.
Daufuskie Island offers a rare combination of natural beauty and living history that few places along the Eastern Seaboard can match, making it well worth the ferry ride.
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Tips for visiting Daufuskie Island
Arrive on an early morning ferry from Hilton Head to make the most of cooler temperatures and quieter trails.
Rent a golf cart at the dock, as it is the most practical and enjoyable way to explore the island's unpaved roads.
Visit the historic First Union African Baptist Church, one of the oldest Black congregations in South Carolina.
Bring insect repellent, especially in warmer months, as the marshside areas can have heavy mosquito activity.
Try fresh local shrimp at one of the small waterfront eateries near the ferry landing before heading back.
Top tours & experiences near Daufuskie Island
Private Party Boat Cruise in Savannah
Cruise Savannah’s coastal waterways aboard a private boat with music and games
Daufuskie Island Morning Ferry From Hilton Head
Narrated Ferry Cruise With Time to Explore Daufuskie Island
Hilton Head Island Dolphin & Sandbar Cruise
Private Low Country cruising with dolphin watching, swim stops, and island or sandbar adventures
Daufuskie Island Private Water Taxi
Private water taxi service for Daufuskie Island travel
Savannah to Daufuskie Island 45-Minute Ferry
One-way ferry passage from Savannah to Daufuskie Island
Sunset Mini Boat Dolphin Tour in Hilton Head Island
Pilot your own speedy mini boat at sunset and watch playful dolphins in Hilton Head's scenic waters.
Private Boat Charter in Hilton Head
Tailor your time on the water with a captain-led cruise or sandbar outing
Explore the May River Ecology in Bluffton
Learn about May River wildlife on a 1.5-hour ecology excursion
Private Yacht Charter in Savannah for Celebrations
Your private captain-led cruise, tailored around your celebration
Private Yacht Charter to Savannah from Hilton Head Island
Set your own course between Hilton Head, Daufuskie Island, and Savannah
Hilton Head Island Pontoon Rental
Chart your own course through Hilton Head Island waterways
Drive-Your-Own Creek Cat Boat Tour on Hilton Head Island
Drive your own Creek Cat on a 2-hour guided Hilton Head tour
Private Inshore Fishing Charter in Bluffton
Private inshore fishing for up to 6 in Bluffton backwaters
Lowcountry Island Guided Cruise From Savannah
Cruise tidal waterways and explore Daufuskie, Bluffton and Hilton Head
Hilton Head Island Sunset Sailing Cruise
Sail the historic Stars & Stripes into a Hilton Head sunset
90-Minute Private Yacht Charter in Hilton Head Island
Classic mahogany yacht charter for your private group
7-Hour Daufuskie Island Ferry From Savannah
Ride to Daufuskie Island and explore from Freeport Marina
Sunset Creek Cat Guided Tour in Hilton Head
Drive your own Creek Cat on a guided sunset cruise near Harbour Town
2-Hour Water Taxi to Daufuskie Island From Savannah
Cruise the Intracoastal Waterway and explore Daufuskie Island
Explore Lowcountry Backwaters on a Private Boat Tour
Cruise the Lowcountry backwaters with a private local captain
Savannah Tidal Lowcountry Guided Eco Tour
See Lowcountry wildlife and tidal landscapes on a relaxed coastal outing
2-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in Hilton Head Island
Explore Hilton Head’s saltmarsh waterways with guided riding and free-ride time
One-Way Ferry From Savannah to Daufuskie Island
Head to Daufuskie Island with daily ferry service
Private Savannah River Delta Charter
Cruise salt marsh waterways to remote islands and waterfront stops