Enchanting, reclusive Daufuskie Island can give you a day to escape and explore a forgotten culture, play on a great golf course, or be pampered in a luxurious spa.

    If you are curious about Daufuskie Island but want more flexibility than a guided tour, design your own day trip.  What to do and how to get there may require some advance planning on your part if you want to use the facilities at the Daufuskie Island Resort and Breathe Spa (the resort is in high demand between April and October and most amenities require reservations up to a week ahead.  On the other hand, visiting Daufuskie can be a completely impromptu venture, requiring nothing more than a few dollars, lots of curiosity, and time to spend.

    There are two basic ways to get to Daufuskie:  take a public ferry or rent your own boat. 

    Calibogue Cruises (843-342-8687) has been in operation since 1977 and serves as the Harbour Master of the Freeport Marina on Daufuskie.  The company offers year-round round-trip public ferry service  departing Hilton Head Island from Broad Creek Marina (18 Simmons Road off Marshland Road).  You’ll travel aboard the “Capt. Eulice,” a 60-foot 90 passenger historic ferryboat.  Times and fares may vary depending on the season so make sure you call ahead.

    Once you arrive at Freeport Marina, you are free to explore on your own, on foot or by renting a four-passenger golf cart or bicycle.  You are provided with an excellent map showing all the significant landmarks. Visit Bloody Point, Mt. Carmel and the First Union African Baptist Churches; see the Old Winery, Conroy’s schoolhouse, and cemeteries dating back hundreds of years.  The Daufuskie Crab Company Store and Restaurant is filled with relics, crafts and books, and home to the Daufuskie Island Deviled Crab, prepared by native islanders. 

    Calibogue Cruises also provides outstanding guided history and nature tours of the Island aboard a colorfully painted school bus and, new this year, by a mule drawn wagon.  Again, because their schedules are seasonal, make sure you call for times and fares.  Also, check the availability of their special history tour with Roger Pickney, author of  a number of books including Seventh Son on Sacred Ground and the recently published Reefer Moon.

    Calibogue Cruises also offers weekly ferry trips to Savannah’s historic district.  Once you arrive, you can join a trolley tour or explore on your own for the day.  They are also available for charter for private excursions as well as special group tours for youth groups, corporate outings, reunions and weddings.  In addition, overnight accommodations are available on Daufuskie through Freeport Marina at the one-of-a-kind Crab Shacks.  Contrary to the sound of their name, these quaint cottages have all the modern conveniences, including air conditioning. 

    Live Oac (888-254-8362) provides fast private shuttles to Daufuskie for parties of six or fewer passengers, both one-way and round-trip on your schedule, that can include dolphin watching and water sports along the way.  Live Oac launches out of the North End of the Island at Hilton Head Harbour, located at the end of Jenkins Road (43A Jenkins Road) off William Hilton Parkway (US 278, Mile Marker 1).

    Another alternative for the “free and independent traveler” is to rent a power boat or sailboat on Hilton Head and cruise across the Calibogue Sound to Daufuskie.  Renting a boat is similar to renting a car.  You must have a valid driver’s license, sign documents, and put a security deposit against damages on a credit card.  You may also pay for gasoline, which is available at marinas on Daufuskie as well as Hilton Head. 

    There are four landings on Daufuskie.  The first you will see is Haig Point Landing.  This is a private dock and you cannot land there.  The second is the Freeport Marina where you can dock for a modest fee.  The third dock is Melrose Landing.  The fourth is the public dock at Marshside Mamas.

    Palmetto Bay Water Sports (843-785-2345) rents power boats suitable for crossing the Sound to Daufuskie.  They are located at the Palmetto Bay Marina at 86 Helmsman Way at the foot of the Cross Island Parkway. 

    Commander Zodiac (843-671-3344) rents sailboats and catamarans for a wonderful adventure to this remote island’s beaches.  They are located at the South Beach Marina, 232 South Sea Pines Drive in the Sea Pines Resort.

    Outside Hilton Head (800-686-6966) offers several options for exploring Daufuskie on your own. Private shuttles in boats for up to 12 passengers are available daily by reservation. If you are feeling more independent, rent one of their boats and head over. Once on Daufuskie you can rent a cart and explore. Boat rentals are available at their Shelter Cove Marina location (1 Shelter Cove Lane).

    A word of caution:  It is easy to lose track of time on this enchanted island, so check your watch every once in awhile.

    For further information, see our Ad Directory under Boat Tours, Boat/Kayak Rentals, Ferry Services, and Resorts.

    Also see “Things To Do” #4, #22, #24, #45, and #68.

Photo courtesy of Sansing McPherson