Daufuskie Island Ferry: Authentic Lowcountry Experience

Experience the authentic charm of Daufuskie Island on a 30-minute ferry ride from Hilton Head. Explore the island on a self-guided golf cart tour and enjoy a delicious lunch at the Daufuskie Island Crab Company.

Duration: 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights

The ferry service to Daufuskie Island leaves from Harbour Town Yacht Basin, located within the Sea Pines Resort. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes each way, providing 3 hours to explore Daufuskie Island. The ferry docks at Free Port Marina, where visitors can enjoy lunch at the renowned Daufuskie Island Crab Company.
**Departure from Harbour…

What's Included
  • Narration by the Captain
  • 3 hours on Daufuskie Island
  • Snack bar with adult beverages for purchase
  • On-board restrooms
  • Guests can bring bikes aboard at no additional cost if staying inside the Sea Pines Resort
What's Not Included
  • Price is only for the round trip ferry
  • Golf cart rentals on Daufuskie are at additional cost
  • $9 cash Sea Pines Gate Pass
Additional Information

If you’re looking for an authentic lowcounty experience look no further than Daufuskie Island on your next trip to Hilton Head. It’s only a 30 minute Ferry ride from Harbour Town but it will feel like you stepped back in time when you arrive!
Along the way to Daufuskie Island you will hear tails of this sea islands past from your naturalist captain. This…

Location
Vagabond Cruise
Lighthouse Road
We are located just to the right of the lighthouse in Harbour Town. You will check-in at the reservation office first prior to heading down to the boat on the pier. Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to departure time.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(63 Ratings)
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Janew730
Aug 23, 2024
A fun day on Historic Daufuskie Island - We had a wonderful time on Daufuskie Island (travels with 4 young adults aged 19-23) and it all started on our round trip ferry boat ride. The captain and first mate were very friendly and welcoming. They kindly shared history and other relevant information about the island, and got our golf cart rental waivers all signed and prepared for us before we disembarked the boat. This made the process of getting into our cart to begin our self guided tour very easy and speedy. Daufuskie Island was easy to navigate with the map provided by the golf cart rental personnel. We visited the lighthouse museum, gift shop, Silver Dew wine tasting and the Distillery. We also stopped by the Fire and Rescue department to purchase t-shirts to support their efforts. I was traveling with my young adult children, so we were able to enjoy a bit of the wine and rum tastings, and those who imbibed were quite impressed. They are all history and art buffs, so enjoyed the tour very much. We did see families with young children, but not many. The day we went the weather was overcast and it tried to rain at one point, and it was actually a perfect day since it was not too hot. I would definitely go to Daufuskie in the rain if I were prepared with rain gear (ponchos/umbrellas/mud shoes). Weather permitting, You can opt to head over there to hang out on their underpopulated beach, and they will set you up with everything you need. We did not use that service, but those who did seemed to have enjoyed it. There is a restaurant at the marina where the boat waits for you, and those who ate there told us it was very good. We hopped back on the boat for our quick trip back to Hilton Head. Our boat crew was just as fun and friendly on our return trip. Such a fun day- at first the boys were not looking forward to rising early to make it to the boat, but on the trip back to HH, all said they were so happy we went after all. Have fun on Daufuskie- and don’t forget to tip the crew!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Frequenttraveller51
Jul 1, 2024
Good way for a quick trip to Daufuskie Island & see Marsh Tacky horses - The ferry service was great. Staff was friendly, informative and very helpful. The 3 hour trip is just enough to get partially around the island with a golf cart. If we had the time we would have liked at least 2 more hours. But in 3 hours you get a feel for life on Daufuskie Island. The Marsh Tacky Society on the island is devoted to expanding the endangered Marsh Tacky horse population and is a quick visit, relatively close to the ferry landing (still need a golf cart). Leave lots of time on the Hilton Head side to get to Harbor Town and find parking!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Georgecg6747ah
May 25, 2024
Wonderful Daufuski Cruise Experience - We had targeted a trip to Daufuski Island wile on vacation in Hilton Head. Vagabond Cruise offered very convenient departure and return times as well as an appropriate allotted time to visit the entire island. This island, just a short boat trip from Harbour Town, is steeped in a rich and fascinating history. The crew were all fantastic and all quite professional and very personable making the visit much more enjoyable. Vagabond offers several trip options (e.g. Savannah. Evening Cruise, etc.). I'm sure they are all quite pleasant and fun filled trips. I do highly recommend you consider them the next time you plan an adventure.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Becca_w
Apr 1, 2024
Loved it in general! - Things to note: 3 hours to me was just shy of enough time to explore the island- kind of feels rushed. Also the tour should really just include the $90 cost for the golf cart rental- without it the visit would be a waste! The island is too big to be able to effectively explore on foot! Anywho- otherwise loved it! Also it is alarming when the booze cruise boaters roll in, so beware!
Review provided by Viator
P3114kedanm
Jun 6, 2024
Daufuskie - Boat ride was great. Saw dolphins as well! Daufuskie Island was interesting, but hard to navigate to all the sights. Markers and more signs directing to important places to see would help out tremendously. Staff at both kiosk and on board boat were top notch!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A8669pwalbertc
May 3, 2024
Island tour. - Ok. Trip was o short with less than 3 hours to tour the island. Golf carts were VERY expensive for such a short time. Poor Signage on the island caused the majority of carts to become lost thus seeing only trees and dirt roads.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K8064owmaryh
Mar 27, 2024
Nothing to do on Dafauskie Island - The ferry service was really nice! I will say there is not much to do on dafauskie island. We had a three hour golf cart but only used it for 2 hours because there was literally nothing to do. About half of the residence are very run down. Think walking dead scenes and you’re there. We will not return.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sara_reagan
Aug 2, 2024
“Ferry” means wet and stinky shrimp boat - Arrived for our ferry at 1030am as the instructions recommended, we found parking and the reservation check in relatively easy and then made out way to the dock to meet the boat. No seating and no fans, in 90 degree weather they actually had to call EMS for an elderly lady in our group. It was miserably hot. Then we get on our boat (the Tammy Jane Shrimp Boat), it had just come back from a shrimping trip and everything smelled and covered in water. No dry seats and now we smell like fish. Definitely not the “ferry” we were expecting. There is another water Taxi that goes directly to the island and I think next time it’s a better option.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrew_k
Mar 24, 2024
Disappointing to say the least - The only positive was the bar on the dock with music…the rest of the visit was not as promised. No winery…no lighthouse. Terrible map. Poor directional signs. I would not recommend for anyone
Review provided by Viator
Sharonk172
Mar 24, 2024
Disappointing - The ferry ride and bar at the dock were the highlights of this trip. Very disappointing…no winery…no lighthouse. Not as advertised.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $42
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).