Aerial view of Freeport Marina on Daufuskie Island with boats at the docks and marsh beyond
Slow down. You're on Daufuskie time.

An Island Like No Other

A 45-minute ferry ride from Hilton Head Island drops you into a world of live oaks, dolphins, golf carts and waterfront seafood. Daufuskie Island is the Lowcountry the way it used to be.

  • 45 minute crossing
  • Daily departures from Hilton Head
  • From $55 round trip
About the island

A few hours here feels like time travel.

Daufuskie Island sits between Hilton Head and Savannah and is reachable only by water. Spend the day and you'll see nature in its most pristine form, watch dolphins ride alongside the ferry, and end the afternoon with a sunset that people cross the country to see.

Whether you're visiting from overseas or boating over from Bluffton for lunch, you're always welcome at Freeport Marina. There are no traffic lights, no bridges and no hurry.

Visitors riding a rental golf cart beneath live oak trees on Daufuskie Island
Freeport MarinaYour landing on Daufuskie. Ferry, carts, food, music and the General Store in one spot.
Plan your day

Everything you need is at the marina.

Ride over on the Island Head ferry, grab a golf cart, eat on the water and catch a band on the deck. Here's how the day comes together.

The Island Head passenger ferry crossing to Daufuskie Island

Island Head Ferry

Daily departures from Broad Creek Marina on Hilton Head. Arrive 30 minutes early and let the dolphins do the rest.

Schedule and tickets
The Freeport General Store at Freeport Marina, where golf carts are rented on Daufuskie Island

Golf Cart Rentals

Sand roads, live oaks and the beach at cart speed. Rent one at the General Store when you step off the boat.

Rent a cart
Fried shrimp basket with fries at Old Daufuskie Crab Company

Old Daufuskie Crab Company

Deviled crab, peel-and-eat shrimp, cold beer and the famous Scrap Iron Tea, all on the water.

See the menu
Outdoor dining area under live oaks at Freeport Marina where bands play

Live Music

Bands on the deck most afternoons, plus Tuesday evening shows. Check this week's lineup before you book.

This week's lineup
Bright cottage bedroom with a Beach House sign on Daufuskie Island

Stay Overnight

Cozy cabins and multi-bedroom units at the marina, plus rental homes across the island.

Island lodging
The Daufuskie Island cargo barge under way with a tug

Barge Service

Vehicles, equipment, building materials and modular homes, moved on the tide from Hilton Head.

Rates and schedule
Island Head ferry leaving a wake on the way from Hilton Head Island to Daufuskie Island
Island Head Ferry

Hilton Head to Daufuskie Island, every day.

Book Ferry Tickets

Round trips

The ferry departs Broad Creek Marina and lands at Freeport Marina in about 45 minutes. Return boats leave Daufuskie sharp, so keep an eye on the clock. Schedules vary by season.

  • 9:00 AMDepart Hilton Head. Return ferry leaves Daufuskie at 3:15 PM, back on Hilton Head by 4:00 PM.
  • 11:00 AMDepart Hilton Head. Return ferry leaves Daufuskie at 5:15 PM, back on Hilton Head by 6:00 PM.
  • 1:00 PMDepart Hilton Head. Evening return, back on Hilton Head by 8:00 PM.Seasonal

One way to Daufuskie

  • From Broad Creek Marina9:00 AM
  • From Broad Creek Marina11:00 AM
  • From Broad Creek Marina4:15 PM

One way to Hilton Head

  • From Freeport Marina10:00 AM
  • From Freeport Marina3:15 PM
  • From Freeport Marina5:15 PM

Check-in

  • 1Arrive 30 minutes before departure at Broad Creek Marina, 18 Simmons Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926. Plan for traffic on the bridge onto the island.
  • 2From the parking area, walk toward the water and take the long wooden pier down to the docks.
  • 3Check in at the white floating building with the blue roof. Bring your confirmation email and ID to pick up tickets.

