🎯 Business Spotlight: Daniel Island Ferry

Daniel Island Ferry: A Scenic, Stress-Free Way to Explore Charleston

Author

Brandon Smith
May 08, 2025

tl;dr - Founded in October 2019 by Colby Hollifield with Captains Scott Connolly and Chip Deaton, Daniel Island Ferry now operates year-round Thursday–Saturday evenings and second Sundays, plus sunset cruises and private charters between Daniel Island and downtown Charleston. With over 400 five-star reviews, sold-out special runs, and partnerships for dinner packages and festival shuttles, the ferry alleviates traffic, cuts emissions, and offers a scenic, stress-free way to explore Charleston.

🎯 Business Spotlight

This week, we’re spotlighting Daniel Island Ferry, a Charleston-based water transit service founded by Colby Hollifield, Captain Scott Connolly, and Captain Chip Deaton.

After years of running Charleston Water Taxi and teaching on the harbor, the three partners saw an opportunity to make evenings and weekend trips to downtown stress-free—and a whole lot more fun. Fortuitous events led Colby, Chip, and Scott to become business partners in 2018, and the Daniel Island Ferry was born.

“Watching the city lights come into view as you glide across the water—there’s nothing else like it. It turns a mundane commute into an experience.”

Launched in October 2019, the service quickly found its rhythm:


📅 Weekly Service

  • Thursday–Saturday evenings between Daniel Island and Waterfront Park

2nd Sunday of each month daytime runs—perfect for festivals on King Street

🛥️ Capacity & Offerings

  • Fast, enclosed, air-conditioned vessel seating up to 49 passengers per trip

  • 90-minute Sunset Harbor Cruises every evening

  • Private charters (bachelorette parties, catered dinners, corporate outings)

“A major turning point for us was realizing we didn’t have to choose between transport and entertainment—we could be both.”

Growth Snapshot (First 18 Months)

  • 400+ Google reviews with a 5.0 ★ average 

  • Regular sell-outs on concert express runs—riders book weeks in advance to ensure a round-trip experience

  • Expanded from a weekend-only pilot to year-round service, adding holiday and special-event cruises

Community & Partnerships
Daniel Island Ferry isn’t just about moving people—it’s about connecting communities and local businesses. The team collaborates with:

  • Island restaurants for dinner-and-ferry packages (e.g., Kings Tide, The Waterfront Bar & Grill)

  • Event organizers for 2nd Sunday on King shuttles and Charleston Harbor festivals

  • Local tourism boards to promote sustainable, traffic-free access to Charleston’s top attractions

🔍 Why It Matters
In a region famous for its traffic bottlenecks and limited parking, Daniel Island Ferry provides a scenic, reliable alternative—reducing road congestion, lowering carbon emissions, and giving riders a chance to relax before (and after) their night out. As Charleston’s growth continues, this service exemplifies how creative mobility solutions can enhance both quality of life and economic vitality in the Lowcountry.

📲 Support & Connect

Enjoy the ride—and see Charleston from a whole new perspective!

💡 Lowcountry Ledger’s Take: The Daniel Island Ferry might be Charleston’s most underrated way to get downtown. Whether you’re heading out for dinner, a show, or just a sunset drink, it’s a relaxing, traffic-free ride that turns the commute into part of the night out. For Daniel Island residents, it’s a no-brainer—and for downtown locals, it’s a scenic excuse to explore the island without battling I-526.

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