What sometimes has crabs, never has an island and is always at the top of visitors’ must-do list? If you’ve heard of Destin (and that should be everyone now, thanks to a certain “Cruel Summer” songstress), you’ve probably also heard of Crab Island — and there’s nothing “cruel” about this attraction this summer … or any summer.
There’s still a lot that’s not common knowledge about this tourist (and local) attraction so grab your favorite floatie, a High Noon or two and let’s jump in — the water’s fine!
A Crabby History
Let’s start with the obvious (or not-so-obvious): There’s no land at Crab Island but there used to be. Initially created by the Army Corps of Engineers by dumping sand dredged from the East Pass, the goal was to create a larger and more navigable channel into the Gulf of Mexico. Once called Bird Island, fishing boats used the island — with its plethora of flora and fauna — as a landmark for heading into (or out of) gulf waters. The first such dredging occurred in the early 1930s and was dredged nearly two dozen times in subsequent years.
By the late 1960s, the dredgings had ceased but it was only a few short years later, in 1974, when Hurricane Eloise reduced the island to the submerged sandbar most of us know today. Located northwest of the Marler Bridge as you approach or leave Destin, the water in this unique spot vacillates with the tides and can be knee-, thigh- or waist-deep depending on where you’re standing (and when).
Navigating The Waters
You cannot swim to Crab Island. We should get that out of the way upfront. Even if you’re Michael Phelps reincarnate, it’s a no-no so don’t try it. You can only get safely to Crab Island by boat, jet ski, kayak or paddleboard. The view from the bridge is picturesque but the tides can be swift and more than one person has succumbed as a result. Heavy watercraft traffic, usually from May to October, is also another safety concern to keep in mind.
No boat? No problem. There are myriad “taxi” options available to transport you to the sandbar — with or sans captain. They can also come with all sorts of amenities, from onboard bars to slides, and offer packages from a half-day to a full day. Here are a few popular rental options:
Aloha Pontoons | alohapontoons.com
Beach Weekend | beachweekend.com
Blue Crab Watersports | bluecrabwatersports.com
Boogies Watersports | boogieswatersports.com
Crab Daddy’s Pontoons | crabdaddyspontoons.com
Crab Island Pontoons | crabislandpontoons.com
Crab Island Watersports | crabislandwatersports.com
Cruisin’ Tikis | cruisintikisdestin.com
Destin Water Fun | destinwaterfun.com
Destiny Water Adventures | destinywateradventures.com
Gilligan’s Watersports | gilliganswatersportsdestin.com
Luther’s | lutherspontoon.com
Power Up Watersports | powerupwatersports.com
Wet-n-Wild Watersports | destinflboatrentals.com
Xtreme H2O | xtremeh2o.net
30A Pontoon | 30apontoon.com
If you are a member of a boat club (think Freedom, Legacy or Suntex, among others), check for reciprocal access before heading to town for your trip. Boats can book up quickly during the warmer months and the days surrounding holidays are particularly busy.
BYOB (A, C, D and E)
Whether it’s your first or 500th trip to Crab Island, you might be asking yourself, “What do I need to take?” The simple answer is any and everything you’d want for a day in the sun. Definitely don’t forget sunscreen, but the rest of these are optional and your preference based on whether you’re captaining yourself or hopping aboard a water taxi.
Hat
Sunglasses
Cooler
Towels
Snacks
Phone charger
Bluetooth speaker
Motion sickness medication, if needed
Cash or credit/debit cards for vendors
Floaties — anything from Bote’s luxe “Floating Island” to water wings
Drinks, including adult beverages if you partake. Don’t forget the water!
Water toys, from Frisbees to footballs
A bag to collect your trash
A beach bag to tote it all
Check with your rental company to see if there are additional recommendations on things to bring or leave at home.
Kids, Pets And Grandma
Who is Crab Island for? Well, everyone! It’s true the water can be anywhere from one to five feet in depth and no one should be left unsupervised, especially pets, children, older adults and those who’ve been drinking (you know who you are). Police on branded watercraft patrol the area regularly in the event of an emergency.
Crab Island can be as colorful as you’ve heard or as tame as you want it to be, making it a perfect party locale or family-friendly activity. Park your boat near the edges of the crowd for easy in and out as well as a slower vibe; head toward Reef Burger for a more party-like atmosphere. Like most things, what you get out of it is what you put into the experience.
The Dos and Don’ts
You might think you’ll be underwhelmed once you throw out your anchor, but nothing could be further from the truth. Lounge on the boat, splash in the water, read a book, toss around the ol’ pigskin, the options are truly endless.
Crab Island is open 24 hours a day (including holidays!), but there’s one tip for the best and clearest water: A tide chart. No, you don’t have to be Magellan to figure this out. Easy-to-use smartphone apps like Tides Near Me or Tide Guide make this as simple as reading a text. That brilliant water where you can see all the way to the bottom usually occurs in the two hours on either side of high tide.
In addition to Reef Burger, vendors navigate between pontoons and people in the water offering everything from snowballs and beverages in coconuts to boiled peanuts. WaterWaiters (formerly Shore Dash) is the area’s only shore-to-boat food delivery service, bringing everything from tacos to peel-and-eat shrimp right to your spot. See more about this by visiting shore-dash.com.
One thing you can’t do: Use the bathroom. There are no facilities at Crab Island. Proceed with caution … or use your imagination.
See The Sights
Crab Island isn’t the only noteworthy place to explore while you’re out on the water. A trip down Choctawhatchee Bay toward Okaloosa Island offers a few interesting stops, from eateries to playgrounds and more shallow water for the kiddos. Going the other direction, head over to LuLu’s and dock for lunch.
Don’t forget to explore the Destin Harbor, where you’ll see all manner of restaurants, docks and boats ranging from the famous Black Diamond fleet to the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise, a larger-than-life pirate ship. (No walking the plank, we promise!) Be mindful of the “No Wake Zone” signs unless you want to be pulled over by the Emerald Coast’s finest. (Yes, even on the water.)
No matter where you are in the water, please be mindful of local wildlife; you’re likely to see anything from dolphins and fish to jellyfish and yes, even crabs. (And no, there’s no way to predict what or when.) Be respectful of the environment — no litterbugs allowed — and follow all rules and regulations, designed not to ruin your fun but to help keep it safe for everyone.
Off Into The Sunset
Chances are you won’t stay at Crab Island until sunset; you’re going to be tired, thirsty and potentially sunburnt, but in all the best possible ways (if that’s a thing). We’re floating off into the proverbial sunset with this exposé.
Crab Island isn’t simply a location; think of it as a sunny mood enhancer with warmer waters and memorable experiences that stick. Toss in your sunscreen, snag those sunglasses and gear up for an epic journey to Florida’s coastal gem.