Round-trip fares

  • AdultsAges 13 and up
    $55
  • ChildrenAges 3 to 12
    $45
  • InfantsAges 2 and under
    $10
Best value

Meals and Wheels package

Round-trip ferry, a golf cart for the day and a meal voucher at Old Daufuskie Crab Company, in one booking. Purchased for the whole party, two person minimum.

  • AdultsFerry, golf cart and $20 meal voucher
    $99
  • Children 12 and underFerry, golf cart and $10 meal voucher
    $79

Cancellations: full refund or credit with 72 hours notice, or if the operator cancels for weather. No-shows are charged in full and cannot transfer to another trip. Trips cut short for severe weather are not refunded. Call (843) 342-8687 to cancel.

Row of new rental golf carts ready at Freeport Marina, Daufuskie Island
Golf Cart Rentals

The island moves at cart speed.

Daufuskie has no bridges, no traffic lights and mostly sand roads, which is exactly why a golf cart is the way to see it. Pick one up at the Freeport General Store when you step off the ferry, then head for the beach, the Bloody Point Lighthouse, the winery and the hidden gems along the way.

Bundle and save with Meals and Wheels Round-trip ferry, a golf cart and a meal voucher at the Crab Company. $99 per adult, $79 per child. See package details
Rent at the Freeport General Store (843) 785-8242
Waterfront dining at Freeport Marina

Old Daufuskie Crab Company

Boaters run over from Charleston to Savannah for lunch here. Fresh local shrimp, Ms. Ernestine's deviled crab, mahi tacos and a full bar on the water, with live music most afternoons. Order at the bar, find a picnic table under the oaks, and slow down.

Bar11:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily
Kitchen11:30 AM to 9:00 PM in season, 8:00 PM off season
DinnerFrom 4:00 PM, seven days a week
Fried shrimp and fries served on checkered paper at Old Daufuskie Crab Company
Outside Old Daufuskie Crab Company restaurant at Freeport Marina
House favorites
  • Daufuskie Deviled CrabMs. Ernestine's local specialty
  • Peel & Eat Local ShrimpHalf pound, fresh off the boat
  • Mahi-Mahi TacosBlackened, grilled or fried
  • Scrap Iron TeaThe original high-octane island concoction

211 Cooper River Landing Rd, Daufuskie Island, SC 29915
(843) 785-8242

On the deck

Live music at Freeport Marina.

Bands play most afternoons on the deck at Old Daufuskie Crab Company, with Tuesday evening shows through October. Full menu and bar during every set.

Lineup subject to change. Call (843) 785-8242 to confirm before you ride over.

See the full lineup Book the ferry for show day
Cottage rentals at the Daufuskie Difference near Freeport Marina on Daufuskie Island
Cottage Rentals at the Daufuskie Difference

Cottage Rentals on Daufuskie

Stay steps from the water, marina, food, and island fun. Cozy cottages made for an easy Daufuskie getaway.

Booked exclusively through Airbnb Our cottages are reserved only on Airbnb. Visit our cottage rentals page to see each cottage and book your stay.
View Cottage Rentals
Freight and vehicles

Daufuskie Island Barge Service

Our 120-foot barge runs on the tide from Broad Creek Marina to Freeport Marina, Monday through Friday at minimum, carrying vehicles, equipment, building supplies, landscaping materials, commercial freight and modular homes.

120 ft x 30 ft deck 40 ft ramp Built 2013 Loads at low tide
The Daufuskie Island barge and tug crossing Calibogue Sound
$4/sq ftBarge fee, $185 minimum per item regardless of size
$30Loading fee per pallet, plus $30 unloading per pallet
$20/dayPer item or vehicle left in the staging area over 24 hours
$8,000Full barge rental for one tide cycle
$16,000Full barge held through an entire tide cycle for more time on the island

How it works

  • Loading begins at low tide at Broad Creek Marina. The barge departs as the water rises enough for safe navigation, so times shift every day.
  • Aggregate loads are accepted only when contained and covered in a vehicle, or in bulk landscaping bags a forklift can pick up.
  • Equipment that doesn't return the same day comes back at no extra charge on a space-available basis.
  • Schedule is subject to change with weather. Your safety and comfort come first.

