When is Daufuskie Island Ferry open?

Daufuskie Island Ferry is open: Sun - Sat 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM

What hotels are near Daufuskie Island Ferry?

Hotels near Daufuskie Island Ferry: (0.44 mi) Hilton Garden Inn Hilton Head (3.64 mi) Old Town Bluffton Inn (5.25 mi) Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort (5.30 mi) Montage Palmetto Bluff (2.99 mi) Bluewater Resort and Marina View all hotels near Daufuskie Island Ferry on Tripadvisor

What restaurants are near Daufuskie Island Ferry?

Restaurants near Daufuskie Island Ferry: (0.69 mi) Olive & Fig Mediterranean Kitchen (0.63 mi) HogsHead Kitchen and Wine Bar (0.60 mi) Thai Smile Cuisine (1.70 mi) Sunset Grille (0.56 mi) Odd Birds Cafe And Market View all restaurants near Daufuskie Island Ferry on Tripadvisor

Daufuskie Island Ferry - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

204 reviews

#21 of 79 things to do in Hilton Head

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The area

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Restaurants

38 within 3 miles

HogsHead Kitchen and Wine Bar

281

0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly

Olive & Fig Mediterranean Kitchen

200

0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Lebanese • Mediterranean • Middle Eastern

Thai Smile Cuisine

63

0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly

Odd Birds Cafe And Market

13

0.6 mi$ • Quick Bites • American

Jvz Bonez Americana Bar & Grill

1

0.6 miAmerican • Bar • Pub

Kelly's Tavern Incorporated

141

0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Irish • Bar

Moss Creek Clubhouse

15

0.7 mi$$ - $$$

Mama G's Pizza Bistro And Bar

21

0.7 miItalian • Bar • Pizza • Pub

Mulberry Street

237

1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • International • Vegetarian Friendly

Attractions

75 within 6 miles

Daufuskie Island Ferry Service

21

165 ftFerries

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge

970

1.1 miNature & Wildlife Areas

Tanger Outlets Hilton Head

440

1.3 miFactory Outlets

Hilton Head Distillery

1,027

Distilleries

The Church of the Cross

431

Churches & Cathedrals

Coastal Discovery Museum

1,250

Speciality Museums

Hilton Head Island Bike Trails

3,191

Hiking Trails

St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church

199

Churches & Cathedrals

See what other travelers are saying

Dmpishock
Cumming, Georgia347 contributions
Fast and furious
Great time but not enough time. We chose the early 4 hour tour which was great in that the brutal heat wasn’t so bad yet but not good b/c many of the places were not open yet. Choose your time wisely! We will just have to come back again!. Boat ride is perfect and got to see dolphins while going. Each ferry ride is about 30 minutes each way so your tour on the island is quick! Make sure you rent a golf cart as there is no way to walk the island fast enough as things are extremely spread out. Coffee shop in the island was nice and good to see the old signs and school houses. Distillery was closed sadly as was a few more spots we tried to hit. THe restaurant is flipping awesome near the boat and the seafood is excellent. A great little tour and must see of HH.
Visited July 2022
Traveled with family
Written July 15, 2022
Susan S
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania253 contributions
Very good experience
We used the Daufuskie Island Ferry to get from Bluffton to the island for a day of biking. We were able to take our bikes on the ferry with no extra charge, and the staff was helpful and professional. The staff go above and beyond to help you get sorted out on the island with golf cart or bike rentals if needed. The Daufuskie Island Ferry website has a lot of information on it, too, about the island.
Visited February 2020
Written February 11, 2020
T L
San Diego, California333 contributions
Excellent (with a caveat)
We made our reservations online and We were given an address for the Daufuskie Island visitor center in bluffton at 1536 highway 278. We found the free parking and shuttle pick up area behind the A building. There was no one in the office or via telephone to assure us we were in the right place. However, found out later the ferry runs everyday and the shuttle picks up every half hour and 10 mins before every hour before scheduled departures. Once we were shuttled to the dock everything was fine. It’s a short 45 min ride to the island and worth the trip.
Visited January 2022
Traveled as a couple
Written January 14, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5

204 reviews

Excellent

161

Very good

16

Average

5

Poor

9

Terrible

13

BeachComber063

Monroe, GA25 contributions

Very disappointing! Better ways to spend your day!

