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.
32 Comments
Leave a commentI’ve never heard of this island. Can’t wait to read more about it. Any restaurants?
It was a neat visit. There are a few restaurants in the different “communities” but we did not eat at any of them. They have a small general store in the main building where you can get odds and ends grocery wise and essentials and it is really easy to order from grocery stores on the mainland but you would really have to prepare a good list and be on top of what you needed.
I’ve never lived on an Island but have friends who live on the Isle of Wight. They love it most of the time, but don’t enjoy it when the ferries are cancelled because of bad weather.
I enjoyed all your photographs but my favourite is the one of Driftwood Beach, which is just beautiful.
I think island living is one of those things that you really have to love to be able to do it. I think if we were retired and had a place that we lived part time an island would work but not sure I would love to live on one year round. I really don’t know, though! The Driftwood Beach was one of my fav beaches there as well. We were told it changes every day because of the tide bringing and taking away the driftwood. Beautiful.
Daufuskie Island is a place I have heard about from my friend. She used to spend vacations there. Thanks to you this morning, I now have a beautiful visual in my memory to refer to when she tells me stories.
Well that makes me happy, Bernadette! It is a lovely place and the day we were there it threatened rain and was overcast but it still was beautiful. Come back Thursday and Friday for a couple more posts.
It’s beautiful, but no, I couldn’t live somewhere to isolated! (Even if it does have excellent internet service!) We’ve thought about having a beach house in Carova (where the wild horses are), but if the tide is extremely high, you’re unable to leave. And that just wouldn’t work for me!
Look forward to your future posts about this Daufuskie Island. I’d never heard that name before!
It is beautiful! I know what you mean about the ferry or high tide that traps you. I just don’t know that I could live that way forever. Maybe for a vacation but the jury is still out on the long term thing. Chris was enamored with it. 🙂
A couple of years ago we drove up the Canadian side of the St Lawrence Seaway, through the 1000 island area. Some of the islands had houses. Some of the islands were just small rocks. They all looked intriguing and I think that would be a wonderful way to live. Maybe even better if the island happened to be in a part of the country that was warm all year long. I think it would be the most fun if my house was the only one on my island though…so a little house on a medium size rock would work just fine.
Oh that sounds really cool. An island all to myself might be pretty neat but I am not sure I could live there 24/7 365 days a year.
What a beautiful setting. The closest I’ve come to an island is Gilligan’s Island. Could I love on one? Probably not.
I don’t think Gilligan’s Island quite counts for this but it made me smile. I am really not sure if I could do it or not. There is a lot close by but it would definitely be a lifestyle change. I am pretty sure I could do it for awhile but maybe not forever.
Looks like an enchanting little island!
It is –and everyone was over the top nice. A lot of southern hospitality.
My daughter lives on a small island on the west coast of Canada. She loves it. She has been there for almost 20 years. There are no services, no restaurants, gas stations etc.and no ferry service. They rely on their own boat to get to the next bigger island, where they pick up groceries and things they need. It´s a lifestyle that suits her as a potter. I loved visiting her as it was so relaxing but I don´t think I could live there. I could probably live on the bigger island near her though. This island you visited looks very charming.
That is VERY cool! I could totally see your daughter living there and just soaking in the solitude and loveliness. I am sure she gets inspiration for her pottery there and I would think that would just make it even better. I could enjoy that for a while but not full time. But good for her—-she has found her happy place!
Yes, it is perfect for her but I agree, I couldn’t live there full-time. She bought the property when she was 21, I guess she knew where she needed to be.
Beth. We’ve had a home at Haig Point for 18-yr.. We also have a home just west of you in Glenville/Cashiers and love the NC mountains as you do. The two are wonderfully complementary. There are several HP families in the Cashiers/Highlands area. If you enjoy safety, serenity, sport and security Daufuskie can’t be beat. We’ve not locked our doors since we disembarked here n 1998. Yes, living on an island requires some planning but with 16 round trips to Hilton Head on our main boat and an equal number on the 8-min. water taxi ride to Harbour Town you’re insulated NOT isolated (think of this as your castle with a mile wide moat).. Additionally, the boats are on call 24/7/365 for late night arrivals and emergencies. Groceries, pharmacies and most other amenities are <1-mile from the Hilton Head Embarkation. In the mountains my ride to Ingles through winding roads takes almost as long as the ferry to Hilton Head, but while on the boat I'm reading emails, the newspaper, catching up with friends and having a cup of coffee. Totally stress free ! Also, after shopping our groceries, FedEx, UPS etc. are hand delivered by staff right to my kitchen on Daufuskie. Something our other homes never offered. The 100 MBPS internet connection at Haig Point blows away anything we have here in the mountains ! Daufuskie is a Sea Island NOT a barrier island (that's Hilton Head). This means there is minimal concern about not being able to make the trip back and forth. Our 55-ft. ferries are stable, safe and comfortable as you've no doubt discovered. To answer one of the previous questions, there are a ½ dozen restaurants on Daufuskie (great fresh seafood) and a few of them have music on a regular basis ! Come back again for a longer visit and see if life at the speed of a bicycle or golf cart doesn't convince you that island living is truly stress free and beautiful. P.S. you didn't mention that you can walk or ride your horse on the beach for about 5-miles and maybe see just a few people even during peak season. Do that at sunset and you'll remember why you and your significant other became a couple !
Ed–thank you SO much for stopping by and taking the time to leave such a lovely comment. We were very impressed when we visited and are trying to figure out when we can do a Discovery Weekend. I have two more posts scheduled for later this week so I hope you come back and see what else I loved about Daufuskie and Haig Point! Thanks again so much!
I’d be afraid to live on an island smaller than Ireland 🙂 but the whole chain of islands that form the Outer Banks of our Atlantic coast are delightful places to visit. I’ve not been on Daufuskie (yet), nor Hilton Head.
Oh yes–the Outer Banks Islands are lovely, aren’t they? I need to plan another trip there soon.
I attended a wedding on Daufuskie. What a fun experience it was! Your pictures are beautiful and took me back to this very happy memory!
Oh I bet a wedding there would be AMAZING! It is such a beautiful and peaceful place. Thanks for stopping by!
[…] Looking out from the historic area one can see the water, the beach and the lovely view that goes for miles. I loved our morning here. Come back tomorrow to see another great feature on the island that I fell in love with. If you want to read my previous post on Daufuskie Island please click here. […]
I’m living on an island now but there is a causeway and 13,000 people living on the island. Not isolated but we are biking everywhere and enjoying the warm weather.
I bet you are loving the warm weather there! And it sounds ideal–biking and hiking and island living! Enjoy!
[…] Previous posts on Daufuskie Island are here and dayhere […]
I’ve not been to this Island, but I’ve had family who had vacationed there a lot through the years. Looks lovely.
It is lovely. The beaches are all a bit different from each other and the Driftwood Beach was my favorite. A great island to go to to just get away!
I have never lived on an island, but have thought about moving close to the ocean in what is called the Blue Zone. They say it has big health benefits, and I can believe it. I’d worry about hurricanes, sea level rise, and all that fun stuff though. Read a book called The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews that portrays this sort of life. It was interesting.
I live in Beaufort but have never been out there! I need to take a trip sometime.
You definitely do need to stop by. It is a pretty special place. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment! I really appreciate it.