Frequently asked questions.
RESERVATIONS
How do I make a reservation?
All reservations will be made online prior to booking.
How will you be charging for reservations?
Reservations will be charged at time of boarding.
Pets
My dog travels with me on most occasions. Does my pet need a ticket if I’m a local? Or do only visitors need tickets?
Pets do not need a ticket but will be required to stay out of the main cabin area.
How much will you be charging for pets?
A fee of $25.00 per pet will be charged.
Will there be a specific pet area on the back of the boat as it is now?
Due to allergy concerns all pets must remain outside of the passenger cabin. All pets must be on leashes and restrained at all times.
If I am unable to make the ferry, will there be a reimbursement? Or a credit towards another ride?
Each ticket is for a dedicated seat. Just like an airline if you miss the boat the seat was held for the ticket. No refunds or credit will be extended.
CARGO
Are we allowed wagons?
Wagons are only approved for residents of the island, this helps them get their everyday needed items over to ensure you have an amazing time when you stay there. If wagons are brought the are treated as extra cargo and charged according to their weight.
How will cargo be handled?
Cargo will be handled in two fashions. First, every ticket is allowed one carry on luggage, equivalent to the size of airport luggage (maximum of 22” x 14” x 9”) up to 50 lbs and one personal item, such as a purse, brief case or standard backpack (maximum size of 18” x 14” x 8”). Second, extra or over-sized cargo will be priced based on size starting $25.00 for anything less than 50 lbs, $50 for anything 50-100lbs and anything over 100lbs will be charge $4.00/lbs after the first hundred pounds. Extra items that are small will be $25.00 for anything that can fit into a 27 gallon HDX tote with the lid closed.
When will the cargo boat arrive? Will this follow the ferry? Or will cargo only come over at specified times?
The cargo boat or “luggage barge” will be a separate boat that comes over once a day at minimum. Our goal is to always have everything go over at one time on one vessel, however we are a passenger ferry system and need to ensure all ticket holders are able to go over. In the event we are unable to bring all luggage over the barge will come into play. If demand due to number of items calls for more runs we will add those as needed.
How will you handle refrigerated cargo?
We suggest you place all refrigerated items in cooler bags that will fit in the 27 gallon HDX totes.
What do we do for High value items?
Please take all personal valuables and high value items with you.
How is cargo identified?
Cargo is anything that is more than one carry-on plus a personal item such as a purse or briefcase.
COMING TO DAUFUSKIE
JUST FOR THE DAY OVERNIGHT STAYS
Going to the Beach?
Reserve - Ferry/Private Boat
Rent - golf cart and get a map
Bring:
Cooler with snacks and beverages
Beach Toys
Sunscreen and Bug Spray
Towels
4. Fill in all holes and knock down sand castles
5. Take trash Home
Sightseeing?
Reserve - Ferry/Private Boat
Rent - golf cart and get a map
Bring:
Cooler with snacks and beverages
Sunscreen and Bug Spray
Camera for wildlife pictures
Money – for souvenirs and restaurants
4. Take trash Home
Rental Company: Check with them to see:
If a cart is provided with your rental.
If beach chairs, beach towels are provided
If there is a washer and dryer
If they provide ground transportation
Packing – Less is More
Clothing – very casual; swimsuits and shorts, t-shirts, flip fops, hat, sunglasses
Meds - Over the counter as needed
Food – You can bring your own for cooking simple meals. We have stores on island that carry a limited variety of food.
There are also a few restaurants and a few people that can provide a catered meal.
Water – Safe to drink anywhere on the island. **No need for plastic water bottles**
Sun screen and bug spray
Money for stores and souvenirs
THE ABCS OF DAUFUSKIE ISLAND AT A GLANCE
Things you need to know at a glance
Alligators – We have lots of them and they can be dangerous.
Beach – It’s Beautiful, Let’s keep it that way
Bikes – Great way to see the Island
Bugs – Bring Bug Spray
Cart Rentals – Easy way to see the island.
Chiggers – A Lot of Itching
Dark – It’s really dark out there
Dirt – We love our dirt roads
Dress – Very Casual
Emergencies – Dial 911, tell them you are on Daufuskie Island in South Carolina
Ferry/Private Boat– The only way to get here
Fire Station – Our First Responders, Call 911
Ground Transport –Not the same as cart rentals. Make sure you have reservations.
Lost and Found – At the Fire Station
Pets – We love well behaved pets
Residents – About 450 year round
Restrooms – At the Frances Jones Park, Freeport, Community Dock (D’Fuskie)
Sheriff – Beaufort County Sheriff
Snakes – Lots of venomous and nonvenomous
Trash – Bring it here, Take it home
Turtles – Turtles are awesome
Water – Don’t bring your own plastic bottles
Wave – Not just on the Beach
Wildlife – We love our wildlife
The Tourist’s ABCs of Daufuskie:
Alligators – Yes, we have them and they can be dangerous
There are alligators on the island. You can assume that any standing body of water contains an alligator and we ask that you not allow children or pets to get too close to any pond or body of water. It is also against SC Law to feed the alligators. Please respect the habitat!
