Dewees Island Info and Guidelines
Contact:Heidi Bradley heidib@islandrealty.com |
There are 2 rental properties on Dewees: (Linens are provided for all homes) Helpful Online Videos |
The Island
Dewees is a private island off the tip of Isle of Palms. It is a wildlife preserve, so if you are looking for a quiet, natural vacation, Dewees is the place for you. There are no cars, restaurants or stores of any kind on the island, so please come prepared, or take the ferry to pick up supplies. It is likely that you will encounter the natural wildlife of the island (and may occasionally see alligators, snakes and bugs - though they mean you no harm). It is a great place for fishing, crabbing, etc. with several docks on the waterway and marsh areas. The island maintains an environmental philosophy about being conservative when harvesting seafood—only take what can be eaten in a single meal. Fishing and crabbing waste (i.e. scraps, used bait) should be deposited outside the island, not in the impoundment or Lake Timicau.
Ferry
Dewees is only accessible by boat. The ferry leaves promptly from the Isle of Palms at the top of the hour and from Dewees at the bottom of the hour. The ferry ride is approx. 20 minutes. Ferry times are as follows:
Monday thru Thursday
IOP: 7AM – 10PM**
DEW: 7:30 AM – 10:30PM*
Friday and Saturday
IOP: 7AM – 12AM**
DEW: 7:30AM – 12:30 AM*
Sunday
IOP: 8AM – 10PM**
DEW: 8:30AM – 10:30PM*
* Last ferry is available only by request
***PLEASE NOTE NEW FERRY SCHEDULE
The Ferry Service Schedule has become ON DEMAND ONLY from Dewees Island to Isle of Palms. All riders must phone the ferry no later than 10 minutes before the top of the hour to notify the mate that they will be leaving Dewees Island at the bottom of the hour. This is the only way to have service off of Dewees Island at the following half-hour departure time. For example, if you intend to depart Dewees at 10:30AM, you must phone the ferry by 9:50AM to let them know. The only exception is that the first ferry of the day will always run from IOP and Dewees. There will be no observable change in ferry service to Dewees Island from the Isle of Palms Ferry Dock: that is, as long as passengers are present on the dock at the embarkation hour, the ferry will run (ferry loading rules apply). To contact the ferry, please call 843-568-3990
* Please pack as lightly as possible for your stay. Remember that everything you bring on the island must be transported via ferry and golf cart. There is a limit of 5 large storage carts that will be allowed on each ferry. This is limited to one push cart per household. If no one else is using the other push carts, they can be used. Plastic totes can be used to carry on in case there aren’t enough push carts. Pack as much as you can in the carts and leave carry-on luggage and suitcases free to sit by your side on the ferry. If you have a great deal of luggage, etc., it is possible that all of your items will not make it on the ferry, especially on a busy weekend. The protocol for the carts allows the owner’s items to be taken first, owner’s guests next, and then renters. If you have to leave items at the dock, be sure to place them in a green cart(s) and the boat captain will bring it (them) over on the next ferry. They will then be given priority.
* Guests are NOT allowed to bring their private boats to Dewees. The limited dock space is for owner use only.
* Pets are NOT permitted in rental properties.
* NEVER FEED WILDLIFE (especially alligators - this leads to alligators being removed from the island! If you feed them, they begin to associate humans with food, and that is not a good thing!).
* There is a new flag that will fly on the Landing’s Building flagpole. The red fire alert flag is from the SC Forestry Commission and will be flown to signify extreme fire danger. Please be especially careful during this dry time of year and discard any cigarettes or matches in proper receptacles.
* Dewees will also fly a flag when there is a hurricane warning. Management will attempt to call all residences on the Island. At the time a hurricane watch is issued, everyone on the Island will need to evacuate and follow instructions from Charleston County.
* If there is a medical, police or fire emergency, call 911. Charleston County 911 will alert on-Island and off-Island personnel as necessary.
In case of emergency, there is a helicopter pad and a fire truck on Dewees.
