Galleries, Eateries & History
An Island Suspended in Time
Only about 400 people live on Daufuskie Island year-round, but we get plenty of visitors who are intrigued by the island’s history, beautiful long beach, wildlife, equestrian pursuits, boutiques, and water sports. We’ve partnered with the best provisioners to make the most of your time on the island. If you prefer to wander, self-guided tours are available. Or perhaps you’d just like a relaxing day at the beach. Whatever your pleasure, it all starts with a fun ride on the ferry. Daufuskie is most definitely an island of opportunity, and the journey is the reward.
Community Farm
Since 2010, Daufuskie Community Farm and Artisan Village has devoted its energy to passionately advocating sustainable living on Daufuskie Island. With the initial introduction of the community farm that attracted those desiring to have a hands-on way of producing food for their community, a growing desire has occurred to make a difference. The local community has contributed to the planning, construction, and growth of this thriving work by expanding the farm from animals into gardens, orchards, and the new Artisan Village! Please enjoy browsing this informative site and consider how you can be a part of the progress of this exciting work.
Eat and Drink
Daufuskie Island Distillery
The Daufuskie Island Distillery, located on 12 acres off Haig Point Road, opened in December 2014. It is famous for distilling a variety of the island’s most authentic, 100% American, handcrafted rum. Each bottle of Daufuskie Island Rum is distilled, bottled, labeled, and packed by hand on Daufuskie. In addition they distill vodka and a bourbon. The distillery is open to the public for tours and tastings.
Daufuskie Crab Co.
At the Freeport Marina a crushed oyster shell lane leads you past an outdoor bar and sitting area to the Old Daufuskie Crab Company Restaurant. At the end of the lane is the Freeport General Store. Here you will find everything from cold drinks and snacks to T-shirts and gifts. This is one of those unique little stores found only off the beaten path.
Bells on the Beach
With miles of pristine beach, Melrose Plantation on Daufuskie Island boasts some of the best views of the Atlantic on the East Coast. Within the plantation, you will find the Melrose Beach Club and Pool. It’s a great place for families staying in Melrose to kick back and watch the kids have fun at the beach or in the pool. The Beach Club features casual dining, and the view from the outdoor dining deck over the water to Hilton Head is unforgettable.
What better way to experience the romance of an island suspended in time than to enjoy on candlelight at the Bells on the Beach? Catch Friday’s 4:00 PM ferry from Buckingham to Daufuskie. Take a quick spin around the island and then take your appetite to the Melrose Beach Club for a candlelight dinner. When you walk through the door, you might think that you just walked into an Ernest Hemingway favorite in Key West — excellent food and a cozy bar with an assortment of drinks at moderate prices. Then catch the 10:15 PM ferry back to Hilton Head.
Galleries
Daufuskie Blues
A visit to the Daufuskie Blues studio includes a real-life, schoolbook lesson about the history of indigo and about preserving the historical techniques and skills that can bring out the magic of this amazingly beautiful blue color! Once dyed, indigo is so colorfast that it can last for centuries. The front room of the old two-room schoolhouse is where you will encounter hand-dyed textiles (scarves, napkins, hand towels, shirts) made with organic indigo and other natural colors only available on Daufuskie.
Daufuskie Peach
When Jan Crosby started experimenting with homemade soaps, she had no idea that she would eventually become the number one provider of bath and body products for Daufuskie Island. With an impressive variety of scents and products, Daufuskie Peach pleases the taste and style of anyone who comes through her door. Daufuskie Peach also offers lotion bars, pump lotion, body butter, and scrubs. Even though Jan creates a number of additional bath and body products, soap still her favorite. Daufuskie Peach products make a great gift!
Wine & Woodworks
Daufuskie Wine & Woodworks is located on the north end of the island next to Freeport Marina. It is owned and operated by Mike and Joanne Loftus who spent 30 years in the northeast and now live on Daufuskie. The couple operates their business out of their beautifully designed post and beam barn, which can also be rented for private events and gatherings. The woodworking shop builds wooden kayaks, surfboards, canoes, and paddleboards. The quaint wine shop operates out of an attached building where many wines and craft beers are curated, and where you can also enjoy organic, sustainable, and low production wines from vineyards throughout the area.
Iron Fish Gallery
Situated along a dirt road deep in Daufuskie’s maritime forest, Chase Allen’s shop, the Iron Fish Gallery & Studio, is a treasured local landmark. Visitors will find a yard filled with handcrafted metal coastal sculptures and a historic Gullah-constructed house covered in vintage finished iron fish, crab, lobster, and mermaid sculptures. More often than not, they’ll also find the self-taught “coastal artist” himself, hammering, cutting, forging and welding under the shade of a moss-draped oak.
Island History
Historic by nature
What's in a name?
There is an old wives’ tale suggesting Daufuskie Island was named by the Gullah people as being “da fus cay” out of Savannah. More likely, Daufuskie was named by its earliest inhabitants – the Cusabo Indians. Their native tongue can be translated to “pointed feather” or “land with a point.” Archaeologists have traced the inhabited history of the island back 9,000 years and have discovered pottery remnants dating to 7,000 BC. Here, you’re surrounded by the past.
Time Travel
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Daufuskie Island Historical Foundation & Rob Kennedy Historical Trail
Founded in 2001, the Daufuskie Island Historical Foundation is passionate about preserving the island’s historical buildings and sites, including establishing a history museum. Learn about this unique Lowcountry island, all the way back to before the Spanish arrived. This museum is a good place to get oriented, and from there you can pick up the map for a self-guided tour of island via the Rob Kennedy Historical Trail, which features many historical sites and the stories behind them. Learn about Gullah culture by visiting tabby ruins, schoolhouse, cemeteries, and more.
Silver Dew Pottery
Silver Dew Pottery, owned by husband and wife Lancy and Emily Burn, has been in business on Daufuskie over 15 years. The Burn family’s roots run deep on the island, and Lancy’s grandfather, Papy, was the Bloody Point lighthouse keeper. Papy spent his time wandering the shores, forests, and dirt roads of Daufuskie, collecting ancient pottery shards and other Native American island artifacts. These were the inspiration for Lancy’s pottery. To this day, Lancy shares his father’s impressive collection of shards and artifacts, along with fascinating stories about Daufuskie Island’s history, with visitors at Silver Dew Pottery. Beautifully simple and wholly functional, each piece of pottery is signed and many pieces have become treasured collectors’ items.
