Ultimate Guide to Crab Island Destin Florida (Things to do, Safety & More!)
If you’re visiting the beautiful panhandle city of Destin, also known as the the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” you’ve more than likely heard of Crab Island. And rightfully so.
Crab Island Destin Florida is probably one of the most well-known attractions in the area, having been featured in the likes of HGTV and Good Morning America as well as countless travel magazines or publications.
Avoid the post-vacation regrets after visiting Destin and telling yourself, “I wish I went to Crab Island.” Let’s add it to your list now – seriously, I’ll just pencil it in for you.
This underwater sandbar is undeniably one of the best ways to spend half a day or even a full day in Destin with plenty of sun, excitement, and boating just waiting to be enjoyed.
As someone who is absolutely crazy for a great place to anchor a boat and enjoy a sunny, summer day, I know you’ll love this spot. So, if you’re looking to head to Crab Island for the day, here’s my ultimate guide to visiting Crab Island, how to get there and all of the best things to do while you’re there.
( Some of the links in this post are probably affiliate links meaning I might make a small percentage of any purchases you make. All opinions remain my own. For my disclosure policy click here. )
What is Crab Island Destin Florida? 🦀
Well, let’s start with what it’s not, shall we? Crab Island in Destin Florida is, quite surprisingly due to its name, not an island. Many people are shocked to hear that but it’s true.
Crab Island is actually more of a shallow and under-water sand bar.
In the 1930s a massive storm caused flooding in the Choctawhatchee Bay, inspiring several local and determined men to dig a trench to control the flooding and save their homes. In the 60s, the US Corp of Engineers dredged the East Pass leading out to the Gulf of Mexico of a lot of sand and built jetties to stabilize the pass. This dredged sand built up Crab Island.
Technically, Crab Island was a man-made island (in the shape of a crab) at one point in time, but due to hurricanes and jetties, that island soon was submerged. And that, my friends, is how Crab Island came to exist.
Where is Crab Island Located? 🏝
If you’re driving over the bridge in Destin (the Marler Bridge), you absolutely cannot miss Crab Island. Look for the spot where you’ll see hundreds of boats just sitting as well as thousands of people crammed into a little area enjoying the day.
Crab Island spans multiple acres, and it’s located at the southern entrance of the Choctawhatchee Bay (try saying that 6 times fast) and inside Destin’s East Pass.
The location of this exciting sandbar is unique because it has the benefit of being open to the inflow and outflow of the tide and incredibly crystal clear, emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico yet it’s also not necessarily a beach area with normal waves.
Just a quick warning- do not attempt to swim to Crab Island. When you’re driving over the bridge staring out at Crab Island, it looks mesmerizingly close. Yet, it is extremely dangerous to swim out to the sandbar because of the strong and dangerous currents in the area.
Things to do Crab Island Florida
Alright, let’s skip to the good stuff. What can you actually do while visiting the infamous Crab Island in Destin Florida? Turns out, there’s plenty to do – from boat tours to day drinking or inflatable water parks.
1. Renting Kayaks or Paddleboards
One of the most exciting ways to experience Crab Island is to rent kayaks or paddleboards.
It is however important to note that the currents can be dangerously strong on the way to Crab Island, so it’s not recommended for beginners to make this journey.
Check out Luther’s for kayak rentals if you’re up fro a good workout and the challenge to the sandbar. Make sure to wear your life jacket though! It’s a great way to get to Crab Island especially if you can’t find a boat to rent or don’t feel comfortable steering a boat.
Tip: The bay or Destin Harbor is a much better area for beginners to paddle board and kayak with calmer waters.
2. Explore Underwater by Snorkeling 🤿
There’s an entire world living below the surface of the shallow water at Crab Island. From fish to turtles or crabs, and so much more. Snorkeling is the perfect way to spend a day here, and it’s also really laid back.
If you’re a beginner, Crab Island is actually a great spot to try your hand at snorkeling. Since the water is shallow and you can easily touch the ground anytime you want to, it’s a great way to get used to it.
Tip: If you’re looking for another great place to snorkel near Crab Island, check out the Okaloosa Island Grass Flats near the Coast Guard Station. This is super close to Crab Island.
3. Team up and Play Water Volleyball
If you’re big into water volleyball, Crab Island is the perfect place for it! With several inflatable volleyball nets scattered around the underwater sandbar, there’s plenty of opportunity to get a good workout while enjoying a day out in the sun.
Gather up your friends or family to rally a team or hang around the nets and join a game already going on. People here are generally very friendly and open to talking and inviting you to play in their already going strong match.
Tip: These water volleyball nets are typically setup near the Reef Burger, which is a floating restaurant here in Crab Island.
4. Be on the Lookout for Dolphins 🐬
If you’re into spotting dolphins as much as I am (no really, I love seeing them!), you’ll love visiting Crab Island. There’s often several dolphins frolicking around the area.
