Lowland Country Traveling and Shopping - Daufuskie Island

Arial Map of Daufuski Island

 My husband and I just returned from a week in Hilton Head, South Carolina - we had glorious weather and explored new sights and locations. One of our visits was to Daufuskie Island - located between Hilton Head Island and the South Carolina/Georgia coast - it is actually quite close to Savannah, Georgia. There is no bridge to Daufuskie, but there are several public ferries as well as tour companies that can take you there.

Most of Daufuskie Island is largely undeveloped.  The Island was originally the home of several huge rice and indigo plantations. Slaves were the primary residents for years. After emancipation, some stayed behind and found ways to make a living through fishing and agriculture.  The remnants of this group are called "gullah" and few remain on the island - most have migrated to other parts of the low country and beyond.  Here are several sites with information about Daufuskie Island - link to official website and wikipedia.

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 decendants of freed slaves, who have made their living oystering and fishing for decades. The subject of Pat Conroy's novel, The Water Is Wide, Daufuskie Island has a timeless quality and is still accessible only by boat.

This posting illustrates some of the structures found in the Historic District which includes artisan shops and older structures.

Our guide "Charlie" told us that the owner/artist at the shop had sailed around the world in this blue boat - parked outside of his shop.  He also built the chalet structure on the property - available as a vacation rental.

The First Union African Baptist Church is the oldest building on the island and is used today for multi-denominal services.

We were fascinated by the huge tree.  The Mary Fields School is the schoolhouse where author Pat Conroy taught and he wrote the book - The Water is Wide - based on this experience (I read and enjoyed many years ago).

Some of the oldest structures are Gullah Houses.   My husband was one of the golf cart drivers - a common way for visitors to get around the island.

One of two well-known restaurants on island - not open day we were there. 

Dock on Daufuskie Island

 We enjoyed our stay and plan to come back with our family when they join us on Hilton Head Island in June of 2013 - this was a very interesting journey!