Beaufort County · Barrier Island · South Carolina Lowcountry

Daufuskie Island

Daufuskie Island is one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on the South Carolina coast — reachable only by ferry or private vessel, its maritime forests, tidal marshes, and Atlantic-facing beaches preserved by the very absence of a bridge connection. For those seeking a rare coastal retreat within reach of Hilton Head Island and Savannah, it offers an unhurried pace that few places along this stretch of coastline can still claim.

At a glance

Daufuskie Island at a glance

Daufuskie Island is one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on the South Carolina coast — reachable only by ferry or private vessel, its maritime forests, tidal marshes, and Atlantic-facing beaches preserved by the very absence of a bridge connection. For those seeking a rare coastal retreat within reach of Hilton Head Island and Savannah, it offers an unhurried pace that few places along this stretch of coastline can still claim.

Location
Daufuskie Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina
Median sale price
$805,000 median (all homes, May 2026)
Short-term rentals
Varies by property — confirm before purchase
Character
A bridge-free barrier island of maritime forest, Gullah heritage, and uncrowded Atlantic shoreline

The Community

Living in Daufuskie Island

Positioned between Hilton Head Island and the Georgia coast, Daufuskie Island sits within Beaufort County as one of South Carolina's most distinctive coastal addresses. Without a bridge to the mainland, the island has developed on its own terms — its landscape defined by ancient maritime forest, tidal creeks, and uncrowded Atlantic-facing shoreline rather than the commercial corridors common to neighboring coastal destinations.

The island carries a depth of Gullah Geechee cultural history that is integral to the Lowcountry's identity. This heritage, rooted in the traditions of the island's historic communities, lends Daufuskie a cultural character that extends well beyond its natural setting and distinguishes it from resort developments elsewhere on the Carolina coast.

Private golf clubs set within the island's forested interior, preserved natural corridors, and the rhythms of tidal water define the on-island experience. The result is a coastal environment that remains notably quieter and less developed than the surrounding region — a quality that has become increasingly rare along the developed South Carolina coastline.

Connect

Talk to a COAST agent about Daufuskie Island

Questions about buying or selling in Daufuskie Island? A COAST agent who knows the community will respond personally — no obligation.

Currently working with a real estate agent?

We use the information you provide only to respond to your inquiry and is not sold. See our Privacy Policy.

The Lifestyle

The Calibogue Sound and a network of surrounding tidal creeks and waterways offer consistent access to boating, fishing, and kayaking directly from the island's shores. Private golf clubs situated within the forested landscape provide a distinct on-island amenity, while the Atlantic-facing beaches remain uncrowded relative to neighboring coastal areas.

Hilton Head Island and Savannah, Georgia, are both accessible by ferry or private vessel, providing the broader dining, shopping, and airport connectivity that Daufuskie's quieter pace does not offer locally. The proximity to two established destinations makes off-island logistics straightforward for buyers who value the island's seclusion without sacrificing access to a full range of services.

The Real Estate

Daufuskie Island's limited development and water-only access produce an inventory that is inherently scarce. Properties range from residences and cottage-style homes within private club communities to homesites in the island's forested interior — a market shaped more by natural setting and proximity to water than by the density of amenities typical of mainland resort communities. Buyers are drawn predominantly to second-home and retreat uses, a function of the island's off-grid pace and the logistical character of island ownership. Price reflects the rarity of an undeveloped, water-access coastal setting in the Lowcountry, where comparable land preservation is difficult to find.

Rental Income

Short-term rentals in Daufuskie Island

Short-term rental policies on Daufuskie Island vary by community and individual property. Some areas permit short-term rental activity while others impose restrictions. Buyers with rental income as a priority should verify applicable rules directly with the relevant community association and confirm current Beaufort County regulations prior to purchase.