Mar 2021

Let me start by saying...Don’t Do this trip! I want you to see this first in case you don’t want to read this whole review! My husband and I wanted to do something new, so we thought this would be a fun activity for our 36th Anniversary. We booked online and that was the easiest part of our adventure. We arrived at the parking area and caught the shuttle over to the marina. When it was time to board the ferry we were just told to go ahead and board. Once on board we had to ask if we could sit on the deck instead of sitting in the small cabin. Were told we could and that WE could start passing out chairs for everyone who wanted to stay on deck. We were literally elbow to elbow on this very small deck. Once we arrived on the island, we all just left the boat and off the dock with ZERO instructions from anyone on the ferry. There was a person at the end of the dock leading everyone to their rented golf cart. After that you were on you own again with a useless map to find you way around this small island with one paved road and a lot of rough rutted dirt roads. Some nice houses but mostly run down homes. Almost all the destinations that were on the map was either not open or just not there at all. We did see several restaurants open but they were crowded and we didn’t want to wait! We finally figured out how to get to the beach and as we traveled down the dirt road, our golf cart broke down. After about 30 mins we were brought a new cart and on our way again. The beach was beautiful but not better than any other beach I’ve been to. We finally drove back to the marina and waited for the return trip on the ferry. oh! Bring bug spray! The biting gnats are terrible! This trip was better because it was a bigger boat. It was faster and more comfortable. We sat on the deck again as did a lot of others. One family had their poor dog with them and the captain told us that because dogs were not allowed inside, they took priority Seating on deck. He then ask if someone would give up their seat so that the dog and his owner could sit outside! The dog did not need a seat and the owner could sit on the floor but because this person wanted to torture their dog by bringing him on this “adventure” someone else who paid the same price had to give up their seat outside! Ridiculous! If the dog gets priority seating over people then the dogs owner should have to pay extra for it!
We didn’t let all of these issues ruin our day. We made the best of it and actually enjoyed our time together but this was not the best way to spend our day!
I will never do this again and I would never recommend this to anyone! I think it is poorly organized, falsely advertised, and quite honestly, dangerous!

Written March 28, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

StLTraveler

1 contribution

No opportunity for social distancing

Aug 2020 • Couples

I rode the 1:00 and 5:20 ferry on August 6, 2020. Although masks are required, there is zero social distancing in the shuttle or on the ferry. During the approximately one hour ride on the ferry, we were packed in very close proximity to perfect strangers in a closed cabin. The shuttle was so crowded on the return from the dock that the driver had to ask a passenger who was standing in the doorway whether it was safe to turn left on 278. Someone needs to inform these people that it’s 2020 and there is a pandemic. They might well comply with the letter of local law, but certainly not the spirit. I will not ride this ferry again, because they don’t place a high priority on the safety of passengers.

Written August 9, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bob S

1 contribution

A boat ride to an island where none of the advertised sights were open.

Jan 2023

The day trip to Daufuskie Island was a complete waste of our time and money. The ferry over to the island was the highlight of the day - the captain appeared very knowledgeable about the area and we enjoyed seeing dolphins along the way. Once at the island, we rented the required golf cart to explore the island and to visit the shops that were advertised to have local arts for sale and locations that told of the history of the island. Unfortunately we found none (zero) of them open - very dissappointing. We headed back to the dock for lunch around 11:30. Afterwards went to the general store and bought playing cards, and the four of us spent the rest of the afternoon playing cards till the pontoon arrived to take us back to Hilton Head Island. We were joined on the boat by construction workers who use the ferry for their daily commutes to and from work. With the boat ticket, golf cart, overpriced lunch on the island, and a deck of cards the four of us spent nearly $500 for what?? We could of taken a boat ride to see dolphins for a heck of a lot less and been very happy.

Written January 27, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bradybunch123

Bowling Green, KY43 contributions

Beware of chaos and extra charges!

Jul 2022 • Family

Upon arrival we were met at the dock with the most chaotic mess I’ve encountered in awhile! The lady doing the check-in was so grouchy she obviously did not need to be working with the public. Also beware, she wanted to charge us for bags that the website clearly says is included with your ticket purchase. She said our only option was to carry them on so we did. Then there was the groceries debacle. It was like the first time they encountered someone taking groceries to stay on an island with no grocery store. She wanted to charge double for what is also clearly stated on their website, merely saying website was wrong. Folks ahead of us were so frustrated they left allot of bags and groceries on their truck. Then we parked exactly where we were told to park only to be told at the island we were in the wrong parking spot. We had to give them our keys to move our vehicle and retrieve them from the dock the next day. We weren’t comfortable with that but it was our only reasonable option. All in all, not what was advertised. It appears the staff takes advantage of a confusing and chaotic situation. On a positive note, the ride back was uneventful.

