This was a great stop, and honestly, it was a spontaneous decision, but I'm glad we made the visit…read more Take some time to read the informational signs and really reflect on the history of the space. The ruins are of a plantation home and slave quarters dating back to 1793, with a deep and complex history tied to the Civil War era. Rumor has it that there are ghost sightings here, adding a mysterious vibe to the site. The ruins offer a poignant glimpse into the past, and it's a meaningful place to pause and consider the stories of those who once lived and worked there. It's a small site, but full of historical significance, and definitely worth a quick detour during your trip. Visiting the ruins adds depth to your understanding of the island's history and the legacy of the Civil War era in the Lowcountry. It's a powerful reminder of the area's complex past and makes for an interesting, reflective stop.

This was a unique activity, it was really interesting and not difficult to get to. Overall it took…read moreabout 30 minutes for the entire thing! Definitely worth seeing!

While extra planning will be needed, I highly recommend visiting this local treasure…read more We visited for a wedding and were able to enjoy many aspects of the island. The beaches are so pristine, and you're bound to find a treasure. I was not comfortable getting in the water. You couldn't see the bottom and the jellyFish were in full force. Golf carts are highly recommended and equally utilized. Plan ahead for your ferry ride over (or private rental). If you can indulge on the cuisine made by Sallie Ann Robinson, consider yourself lucky!!! She's a true gem. I am forever grateful that I got to meet her and eat her delicious food!! I would go back just to spend time with her. She's so knowledgeable, so loving, genuinely cares about preserving the Gullah history. She is a True Treasure!!! Pack bug spray! Wowzers. Loved our quick getaway.

Pronounced "Daw-fuss-key" or "Duh-fuss-key"…read more Daufuskie Island has a long rich history, which you can read about on Wiki, but I was first interested in visiting Daufuskie because it was settled by the Gullah for a long time, and I really wanted to learn more about the culture. I have come across Gullah works in various mediums in my folk art studies, and really yearn to know more. In retrospect, I think Sapelo Island would've been a better choice, but in either case, you'd need to have done your own research and historical reading ahead of time, because unfortunately, despite some local-level efforts, there has not been much invested in quality museum preservation of the culture on either island. I hope in the future this will change, and these historic sites will be given funding and national historic recognition. The island is 5mi x 2.5mi, with 3mi of beach. I've been to a lot of beaches around the world, and they do have a really pretty beach here. There are technically 2 beaches by name, but they run into each other. Our captain of our ferry told us a few years ago investors tried to hype Dafuskie up to be a southern Nantucket, but it didn't really catch on. I'd say the feel was more of Ocracoke (Boho artsy & southern nature) meets a small Bahamian island (island-rustic & party feel). There are these random gated communities and condo complexes amidst a very bucolic island bush feel. Golf carts are the main mode of transport, with very few cars, and there is this weird bike attitude, where they warn against trying to ride one on the sand roads, but yet rentals are available? (They recommend fat tire bikes.)       There are homemade YouTube videos on this island, but no major documentaries, and again, that is normally how I research a trip. So an island map is really the best resource I found on how to approach tourism across this island (apart from taking an official tour).  Unfortunately, due to my unhappy dog, I didn't get to explore beyond one restaurant and one beach. But I am aware of a schoolhouse, an iron master artist, a lighthouse (that isn't really a lighthouse), a very cool farm you can tour (that doesn't allow dogs), and a mishmash of old and new residences, where abandoned Gullah homesteads meet Baby Boomer retirement villages. There is also the Freeport town center, where the action is. Many boaters come dock just off the town square, and locals say the boats get rows deep, just tying one up to another. A rowdy party sparks up just about every afternoon, with lots of middle-aged to senior drunk people hanging out to play cornhole and flirt. There were also sketchy bungalow rooms for rent right on the party square for, presumably, boat goers to sober up before floating back to Hilton Head, and, (eek) hook-ups. Seriously, this spot is a maskless spreader zone come lunch time each day, so I steered clear!  Pat Conroy's book, The Water is Wide, is based on Daufuskie. This means nothing to me for the stuff I read, so I can't expand, but it is meaningful to some. People say of Daufuskie, "it feels like another country" ehhh, not really. I guess this is based on the rustic island vibe? If you've been to the Caribbean you know a bigger cultural difference. Even parts of the FL Keys feel more non-domestic than this. I did feel like I was still in SC. One detail that reminded me of small Bahamian islands, was the broken down cars, just rotting in various places. I get that on an island it's not easy to get rid of an old useless car, and I appreciate the rustic character, but there were a lot of them, especially in one particular sport, which was otherwise really pretty, by the water. Perhaps these are going to be reclaimed for their steel by the local steel artist? IDK. But that, for sure, felt Caribbean-y.  Visited in mid-March and temperatures were mid-70s. But on the beach it got hot! Daufuskie is a 45min ferry ride from Hilton Head, and then a short drive to Savannah. It is the last island in SC, before you get to Tybee in GA.