Policies

  • Cancel a confirmed reservation at least 72 hours before the scheduled departure. For a 9:00 AM Friday departure, notice is due by 9:00 AM Tuesday.
  • Cancellations with less than 72 hours notice are charged the full cost of the reservation.
  • Loads travel at the owner's risk. We are not responsible for damage unless it results directly from a U.S. Coast Guard related incident. Secure and protect your equipment before transport.

Reserve your spot on the barge

Call 843-290-9336

Office at Broad Creek Marina, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Main line (843) 342-8687.

Call for a Reservation
Upcoming barge schedule
DateLoad at BCMDepart BCMArrive FreeportTime on island

BCM is Broad Creek Marina on Hilton Head Island. Times follow the tide and can change with weather. Confirm by phone before you load.

Boating over?

Day dockage at Freeport Marina is $10 per vessel, first come, first served. Overnight transient slips are $5 per foot per night through Dockwa. Search for Freeport Marina, Daufuskie Island, and book early on holiday weekends.

Aerial view of the marina and marsh at Daufuskie Island at golden hour
Daufuskie Island Dream Weddings

Say it under the live oaks.

Daufuskie Island offers an unforgettable backdrop for your wedding: pristine nature, Lowcountry charm and sunsets over the water. Ferry your guests over, ride the island by golf cart, and celebrate at the Crab Company with a band on the deck.

Bloody Point Lighthouse on Daufuskie Island

Bloody Point Lighthouse

The historic 1883 light station on the island's southern tip, with the original keeper's dwelling preserved as a museum. A landmark setting for ceremonies, portraits and sunset photos.

  • Built 1882 to 1883 to guide ships on the Savannah River, first lit April 20, 1883
  • Moved inland in 1912; today the Bloody Point Lighthouse & Museum, open daily 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Gift shop with island specialties, including the Bloody Point Bloody Mary mix
Silver Dew Winery on Daufuskie Island

Silver Dew Winery

Right beside the lighthouse, Silver Dew pours tastings in a laid-back Lowcountry setting. A natural stop for rehearsal dinners, welcome parties and afternoon celebrations.

  • Wine tastings next door to the historic lighthouse grounds
  • Managed together with the lighthouse, so both stops pair easily in one visit
  • An easy golf cart ride from Freeport Marina
Plan Your Island Wedding Call (843) 342-8687
Contact

Come see the difference.

Questions about the ferry, the barge, a cart or a party of forty? Reach out. A real person at the marina answers.

Ferry check-in and barge office

Broad Creek Marina
18 Simmons Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926

Office hours Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Get directions

On the island

Freeport Marina and Old Daufuskie Crab Company
211 Cooper River Landing Rd
Daufuskie Island, SC 29915

Call or write

Picnic tables under live oaks at Freeport Marina where bands play on the deck
Music on the deck, feet in the sand.

Live Music at Freeport Marina

Upcoming bands at Old Daufuskie Crab Company. Afternoon sets most days, plus Tuesday evening shows through October. Full menu and bar during every set.

Book the Ferry for Show Day Jump to the lineup

Afternoon sets

Most days from about 12:30 or 1:00 PM until 4:30 to 5:30 PM. Take the 11:00 AM ferry and you'll land in time for the first song.

Tuesday evenings

Evening shows from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Ride over on the seasonal 1:00 PM ferry and catch the evening return.

Before you go

Lineup subject to change. Call (843) 785-8242 to confirm the day's act before you ride over.

Upcoming lineup

Who's playing on the deck.

Make a day of it

Ferry, cart, crab and a band.

The Meals and Wheels package bundles your round-trip ferry, a golf cart and a meal voucher at the Crab Company. $99 per adult, $79 per child.

Book Ferry Tickets See the menu