23 Things to Do On Daufuskie Island:
#1 Rent a golf cart for a self-guided tour. With only a couple paved roads on the island, most visitors love navigating the “old timey”, tree canopied historic dirt roads that are unique to Daufuskie Island. Of course, rentals come with a complimentary map and orientation from a Tour Daufuskie representative. Make sure to ask the Tour Daufuskie representative about the popular “Daufuskie Day at the Beach“!
#2 Book a guided Daufuskie Island history & artisans tour if you’d rather get the local’s perspectives. One common denominator for all Tour Daufuskie guides is that they must be Daufuskie Island residents!
#3 Do not miss the opportunity for a Daufuskie Island kayaking or stand-up-paddle-boarding tour with Tour Daufuskie. You will be able to choose from paddling the shores of the beach or navigating the turns in the rivers and salt water creeks. It’s here that you will see up close why Daufuskie Island is considered the “eco-tourism capital” of the east coast! Bring binoculars and your camera…..
#4 Learn about the rich American Indian and Gullah culture by stopping by the Daufuskie Island museum as well as by touring the 20+ historic landmarks found on the Rob Kennedy Historical Trail.
#5 Visit renowned coastal sculptor Chase Allen at his Iron Fish Gallery & Studio which was established on Daufuskie Island in 2001. Allen & his artwork have been featured in national magazines such as Coastal Living, Southern Living, and Martha Stewart Living and he was the 2015 winner of the prestigious Martha Stewart American Made national contest. Allen’s coastal sculptures are collected worldwide but handcrafted and sold exclusively on Daufuskie Island.
#6 Visit Lancy & Emily Burn at The Silver Dew Pottery. Not only is their unique pottery beautiful, well respected, and very sought after, but Lancy’s stories of his life growing up on Daufuskie Island will blow your mind.
#7 Visit the Daufuskie Island Community farm which is a volunteer-run and member-supported farm. All buildings on the farm where constructed of timbers milled directly on the property. Currently the farm houses goats, chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, a pig, two dairy cows, and a garden & orchard.
#8 Visit Daufuskie Island Wine & Woodworks. Here, boat builder Mike Loftus handcrafts small wooden specialty boats in his beautiful state-of-the-art timber framed workshop. Attached to this workshop is a store where specialty wines, beer, and gifts can be purchased. Mike is usually open Saturday afternoons, so come by and see what he is working on!
#9 Take a walk or spend the day relaxing on Daufuskie’s approximately 3 mile long underpopulated beach. Only at the height of Daufuskie’s tourist season would you see up to 300 people on the entire 3 mile stretch of sand! More than likely, you will see so few people that you will feel as though you have arrived to your own private island. Again, we’d like to remind you to take full advantage of Tour Daufuskie’s “Daufuskie Day at the Beach” where they will have a tent, beach chairs, table, bocce, kayaks, paddle boards set up and waiting for you. No more attempts to lug and haul that cumbersome beach equipment, Tour Daufuskie has designed this day for you to relax.
#10
Visit historic First Union African Baptist Church on Daufuskie which was built in 1884, one of the most simple and beautiful churches you will ever see! FUABC is the only active church on Daufuskie and is one of the most beautiful historic churches you will ever see. Church services run every Sunday at 10am.
#11 Visit Mary Fields School which was immortalized by Pat Conroy in his first best selling book, The Water Is Wide which was also made in to a movie called Conrack, starring John Voight.
#12 Take a tour of the Daufuskie Island Rum company where founder Tony Chase and his hard working partners distill their very own rum which is available for purchase and taste tests! Each bottle of rum is distilled, bottled, and labeled right here on Daufuskie Island. Tony Chase prides his company in being a soley American-made business. Everything down to the screws holding the building together were made in the USA!
#13 Check out the new businesses at the old school house. “Daufuskie Blues” specializes in indigo dying and “School Grounds Coffee” is possibly the coolest, tiny coffee shop you will ever visit.
#14 Unfortunately Marshside Mama’s closed in late 2017 but dining at Lucy Bell’s Cafe is quite a treat and The Daufuskie Crab Company still has that river side atmosphere. From the classic island “dive” to fine dining, there are no wrong choices.
#15 Horseback ride on the beach! Yes, this is a once in a lifetime experience! Contact the Haig Point Equestrian Center for inquiries.
#16 Meet & chat with the people in the community who chose to live on this remote island with so few modern conveniences. Daufuskie islanders are known to be fiercely independent yet very friendly and welcoming.
#17 Visit Daufuskie Peach where you can stop by Jan Crosby’s store to select from her line of handcrafted soaps or other natural body works. Daufuskie is home to many independent & talented artisans and entrepreneurs.
#18 Ask around to see if the locals will direct you to their favorite “Devil Crab” makers. If your lucky enough to find one, you will see why these ancient yet delicious recipes are synonymous with Daufuskie Island. Make sure you are buying your Devil crabs from people who use locally caught blue crabs. Call Willis Simmons at 843-842-1263 for some of “Janie Simmon’s Original Devil Crab”. If your interested in buying a bushel of live crabs, contact Irvin Simmons blue crab through Facebook.
#19 Want the full tilt true island experience? Find a vacation rental on Daufuskie Island and experience what true island life is all about! Rentals vary from quaint historic bungalows to beach front mansions and condominiums. The Daufuskie Island rental pool has become known as a very “dog friendly” beach location which is always a plus. Try airbnb.com or vrbo.com for more options on renting that perfect get-away home on Daufuskie Island!
#20 Daufuskie is a favorite nesting stop for loggerhead sea turtles. If you’d like an informative up-close look at the beloved “loggerhead sea turtle”, book a tour with Tour Daufuskie. This option is only available during nesting and hatching season(May-September).
#21 Biking Daufuskie Island is a blast! Warning….during dryer times, peddling through the sand can be a bit strenuous so be prepared with water and bug spray in the event you need to walk through the “soft spots”.
#22 Bring your gear for fishing and crabbing. You might find that it’s challenging to “hear about” the good fishing holes but trust us when we say there are many!
#23 How about an eco-tour? Tour Daufuskie also offers Daufuskie Island birding & eco-tours. Learn all about Daufuskie’ large bird population and also about the flora and fauna that is so unique to this pristine island. Binoculars are included.