Golf Carts
Each property provides 2 golf carts that will be waiting for you at the landing when you get off the ferry. Carts are assigned by lot number and your cart will have a sticker on the front or side with the house number. Please remember to charge the carts at the house when not in use, and you may leave the carts at the dock when you depart. If you have any golf cart problems, please call Island Realty and we can arrange for maintenance or an alternate cart (*please 1st verify that you have been charging the cart). Please do not take the shuttle carts at the dock…they are for Dewees owner use only. If you are at all confused about the carts, please ask because the Dewees POA will issue fines after one warning. Children cannot drive golf carts (LICENSED DRIVERS ONLY!!!).
Rules
Trash
It is very important that you properly dispose of the trash and recyclables from your property. PLEASE remove all trash from INSIDE and OUTSIDE the property.
When you leave the home, you must bring your garbage and recyclables to the Public Works disposal area (between the shed and the burn pile). Put your bagged trash in the large dumpster and be sure to close the sliding door (to keep the raccoons out); put your bagged recycling onto the trailer and place it in the blue wheelie bins. This area is well screened, and we ask your help to keep the area clean and tidy. We strongly encourage you to recycle since you are on an environmentally friendly island, and this will also cut down on the amount of trash. The following is a summary of items collected as recyclable on Dewees Island in coordination with Charleston County:
- Mixed: 3 colors of glass containers unbroken (clear, brown, and green) - metal lids also - Steel food cans - Aluminum cans, aluminum foil, aluminum pie pans - Plastics #1 (PET) soda bottles, etc. - Plastics #2 (HDPE) milk jugs,etc. (rinse & remove lids) - empty oil bottles (drained, with cap screwed on)
- Paper: Newspaper - Magazines - Junk Mail - Office Paper - Books (hard-cover and soft-back) - Glossy Paper (fax, magazines or inserts). No food contaminated paper, metal fasteners, Kleenex, paper towels or napkins.
- Cardboard: Corrugated Cardboard boxes (boxes must be broken down)
- Paperboard: items such as cereal boxes, soda can boxes, laundry detergent boxes, cracker boxes, cake mix boxes, tissue boxes
Compost – Dewees supports self help community wide composting. You may find the rental property you are staying in has a composer. We encourage you to compost your vegetable scraps.
Fish and shellfish- Please keep all bones and fish refuse separate from your trash. Do not put any fish or shellfish remains into the compost bins. Returning fish to the ocean at the main ferry dock is the best way to dispose of the remains.
Trash must be bagged. It CANNOT be left at or below the house, in the golf cart, etc. There is a $50 charge to remove trash that is left behind. Please do not put bagged trash into receptacles along the beaches and common areas. These wooden trash receptacles are only to be used for small, loose trash.
Fire
There have been problems in the past regarding fires on Dewees. Be sure you are conscious of the hazards that may lead to fires. Anything that can start a fire, especially carelessness, is not allowed. No bonfires, campfires on the beach, etc. Fire spreads pretty quickly on Dewees in the dry summer months and can destroy the island. * There is a flag that will be flown on the Landing’s Building flagpole to signify extreme fire danger. The red fire alert flag is from the SC Forestry Commission. Please be especially careful during this dry time of year and discard any cigarettes or matches in proper receptacles.
Beach Paths
They’re located about every 6 houses on the ocean side of the island. There will be a sign for each path and you can drive your cart up pretty close to the beach and park. Any time you see a sign on the ocean side of the island which includes the name “Walk,” like “Osprey Walk,” it is a beach path. Golf carts are not allowed on the beaches. Please refrain from walking on the dunes and disturbing nesting birds. The preservation of the sand dunes and the natural wildlife is essential to Dewees.
Also, please do not leave your belongings on the beach overnight. If the tide does not carry your things away, it’s likely an animal may make its way into your blanket, chair, tent, etc., and no one wants that surprise.
Huyler House and Nature Center (now at the Landings Building)
*The pool and tennis courts are located at the Huyler house. All guests have access to these amenities. There are also picnic tables here, restrooms, etc.