Written August 5, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Allison A

Stuart, FL162 contributions

Dangerous

Feb 2021

Very dangerous and not complaint by coast guard rules and regulations. They over sell the boat and shove you in like sardines. The downstairs is where most people are forced to sit. Gave me an eerie feeling....tiny windows that don’t open. If anything happened I can’t imagine anyone down there would make it out. When we took it over their was 17 people on top in a very small space by where the luggage for overnight guests is kept. It became standing room only. Not allowed according to the coast guard. Very dangerous. They don’t give any safety message about where or if you can find floatation devices onboard. Should be shut down. Daufuskie Island needs a safe reliable service and this isn’t it.

Written February 27, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dan M

1 contribution

Don't do it.

Sep 2020

There is not much to see or do on the island. I wouldn't waste the time and money. $35 per person for ferry, $75 for golf cart for three people, $20 parking, or free parking if you add another 20 minutes on to 50 minute ferry ride (that's 50 minutes one way.). Nowhere to go or move around on ferry, no audio history. The entire activity is more than five hours. Website makes you think there are cute boutiques, shops, and things to do. There are not.

Written September 19, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sparxx

1 contribution

Lacking COVID protocol follow through

May 2021 • Family

Not COVID compliant. What a joke. They told everyone to wear a mask yet over half the people in the tiny enclosed with windows and air condition space took their mask off, including the staff. It is not an open air ferry situation. It is a very small space to be in with strangers from all over. Disappointed in their lackadaisical procedures.

Written May 6, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

danny_kent1

Charlottesville, VA140 contributions

MIsleading information

Apr 2022

The ferry trips themselves were fine but the disorganization at the Bluffton end is unacceptable. On their web site it clearly stated as of early April 2022 that overnight visitors to Daufuskie Island should park at the Buckingham Landing parking lot whereas day trip passengers need to park at the Visitor Center and take the shuttle. We were staying two nights on the island but when we arrived at the Buckingham Landing lot a guy eventually appeared and told us we needed to drive to the Visitor Center and get the shuttle back to Buckingham Landing. So I drove over there and parked. No sign of where to get the shuttle. I found a couple of people loading bags into their car and they said the shuttle leaves from the other side of the shopping mall and that they had had exactly the same problem when they left. When we eventually boarded the ferry, our names were not on the manifest. Fortunately, I had the printout of our paid reservation with me and they conceded that indeed we could stay on the ferry. When we came back two days later, I asked an employee and he said that island residents had complained about not being able to park at Buckingham Landing so sometimes the company uses the web site instructions and other times reverse them. So check before you arrive! Otherwise, the ferry ride was smooth and pleasant.
Two things about Daufuskie Island: 1) when you arrive, the golf cart renters will tell you the island isn't walkable so you need a cart. It's true that walking to the other end of the island and back is a ten mile round trip, but the island is completely flat and even day visitors can get a sense of the uniqueness of the island by walking a few miles. 2) The complaints on this site that there's nothing to do on the island are downright odd. The island is interesting because it is largely undeveloped and mostly looks the way it did fifty years ago, with many dirt roads. If you want tourist traps and golf courses, go to Hilton Head Island, not Daufuskie.

Written April 9, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

J Taylor R

Southport, NC12 contributions

"Island Carts" are to be avoided but ferry is great and reliable.

Mar 2020

Cart was trouble starting, but after many attempts finally did start at each stop. Battery was fully charge at start, but barely lasted for 3 hour self guided tour that included 45-minutes for lunch. Use another cart coompany.

Written March 20, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ImaPickyTraveller

Memphis153 contributions

Cheapest trip to Daufuskie, but no frills

Jul 2022

The boat was more crowded than i would have like, but it beat paying for a private trip. We wanted to see Daufuskie Island, but it was even more "off the beaten" path than we expected. You basically bang around a golf cart along pot-hole infested dirt roads to look at wooded areas and small houses and a few historic buildings. We went on a Monday and apparently the few scattered stores they have on the island are closed. And only one full-service bar/restaurant was open, the one next to the dock.

Written July 31, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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