Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, Area Orientation

Daufuskie Island Real Estate: A Sea Island Treasure

So just what is it about a skinny island only five miles long and a couple miles wide that makes you want to dig deeper, know more, and keeps you coming back? To understand the sea island treasure of Daufuskie Island, SC, embrace the idea of Daufuskie Island real estate as an amalgamation; a mix of lifestyles, ages and interests combined through mutual respect.

But what is the attraction? Is it the lure of cotton and indigo plantations of antebellum days that fill Daufuskie Island real estate, the southern hospitality extended to visitors and buyers of Daufuskie Island real estate, or simply the remarkable merger of man and nature? At the top of everyone’s list is the fact that Daufuskie Island is an island accessed only by boat. Whether it’s a comfortable passenger ferry from Hilton Head, bucking the currents in a kayak, or arriving on your own craft and tying up in the marina at red marker 36, arrival on Daufuskie Island's shell-strewn shores takes a degree of effort that is well-rewarded.

If you come ashore at the old county dock on the southernmost tip of Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, called Freeport Marina, you can decide how to explore this largely undeveloped yet mesmerizing lush island. Maybe you’ve always wanted to rent a cabin with spectacular sunset waterfront views – it’s here on Daufuskie Island! If you’ve called ahead and arranged for a tour, this is the place to meet. Otherwise you can rent a golf cart, a bike, or you can enjoy a simple stroll along the shores of beautiful Daufuskie Island, South Carolina.

Don’t miss Marshside Mama’s, a longstanding picturesque funky restaurant serving the best shrimp around, whose sign admonishes “No whining, just dance.” The adjacent post office and a small general store are worth a visit, in case you’d like to stock up on sunscreen or chew the fat with the locals and owners of Daufuskie Island real estate.

Moving away from the water surrounding Daufuskie Island, SC, you’ll meander along sandy lanes shaded by towering loblolly pines and moss-draped live oaks. You’ll pass painted wooden cottages, an eighteenth century cemetery, a small clapboard schoolhouse where Pat Conroy taught, the old Bloody Point Lighthouse – now a lovingly restored home – and the old frame First Union African Baptist Church (still in use) with its hand-hewn pews and two front doors – one for men, the other used by women.

Weary from your Daufuskie Island travels? Pause at Attitude Adjustment Boulevard for a moment to peruse crafts made here, or stop by Mrs. Simmon’s house to sample her renowned ’Fuskie stuffed crabs. Then head for Bob Burn’s pottery emporium. Feast your eyes on his one-of-a-kind bowls and platters embellished with island motifs while you take in his tales of survival: from shipwrecks and storms to his solo Atlantic crossing.

Next, head for the Atlantic side of Daufuskie Island, skirting the resort’s untouched marshland, and you’ll catch glimpses of working shrimp boats on the sparkling water and Tybee Island in the distance. Suddenly it dawns on you – something’s missing – and you realize you haven’t heard or seen a car, cell phone or billboard since you arrived. The silence is broken only by a dragonfly’s buzzing or an anxious osprey returning to nest.

Thoughtful Real Estate Development
Long-time residents, environmentalists, and owners of Daufuskie Island real estate were concerned about the prospects of island development in the eighties. With construction of a gated residential community at the north end of Daufuskie Island, a full service resort in the middle and new beachfront condominiums, Daufuskie Island locals and owners of Daufuskie Island real estate have gained amenities, jobs and basic services that they previously lacked.

These developments brought change to a place that time had virtually forgotten. Reverence for the Lowcountry’s natural gifts, however, was the primary concern of planners, and thus large open spaces were preserved for future residents and buyers of Daufuskie Island real estate. Currently Haig Point is participating in the Audubon Society’s Cooperative Sanctuary Program, a rigorous process designed to create, preserve, and enhance wildlife habitats.

A recently built elementary school overflows with technology making you aware of just how seriously education is taken. The fire department boasts full-time firefighters, emergency personnel and a mighty squad of volunteers whose contribution helps lower fire insurance for owners of Daufuskie Island real estate.

While an island without a bridge has the advantage of being insulated from the traffic and congestion of the mainland, a voice was needed to assure the residents and owners of Daufuskie Island real estate were effectively represented in local government affairs. The Daufuskie Island Community Improvement Club was formed to champion improvements in education, transportation, fire prevention and many other civic needs. The Club welcomes all who are interested in helping to guide the development of Daufuskie Island, South Carolina.

Sense of Community
Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, is a friendly spot – there’s a strong sense of community, and everyone pitches in for the good of Daufuskie Island, whether it’s the school fundraiser, a wedding, or the annual all-island golf tournament held on the public beach. Many local residents and Daufuskie Island real estate owners are skilled artisans and craftspeople who appreciate the support and enthusiasm of neighbors.

Everyone here – visitor, student, paramedic, homeowner, worker – relies on the ferry system, promoting a certain relaxed ambience. Friendships are born on the crossing, deals consummated, romances sparked. There’s always the option of sitting topside, taking in the salty air.

As an old-timer put it, “It’s easier to have an emergency here than in a big city.” Life’s seabreezy and slow, relaxed yet invigorating – but can it stay that way? According to Miss Effie, “I’m not too worried ‘bout what’s next. Electricity came here in the fifties, we got telephone service in 1971, and a STOP sign came in ’86, so I don’t think anybody’s in a hurry to build a bridge.”

Everything’s here, and yet nothing’s here. That’s the appeal. If you crave crowds and the cacophony of urban life, Daufuskie Island real estate might be too slow. On the other hand, you might get used to the sunset traffic jam on the beach.