Island Overview
Daufuskie Island is a residential sea island located between Savannah, Georgia and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It has a full-time population of around 430 people, and is home to a resort, a private residential community, and largely undeveloped residential property.

History
The Island's recorded history traces back to Pre-Revolutionary War times. It was the site of a skirmish called the Daufuskie Fight during the Yemasee War of 1715-1717. The Island was home to a sizable population of Gullah inhabitants from the end of the Civil War until very recently. The Gullah are the descendants of freed slaves. The 1988 Jimmy Buffet song, "The Prince of Tides" laments the urbanization of the island and loss of the Gullah. The 1972 Pat Conroy book The Water is Wide, was set on Daufuskie, fictionalized as Yamacraw Island. The book recounts Mr. Conroy's experiences teaching on the island in the 1960s. The Island is now split into five parts.

Read the full history of Daufuskie Island. 

Ferry
Ferry Boat transportation is available to Daufuskie Island.  Palmetto Breeze oversees issuing of identification cards and ticketing for the public ferry.  For more information about obtaining an ID card and/or tickets, please contact Rory Barksdale at 843-757-5782 or for an appointment.

Read the Daufuskie Island Ferry Handbook.  

Daufuskie Island Ferry Schedule

Daufuskie Island Ticket Outlets - July 1, 2009
Palmetto Breeze

Po Box 2029

25 Benton Field Road

Bluffton, SC 29910

843-757-5782 – office

843-757-5783 – fax

Ticket Sales:  Monday – Friday  9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
 

J&W (Hilton Head)

1 Indian Trail

Hilton Head, SC 29926

843-342-8687
Ticket Sales:  Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Saturday  8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

J&W (Daufuskie Island – Freeport office)

48 Rookery Way

Hilton Head, SC 29926

843-785-8242

Ticket Sales:  Monday – Saturday  9:00 AM – 4:00 PM