Everything you need to know for your first trip to Crab Island
1. PLAN YOUR TRIP AROUND HIGH TIDE
To ensure you will get to experience the pretty blue water you see in all of the pictures, plan your trip around high tide! Click HERE to find a link to the tide charts. Low tide is when the darker bay water starts coming into the Island.
2. CONSIDER WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK TO GO
Crab Island is very family-friendly throughout the week days and caters more to the party crowd on the weekend. Bachelorette parties tend to plan their trips most often on Saturdays, but it is important to book in advance, as the weekends book up quickly.
3. RESEARCH WHO YOU BOOK YOUR CRUISE THROUGH
Who you choose to book your cruise with is important. We highly suggest getting a boat with a captain so you do not have to worry about finding Crab Island, navigating the large crowds, or anchoring the boat. Booking a cruise with a captain allows you to fully enjoy your day. It is also important that you get a boat that comes with a cooler, water mats, water toys, snorkel equipment, and a Bluetooth radio. We recommend private cruises as getting stuck on a large boat with different groups of people isn't ideal. Families and bachelorette parties usually aren't a great mix. We highly recommend cruising with Crab Island Adventures.
4. BRING MONEY FOR THE VENDORS
Once you get to Crab Island, you will find lots of different vendors selling food, drinks and shirts on the water. Experiencing an ice cold coconut on the water or big bopper ice cream sandwich served from an ice cream boat is one of the best parts of Crab Island! Make sure you bring some money so you can flag over the boiled peanut boat and eat like a local!
5. BOOK IN ADVANCE
Sought after charter boats to Crab Island book up about a month or more in advance. Make sure you book your cruise as soon as you book a place to stay. This will save your from calling around panicked the week of or getting stuck with a beat up old boat with a sketchy driver!
6. IF YOU PLAN ON DRINKING, PACK YOUR BEVERAGES
It is illegal for alcohol to be served on the water, but you are welcome to bring your own! Pack all the drinks you would like to consume (including soda and water), as drinks on Crab Island can be hard to come by. You will not be able to purchase alcoholic drinks until you are back on land.
7. DON'T WORRY ABOUT BAD WEATHER
Try not to worry too much about the forecast for your planned trip. The weather in Destin is unpredictable and if it does rain, it usually doesn't last very long! The locals refer to the lack of rain in the area as "The Destin Dome". Keep your fingers crossed if rain is in your forecast and know that it will probably blow over quickly!
8. USE THE RESTROOM BEFORE YOU GO
Yup, as expected there aren't very many restaurants in the middle of a sand bar. Try your best to go before your cruise or pack a plastic bag just in case ;)
On that note, I am going to leave you to it! Feel free to call 850-714-1097 if you have anymore questions about visiting Crab Island.
HAPPY CRABBING!