I recently visited during the NOGs Tour of Hidden Gardens and was reminded what a lovely home this…read moreis! Truly one of my favorite homes to tour in Savannah. Wonderful history and they do a fabulous job. I also love that they are a part of the Coastal Heritage Society. I often get the annual pass to visit this home as well as other Savannah sites.

I visited this historic home after seeing a couple of the rooms featured in the movie Bride Hard…read more Once I was there to experience the well preserved beauty of the home it was easy to see why it was chosen as a film location. My tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the house and even other movies filmed there. The tour started in the basement with stories about slave workers. The tour ends in the upstairs bedroom, learning about about Alida "Harper" Fowlkes. It you are interest in historic homes, definitely check out the Harper-Fowlkes House if you are in Savannah.

I visited here on a tour and I'm so glad I did. It doesn't look like a lot but knowing that it has…read morebeen here for a few thousand years and how they were built just made it an amazing experience. I highly recommend reading about it, our tour guide Todd had some articles online I've read since visiting. There are only 3 remaining in the world, you should see it.

The ring is a national treasure as one of only few surviving archaic shell rings in the state. This…read morealong with its unsolved mystery (Who built it? Why? Why did they leave 300 years later?) makes it 4 stars in my book. I agree I got more excited after the fact once I learned more about it. You need to love history and be a romantic person to really enjoy this. Little kids will be easily bored. Luckily, Lake Joe is nearby (dedicated to kids and family fishing) Check the details on my blog. http://shoutaboutcarolina.com/index.php/2009/08/indian-shell-ring-history-pictures-hilton-head-free-things-to-do/

Nice ferry ride over. Not at all what we expected. Poor maps of the island so many golf carters…read morewere lost most of the time. Lots of old, rundown trailers and houses. Some beach areas had houses that were simply boarded up. On the positive side, Blood Bay Beach was very nice. Calm water and lots of hard sand to walk the beach on.

Daufuskie is full of history from its plantation life before the Civil War to the union occupation…read moreduring the war to becoming a worldwide producer of Oysters in the early 1900's. After the oyster beds were ruined in the 1950's by pollution in the Savannah River the population of the island dropped to around 100 as residents needed to move "across the water" to earn a living. Today the island is primarily inhabited by tourists. The former Haig Point plantation has become a gated community similar to many of the plantations on Hilton Head and the rest of the island is supported by tourism. Don't expect to find a miniature Hilton Head, Daufuskie is still in very pristine condition. You won't be shopping and bar hopping. So if you'd like to spend a day surrounded by history and beauty on a largely unspoiled island in the low country I'd recommend you visit Daufuskie Island. https://youtu.be/zBUA0xiE4CA

After paying the nine dollars for a day pass to enter Sea Pines we followed the column of traffic…read moreheaded to Harbour Town, I've visited this location quite a bit over the years but it's been more than a decade and it seems not much has change except for the ridiculous amount of traffic on the island. I live in a tourist town in Florida so it's annoying but part of life in paradise. I guess the entrance fee covers your parking because it's all free once you pass the guard gates, all that's required is luck finding a space within a reasonable walking distance, I got lucky today being someone was pulling out just as I arrived at the preferred parking lot a stones throw from the pier. The pier is well constructed and offers some great views and a covered sitting area at the end. There are plenty of charter businesses that run parallel to the pier and a number of placards describing some of the local bird and sea inhabitants. I always spend some time on the local piers when visiting different areas they all seem to offer a few moments of serenity. There is also a walking beach close by that looks like it offers some shelling opportunities but today that option looks limited, I'm sure most visitors grab a few free souvenirs from here. It's a must do while visiting Harbour Town and this alone is worth the price of admission when considering the parking is free...

