Crab Island Destin Florida
Destin Florida is home to one of Florida’s hottest party spots on the water – Crab Island. Most people know it from the massive amounts of boats to be seen there, or the crystal blue water that resembles the Caribbean. Visitors to Destin each year always field the same question: What is Crab Island, How Do We Get There, and Is It Fun For Kids. We spent some time at Crab Island to show you first hand what it looks like and what goes on out there.
What is Crab Island?
Not an “island” like most people expect, Crab Island is a sand bar with waist deep water where boats can anchor up to hang out, sunbathe, or party. The water level and color depends on whether it’s an incoming or outgoing tide, and it changes as such. The biggest question: Is it safe? Absolutely. Once you’re at Crab Island, it is perfectly safe to leave the boat, walk around, or visit the variety of bars and businesses anchored out there without worry. Along with the anchored businesses, there are boats selling ice cream, boiled peanuts, souvenirs and more driving around all day long. If you plan to walk, stay towards the middle, as the tide can pick up and become swift along the outer edges.
How do you get there?
Destin offers a variety of options, including: Jet Ski, Boat or Paddleboard. The most common way is by boat – This can be your own boat, a boat rental, or a boat/captain rental combo. You can rent boats and jet skis from a variety of places in Destin, and some of our preferred partners include Happy’s Watersports or Aloha Pontoons. If you want to relax and let a Captain drive you, we recommend Crab Island Voyages or Destin Pontoon Charters (can accommodate groups up to 16 with a Captain!) To make it easy, we’ve compiled a list of all the different ways you can get there. Check out that list here!
Renting a boat or jet ski can also mean you’re not stuck at Crab Island all day – You can buzz around and explore all sides of the Bay and even down to Okaloosa Island. Paddleboarding is a third way, but we don’t recommend it unless you’re a skilled boarder. The current gets strong near the Destin Bridge, and it can be a lot of work to paddle out there from shore – Often deceiving because it’s farther than it looks. This is also why swimming is not advised nor recommended. The high level of boat traffic mixed with the changing tide and current makes it a nightmare for swimmers – so pack a cooler and a towel, but find a safer way to arrive. Don’t forget to check out our Special Offers to save money when booking your rentals!
We also love one of Destin’s newest attractions, Cruisin’ Destin Tikis! This floating Tiki Bar is perfect for cruising the Harbor, heading out to Crab Island, or just a party on the water. It’s great for groups, celebrating things such as Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties, birthdays, families, or just a day out with friends. Cruisin’ Tikis Destin is BYOB, and they offer 1.5 hour harbor cruises, Harbor cruises, 3 hour Crab Island cruises and more. Check them out next time you’re here!
If we don’t want/know how to drive a boat, can we hire a captain?
Yes! If you would prefer a pontoon boat over a Shuttle Boat, but still want help driving so you can drink and enjoy your trip, you can absolutely hire a Captain. As we said above, Crab Island Voyages is our go to – Tell her To Do In Destin sent you!
We also love Destin Pontoon Charters. Captain Gene and his team can accommodate up to 16 passengers on their double decker pontoons, and each rental comes with a splashpad and paddleboards for extra fun. Book online today!
Is there food out there?
Of course! There are floating restaurants that offer things like chicken fingers, burgers, pork sandwiches, and more. Our all time favorite is Reef Burger (pictured below) that has the BEST cheeseburger we’ve ever eaten. You’ll also find boiled peanut and ice cream boats driving around, so be sure to flat one of them down!
Is it fun for Kids?
This depends. Many parents love making this a family affair – rent a boat with a built in slide and let the kids play and slide all day long. We always see lots of kids out there during the week. One major con of bringing children to Crab Island is that it truly is an adult tailgate zone and many parents worry what type of behavior their children will see or hear. Another, is that the current is STRONG when our tides change.. so strong that sometimes adults get carried away in the water if they’re not careful. This can be even worse for children who can’t touch. That makes this totally up to you – If you do bring your kids, staying around the outside edges of Crab Island in shallow water might be your best bet.
Best time of year to visit?
The Peak Season for Crab Island is definitely summertime (May, June, July, August). There is a rush of Spring Breakers during March/April, but it is typically too cold for most to be out there (locals included). Boats will continue to anchor there in Sept/Oct, but you’ll start to see businesses pulling off their barges and closing up shop. Because it’s a sandbar, it never “closes” and you’re welcome to anchor year round – esp if you want to avoid the crowds of summer!
What is there to do out there?
Another question we often hear is “Once we get out there, what is there to do?” Many of the anchored businesses offer a variety of rentals – Paddleboards, Jet Skis, Kayaks, etc. While there is also a variety of restaurants to visit, keep in mind that it is illegal to sell alcohol at Crab Island, so be sure to bring plenty of your own if drinking is on your agenda. Enjoy music and volleyball in the water in front of Reef Burger, and the floating BOTE boards are great for an on the water dance party.
Another personal favorite is buying a coconut or pineapple from our friends at Wild Destin. Find her bouncing around Crab Island on her boat with her “Coconuts” flag! The coconuts are laser etched with her Wild logo, and she opens them and serves them up to you with a bamboo straw. Pro Tip: coconut water pairs very well with Tequila or Malibu Rum! She also offers pineapples for a mid afternoon snack.
It’s also important to point out that there is no way to escape the sun at Crab Island – Very minimal shade outside of what your boat can provide. It’s recommended to wear sunscreen, a hat, and/or long sleeves if you plan to stay out there all day. Outside of that, there is usually a live band playing every Saturday afternoon out on the floating main stage, which is considered the “main area” for people to congregate.
Is there a bathroom?
No, there is not a public restroom available on Crab Island. The majority of the crowd out there will be going in the water you’re standing in, or you can pull your boat over to a restaurant or marina on the shore nearby to pee. Some boat & shuttle rentals do provide one on board, so check with the Captain you booked with.
What to bring?
This really depends on how you’re getting out there. If you have room, we recommend bringing your beverage of choice in a cooler, snacks, towels, sunscreen, and some cash in case you decide to buy something from a floating vendor. Footballs, floaties and frisbees are another favorite past time in the water, and we’ve also seen floating beer pong! The more creative the better 🙂
You can see more of Crab Island on Instagram — And also don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, to see more of what all Destin Florida has to offer.