Buyer Questions

Daufuskie Island — answered

Is Daufuskie Island a good place to buy a second home or retreat property?
For buyers who prioritize preserved natural setting and a genuinely unhurried coastal pace, Daufuskie Island is one of the more compelling options on the South Carolina coast. Its combination of Atlantic-facing beaches, tidal waterways, maritime forest, and Gullah Geechee cultural heritage is difficult to replicate elsewhere in the Lowcountry. The absence of a bridge connection keeps development limited and the landscape largely intact — a defining feature of ownership here.
What is it like owning a home on Daufuskie Island with no bridge to the mainland?
All access is by ferry or private vessel, which shapes the ownership experience in a meaningful way. Groceries, medical appointments, and airport travel require planning around ferry schedules or maintaining private boat access. For buyers who value the seclusion this arrangement produces — and the preserved landscape that comes with it — the logistics become part of the lifestyle rather than a burden. Hilton Head Island and Savannah are both within reach by water for broader services and connectivity.
How do you get to and from Daufuskie Island, and how does that affect owning there?
Daufuskie Island is accessible exclusively by ferry or private vessel — there is no bridge connection to the mainland or to Hilton Head Island. Owners typically use ferry service operating from the Hilton Head area or maintain private dock and boat access. Savannah, Georgia, also provides airport connectivity for owners traveling regularly. The logistics require advance planning but are well-understood by the island's established owner community.
Is Daufuskie Island well-suited for boating, fishing, and kayaking?
Yes. The island is surrounded by the Calibogue Sound and a network of tidal creeks and waterways that support boating, fishing, and kayaking directly from its shores. The Sound connects to the Intracoastal Waterway and the open Atlantic, making Daufuskie a natural base for on-water activity. Because water-only access defines island life, many owners already maintain private vessels, integrating boating into the routine of ownership.
Is golf available on Daufuskie Island?
Yes. Private golf clubs are situated within the island's forested landscape and are integral to several of the island's residential communities. For buyers purchasing within those communities, golf represents one of the primary on-island amenities available without leaving the island.
Can you short-term rent a property on Daufuskie Island?
Short-term rental policies vary by community and property. Some areas of the island permit short-term rental activity while others restrict it. Buyers with rental income as an objective should verify the specific rules with the applicable community association and review current Beaufort County regulations before committing to a purchase.
What types of homes are available, and what does the market look like?
Inventory on Daufuskie Island is inherently limited by the island's development history and water-only access. Properties include residences and cottage-style homes within private club community settings, as well as forested homesites. Because the island has remained significantly less developed than surrounding Lowcountry coastal destinations, available inventory is scarce relative to demand. COAST brokered by eXp Realty can provide current listing inventory and market guidance specific to the communities and property types that align with your priorities.
Does Daufuskie Island have beach access?
Yes. The island has Atlantic-facing shoreline with uncrowded beaches — notably less trafficked than the beaches on neighboring Hilton Head Island. The limited development across the island is directly reflected in the condition and accessibility of its coastline, which remains one of the more intact stretches of barrier island beach in the region.
Who buys homes on Daufuskie Island and what do they use them for?
Homes on Daufuskie Island tend to be used as a retreat built around water and golf rather than an everyday residence — the island's private club settings and boating access set that tone. Because it's reachable only by ferry or private vessel, owners typically use their homes for weekend and seasonal stays, boating and fishing outings, and time at the island's golf clubs. The draw is the slower, largely undeveloped pace relative to more built-up parts of the Lowcountry coast.
Is Daufuskie Island good for boating, fishing and kayaking the Calibogue Sound?
Yes — boating, fishing, and kayaking are central to life on Daufuskie Island, with access through the surrounding tidal creeks and the Calibogue Sound. The island's maritime forest and marsh-lined waterways make it well suited to time on the water, and since there's no bridge connection, arriving by boat is already part of the experience for most owners and visitors.
Is a Daufuskie Island home worth it compared to Hilton Head Island?
There's no pricing data on hand for a direct dollar comparison, so the more useful lens is lifestyle. Daufuskie is markedly less developed and quieter than Hilton Head, with ferry-only access preserving a maritime forest, marsh, and uncrowded Atlantic-facing shoreline in a way a bridge-connected island doesn't. Whether it's the better fit comes down to whether a buyer values that private, off-grid pace over the daily convenience of mainland access.
What golf and club options are on Daufuskie Island?
Golf on Daufuskie Island is centered on private club settings built into the island's maritime forest landscape. Specific course names and membership details aren't part of what's confirmed here, so those are worth checking directly, but golf sits alongside boating and fishing as one of the island's defining lifestyle draws.

Buying or selling in Daufuskie Island? Start a private conversation →

The Market · May 2026

What are homes selling for in Daufuskie Island?

Here is what homes in Daufuskie Island are actually selling for, from the latest published Hilton Head Area Association of REALTORS® market report.

$805,000median sale price · all homes164 days on market · 95.3% of list price · 38 sold

Source: Hilton Head Area Association of REALTORS® — published May 2026 market report.

Private download

The Daufuskie Island Guide

This complete guide — the community, the lifestyle, the real estate character, and every buyer question answered — as a clean, printable brief.

Currently working with a real estate agent?

