Chris and I are on a continual search for the perfect beach.  We have found the perfect mountain location outside of Brevard, NC but my heart has always been at the beach.  Chris is very good at appeasing me and recently took me to explore Daufuskie Island, South Carolina .

On the ferry to Daufuskie Island

Daufuskie Island is  located between Hilton Head Island and Savannah.  It ts the southernmost sea island in South Carolina. It is 5 miles long by almost 2.5 miles wide so even though it is small it has a lot packed into a very small island.

A view from the ferry

First and foremost there is no bridge so transportation to and from the island is by a ferry system. We traveled via the private ferry system through Haig Point.  This is a passenger ferry and very few cars even exist on the island.  Island residents and visitors get around the island via golf carts and seem quite happy and content with that way of life. The island boasts a full time population of just around 400 .  Along with several private communities, preserves and other interesting points of interest the island was also the setting of Pat Conroy’s novel The Water Is Wide  which recounts Conroy’s experiences teaching on Daufuskie in the 1960s.

Coming into the ferry landing to dock the boat.

The day we visited we were given the island tour by George Thompson who is director of membership and sales for Haig Point which is one of the developments on the island.  George gave us a great overview of the place and we enjoyed learning not only about Haig Point but about the entire island.  

I loved riding around under the moss covered trees, hearing the birds and seeing the lovely paths and beaches.  Each area that George showed us was even more beautiful and peaceful.  It seemed like there was something for everyone on the island. An equestrian center, golf, tennis, swimming and all kinds of other activities are part of the daily life on the island and everyone we encountered seemed to have a smile on their face.  That told me a great deal about the life that they enjoyed on the island.

Strachan Mansion

A historical mansion, the Strachan Mansion, is the center of activity for Haig Point. The Strachan Mansion  was built in 1910 on St. Simons Island as a summer retreat. In 1986, the new developers of the community moved the mansion to Haig Point with two barges over three days in some times treacherous waters. The historic building was restored and serves the community today with 4 luxury suites, gathering areas, a general store and a bar area.

Some of the things that I would have to consider would be if I really could live on an island with limited accessibility to the creature comforts that I am used to.  Having to depend up on a ferry does cause some limitations. While grocery shopping can be done online with items shipped via the ferry to the island it is not like just popping into town for some fresh veg or fruit.  Amazon is used extensively on the island and those that live there seem to be unhampered by any of what I might think are inconveniences.  They tout the quiet lifestyle and beauty of the island far outweighing any inconveniences.  The good thing is that they have amazing internet capabilities on the island which we all know I would have to have anyplace I chose to live.

Driftwood Beach

There was a lot to take in in a couple of hours and we had time to wander around on our own for awhile before the ferry left so we did just that.  Come back later this week for two more posts that highlight two other areas that I really liked on the island.

But before you leave let me know in the comments section if you have ever lived on an island or considered living on an island.  I would love to hear all about it.  Remember all comments during January mean a 50 cent donation to our Comments for a Cause—-ASPCA.