The perfect spot for your photo of the sunset on Hilton Head Island, there is no charge to visit…read morethe pier (you've already paid to enter Sea Pines) and you can easily get out over the water. We checked it out, took our pictures, and moved along. I think the Daufuskie Island Ferry might stop here, but certainly any number of harbor (harbour?) cruises depart and return from here. [Review 12424 overall, 2211 of 2019.]

We have heard about this place for years and we saw it for the first time today! What a delightful…read morearea to visit complete with no Sims to give us a remembrance to take home. No trip to Hilton head would be complete without a bug bite. Aside from the bug bite, we enjoyed the views along the waterway. We may return and take a souvenir cruise at some point.

Third time to visit. Love this place! Every landing has all sorts of collectibles to view. Store at…read morethe top. Gorgeous views. Has a webcam and good phone signal so can have friends go to the website and see you. A must do on HHI

We came to see the lighthouse. I did not climb to the top. I am unable to climb that high any…read morelonger. I wish I could. There were many busses there and individual family's there. This lighthouse is located in a quaint and cute neighborhood. We did not stay long, as we're on our way to where I wanted to go:Sugar Shack. Then we're were going g to head home:Jacksonville, Florida. Recommend? Only younger people who can climb many steps.

Having been married at a lighthouse, our family has made it a fun goal to go a lighthouse on every…read morefamily trip. This trip was Savannah, Georgia. Tybee Island is around 30 minutes away in a cozy little coastal town. The rate to go in the lighthouse covers the lighthouse and their museum. We only had time for the lighthouse. The price is $12 for adults and $10 for children. Children 5 and under are free. I was surprised they allow children of all ages. Normally there is a height restriction. My youngest (4) was thrilled because he's always wanted to join on our family tradition but was too short or young. He did a excellent job along with our (8) year old and my husband walking up the 178 steps. This is the tallest lighthouse in Georgia and the climb is fairly easy in my opinion. There is a break at every 25 steps where you can look out a window or just take a breath and let people pass if needed. The view from above is beautiful. You can see the water. There is no staff member at the top and the staff do not spend long explaining the lighthouse but there are signs to read. Overall it was a good experience and it's a beautiful lighthouse. Worth the visit. Next time we will carve time for the m

My family and I went on the tour and had an AMAZING experience! I have visited Savannah my entire…read morelife and has no idea the depth of Black History that was here. What stands out even more about this tour is the unique timeline and positive uplifting notes Rita conveys to the participants. Not to mention the cultural party and celebration that takes place. I THOROUGHLY enjoyed the tour and wished there was one in every city we visit on vacation.yy

This was one of the best Black Heritage tours I've been on and I've been on Black Heritage Tours in…read moreDC and Memphis. Rita kept it fun, exciting, great music, stories, landmarks and a lot of little know facts. I would highly recommend this tour to everyone. Our Ashanti Too Book Club was celebrating our 20th anniversary and this was a highlight. She accommodated us by scheduling a private tour for our group of 13 and at the time we needed. The bus was well maintained, it had individual seat belts, music and even blankets and fans to keep cool or warm. You will have an unforgettable experience and the price was reasonable. Thank you Rita Yates!

Great product, reasonable prices for handmade sculptures whose creator is making a living off…read moresales. Uses the honor system, which tells you a lot about the character of the artist by itself. The only thing I would've changed is that I would have loved to meet the artist but of course he can't meet everyone. After all He's not Mickie Mouse he's just a human being who also happens to be an artist.

While on the Daufuskie Island, one of the stops you should consider is The Iron Fish Gallery. The…read moreitems are pricey but unique. When we were there, there was no one on site. However, you could pay with a "honor system" that you can take what you'd like and leave cash or check in the mail slot or leave your contact information and he will email you to get your cc number. There was numerous metal artwork including fish, turtles, mermaids, crabs, and a few other sea creatures. You can get custom made items/colors and have them shipped to you. It's a great spot of find a little piece of iron art to take home with you. NOTE: you got to be looking for the small white building off the side of the road. If you are not paying attention, you can drive your golf cart right past the location. If you saw something but did not want to take chance on leaving money or contact information, go to Chase Allen's The Iron Fish Gallery web site and you can order directly from him and have it shipped.