Daufuskie Island is located one mile across the Calibogue Sound and southwest from Hilton Head Island. The name is taken from the Gullah which means “The first key” or barrier island north of Savannah Georgia. The beautiful and sleepy coastal barrier island is comprised of only eight square miles (5miles x 3.7 miles), 5,000 acres and is home to approximately 750 year-round residents. The Island is surrounded by the Calibogue Sound, the Atlantic Ocean, the Cooper and New Rivers and Mungin Creek. Access is by water only. Ferries and water taxis run from Hilton Head and Savannah and take 20-45 minutes. Most Islanders leave their cars in secured embarkation centers on Hilton Head Island. On Daufuskie, travel is mostly by electric cars and golf carts. Islanders love the quiet and undeveloped character of the Island. A bridge to Daufuskie Island is not planned and will probably never be built.

The Island’s two main residential areas are Haig Point and Melrose Plantation which includes the Bloody Point area. The Daufuskie Island Club and Resort is located at Melrose and Bloody Point. Other less developed areas of Daufuskie include Oak Ridge which borders the Ocean and has ocean front lots for sale and some projects planned, the Historic area which is home to many native Islanders and the Webb Tract for which there are future plans for the largest marina in South Carolina with a marina community.

The history of Daufuskie Island includes the construction of the famous Haig Point Lighthouse that was built in 1873 and still stands today. It is the symbol for the Haig Point community. A more recent history of Daufuskie includes a year in the life of author Pat Conroy when he taught school in the Island’s two room schoolhouse, which still stands. The autographical experience was the subject of Conroy’s book “The Water is Wide” published in 1972 and about which a film adaptation “Conrack” was made in 1974. 
 

Haig Point is a private, residential community on the northeast tip of Daufuskie Island and it is the largest residential community on Daufuskie Island with 1,040 total acres and approximately 220 homes. Approximately 100 families reside all year and another 50 families reside for at least six months a year. Haig point homes have small garages because automobiles are not allowed. Members get around in golf carts and electric cars! The cottages, townhouses and estate homes in Haig Point have beautiful settings with views of the golf course, lakes, marshes, lagoons and woods. Amenities include a 29-hole Rees Jones golf course, beach club with 3.5 miles of sandy beach, tennis center, heated pool, equestrian center and a community dock with dry storage nearby. Homes start at about $525,000; villas from $340,000 and lots from $89,000. 

Melrose Plantation and Bloody Point are ‘sister’ plantations owned by the Daufuskie Island Resort and Breathe Spa. Bloody Point got the name because of several battles between native Indians and the English during the early 1700s. Today these communities are classy and relaxed places to visit. They feature fine oceanfront, golf and wooded properties. Melrose has an 18-hole championship Jack Nicklaus signature golf course that finishes with the last three holes on the Atlantic Ocean, an inn with two restaurants, 57 oceanfront rooms and 37 guest cottages, a tennis center designed by Stan Smith, ocean front beach club and swimming pool and an equestrian center. Bloody Point has an 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Weiskoph and Jay Moorish, two tennis courts a restaurant and the Breath Spa. Melrose and Bloody Point are separated by the Oak Ridge tract that has oceanfront, second row and estate lots. Owners travel between Melrose and Bloody Point by golf carts and electric cars. Melrose is 662 areas and Bloody Point is 438 acres. Home prices start at about $600,000, villas from $800,000 and lots from $29,000.