While extra planning will be needed, I highly recommend visiting this local treasure. We visited for a wedding and were able to enjoy many aspects of the island. The beaches are so pristine, and you're bound to find a treasure. I was not comfortable getting in the water. You couldn't see the bottom and the jellyFish were in full force. Golf carts are highly recommended and equally utilized. Plan ahead for your ferry ride over (or private rental). If you can indulge on the cuisine made by Sallie Ann Robinson, consider yourself lucky!!! She's a true gem. I am forever grateful that I got to meet her and eat her delicious food!! I would go back just to spend time with her. She's so knowledgeable, so loving, genuinely cares about preserving the Gullah history. She is a True Treasure!!! Pack bug spray! Wowzers. Loved our quick getaway. read more

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Pronounced "Daw-fuss-key" or "Duh-fuss-key" Daufuskie Island has a long rich history, which you can read about on Wiki, but I was first interested in visiting Daufuskie because it was settled by the Gullah for a long time, and I really wanted to learn more about the culture. I have come across Gullah works in various mediums in my folk art studies, and really yearn to know more. In retrospect, I think Sapelo Island would've been a better choice, but in either case, you'd need to have done your own research and historical reading ahead of time, because unfortunately, despite some local-level efforts, there has not been much invested in quality museum preservation of the culture on either island. I hope in the future this will change, and these historic sites will be given funding and national historic recognition. The island is 5mi x 2.5mi, with 3mi of beach. I've been to a lot of beaches around the world, and they do have a really pretty beach here. There are technically 2 beaches by name, but they run into each other. Our captain of our ferry told us a few years ago investors tried to hype Dafuskie up to be a southern Nantucket, but it didn't really catch on. I'd say the feel was more of Ocracoke (Boho artsy & southern nature) meets a small Bahamian island (island-rustic & party feel). There are these random gated communities and condo complexes amidst a very bucolic island bush feel. Golf carts are the main mode of transport, with very few cars, and there is this weird bike attitude, where they warn against trying to ride one on the sand roads, but yet rentals are available? (They recommend fat tire bikes.)       There are homemade YouTube videos on this island, but no major documentaries, and again, that is normally how I research a trip. So an island map is really the best resource I found on how to approach tourism across this island (apart from taking an official tour).  Unfortunately, due to my unhappy dog, I didn't get to explore beyond one restaurant and one beach. But I am aware of a schoolhouse, an iron master artist, a lighthouse (that isn't really a lighthouse), a very cool farm you can tour (that doesn't allow dogs), and a mishmash of old and new residences, where abandoned Gullah homesteads meet Baby Boomer retirement villages. There is also the Freeport town center, where the action is. Many boaters come dock just off the town square, and locals say the boats get rows deep, just tying one up to another. A rowdy party sparks up just about every afternoon, with lots of middle-aged to senior drunk people hanging out to play cornhole and flirt. There were also sketchy bungalow rooms for rent right on the party square for, presumably, boat goers to sober up before floating back to Hilton Head, and, (eek) hook-ups. Seriously, this spot is a maskless spreader zone come lunch time each day, so I steered clear!  Pat Conroy's book, The Water is Wide, is based on Daufuskie. This means nothing to me for the stuff I read, so I can't expand, but it is meaningful to some. People say of Daufuskie, "it feels like another country" ehhh, not really. I guess this is based on the rustic island vibe? If you've been to the Caribbean you know a bigger cultural difference. Even parts of the FL Keys feel more non-domestic than this. I did feel like I was still in SC. One detail that reminded me of small Bahamian islands, was the broken down cars, just rotting in various places. I get that on an island it's not easy to get rid of an old useless car, and I appreciate the rustic character, but there were a lot of them, especially in one particular sport, which was otherwise really pretty, by the water. Perhaps these are going to be reclaimed for their steel by the local steel artist? IDK. But that, for sure, felt Caribbean-y.  Visited in mid-March and temperatures were mid-70s. But on the beach it got hot! Daufuskie is a 45min ferry ride from Hilton Head, and then a short drive to Savannah. It is the last island in SC, before you get to Tybee in GA. read more

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I've been coming to Daufuskie for 15 years. Love everything about it, but be prepared to bring everything with you. You can shop here, but prices are high. I do recommend going out to eat when you can, especially School Grounds Coffee. Shops and restaurants come and go, so don't be surprised if something in a review isn't there the next time you come. Also they keep strange hours. That being said the island is beautiful, with a lot of history! Very secluded. If you come in the off season, you can avoid people all together. read more

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What a waste of time and money going to this island. Dirt roads to nowhere and nothing to do. A dead raccoon out in the open in the historic district was the most exciting and only wild life we saw. Terrible facilities and riding around in a broken down golf cart hanging on for dear life. Worst trip ever. Not worth the cost of the ferry ride or golf cart. So many things to do on Hilton head don't waste your money on this excursion. read more

Don't waste your time or money. The island looks like not a single person has given a rat's ass about it in 50 years. Everything is run down, falling down, dilapidated ... sad and forgotten. Except the fire station. I'm confused why anyone would purposely make this a destination. read more