I visited a small sea island located between Hilton Head and Savannah to close out Summer 2026. The catch? To get to the island, I had to park my car in a public lot by the ferry dock (free), put Arya (7 months old at the time) in the Ergo carrier, grab my luggage, and board the public ferry for a one-hour trip to… DAUFUSKIE ISLAND! Arya’s Godmother was getting married, so it was an extra special first bachelorette trip for her! It was such a special weekend filled with delicious meals, good conversation, gratitude, and historical sites.
It cost $60 total ($30 each way) to ride on the public ferry. Click here to book your ticket(s). I brought my huge suitcase (50lbs or less — they did weigh it on the way there, but not on the way back) and a carry-on. Thankfully, the historic Airbnb we stayed at had a pack-n-play for us to use (the host borrowed one from a friend for me), so I didn’t have to worry about that.
Our Itinerary:
Day 1 – Friday
We walked off the public ferry dock and hopped in our golf cart thanks to Emily & the other girls who picked us up. We drove straight to the Daufuskie Crab Company for dinner and sunset views. I realized immediately: this island is still wild. Yay! It had a delightfully rural feel. Click here to view the menu. They advertise music every Wednesday – Sunday!
After dinner, we went back to our cozy, historical Airbnb. It is stop #9 on the official island historical trail, as it was Sarah Grant’s home! SO COOL! Click here to view the Airbnb listing, though it is for sale, so I’m not sure how much longer it will be an Airbnb. Favorite features? It sits on 1.5 acres and has a screened-in back porch perfect for bird-watching, reading, and playing with a baby in your lap. The claw-foot tub was also a huge bonus!
Sarah Grant was a midwife, Sunday school president, and PTA president during her influential life. She bought this 1910 house from Fuller Fripp for $15 and had it moved to its present location at a cost of $25, thereby paying $40 for her home. It was very neat to stay in what used to be her home for 2 nights. She is PERFECTLY PINK!! Look! We could have stayed for a week (except I would have wanted Kristoff and Elias to join in on the fun!) because she was cozy and came with a view of the marsh.
Day 2 – Saturday
We did a TON, but here are some of the things I remember:
- Breakfast: Driftwood Diner // Located in the heart of the island, Driftwood Diner serves up scratch-made breakfast sandwiches, Southern favorites, and daily specials in a laid-back setting. Highly recommend! The food was delicious!
- The Iron Fish Art Gallery (est. 2001), where American-made, award-winning metal sculptor Chase Allen specializes in handcrafting coastal fish, mermaid, crab, sea turtle, lobster, and stingray sculptures.
- School Grounds Coffee Shop // The two-room Mary Field School was built by islanders for the island’s Black children in the early 1930s. The school was integrated after the last white child graduated from the Daufuskie School in 1962. When a new elementary school was built in 1997, the school was closed.
- Daufuskie Island History Museum // This place was Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, but the first church was destroyed by a hurricane in 1940. This building (below – far left) was built shortly after. In time, the declining island population caused the church to close, but in 2001 the Daufuskie Island Historical Foundation bought the property, restored the building, and opened the museum.
5. Jane Hamilton School // To the right of the Daufuskie Island History Museum (you don’t even have to move your golf cart!), you will find the Gullah Learning Center and the Daufuskie Island Community Library. This one-room schoolhouse was built after Mt. Carmel Baptist Church No.1 was destroyed by the hurricane mentioned above. It was open for 10 years, and then kids were transported to the Mary Field School on the south end of the island.
6. Bloody Point Lighthouse & Silver Dew Winery // The lighthouse is a two-story dwelling with a dormer window that housed the front light. The synchronized lights guided ships into the Savannah River Channel from 1883 to 1922. You can now walk around the museum and see Civil War artifacts.
7. Beach Time // I think we went to Bloody Point Beach for charcuterie and ocean time! We swam in the ocean and found starfish. This was Arya’s first time touching one. The sand felt icky feeling in spots upon entering the sea, and I remember sinking in. Not my favorite beach for swimming, but I guess the appeal of this island is the history and being more off the beaten path.
Day 3 – Sunday
Before dropping off golf carts and boarding the public ferry, we walked to the Mary Dunn Cemetery. There are gravestones in this cemetery dating back as far as 1790! Wild!
It was a great weekend celebrating my dear friend Emily, and I’m so glad I got to experience such a peaceful and scenic place.
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