I personally would suggest that you rent a boat or take a boat tour here as you’re far more likely to see one on the way to Crab Island than at Crab Island itself. And if you don’t happen to see any dolphins on that boat ride, look into a dolphin boat tour in Destin or the surrounding area to make sure you see some of these cute mammals. Totally worth it!
5. Spend the Day Meeting People
Whether you’re more introverted or extroverted, Crab Island is a great way to meet other people while you’re on vacation or even if you’re a local. With all of the boats anchored close to each other and friends or families spending the day here, you’ll never be alone.
Strike up a conversation with someone nearby or join a game of volleyball. It’s the perfect way to find friends, future travel buddies, or just enjoy a fun way to spend the day.
6. Play Football or Water Frisbee
Another great (and free) way to enjoy Crab Island in Destin is to gather up your friends or family, or recruit some strangers nearby and play football or water Frisbee. It’s a great way to spend the day and also to meet others while you’re outside enjoying the sunshine.
Tip: Don’t forget to grab yourself a water Frisbee or football before you head out!
7. Relax or Sunbathe on the Boat
If you rent a boat or take a chartered boat, you don’t even have to get in the water if you don’t want to. Enjoy the day at Crab Island relaxing or sunbathing on the deck of the boat – work on that tan and keep the drinks going (if that’s your thing).
Make sure you have some tunes going while you’re on the boat (grab a Bluetooth speaker or the boat might have one built in). I love the ambiance of sun, water, and fun music – isn’t that the life?
8. Enjoy an Inflatable Water Park
What’s better than an inflatable water park? Whether you just want to try it (just because) or you’re looking for a family-friendly activity at Crab island, this is a must.
Check out the Crab Island Treasure Chest water park (Update: permanently closed unfortunately), and I believe the Crab Island Adventure Tour also offers one. The Island Adventure is open to those on the tour, but I believe the Treasure Chest water park is open to the public for a fee.
Whether it’s water slides or an obstacle course, an inflatable water park is definitely a unique way to spend the day here at Crab Island!
9. Relax in an Inner Tube and BYOB 🍹
This one is pretty self explanatory. Grab yourself an inner tube (the floating unicorn one works just fine too!) and make sure you have your best drinks loaded up in the cooler.
There’s nothing quite like the sun shining, the water glimmering all around you and just floating along with drink in hand. Reminder to not bring glass though! Grab an insulated tumbler to keep your drinks cold in the warm weather.
10. Rent Jet Skis
Perhaps one of the best ways to enjoy a day on the water is to rent jet skis and drive all over with them. There’s a thrill you get on a jet ski that is like no other (or, is that just me?).
Make sure that you pay attention to the “no-wake” zones all over the area near Crab Island. Most of the jet ski rental companies will give you a quick lesson or two before your ride. You’ll learn about the current precautions or various rules that apply to riding jet skis at Crab Island or around it.
Tip: Check out Crab Island Watersports for jet ski rentals and more!
11. Enjoy Vendor Foods or Snacks
Finally, one of the best ways to enjoy Crab Island is to take advantage of the many floating vendors that setup shop here. You’ll find plenty of foods or snacks to enjoy while you’re hanging outside growing an appetite. Anything from incredible mouthwatering BBQ food to fantastic (and cold!) desserts like ice cream.
Of course, you can always bring your own food to save some money. But a quick side note: you absolutely must bring your own alcohol – it’s not allowed to be sold by any of the vendors.
How to Get to Crab Island Destin 🚢
The only way to get to Crab Island is via boat or watercraft rental. I need to reiterate just in case that there is no way to get to Crab Island via swimming as it’s too dangerous with the strong currents in the area. So please don’t try to swim there!
I think the best way to get to Crab Island is via boat. Whether that’s a boat rental where you’re the captain or you hop on a chartered boat with an experienced captain. Having a boat generally gives you space to move around, a place to store your stuff, and often a bathroom to use onboard. You just don’t get that with a kayak or jet ski!
There are several boat rentals or shuttle options that can get you here. These are my recommendations, but not the only options.
Crab Island Shuttle Boat
Probably one of the fastest and most convenient ways to get to Crab Island is via a Crab Island Shuttle Boat. This short boat ride from Destin Harbor is a 32 foot tour boat with capacity for up to 30 passengers.
Rates start at $49 round trip which comes with a 2.5 to 3 hour Crab Island excursion as well as a licensed Captain and crew member. You’ll also get a guided tour of the Destin Harbor and the Crab Island Sandbar.
The shuttle boat also has under-seat storage where you can leave your personal items (rather than having to carry them around with you) along with a restroom onboard.
This is a great option for those looking to visit Crab Island on a budget. This boat option is family friendly as well.
