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Catching the ferry
Directions to the Daufuskie Island Ferry
The Daufuskie Island Ferry’s Embarkation Center operates exclusively from Buckingham Landing all year long. It is located at 35 Fording Island Road Extension (just off Hwy 278 at the foot of the Hilton Head Bridge on the Bluffton side).
The Ferry’s Daufuskie Island Visitor Center is open everyday all year long except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years days. It is located at 1536 Fording Island Road (Hwy 278), Building A, Suite 102, across from the entrance to Moss Creek. The Visitor Center includes a comfortable reception area, free day-time parking and a shuttle bus to and from Buckingham Landing for all ferry arrivals and departures.
Note: Single Day visitors to Daufuskie Island are required to park at the Visitor Center where park and 5-minute shuttle ride is complimentary. Passengers staying overnight on Daufuskie should go directly to the ferry landing, however, GPS directions to Buckingham Landing can be confusing when using the landing’s actual address. For better GPS instructions please include the Exd notation in the street address (35 Fording Island Road Exd.) or use the information below.
Travel Times:
Shuttle bus ~ 5 min | Ferry ~ 45 min | Custom Water Taxi ~ varies
From Hwy 95
From Hilton Head
From Charleston/Beaufort
From Bluffton
From Shipyard in Hilton Head
From the Marriott Resort in Hilton Head
From Hwy 95
From Highway 95, take Exit 8 and follow the Highway 278 Connector to Highway 278. Follow signs to Hilton Head Island. Continue approximately 17 miles. You will pass the Tangiers Outlets on the right. After you pass thru the Moss Creek traffic light, the ferry’s Daufuskie Visitor Center will be on your right at 1536 Fording Island Road (Hwy 278), Suite 102. To go directly to the Embarkation Center at Buckingham Landing, stay in the right lane and continue 1/10 of a mile to the Fording Island Road Extension. It is a slight right just before the Fruit Stand and Service Station. The road ends at the Landing.
From Hilton Head
From mid-island, take local US 278 West for approximately 12 minutes to Fording Island Rd Exd. It is your first left after you cross the Hilton Head Bridge.
From Sea Pines, take the Cross Island Express Way (toll bridge). When it merges with Hwy 278 west, continue on Hwy 278 West for approximately 6 more minutes to Fording Island Rd Exd. Fording island Rd Exd. is the first left after you cross the Hilton Head Bridge and pass under the Bluffton Parkway overpass. Watch for the Fruit Stand and service station on the left. Take sharp left onto Fording Island Rd. Extended and follow it to the building with the green round roof at the end of the road. Click on map below for greater detail.
To go to the Daufuskie Visitor Center where there is a shuttle to the ferry landing, continue another 1/10 of a mile and turn left into the Bridge Center shops at 1536 Fording Island Road (Hwy 278), Suite 102.
From Charleston/Beaufort
Take Highway 17 South out of Charleston to Route 21 (to Beaufort). Take Route 21 to Highway 170. Follow Highway 170 to Highway 170/278. Take the Hilton Head Island exit (William Hilton Parkway/Highway 278). Follow signs to Hilton Head Island. Continue approximately 10 miles. You will pass the Tangiers Outlets on the right.
After you pass thru the Moss Creek traffic light, the Daufuskie Visitor Center, where you can catch the shuttle to the landing, will be on your right at 1536 Fording Island Road (Hwy 278), Suite 102.
To go directly to the Embarkation Center at Buckingham Landing, stay in the right lane and continue 1/10 of a mile to the Fording Island Road Extension. It is a slight right just before the Fruit Stand and Service Station. The road ends at the Landing.
From Bluffton
Take Burnt Church Road to 278. Go East toward Hilton Head. After you pass thru the Moss Creek traffic light, the Daufuskie Visitor Center, where daytime parking is free and you can catch a shuttle to the landing, will be on your right at 1536 Fording Island Road (Hwy 278), Suite 102. To go directly to the Embarkation Center at Buckingham Landing, where parking is $10 per day or per night, stay in the right lane and continue 1/10 of a mile to the Fording Island Road Extension. It is a slight right just before the Fruit Stand and Service Station. The road ends at the Landing.
