Take a Day Trip to Daufuskie Island
While staying on Tybee you won’t want to miss the opportunity to make a day trip to beautiful Daufuskie Island. Daufuskie Island offers a glimpse of what other sea islands were like before bridges and causeways opened them to development. Most native residents of Daufuskie Island are the Gullah inhabitants, which are the descendants of freed slaves, who have made their living oystering and fishing for decades.
Since Daufuskie is an island without a bridge, you can only get here by passenger ferry or boat (no cars on the ferries). If you want to leave from Tybee or as close as possible.
Bull River Marina located off island at the Bull River Bridge, offers a scenic charter out to the Daufuskie as well, you can call them at 912-897-7300 to book your tour.
A great way to explore the island upon arrival is by golf cart. Once you reach one of Daufuskie’s three docks (Freeport Marina, Bloody Point Marina, or the County Dock), golf carts are available for rent. If you rent through Freeport Marina, the carts come equipped with a cd player as well as a cd provided by the Daufuskie Lowcountry Museum. The narrative cd includes many wonderful stories about the Island’s history and culture. Most of the Island is still natural and timeless, a very small community of island residents.
It is a wonderful example of the unique Sea Island culture. The Island’s sandy lanes and quirky tin-roofed oyster homes are shaded by dense live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. It is truly an experience you will not soon forget!
While visiting Daufuskie, stop by Iron Fish Art and meet coastal artist & sculptor Chase Allen. Chase not only designs, but creates unique metal fish, crab, sting ray, and mermaid sculptures that capture the beauty of true island life. His front porch is his gallery. His backyard is his studio. And his hand-forged, hand-signed vintage finished fish, crab, sting ray, and mermaid sculptures are true collector’s items. You can find Chase’s coastal gallery, The Iron Fish Gallery & Studio, formerly known as The Rusted Lava Art Shop, along a secluded historic dirt road in a maritime forest. At this charming Daufuskie Island landmark, you can watch the self-taught artist at work and choose your own object d’art to take home.
A trip to Daufuskie Island wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Marsh Side Mama’s Café. Don’t be put off by the dive like appearance of the building, the food and drinks are nothing short of amazing. The views are incredible, the staff is friendly and it really makes a great close to a day of touring this beautiful island.
While taking a visit to Daufuskie be sure to get off the beaten path. Talk to the local folks! Most islanders are glad to chat with visitors and share stories about Daufuskie’s people, history, and culture. And join a Daufuskie tradition by waving at the people you pass in golf carts or other vehicles. But whatever you do, please don’t drive your golf cart on the beach; you may inadvertently destroy all the eggs in an entire loggerhead turtle nest.
