FAQs

That depends on you and/or your group! Sundays and Mondays are quiet with many shops and restaurants closed, and Tuesdays – Saturdays tend to be a bit busier with everything open.

As per the island motto “No Bridge - No Problem!”, you will have to arrive and depart by boat. Your car will stay on the mainland. Rates and policies vary by service. You will leave your car in a parking lot maintained by your ferry or water taxi company. Note that there is often high demand for these services and you should call as soon as possible for reservations. See our Getting to Daufuskie & your Rental PDF (button at top of this page).

Boat time will vary from 15 minutes for a water taxi to 1.5 hours for a tour.

Yes, but you will need to contact Marina's to reserve slip. See Getting Here info for contact numbers.

No. There is no car ferry to Daufuskie. Guests leave their cars on the mainland and get around in a golf cart. Regular vehicle use is restricted on much of the island.

4:00 pm and 10:30 am, respectively.

Yes! Daufuskie Island is a very dog friendly community. Be sure to verify your rental accepts pets, though (most do). Pets are allowed at the outdoor areas of the island’s restaurants. Pets should be leashed for their safety and that of the local wildlife when exploring the island.

Your home away from home has been prepared with starter amenities. See our JBM Vacation Home Info PDF (button at top of this page).

Pack light! Daufuskie is a very casual island, including the restaurants. Also, your vacation home includes a washer & dryer. Take advantage of grocery services, general stores, prepared meal deliveries, and Daufuskie’s amazing restaurants. Consolidate smaller items into one suitcase and use a beach wagon for transporting luggage. Pack as if you are taking a flight - no open items and 50lbs or less! In deference to your boat captain and ground transportation driver, we do ask that you avoid bringing the super-sized luggage. No cardboard boxes. Don’t forget: bug spray, sunscreen/sunblock, light rain jacket, prescription medications, and a “just-in-case” supply of OTC products such as cough-and-cold medications. For more info, See our What to Bring with you PDF (button at top of this page).

Several Daufuskie companies provide ground transportation for dock-to-vacation service. Extra charges will apply if the amount of your luggage necessitates an additional vehicle and driver, or for extra large items such as bikes. See our Getting to Daufuskie & your Rental PDF (button at top of this page).

No. Golf carts are not designed for the wear and tear that results from the excessive weight of passengers, luggage, and coolers.

Golf Carts All golf cart drivers on Daufuskie are expected to have a valid driver's license and to comply with South Carolina Rules of the Road. Driving on the beach is strictly prohibited to protect the dunes and the wildlife, and especially to prevent destruction of Loggerhead Turtle nests. Children are NOT allowed to drive carts, the driver must always be sober, and no alcohol is allowed on the carts. Bikes Bikes are available for rent on the island through Sports Addition, Advance reservations are recommended. Walking Some folks prefer to get their steps in. The island is about five miles by two and a half miles, and the paved and dirt roads are well-suited for walking. Daufuskie has miles of walkable beaches, and endless small roads and paths throughout the island. Be mindful and respectful of private and/or historic property.

There is no traditional grocery store on Daufuskie Island. Guests must bring their groceries with them on the boat OR get help from a service that delivers groceries to your departure dock. However, there are two General Stores on the island, both of which offer basic food supplies. Hours change seasonally. See our Getting Groceries PDF for more information (button at top of this page). Tips for Bringing Groceries: You can minimize space and weight by using dry ice, freezer packs, and/or and frozen food instead of bags of ice, and by drinking tap water (it's very safe here!) instead of bringing bottled water. (This is also good for Daufuskie as there is no island-wide recycling program yet.)

Yes! Hours and menus change seasonally. See our Island Dining PDF (button at the top of this page) for more information.

Daufuskie boasts wonderful and unique artisan studios (such as Daufuskie Blues, the Iron Fish Art Gallery, and Daufuskie Soap), eclectic General Stores and gift shops, and more. See our Shopping PDF for more information (button at the top of this page).​

Absolutely. Kids LOVE Daufuskie! They enjoy riding in golf carts, the endless beaches, the pools, the Daufuskie Island Community Farm, and horseback riding. It's the perfect place for family vacations or reunions, and families often return year after year. See our Tour & Explore PDF (button at top of this page) for more info.

Yes. The historic First Union African Baptist Church, located at the intersection at Church Road and School Road holds services at 10:00 am every Sunday. Vacation wear is acceptable and visitors are warmly welcomed. https://www.fuabchurch.org

Yes. In case of emergency, call 911 and tell the operator you are on Daufuskie Island. They will notify the Daufuskie Island Fire Station where there is a team of firefighters and paramedics on call 24/7. When necessary, they will transport emergency patients to Hilton Head or Savannah by boat or helicopter.

Wildlife is everywhere on Daufuskie Island! American alligator, loggerhead sea turtles, right whales (the rarest of all large whales), snowy egret, and wood storks are just a sampling of the animals you can expect to see on your visit to the island. There are also grey fox squirrels and deer galore!

The island is 5 miles long and 2.5 miles wide.

As of 2023, Daufuskie Island has approximately 400 full-time residents.

Yes! Some native islanders remain in residence on Daufuskie Island, although most of the permanent residents are former vacationers who fell in love with the island and never left. There is a fire and rescue department, a few shops, and a small elementary school. Contact a Daufuskie Island realtor to start exploring your relocation options.

A number of books are available, including: The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy based on his experiences as a teacher at Daufuskie's Mary Field School. The book was made into the movie “Conrack”, starring Jon Voight.​ Daufuskie Island (Images of America) co-authored by residents Jenny Hersch & Sallie Ann Robinson takes you on a visual tour of Daufuskie's people from past times.​ Gullah Homecoming the Daufuskie Way and Cooking the Gullah Way, Morning Noon and Night by Daufuskie resident Sallie Ann Robinson celebrates the culinary heritage of the native islander population. An Island Named Daufuskie by Billie Burn provides a comprehensive history of Daufuskie. Also, the Freeport Marina General Store has two CDs narrated by Wick Scurry, the marina owner about the history of Daufuskie. Visit the island's museum and at the School Grounds Coffee Shop for other books and history.