Daufuskie Island Ferry: Authentic Lowcountry Experience
4.3
56 Ratings
Hilton Head Island
Experience the authentic charm of Daufuskie Island on a 30-minute ferry ride from Hilton Head. Explore the island on a self-guided golf cart tour and enjoy a delicious lunch at the Daufuskie Island Crab Company.
Duration: 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

This Ferry Service to Daufuskie Island departs from Harbour Town Yacht Basin inside of the Sea Pines Resort. It takes us roughly 30-minutes each way allowing 3-hours on Daufuskie Island. We dock at Free Port Marina home of the famous Daufuskie Island Crab Company for lunch.

Departing Harbour Town: 9AM
Arriving Daufuskie: 9:30AM

Explore Daufuskie Island by renting a golf cart! Golf cart rentals are available upon arrival to the island. Choose from 3-hour rentals for a 4-seater golf cart.

Departing Daufuskie: 12:30PM
Arriving Harbour Town: 1PM

Points of Interest

  • Vagabond Cruise
What's Included
  • Narration by the Captain
  • 3 hours on Daufuskie Island
  • Snack bar with adult beverages for purchase
  • On-board restrooms
  • Guests can bring bikes aboard at no additional cost
What's Not Included
  • Price is only for the round trip ferry
  • Golf cart rentals on Daufuskie are at additional cost
  • $9 cash Sea Pines Gate Pass
Additional Information

For a genuine lowcountry experience, your next visit to Hilton Head should include a stop at Daufuskie Island. Just a short 30 minute ferry trip from Harbour Town, stepping onto the island will feel like stepping into a bygone era.

Your journey to Daufuskie Island will be accompanied by stories of the island’s history from your knowledgeable captain. The visit includes a 3-hour stay on the island, with a popular activity being the self-driven golf cart tour.

Upon your arrival, 3-hour golf rentals will be accessible for purchase, with options for both 4-seater and 6-seater golf carts.

Before your departure, ensure you pay a visit to the Daufuskie Island Crab Company to enjoy a meal.

  • This tour is pet friendly.
Location
Vagabond Cruise
Lighthouse Road
We are located just to the right of the lighthouse in Harbour Town. You will check-in at the reservation office first prior to heading down to the boat on the pier. Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to departure time.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.3
(56 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Becca_w
Apr 1, 2024
Loved it in general! - Things to note: 3 hours to me was just shy of enough time to explore the island- kind of feels rushed. Also the tour should really just include the $90 cost for the golf cart rental- without it the visit would be a waste! The island is too big to be able to effectively explore on foot! Anywho- otherwise loved it! Also it is alarming when the booze cruise boaters roll in, so beware!
Review provided by Viator
Renee
Dec 30, 2023
After holiday visit - The boat ride was very nice. Very informative along the way. Same on the way back. Very friendly staff. The island experience was a little less than anticipated. The map of the island was a little off. Had to rent a golf cart or you won’t be able to see much of the island
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jwgmd13
Oct 15, 2023
We took our rental bikes - Very friendly and helpful Captain and crew. They took our rental bikes from Seapines over for free. The ride from the Freeport Dock/General Store area over to the Beach and back was about 10 miles round trip. Some of that was on Sand roads most was on asphalt. It was a pretty good workout. We were a little pressed for time trying to do a good tour of the sites on bikes in 3 hours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Neilrush1961
Aug 25, 2023
Staff was extremely pleasant. - The departing location is very convenient from Harbor Town. Just make sure you understand what ferry you book. There is more than one going to Daufuskie Island. We went to the wrong place. They were very cooperative and allowed us to reschedule the next day. Be prepared to pay a lot for a golf cart and reserve ahead. The price for the golf cart was triple that one would pay on South Bass Island, Put in Bay.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E9309rncarold
Sep 10, 2023
Trip to Daufuskie - Loved the boat ride over to Daufuskie Island. We took the shrimp boat “Tammy Jane.” The crew was great. We saw dolphins on the way over and back, which was a bonus. We weren’t impressed with Daufuskie. It is just a run down little island. Instead go sailing! We did that a few years ago with Vagabond and it was fantastic!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kgratz4093
Aug 11, 2023
Nice trip - The boat is run by a first mate and a captain. They were both great, and made for a wonderful experience. This was a first time for us, and we went by bike. It was a bit too much ground to cover by bike, there are very few places to stop for cold water, and getting to the beach from the ship was roughly 45 minutes each way. My only complaint is the time. The tour is a 4 hour tour, but that also includes the boat ride. Leaving yourself sometime to ensure a prompt arrival you are really left with less than 3 hours to explore the island.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A8669pwalbertc
May 3, 2024
Island tour. - Ok. Trip was o short with less than 3 hours to tour the island. Golf carts were VERY expensive for such a short time. Poor Signage on the island caused the majority of carts to become lost thus seeing only trees and dirt roads.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K8064owmaryh
Mar 27, 2024
Nothing to do on Dafauskie Island - The ferry service was really nice! I will say there is not much to do on dafauskie island. We had a three hour golf cart but only used it for 2 hours because there was literally nothing to do. About half of the residence are very run down. Think walking dead scenes and you’re there. We will not return.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrew_k
Mar 24, 2024
Disappointing to say the least - The only positive was the bar on the dock with music…the rest of the visit was not as promised. No winery…no lighthouse. Terrible map. Poor directional signs. I would not recommend for anyone
Review provided by Viator
Sharonk172
Mar 24, 2024
Disappointing - The ferry ride and bar at the dock were the highlights of this trip. Very disappointing…no winery…no lighthouse. Not as advertised.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today
More activities from this operator
From $48
Hilton Head Shrimp Trawling: Educational Boat Cruise
4.6
236 Ratings
Hilton Head Island
From $53
America's Cup Yacht Sail: Unique Hilton Head Experience
4.6
367 Ratings
Hilton Head Island