Most of the island’s attractions can be seen by following the so-called Rob Kennedy Trail; maps are available on arrival or can be downloaded from www.daufuskieislandhistoricalfoundation.org.

Freeport Marina, where the ferry docks, is on the west side of the island near Melrose Landing and the Old Daufuskie Crab Company Restaurant. The handy Freeport Marina General Store is open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 7:30pm.

To the northeast is the Haig Point Club and Mt. Carmel Baptist Church No. 2, the latter built by the Cooper River community around 1940. In 2001 the Daufuskie Island Historical Foundation (www.daufuskieislandhistoricalfoundation.org) restored the by-now abandoned building, and opened the Billie Burn Museum inside (named after long-time resident and island historian, Billie Burn). Among the museum’s fascinating collection is a copy of the original land grant from King George II to Dave and Francis Mongin in 1735, an early-19th-century bible, a restored 1890s organ, and even an 11-foot stuffed alligator. It’s open Tuesday to Saturday 12:30 to 3:30pm (free admission). Next door is the historic Jane Hamilton School, now the home of the Gullah Learning Center and the Daufuskie Island Community Library (same hours as the museum).

The Haig Point Lighthouse lies within the Haig Point development but remains a major island landmark (the club uses it as a hotel, but private tours are sometimes possible). The lighthouse was built in 1882, but was retired in the late 1930s. The privately owned Bloody Point Lighthouse (www.bloodypoint.com), 146 Beach Rd., dates back to 1872 and was also retired in the late 1930s. The small outbuildings on the property were later transformed into the infamous Silver Dew Winery by the legendary Pappy Burn (check out the Bloody Point website to learn about his story). Today the Silver Dew Winery and Gift Shop commemorates the old man’s venture. Established by Pappy’s grandson, Lancy, the Silver Dew Pottery (tel. 843/842-6419) is open May to October, Tuesday to Friday 9am to 4pm, to display the beautifully simple and wholly functional pottery created by him and his wife Emily.

The other galleries on the island are also worth seeking out. The Iron Fish Art Gallery (tel. 843/842-9448; www.ironfishart.com) is the base of acclaimed folk artist Chase Allen, who designs and creates unique metal fish and aquatic sculptures at his historic Gullah cottage. The gallery is always open, even if Chase is not around. He also sells jars of freshly made honey.

The most significant historic landmark on Daufuskie Island is the First Union African Baptist Church, built in 1884 on land donated by a former plantation owner (the first church was constructed in 1881, but burnt down). Largely unchanged since the 1880s, it is still in use today as a place of worship. A replica of a traditional Gullah Praise House is located behind the building.

Finally, the Mary Fields School was built in 1933 for the education of local Gullah children; this is where author Pat Conroy taught during the 1969–70 academic year. The school closed in 1995, but the building still stands.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.