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Daufuskie Island

Between Hilton Head and Savannah · Reachable only by boat

Rolling dunes and bunkers of the 18th fairway on Daufuskie Island, water beyond

18th fairway, Daufuskie Island Golf Course. The finishing hole runs along the water, with Hilton Head on the horizon. 3,059 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Feb 2013

Map of Daufuskie Island with the Melrose golf course pinned on its east shore
Where it is. The pin is the Melrose course, on Daufuskie's east shore facing the Calibogue Sound. Tap the map to open it in Google Maps. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Location: Between Hilton Head & Savannah · By boat only

Best For: Day trips, golf, empty shoreline

The Archive: 3 photos · 21,576 views on Google Maps

The 18th green at Melrose Golf Course, a palm tree at left and the ocean behind A tree-lined lane, the Avenue of the Oaks, leading toward the water on Daufuskie Island

Daufuskie is the island time kept. There's no bridge — you arrive by ferry or boat, get around by golf cart, and spend the day under live oaks and along empty shoreline. Its best-known landmark for golfers is the Melrose course, whose 18th hole finishes right on the Calibogue Sound.

Key Takeaways

  • Passenger ferries run from Hilton Head Island; there is no causeway or bridge.
  • Golf carts are the standard way to get around once you're there.
  • The photos below span 2006–2013 — the island changes slowly, and that's the point.

Tagged Features

Boat Access OnlyGolfOak LanesQuiet Shoreline
The 18th green at Melrose Golf Course, a palm tree at left and the ocean behind
18th hole, Melrose Golf Course. A green, a palm, and the Atlantic. 16,368 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Oct 2006
A tree-lined lane, the Avenue of the Oaks, leading toward the water on Daufuskie Island
Avenue of the Oaks. The island's oak-lined lanes are reason enough for the trip. 2,149 views on Google Maps · Photo taken Oct 2006
See Daufuskie Island on Google Maps

Between these three photos: 21,576 views on Google Maps — and counting.

Nearby Spots

Harris Teeter on Hilton Head Island — the tall white store with green shutters and awnings, palmettos out front
Harris Teeter
South end, Hilton Head Island · 5.6 mi
 The Reilley's Plaza monument sign on Hilton Head Island — restaurants and offices, listing Reilley's Grill, Deano's, One Hot Mamas and Brother Shucker's
Reilley's Plaza
Greenwood Drive, Hilton Head Island · 5.8 mi
 The Smokehouse on Hilton Head Island — a tall wood-and-brick building with a wall of glass
The Smokehouse
South end, Hilton Head Island · 6.0 mi
 An orange sunburst sculpture rising out of a lagoon at Coligny, Hilton Head Island, a wooden boardwalk bridge behind it
The Sunburst Sculpture
Coligny, Hilton Head Island · 6.0 mi
 The Sea Shack on Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island — the little ground-floor shack under a two-story building, picnic tables under a tent
The Sea Shack
Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island · 6.0 mi
 Local Pie on Hilton Head Island — the stucco building, wooden steps up to the deck and the Tiger Den banner on the rail
Local Pie
South end, Hilton Head Island · 6.1 mi
 Fat Baby’s Pizza & Subs on Hilton Head Island — the baby-mascot sign and wooden double doors
Fat Baby’s Pizza & Subs
Off Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island · 6.1 mi
 Kind of Blue on Hilton Head Island — the tall timber pavilion with its hanging sign, blue string lights and red chairs on the brick terrace
Kind of Blue
South end, Hilton Head Island · 6.1 mi
 A green at Hilton Head National Golf Club in Bluffton — flagstick, pond, and pines
Hilton Head National Golf Club
Off US 278, Bluffton · Parks
 Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe on Hilton Head Island — the round sailboat sign over the porch, brick steps and palms
Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe
Palmetto Bay Road, Hilton Head Island · Parks
 Windmill Harbour on Hilton Head Island — harbour homes and the marina seen across the water
Windmill Harbour
North end, Hilton Head Island · Parks
 The Church of the Cross in Bluffton — weathered wooden church with palmettos, a brick path and the May River behind
Church of the Cross
Calhoun Street, Old Town Bluffton · Parks
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