Named after its former inhabitant, the colonial governor of the Carolinas, Robert Daniell, the island is located in Berkeley County and situated between the Cooper and Wando Rivers.
As of July 2012 it is being developed as a master-planned community complete with residential neighborhoods, parks, trails, recreational amenities and a downtown that is home to shops, restaurants, schools, churches and offices for businesses.
Daniel Island was initially inhabited by the Ittiwan people, a native tribe also commonly referred to as the Etiwan.
In 1947, the land was purchased by the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation and used primarily for farming, cattle ranching, and as a private hunting retreat, the island remained undeveloped until the early 1990s when the newly constructed I-526 expressway was completed.
The community and its developers have been nationally recognized for responsible planning and "smart growth" practices with numerous awards and accolades.