Day Trip: Daufuskie Island

Daufuskie Island Glass House at 6 Billie Burn Lane. Photo by Amy Thurman

Daufuskie Community Farm on Haig Point Road. Photo by Amy Thurman

Sign on one resident's fence. Photo by Amy Thurman

Day Trip Destination: Daufuskie Island

By Amy Thurman

Daufuskie Island, the southernmost of South Carolina’s barrier islands and just across the Savannah River from Tybee Island, is the perfect spot to get away from it all for a day trip. Life is short and you work hard, so why not take a day with family, friends, or even solo, and go explore?

Getting There

The island is only accessible by boat. If you have a boat, you can tie up at the public docks on the New River, where Marshside Mama’s used to be. If you don’t have a boat, you can take the ferry to the island, which will drop you off at Freeport Marina. There are also a number of private excursion boats that will deliver you to and from the island for a fee.

Getting Around

Once you arrive, you’ll need a means of getting around. Although the island is only five miles long and two and a half miles wide, it’s not easy to cover on foot in a day. Luckily, there are golf cart rentals on the island, as well as a couple tour operators.

Food

There are only a few places to eat on the island. There’s a restaurant and bar at Freeport, and lunch is now being served at Melrose Beach Club, but by far the best choice is Lucy Bell’s Café on Benjies Point Road at School Road. Open from 11 – 3, Tuesday through Sunday, they have a great menu of appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and salads, as well as daily specials and homemade desserts. Fresh seafood and other favorites, are cooked in traditional southern fashion, but with a flair that sets this tiny café at the top of the list, even if there were other options.

Of course, you can always pack a cooler and find a shady spot to picnic, if that’s more to your liking.

To Do

If you have a love for history, Daufuskie has plenty to offer. Visit the four cemeteries on the island, the historic churches and schoolhouses, the tabby ruins, the Oyster Union Hall, Bloody Point Lighthouse and Museum, Silver Dew Winery, or Bloody Point, sight of several battles between Native Americans and settlers in the early 1700s.

Want to get your culture fix? Take the Daufuskie Island Gullah Tour and visit the Gullah Learning Center. Then make your way around to the island’s artisans, including Daufuskie Blues, Daufuskie Island Rum Company, the Glass House, the Iron Fish Gallery, Silver Dew Pottery, and Wine & Woodworks. Each offers a special and unique treasure and are happy to chat about their craft while you visit.

Need to unplug and get back to nature? Learn about marsh tackies and go for a ride, tour the community farm, go kayaking, take a Wild Daufuskie eco tour, or just go spend time at the beach.

However you decide to spend your visit will be relaxing, enjoyable, informational, and fun.

Want to stay longer? There are some accommodations on the island, include the Oyster Cottage, next door to the Iron Fish Gallery, the Tiny House, next door to the Glass House studio, and the Hinson White/Lesesne House, where the Marsh Tacky Foundation is located – all of which are available on AirBnB.

Lovely pottery by Lancy and Emily at Silver Dew Pottery. Photo by Lancy Burn

More Information:

Golf Cart Rental: www.tourdaufuskie.com Lucy Bells' Cafe: (843) 341-6477 Bloody Point Lighthouse: visitbloodypointlighthouse.com Gullah Tours: (843) 842-9449 Daufuskie Blues: (843) 707-2664 Daufuskie Island Rum Company: (843) 342-4786 Daufuskie Island Glass House: (843) 341-5765 The Iron Fish: www.ironfishart.com Silver Dew Pottery: (843) 842-6419 Wine & Woodworks: Carvin Road - Saturdays only Marsh Tacky Society: daufuskiemarshtackysociety.org Eco tours & kayaking: www.tourdaufuskie.com

Silver Dew Winery on Beach Road. Photo by Amy Thurman