Daufuskie Island Area Information
Daufuskie Island is located one mile across the Calibogue Sound and southwest from Hilton Head Island. The name is taken from the Gullah which means “The first key” or barrier island north of Savannah Georgia. The beautiful and sleepy coastal barrier island is comprised of only eight square miles (5miles x 3.7 miles), 5,000 acres and is home to approximately 750 year-round residents.

The Island is surrounded by the Calibogue Sound, the Atlantic Ocean, the Cooper and New Rivers and Mungin Creek. Access is by water only. Ferries and water taxis run from Hilton Head and Savannah and take 20-45 minutes. Most Islanders leave their cars in secured embarkation centers on Hilton Head Island. On Daufuskie, travel is mostly by electric cars and golf carts. Islanders love the quiet and undeveloped character of the Island. A bridge to Daufuskie Island is not planned and will probably never be built.

The Island’s two main residential areas are Haig Point and Melrose Plantation which includes the Bloody Point area. The Daufuskie Island Club and Resort is located at Melrose and Bloody Point. Other less developed areas of Daufuskie include Oak Ridge which borders the Ocean and has ocean front lots for sale and some projects planned, the Historic area which is home to many native Islanders and the Webb Tract for which there are future plans for the largest marina in South Carolina with a marina community.

The history of Daufuskie Island includes the construction of the famous Haig Point Lighthouse that was built in 1873 and still stands today. It is the symbol for the Haig Point community. A more recent history of Daufuskie includes a year in the life of author Pat Conroy when he taught school in the Island’s two room schoolhouse, which still stands. The autographical experience was the subject of Conroy’s book “The Water is Wide” published in 1972 and about which a film adaptation “Conrack” was made in 1974.