From Shipyard in Hilton Head
To go directly to the Embarkation Center at Buckingham Landing, follow William Hilton Pkway Hwy 278 south to Palmetto Bay Rd. Take Cross Island Pkway and US 278 W to Fording Island Rd Exd (approximately 12 min). Watch for Wesley’s Fruit Stand. Take sharp left onto Fording Island Rd. Exd.
To go to the Daufuskie Island Visitor Center, where daytime parking is free and you can catch a shuttle to the landing, continue 1/10 mile further on 278. It will be on your left at 1536 Fording Island Road (Hwy 278), Suite 102.
From the Marriott Resort in Hilton Head
Turn right onto William Hilton Pkwy 278. Continue on 278 W for approximately 6 mi. Watch for Wesley’s Fruit Stand. Take sharp left onto Fording Island Rd Exd. Buckingham Landing is at the end of the road. To go to the Daufuskie Island Visitor Center,where daytime parking is free and you can catch a shuttle to the landing, continue 1/10 mile further on 278. It will be on your left at 1536 Fording Island Road (Hwy 278), Suite 102.
Parking Information for Overnight Visitors
Buckingham Landing located at 35 FORDING ISLAND RD EXD. HILTON HEAD, SC 29926
At the end of Fording Island Road Extension, you will see a round building and a parking area. You can drop your luggage under the round building and park in any available space. There is a waiting area with tables and chairs under the building where you will see the ramp to the dock where the ferry will pick you up. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Parking passes are available: daily or weekly.
Round roofed buildings provide covered access in case of rainy weather.
Day parking is free. Overnight parking is $12 per night.
Park and Shuttle Ride Schedule for Single Day Visitors
Visitor Center located at 1536 Fording Island Road (Hwy 278), Building A, Suite 102
There are two shuttles from the Visitor Center to Buckingham Landing per ferry departure except on weekends when there is no shuttle service for the 7 AM morning departure. Shuttles to the landing leave the Visitor Center 30 minutes and 10 minutes before each ferry’s departure time.
| Shuttle From the Visitor Center | Ferry Departure to Daufuskie | |
|---|---|---|
|
6:30 AM * |
6:50 AM * |
7:00 AM |
|
9:30 AM |
9:50 AM |
10:00 AM |
|
12:30 PM |
12:50 PM |
1:00 PM |
|
3:30 PM |
3:50 PM |
4:00 PM |
* No shuttle service for the 7 AM morning departure Saturday and Sunday. Passengers departing on the 7AM on Saturday or Sunday are authorized to park for free at Buckingham Landing.
FROM Buckingham Landing TO VISITOR CENTER
There are two shuttles back to the Visitor Center per ferry arrival.
| Ferry Arrival from Daufuskie | Shuttle Back to the Visitor Center | |
|---|---|---|
|
9:15 AM |
9:20 AM |
9:40 AM |
|
12:15 PM |
12:20 PM |
12:40 PM |
|
3:15 PM |
3:20 PM |
3:40 PM |
|
6:15 PM |
6:20 PM |
6:40 PM |
Parking Pricing*
NOTE
All cars parked overnight in any ferry parking area must have a valid parking permit displayed on their mirror or dashboard. Parking permits can be obtained from the concierge at the Visitor Center or from a ferry team member at the Landing.
Daytime
Daytime parking at the Visitor Center along with the shuttle bus is FREE. All daytime visitors should go directly to the visitor center unless otherwise stated.
Overnight
Overnight parking in any ferry parking area is $12 per night per car (not to exceed $120 per month).
There is no charge for parking overnight at the Beaufort County Government Center, 4819 Bluffton Parkway, Bluffton, 29910. However, all cars parked there must have a ferry dashboard parking permit which can be obtained from the concierge at the Visitor Center or from a ferry team member at the Landing.