Beach – It’s Beautiful, Let’s keep it that way
Daufuskie Island is home to one of the most beautiful beaches on the Eastern Seaboard and we would like to keep it that way. Public Beach Access is at Turtle Beach Lane and Beach Rd. Please be respectful of the beach, take any trash home with you and fill in all holes and knock down all sand castles.
Bikes – Great Exercise and a good way to see the island.
Biking is a great way to get around the island. However, most of the roads are dirt/fluff sand which makes biking difficult unless you have beach tires.
Bugs – No-see-ums and mosquitoes are plentiful
A bottle of bug spray is always a good thing to have on hand. No-see-ums and mosquitos are plentiful on island.
Cart Rentals – The easy way to see the island
Please rent a cart or bicycle to get around the island. Daufuskie is really not a walking Island as there is no downtown and points of interest are scattered over the 2.5mi x 5mi island. Carts are in high demand during the tourist season and it is best to rent a cart before you get to the island.
Chiggers – Annoying little bugs that cause a lot of scratching
Chiggers are insects that latch onto its human food source in an effort to eat dead skin cells. This causes small red welts to occur followed by a lot of scratching. The best way to keep yourself from becoming a snack is to wear long pants, socks and long sleeves if in the woods.
Dark – It’s really dark out there
We do not have streetlights on the island except for some developments. Without lights and limited signage, the island is challenging to navigate at night. So it is best to stay close to you accommodations during the night time hours unless you know where you are going.
Dirt – We love our dirt roads
Most of the island roads are dirt. Our dirt roads represents the history of the island and the way it has been for 100’s of years. It may not be what you are used to, but we love our dirt roads.
Dress – Very Casual
Daufuskie Island is very casual. Simple shorts and t-shirts, swimsuits, cover ups, flip flops, a hat and sunglasses are all you will need on island.
Emergencies – Dial 911
In case of and emergency Dial 911 and tell them you are on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina. (Emergency calls can be routed to Hilton Head Island, SC or Tybee Island. GA. So it is important to give your location as Daufuskie Island, SC.) Give your address, but if you are unable to do so, give a general vicinity. Please DO NOT go to the firehouse. The Daufuskie Island Fire and Rescue Dept will be dispatched to your location once the 911 call is made. The Fire Chief wants you to know that they still make house calls!
Ferry/Boat – The only way to get here
The only way to get to the island is either by private charter or by ferry service. You will need ground transport or cart rental from your ferry drop off.
Fire Station – Our First Responders
The Daufuskie Island Fire Station (DIFD) is unique to Daufuskie Island. They are the first line of defense for the island with all fire and emergency services dispatched from the station. All personnel are highly qualified and must apply for this station. We love our Fire People!
Ground Transport –From the Dock to your Rental
If you are staying on island, please talk to your rental company about ground transportation from the ferry landing to your vacation home. They will be able to advise you. This is not the same as golf cart rental..
Lost and Found – At the Firehouse
Typically, if your item is found by a local, they will try to locate the owner or try to see if anyone has reported it lost. The Fire Station keeps a box of lost and found. Check here for any lost items.
Pets – We love well behaved pets
Daufuskie Island is very pet friendly and all restaurants have outdoor seating pets are welcome. Please make sure your pets are either leashed or under voice command.
Restrooms –
There are a limited number of restroom facilities on the island. Currently the only public restrooms are located at the county dock (D’Fukies), Freeport, and Frances Jones Park. New restrooms are to be built at the entrance to the beach on Beach Road.
Sheriff – Beaufort County Sheriff.
There is no established Police Station on the island. However, the island is patrolled by Beaufort County Deputies. They have no set schedule, so their presence is sporadic and unscheduled. Please obey all rules of the road while on island and your only encounter will be with a friendly wave as they pass by.
Snakes – venomous and nonvenomous
Daufuskie Island is home to numerous venomous and nonvenomous snakes. Please be careful where you walk, stay to the established roads and keep out of the tall grasses or woods.
Trash – Bring it here, Take it home
There is no centralized trash drop off for visitors. If you bring something with you, please take it with you when you leave.
Turtles – Turtles are awesome
Loggerhead Turtle Season: May – October. We take turtle season seriously and have our own registered Turtle Team. Please do not disturb the nests on the beach which have been marked. Before you leave the beach fill in all holes and flatten all sand sculptures so that babies and mommas don’t get hung up on the beach.
Water – It’s Safe to Drink
Please don’t bring plastic water bottles. The water on island is safe to drink. Bring a re-useable water bottle and fill it up on island. This limits the amount of trash and takes up less space on the ferry.
Wave – Not just the Beach
You might notice that people will wave as you pass by on your cart or car. As an island community we wave just to say ‘hello’, ‘we see you,’ or ‘welcome to the island’!
Wildlife – We love our Wildlife
Daufuskie Island is home to lots of wildlife. Please respect their habitat when you are here.
Keep the island as you found it and it will ensure that it is here for the next visitors to enjoy.