*Located in the Landings is the Nature Center which houses exhibits, archives and the store. The Nature Center on Dewees is a wonderful place to spend time while on the island. All the exhibits are there to enjoy. Be sure to check the bulletin board on the ferry or at the Nature Center for activity postings …they have really interesting daily activities and programs for kids during the summer months. Dewees is a nature preserve, so there are some great learning opportunities.
*The Nature Center store on Dewees has new merchandise for sale. Many options for youth, men’s and women’s clothing - plus souvenir items such as crank flashlights, head bands, disposable cameras, coffee mugs, wine glasses, and Dewees note cards to name just a few. Anyone that wishes to purchase will need a check or cash...Dewees doesn’t have the capability of credit cards. The Store is on the honor system, with a sales form and box to put your money in. P.S. There are security cameras in the building 24/7.
Please visit www.deweesislandpoa.org for a virtual tour of the island and the Dewees philosophy
Fees
Escort Fee
If you have not stayed on Dewees before, you will need an escort on the day of arrival. Your escort time will be arranged as we approach your arrival date. Return guests do not need an escort. The escort fee is $39.
Ferry Fee
Dewees has reinstated individual charges for the use of the ferry. As of 10/01/10, the charge for the ferry is $14 per person for each round trip to/from Dewees ($7 per person each way). When you board the ferry, you will give your name to the deckhand. He will verify your information according to the list of names you provided to Island Realty prior to your arrival (you must have pre-arranged access to ride the ferry). Each time you use the ferry, they will verify your information and record your trip on their computer. The total number of trips will then be tallied at the close of each month.
The ferry charges will be assessed and applied to your credit card the month following your departure (when we receive the monthly ferry log from Dewees). If you would like to have the charges divided between family members or friends so that you are not responsible for the entire cost, we must have the names associated with each grouping on record prior to your departure, a credit card number to use for the charge, and an email and phone number for the card holder. After the charges are calculated and applied to the credit card(s), we will email you an itemized copy of the ferry list and charges.
Other Information
Day of Arrival/Check-in
Please notify Island Realty of your approximate arrival time so that we make arrangements to get you to the ferry on time. You need to come to the office at least by the bottom of the hour so that we can get you checked in and follow you to the dock with enough time to unload, park your car(s) and get on the boat.
Names and Ages
Prior to your arrival, you are required to submit the names and ages of everyone who will not only be staying at the property, but also visiting you at any time during your stay. This information is used for ferry access, and any name that has not been supplied will not be allowed on/off the ferry. This policy also helps Dewees staff monitor who is on the island at all times in case of any emergency.
Hurricane Season
When there is an official “HURRICANE WATCH” (a tropical storm or hurricane conditions pose a possible threat within 36 hours) for Charleston County, SC, Dewees Island residents will need to immediately prepare and secure homes and property for a hurricane.
Dewees Island will initiate a mandatory evacuation at the time a “HURRICANE WARNING” (tropical storm or hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours) is issued by the National Weather Service for Charleston County, SC. Under a mandatory evacuation, the ferry will evacuate all residents, renters and staff immediately, and cease to run. No one will be allowed to return to Dewees Island on the ferry at this time. The Utility Company will shut down all sewer and water pumping facilities when there is a mandatory evacuation. There will be no drinking water supplied by the Utility. There will be no pumping of effluent; sewerage will back up into homes toilets and drains if they are used after shut-down.
If you do not heed the mandatory evacuation, there will be no way off Dewees Island if the storm gets worse than predicted. The Island will be without staff or emergency services – helicopters will not fly and boats will not come for any rescue.
For Dewees Island, the storm tide associated with a hurricane represents a potentially devastating and dangerous event. The storm tide can inundate the entire island. The erosive power and battering impact of such a water flow would seriously threaten life of any person stranded on the Island.
Island Realty guests should strongly consider purchasing the Travel Insurance when vacationing on Dewees during this time. It will cover ferry fees for evacuation and loss of rental days/time. Travel Insurance is the only way to guarantee a refund when a mandatory evacuation has been issued.