Sent instantly — we'll also share occasional Daufuskie Island market insights by email. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Open your copy →

Explore Daufuskie Island

See what's for sale in Daufuskie Island

Buying or selling in Daufuskie Island? COAST brokered by eXp Realty brings the discretion, marketing, and global reach luxury deserves.

View current listingsConnect with COAST

More communities

Explore the Lowcountry

Sea Pines — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandSea PinesThe island's original — and most prestigious — resort communityExplore →Forest Beach — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandForest BeachUn-gated beachside living at the heart of the islandExplore →River Club — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandRiver ClubWaterfront luxury on the island's quiet sideExplore →Bluffton — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandBlufftonThe Lowcountry's fastest-growing luxury market — from Old Town to Palmetto BluffExplore →Palmetto Bluff — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandPalmetto BluffA 20,000-acre Lowcountry sanctuary along the May RiverExplore →Wexford — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandWexfordA private harbour community of rare scale and seclusionExplore →Long Cove Club — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandLong Cove ClubAn intimate, member-owned golf community on Broad CreekExplore →Port Royal — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandPort RoyalOriginal oceanfront plantation living with three championship coursesExplore →Belfair — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandBelfairTwo Tom Fazio courses, Colleton River deep-water access, and tidal marsh at every turnExplore →Berkeley Hall — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandBerkeley HallTwo Tom Fazio courses along the Colleton River, framed by tidal marshes and ancient live oaksExplore →Colleton River — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandColleton RiverPete Dye and Jack Nicklaus courses framed by tidal marsh and old-growth oaks along the Colleton RiverExplore →Folly FieldBeachfront living on the island's northern shore, moments from the Atlantic at Folly Field BeachExplore →Hampton Hall — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandHampton HallPete Dye golf and Lowcountry marshland, minutes from Old Town Bluffton's waterfrontExplore →Hampton LakeA gated freshwater lake community woven into Lowcountry preserves, minutes from Hilton HeadExplore →Hilton Head Plantation — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandHilton Head PlantationGated on the north shore where Port Royal Sound meets maritime forest and tidal Skull CreekExplore →Indigo Run — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandIndigo RunJack Nicklaus golf, live oak canopy, and freshwater lagoons on the north end of the islandExplore →LeamingtonA gated enclave within Palmetto Dunes — oceanfront resort, lagoons, and coastal oak canopyExplore →Moss Creek — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandMoss CreekTwo Tom Fazio courses, a deep-water marina, and tidal marshes along the Intracoastal WaterwayExplore →Oldfield — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandOldfieldGreg Norman golf, deepwater river access, and classic Lowcountry architecture along the Okatie RiverExplore →Palmetto Dunes — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandPalmetto DunesOceanfront resort living anchored by three championship courses and a lagoon-laced marina villageExplore →Palmetto HallTwo championship courses by Cupp and Hills, woven through live oaks and lagoons on HHI's quiet northern endExplore →Rose Hill — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandRose HillGated golf community draped in live oaks and longleaf pine, minutes from Hilton Head and Old Town BlufftonExplore →Shipyard — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandShipyardGated oceanfront plantation where live oaks, Atlantic beach, and three golf courses define the south islandExplore →Singleton BeachAtlantic shoreline enclave outside the gates, near Folly Field Beach and the island's bike pathsExplore →Spanish Wells — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandSpanish WellsDeepwater peninsula, live oaks, and a private club tucked into Hilton Head's quiet southern endExplore →Windmill Harbour — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandWindmill HarbourDeepwater marina community with a tidal lock, SC Yacht Club, and direct Intracoastal accessExplore →Bradley Beach — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandBradley BeachAtlantic shoreline living on the South End, minutes from Coligny Plaza and Harbour TownExplore →Burkes BeachDirect Atlantic frontage on the eastern shore, open and unhurried beyond the plantation gatesExplore →Shelter Cove — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandShelter CoveHilton Head’s harbourside village — marina, dining, and Broad Creek sunsetsExplore →Palmetto Bay — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandPalmetto BayMarina-side island living on Broad Creek — the boater’s mid-island landmarkExplore →Old Town Bluffton — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandOld Town BlufftonThe historic heart of Bluffton — galleries, oyster houses, and the May River bluffExplore →May River — luxury real estate on Hilton Head IslandMay RiverTidal-river Lowcountry living along Bluffton’s defining waterwayExplore →Baynard ParkAn established single-family neighborhood in Bluffton's Buckwalter Parkway corridorExplore →