Crab Island Boat Rentals
A boat rental is probably the absolute best way to visit Crab Island. Whether you book a chartered boat or your own private boat, this is the better way to go, in my opinion.
Crab Island Pontoon rentals are probably the most popular type of boat to rent for half a day or a full day. Ironically enough Crab Island is known by many as the “Pontoon Capital of the World!” Grab your crew and board a pontoon straight to Crab Island for the best way to spend an entire day on the water.
If you have a large group, the pontoon rental is the best option. If you have a smaller group a chartered boat isn’t a bad choice or a smaller boat rental.
Destin Boat Tours
Lastly, maybe you want someone else to do all of the captain’ing, and you want to do what you do best: vacationing and relaxing on a boat under the blazing sun and surrounded by beautiful water.
If that sounds more your speed, you might want to check out a Destin Boat Tours option as many of them travel around the area first and then explore Crab Island as an excursion. You’ll get to see many of the best sites in the area all via an exciting boat tour!
Here are the two I recommend (and seem to offer the most bang for your buck):
🧉🚢 Original Cruisin’ Tikis 3hr Crab Island Sandbar Adventure
For 3 hours, you’ll experience a truly unique way to see Crab Island – on a floating tiki-bar shaped boat! This one is truly a hit because it’s exciting to ride around on this little boat that just screams vacation mode and is sure to get a look or two from those nearby.
It’s both family and group friendly and offers a cooler for drinks you bring aboard as well as floats to use when you reach the sandbar.
🦀🌴 4 Hours Crab Island Tour from Baytowne
Take a 4 hour boat tour from nearby Baytowne Marina (Sandestin) on a fully enclosed charter boat. This boat holds up to 27 travelers onboard and offers a restroom as well as paddle boards and 7′ floating docks to use at Crab Island. You’ll spend about 1/2 an hour each way traveling to and from Baytowne Marina, potentially seeing dolphins and other sea life on the way!
Then you’ll spend around 2 hours at Crab Island, relaxing and enjoying out in the sun with the comfort of an enclosed boat when needed. Not all charter boat tours offer floats and paddleboards, so this one is a great option for anyone who wants an affordable boat ride along with the ease of not renting or bringing their own water gear.
Why is Crab Island Popular?
So what is Crab Island known for or what exactly makes it so popular? Great question. It’s the perfect place to park your boat or rent kayaks or paddleboards to visit. The water is shallow and clear (during high-tide) and there’s a fun, vibrancy to the place that makes people want to keep coming back.
From Emerald green waters to inflatable water parks, or even floating restaurants, there’s enough to do to entertain yourself or your group for an entire day. The tropical atmosphere and the water itself has a similar vibe to being in the Caribbean without actually being in the Caribbean. Win-win.
Top Reasons Why Crab Island is Popular:
- The water is shallow – anywhere from 2-4ft.
- It’s close to Destin Harbor and Okaloosa Island
- It’s a unique spot to visit and a must when visiting Destin
- Great spot for snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, or water volleyball
- Great spot for boaters – locals and tourists alike
- It’s exciting! A fun and lively atmosphere with lots of others nearby
What Should I bring to Crab Island? ⛱
If you’re going to visit for the day, you’ll want to make sure you bring all of the right things with you to Crab Island. Here’s my best summary of everything you’ll need to bring with you.
- Cash – for the floating vendors (some take card, some don’t)
- Alcohol – it’s not legal to sell at Crab Island so BYOB!
- Snacks and food – if you want to save money or have dietary restrictions, bring your own food or snacks
- A dry bag – for your cell phone, wallet, etc. Basically for anything you don’t want to get wet
- Snorkel gear
- Water Frisbee
- Water football
- Floating device (noodles, rafts, tubes, etc.)
- BYOB cups – you’ll need NON glass cups (I love my Corkcicle or Yeti for this type of day where I need to keep my drinks cool in the heat)
- Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker – you want to make sure you have your best tunes for the day!
- Sunscreen
- Beach towels
Where to Stay Near Crab Island Destin Florida? 🏠
This really depends on where you want to stay around Destin or the area for other activities you’re doing while visiting. However, many of the boat tours or rentals leave from the Destin Harbor area nearby Crab Island. This is a popular spot to stay since there’s a lot to do nearby as well.
🏨 Henderson Beach Resort, Destin – great spot in Destin, near Henderson Beach State Park, private beach access, pool & spa, walkable to the ocean, and even ocean views available
🏨 Hilton Garden Inn Ft. Walton Beach – some people prefer the Fort Walton area since it can be a little cheaper and there’s rentals that come from here as well – this is an oceanfront hotel with dining and gym located onsite as well as with a great location near Okaloosa Boardwalk and Pier.
What is there to do Nearby Crab Island?
So what is there to do nearby Crab Island? A lot, actually! While it’s an extensive list for another day, here are the top things I recommend checking out or exploring nearby Crab Island.
