5 Hidden Gems: Daufuskie Island, SC

The truth is my sister lives on the gorgeous island of Daufuskie, so not only did I have my own personal tour guide (and 4 wheel drive Jeep) but I had a true insider view of the best life has to offer on this iconic and historical South Carolina Island. Whimsical, colorful and charming this 5 mile long, little island is also rich in heritage with claw foot tubs, huge moss covered trees, a life size french maid (more on this later) and a rare endangered breed of Spanish Mustang called Marsh Tackies! Here’s what to bring on the island and what not to miss!!

Daufuskie: Nature, flavor and renegade history… It’s truly an all American island like no other.

Most people visiting Daufuskie Island just ride over on the ferry for the day, and rent a golf cart. If you’re expecting it to be similar to Hilton Head or Bluffton let me stop you right here. The best part about Daufuskie is it is NOTHING like those coastal areas. It’s absolutely rugged and wild! This island has its own roots and identity!! But there is so much more to this island than meets the eye and with a little planning and insider info, an amazing adventure awaits.
The first order of business is to actually stay a few days (I stayed Thursday to Sunday) and take on the true island culture.

My sister’s Jeep which she let me borrow! Love you sis!

Here are my top 5 hidden gems on Daufuskie that you must see or do while on the island.

Hidden Gem 1

Renting a cottage with roots to the Island’s Gullah Craftsmen

The first hidden gem not to be missed is renting an authentic Gullah built island cottage for your stay on the island. These small ancestral homes were built by the island’s freed slave locals and have complete kitchens for cooking and screen porches for dining! Keep in mind the island has only a couple of places to eat. So a fully equipped kitchen is a big deal. I rented the Hinson White home built in 1915. This incredible home is rich in Island heritage and is situated on 6 completely isolated private acres with breathtaking coastal views. Did I mention the huge screen porch facing the marsh (this is where I ate all my meals) or the Marsh Tackie horses in the front yard?? Recently renovated by the Daufuskie Endangered Places Program (DEPP), rental income from this cottage goes towards saving and preserving other Gullah dwellings on the island.

Hinson White Air bnb Rental

It was chilly on the porch early in morning. Not ready to officially get dressed, I put my jacket on over nightgown to eat breakfast overlooking the marsh. Completely full of gratitude.

Hidden Gem 2

Ride authentic Marsh Tackies on the beach!

This is the best way to really soak up all the island’s flavor and history! There are a couple of stables on the island if you want to take a trail ride, BUT if you want to ride authentic, registered Spanish mustangs there is only one location on the island to ride these rare horses, brought to the island over 500 years ago by the ships of Spanish explorers. Being on the isolated island, the Spanish horse breed stayed genetically pure against cross breeding with other horses. Today these horses are known as “Marsh Tackies” and they are DNA confirmed and registered.

If you want to ride this rare breed on the beaches of Daufuskie Island, you will want to book your ride at least 24 hours in advance (1 week in advance during peak season) with Erica at the Daufuskie Marsh Tackies Society. This location is the only island stable with Marsh Tackies. Also please know there are only certain times of the year you can ride on the beach! So def reach out to Erica and Tony to get a true low country experience of riding Spanish mustangs on the beach. Honestly this was a highlight of my trip.

This is Mrs. Erica setting us up for our ride on the beach…

Hidden Gem 3

South Carolina’s oldest Winery/Light House

Make time to visit the old wick houses that once housed the oil/kerosene for the lighthouse.

This is a true Instagram moment it is unbelievably picturesque! These small brick (fireproof-buildings…keeping mind they used to house the kerosene ) are the location of South Carolinas’s oldest and only island winery in the United States. Brace yourselves folks it’s muscadine wine so DO NOT expect it it taste like a grape based wine you have EVER tasted before! But this wine tasting is an authentic slice of low country culture not to be missed. Soak up the scenery!

**Yep… That’s a dolphin skull and a whale vertebra on the table at the lighthouse! What??**

On the back porch of the lighthouse… with muscadine vines growing in the background.
Be sure to get the binoculars and check out the monstrous Eagles nest visible from the porch.

Hidden Gem 4

Go crabbing… it is SO much fun!!!

Here is the real back story… when I was little we would all go to the beach and my Dad would buy me and my sister crabbing nets. Even though we were 5 and 6 years old he would tell us to go “catch dinner” and we would!!! And if you’re visiting Daufuskie definitely make time to go crabbing off the docks, but remember you need to plan ahead or book an excursion. You will need to either bring a couple of crabbing nets with you (see link) to the island, they do not sell these at the country store, and then crab off the county dock near Freeport, or be sure the house your renting has a dock and crabbing nets at Daufuskie. Also you will need at least 50’ twine (see link) and a package of chicken drum sticks or chicken necks to tie into the bottom of the nets to attract the crabs.

Now pack a cooler and get ready to have a great time in the sun!!

If you want to just do a crabbing excursion. Reach out to May River Excursions. They supply everything!

Purchase Crab Nets
They don’t sell crab nets at the general store Freeport. Plan in advance or be sure they are included with your rental home/dock. These nets collapse completely flat and are made of lightweight cotton mesh.

Purchase Crab Net Twine
This twine let’s you drop the nets off the dock down to rest on the ocean floor. That’s were the crabs are!

Hidden Gem 5

Farmers Market on Saturday/ Low Country Boil

Even though there’s a small general store in Freeport, there are limited food staples available on island, BUT every Saturday morning there is a fabulous opportunity to meet with the locals at the small farmers market. It is set up around 11:00 am. You’ve gotta get there early!!!! Fresh veggies and fruit, as well as huge, local shrimp straight off the boat!! What?!? Whoot Whoot!

It only lasts for a few hours or until everything is gone. So grab your grocery tote and scramble on down. The market is setup roadside on Haig Point Road between the Daufuski rum distillery and Lucy Bells’.

Ask Mr. Wesley for a couple of pounds fresh shrimp without the heads.

**This is Mr. Wesley! The man in charge of the freshest shrimp in town! Lots of love Mr. Wesley! You hooked us up!**

Then grab a large stock pot (from your rental house) and get ready to do a quick low country boil with friends and family for your final night on the island.

A back porch low country tradition.

Here is my method for a quick and easy low country boil for your last night on the island. It’s an absolute celebration of life. Remember the fresh ears of corn and small red potatoes I brought onto the ferry?? Grab them and wash everything in the sink. Cut the ears of corn into thirds. Fill the large stock pot halfway with water. Add some old bay seasoning (from the rental house cabinet) . Start by boiling the water then add the potatoes (they take the longest to cook) then toss in the corn. Lastly toss in the shrimp. I cook them with the shells on, but you can peel them if you would like.

Once everything is cooked, drain the water out of the pot and toss the contents of the pot down the center of the outdoor picnic table that’s covered in newspaper. Drizzle with melted butter if you have some. Now eat and drink way too much… Life is good folks!!

So if your visiting Daufuskie don’t forget to slow down and take a moment to soak up all the rugged nature the island has to offer. Once you look closely there are rambling armadillos and alligators lounging everywhere! Be sure to grab a breakfast treat at School Grounds Coffee and tell Brian we said hello. And swing by Lucy Bells for a legendary Deviled crab lunch. Chat it up with the locals ever single chance you get. The locals are HUGE part of the overall Daufuskie magic. And big thank you to my sister!!! Who graciously put up with me… lent me her Jeep and showed me an insider view of the best this island has to offer.