JUST off the beaten path in South Carolina is a unique destination drawing attention over its lighthouse and lack of streetlights.
Daufuskie Island is nestled between the uber-popular Hilton Head Island and Savannah, Georgia.
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Daufuskie Island is the southernmost barrier island in the state and is only accessible by boat – providing a fun built-in excursion for visitors.
The quiet dirt streets are laden with Spanish Moss providing an idyllic backdrop with easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, Calibogue Sound, and other creeks.
But the island has a hidden secret in the form of a rumored lighthouse ghost.
Here, we round up everything you need to know to travel to Daufuskie Island, South Carolina.
WHY DAUFUSKIE ISLAND?
Daufuskie Island is a perfect retreat from the busier Hilton Head Island – just over six miles away – and Savannah, about 35 miles away.
With a permanent population of just 300 residents and a plot of land measuring just five miles long and three miles wide, Daufuskie Island offers small-town charm and a unique history.
Part of that stems from the island’s geographic positioning in the Lowcountry, a network of marshes, savannas, wetlands, and other natural elements stretching from Charleston, South Carolina, to the Savannah River.
The Lowcountry is known to be a geographic and cultural hub with a rich history and offerings.
On Daufuskie Island specifically, many of the permanent residents are descendants of African Americans who were enslaved and who have kept integral parts of their culture alive, including dialect.
Visitors will quickly notice a few key quirks about the island – notably the lack of streetlights and grocery stores.
The island is also absent of doctors and hospitals.
But that remoteness adds to its charm and the overall experience visitors have.
While it’s a great day trip destination, it’s easy to spend a few days on Daufuskie Island.
Visitors can enjoy lazy beach days or explore marshland ripe with wildlife.
Guests have even seen dolphins swimming at dawn as they wake up for another day of exploring.
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WHAT ARE THE BEST DAUFUSKIE ISLAND VACATION DEALS?
Traveling to Daufuskie Island will involve, at minimum, a ferry ride.
Being accessible only by boat means that all visitors must take a ferry – or their own vessel – to the island.
There are several water transportation services available to make it easier for guests, including:
- May River Excursions departing from Old Town Bluffton (25-minute open-air ride)
- Daufuskie Island Ferry departing from Buckingham Landing (one-hour indoor ride)
While it’s a longer trip, the latter option is likely more cost-effective at $35 per person roundtrip.
But the vast majority of visitors will have to fly to a nearby city to venture onward to Daufuskie Island.
In that case, Savannah has the closest nearby airport: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
Nonstop flights are available from New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington DC, and Dallas, among other cities.
They’ll run you between $200 and $400 roundtrip.
But if you’re flying from cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, or Kansas City, you’ll have at least one connecting flight to catch along the way.
Those flights will cost upwards of $400.
And while Daufuskie Island is a tourist destination, you won’t find traditional accommodations.
There are vacation rental homes available – though depending on the size of your group they may or may not be the wisest investment.
But many rentals do offer ocean views, and some are steps from the beach.
Your best bet for a traditional hotel stay is in nearby Hilton Head or Savannah.
There, you’ll find plenty of options, including recognized brand-name hotels like Hilton and Westin.
On average, you can expect to pay between $200 and $300 for run-of-the-mill chain hotels.
There are a handful of more luxurious options, including the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort and Marriott’s Grande Ocean which are both set on the beachfront.
If staying in Savannah or Hilton Head, a car is definitely helpful to have.
But it’ll be of no use on Daufuskie where residents and visitors alike largely use golf carts and bikes to get around.
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WHAT MAKES DAUFUSKIE ISLAND WORLD-CLASS?
Daufuskie Island is on the National Register of Historic Places and has plenty to offer guests aside from its Historical Foundation museum.
Arguably the biggest attraction – aside from the beaches – is Haig Point’s 1873 lighthouse.
Situated on the northern end of the island on the Calibogue Sound, the lighthouse dates back to 1735 when George Haig bought 500 acres of land on the island.
After his death, the land changed owners and grew into what is known today as a 1,100-acre plantation.
The lighthouse itself was restored in the 1980s as a development project.
Today, Haig Point is a private club operated by its members, complete with a residential golf course.
The main mansion, built in 1910 on St. Simons Island in Georgia and moved to Daufuskie Island in 1986, has four suites where guests can stay overnight. The lighthouse building operates as a guesthouse with two bedrooms.
But the actual lighthouse building has a rumored permanent tenant: the ghost of Maggie Comer.
Comer was the daughter of Patrick Comer, the lighthouse’s first keeper, who died in the lighthouse’s front bedroom in 1861.
Legend goes that Maggie fell in love with a naval visitor but she wound up brokenhearted.
Maggie is believed to have been hiding in the middle tower as a child – the same spot where guests have reported seeing a figure in the window at night, according to the Daufuskie Island website.
But that’s not the only lighthouse on the island.
Situated on the island’s southern tip, Bloody Point Lighthouse & Museum dates back to 1882 when the US government purchased it.
Its name is derived from the battles fought on the land in the 1700s.
From 1883 to 1922, the lighthouse helped guide ships into the Savannah River Channel.
But the structure has been relocated several times due to erosion.
Still, it serves as a great attraction for visitors.
Plus, Daufuskie Island served as the setting in the 1972 memoir The Water Is Wide by Pat Conroy, based on his time living and working there.
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WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO IN DAUFUSKIE ISLAND?
Despite having no streetlights or grocery stores, Daufuskie Island offers plenty to visitors.
Guests can go horseback riding on the beach, or play golf at Haig Point.
Next to Haig Point is Melrose, another plantation-turned-luxury community.
Melrose On The Beach features a golf course, restaurant, pool, and equestrian center.
Part of the Melrose property has been left abandoned – but a plan was recently unveiled to restore the 400-acre resort.
The island has a handful of historic buildings to tour, including the Billie Burn Museum, Mary Fields School, and the vintage Gullah Frances Jones Home.
Visitors looking to indulge in the cultural food and beverage offerings should visit Silvery Dew Winery, which dates back to 1883, and Daufuskie Island Rum Company.
The distillery offers tours Tuesday through Saturday on a first-come, first-served basis.
And even though there aren’t grocery stores, there are a handful of restaurants to try local specialties.
Old Daufuskie Crab Company is the place to go to try the island’s signature deviled crab dish and fresh oysters.
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WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DAUFUSKIE ISLAND?
Temperatures on Daufuskie Island run mild to hot depending on the time of year.
December through February are the coolest months, where temperatures oscillate between the 50s and 60s.
But it can drop into the 40s at night, so prepare accordingly if traveling during these months.
June through September have the hottest temperatures.
During those months, visitors experience daily highs in the 80s and lows in the mid-70s.
The sun can be blazingly hot during the day, but being right on the water will allow for a beautiful evening breeze.
In terms of what to pack, light layers will be your friend regardless of the time of year.
A hat, sunscreen, swimwear, and good walking shoes are also encouraged.
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