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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)

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1 star

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

Anne

Jul 3, 2023

Daufuskie Island - The crew was wonderful, especially Sky (sp?), the captain did not talk very much to the passengers. Daufuskie Island was beautiful! The ride over and back was easy, and we saw lots of dolphins. We took our bikes; however, we did not get to see the entire island. The "main" roads were paved (sort of), the other roads were had packed sand/dirt. There are a few places to eat and a couple of shops. The shop at the old lighthouse is a must see. I would definitely go back, but I would rent a golf cart.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Sharondr9064th

Jun 7, 2023

Charming little island with an interesting history. - I had no real expectations but was surprised by the primitive nature of the island - very camp-like residences. Of course, we could not access the gated community of Haig Point. Definitely recommend renting a golf cart. Loved touring the grounds at the lighthouse keepers home. Ferry ride over & back was enjoyable to be out on the water. Worth the price.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Linda_h

Jun 2, 2023

Enjoyed the trip to Daufuskie Island very much!! - Visiting the historic sites and seeing the hundreds or maybe thousands of white cranes in the trees on a pond on Meltose Plantation!

Review provided by Viator

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

Patrick_s

Jun 8, 2023

Boat crew friendly and... - Boat crew friendly and informative. Gulf kart excursion fun! Great drinks at the distillery! Would definitely do it again

Review provided by Viator

James_s

Jun 7, 2023

Undeveloped Island trip - Fun to explore, next year we’ll plan more time. The half day was great to get a sense of the Island, lunch at Freeport was great. Adults must try the “Scrap Iron” if you’re into twisted tea type beverage. Crew on the Vagabond was very accommodating and knowledgeable of the Island.

Review provided by Viator

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up to 15 guests

1 Adult