Ferry (Old English: to carry) and faerie (Old French: magic folk) may not share the same etymology, but few travels are as magical as visiting a ferry-access-only island. There’s just something about being marooned somewhere special by choice. Here are seven Southern islands where “you can’t get there from here” unless you take a ferry.
Bald Head Island
North Carolina
The ferry ride only lasts twenty minutes, but you’ll feel a world apart when you step onto car-free Bald Head Island. Impressive journeys come in many forms here, including loggerhead turtles determined to nest on East Beach, scores of migratory bird species that refuel in the Maritime Forest State Preserve along their perilous trek north, and those of us trying out human-powered adventures on standup paddleboards, in kayaks, and atop cruisers.
Bulls Island
South Carolina
Ever wonder what coastal South Carolina looked like before flocks of visitors arrived? Explore this 6.5-acre barrier island, one of four in the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, to find out. You’ll discover a 5,000-acre maritime forest and as many as 275 bird species to identify. Most ferries to the isle, which are operated by Coastal Expeditions, feature an on-board naturalist, so you can gather useful ecological intel for your time peering into the coastal wetlands and strolling the ominously named—but totally peaceful—Boneyard Beach.
Cumberland Island
Georgia
Big and bountiful nature always awaits when the National Park Service operates your ferry. Cumberland Island once served as the private enclave of the Carnegie family, descendants of whom now welcome guests at today’s Greyfield Inn. Cumberland visitors can also camp on the rustic barrier island among the loggerhead, wood stork, and pelican crowd.
Dry Tortugas
Florida
Tortuga, Spanish for turtle, makes sense, but why Dry? Simple: The island lacks fresh water sources. But the same treacherous reefs that imperiled dozens of ships provide surrounding habitat for some of the finest snorkeling and diving in North America. The seventy-mile ferry journey offers a perfect perch to scan the Gulf of Mexico for dolphins, flashy tropical fish, and rare bird species.
Smith Island
Maryland
Smith Island is that unusual ferry-only island that supports a thriving community. And unlike many islands on this list, multi-day trips here don’t require a tent and a WhisperLite stove. In addition to rooms at the Smith Island Bakery, visitors will find plenty of B&Bs and private house rentals. Cycling between Rhodes Point and Ewell towns is a favorite pastime, as is paddling the water trails and, of course, dining on freshly caught sea fare.
Ship Island
Mississippi
Being marooned in real life doesn’t sound very fun, but these days, isolating oneself on a barrier island eleven miles off the Mississippi coast feels idyllic. Cruising for one hour across the Mississippi Sound is half the fun, but don’t worry if you and your family grow tired from calling out dolphin sightings. Ship Island’s beaches, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, offer a fine sand mattress for an afternoon respite, while the Civil War–era Fort Massachusetts offers a dose of history. Just don’t miss the boat home.
Tangier Island
Virginia
If you love eating soft-shell crabs, you’re likely already familiar with Tangier Island, the soft-crab capital of the world. But there’s a deeper history here. Fort Albion, established by the British during the War of 1812, served as a refuge for almost one thousand enslaved people. From fresh ice cream to crab shacks, car-free Tangier invites you into the maritime lifestyle like few other destinations, and the island still feels a world away thanks to its resident’s distinct dialect and commitment to preserving their seafaring culture.