✔️ Okaloosa Island – nearby spot in Fort Walton known for 3 miles of Gulf Beaches, restaurants near the water, Boardwalk and Pier, and plenty of family friendly activities
✔️ Gulf Islands National Seashore – beautiful area with untouched blue green water beaches, several historic forts to visit, local wetlands and Naval Live Oaks preserve (spans three Gulf states!)
✔️ Fort Walton Beach – beautiful wide beaches that also has more of a family-friendly atmosphere, Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone, John C. Beasley Park (actually a beach)
✔️ Destin’s HarborWalk – exciting walk along the harbor with plenty of incredible restaurants (like Margaritaville Destin), live music and events, firework shows, an Adventure Zone, and unique boutique shops
✔️ Norriego Point – white sand beach located in the Destin Harbor area near the end of Holiday Isle, great for swimming or snorkeling with calm waters, can access via Kayak or Paddleboard
FAQ about Visiting Crab Island Florida
I’ve tried to cover most things you need to know above with Crab Island, but if you still have some lingering questions hopefully these clear that up for you!
Is Crab Island family friendly?
Yes! Of course, there are definitely some people who visit who bring more of a Spring break crowd vibe, but there’s also a lot of families that frequent Crab Island in Destin. Just make sure you setup your boat home base further away from the party scene if that’s not what you’re after.
How much does it cost to get into Crab Island Destin Florida?
Crab Island is free to visit but it does cost you to rent a boat or some other type of watercraft to actually get there (you can’t swim!).
What all can you do at Crab Island?
There’s a lot to do at Crab Island! From kayaking to snorkeling or even jet skiing. Of course, you can relax on a boat, inner tube or anywhere in the sparkling green waters and just sunbathe as well. There are also vendors selling food and inflatable water parks.
What is the best time to go to Crab Island?
The best time to go to Crab Island is at high-tide. This is when the water is emerald and clear due to water inflows from the Gulf of Mexico. If you visit at low-tide intervals, the water is a bit more brackish and fresh water filled (more like the bay). Check out the tide chart from NOAA.
How long is the boat ride to Crab Island?
It depends on where your boat leaves from. From Destin Harbor the ride is pretty short and usually is around 5-10 minutes. From nearby Okaloosa Island or the Fort Walton area it could take 10-20 minutes.
Is there food on Crab Island?
There are floating food vendors around Crab Island that sell food. Anything from BBQ food to ice cream is sold, but make sure you bring cash in case the vendor doesn’t take card.
Can you drink alcohol at Crab Island?
Yes! You can drink alcohol at Crab Island. Just note that it’s illegal to sell alcohol AT Crab Island, so you want to make sure you bring your own in a cooler. Also, do not bring glass containers.
Is Crab Island worth it?
Yes definitely worth it! It does get rather busy and the locals have complained through the years about how busy it gets and the sometimes spring break crowd it draws. But overall, it’s a unique way to spend a day out in the sun and water.
Are there jellyfish in Crab Island?
Yes there are jellyfish on Crab Island. Most are small sized floating blobs without tentacles, but just be aware that there could be jelly fish while walking and swimming around.
Are there sharks around Crab Island?
Sure there are sharks around Crab Island. Due to its location near the Gulf of Mexico and the bay, Crab Island does have sharks in the area, but it’s rare to see them on the sandbar. There have only ever been 4 shark attacks recorded in Destin, Florida with the last one happening in 1882.
Exercise caution: don’t wear shiny jewelry or clothes and don’t swim in the early morning or evening.
Is Crab Island Dangerous?
Due to its location (Crab Island is right where a large bay connects to the Gulf of Mexico), it can be pretty dangerous with the stronger currents. That, coupled with the fact that there are so many boats and often inexperienced boaters, it can be dangerous for any age but especially kids.
I recommend staying near the center or western/northwest part of Crab Island and avoiding the eastern/southern part due to the currents. Kids should be watched constantly and wear a life jacket for extra security.
How long should you stay on Crab Island?
Depends on what you want to do! Some people stay a couple hours, some people stay half the day or a full day. If you have a boat and shade it makes it easier to stay for longer periods of time than if you’re trapped out in the sun the whole time or without a boat. I’d suggest at least 1-3 hours.
The Wrap-Up: Visitor’s Guide to Crab Island Destin Florida
That was a lot to sift through, but hopefully you can see why Crab Island Destin Florida is such a popular and well-trafficked spot in the Panhandle! Being an underwater sandbar with shallow waters, there’s so much to do – from boating, to snorkeling, to kayaking and more!
You absolutely cannot leave Destin, Florida and the area without first making the trip to visit Crab Island. It’s a bucket list item, and it’s essential that you visit around high-tide! 🌊
Happy boating and I hope you enjoy this tropical little slice of paradise!
