Destin Crab Island Complete Visitor's Guide 2024

Crab Island is a popular sandbar located in Destin, Florida.

In the summer, hundreds if not thousands of boats anchor in the shallow water at Crab Island.

Destin, Florida was ranked in the Top Ten places to live and boat, and Crab Island was definitely a contributing factor.

Crab Island is the perfect spot for your beach vacation if you enjoy relaxing in the sun at the beach and cooling off in the water, but don’t like sand getting everywhere.

If you aren’t convinced that you should give Crab Island a visit, read on and take a look at some of the amazing pictures taken at Crab Island. 

How Do I get to Crab Island?

Crab Island is a sandbar in the middle of the Choctawhatchee Bay, so the only way to get there is by boat or kayak.

The closest boat launch to Crab Island is at the Destin Marina, which is close enough you can literally see the boats anchor at Crab Island.

If you are unfamiliar with the area or don’t want to deal with the hassle of driving the boat, a captained Crab Island Adventure is a great way to experience Crab Island.

You can also get to Crab Island on a paddleboard or kayak; however, a boat is your safest and fastest option.

If you are thinking about taking a paddleboard or kayak you should take necessary safety precautions.

Additionally, if you plan on drinking at Crab Island, it is not recommend taking a paddleboard or kayak as there is a risk of serious injury or death.

A captained Crab Island Adventure is the best way maximize your Crab Island experience

What is Crab Island?

Today, Crab Island is a sandbar that can get as shallow as about a foot deep at low tide.

A name like ‘Crab Island’ might imply an actual Island and not a sandbar, but it was at one point in time an island.

The island use to have vegetation similar to the sand dunes on the beaches in Destin, Florida.

Similar to Crab Island, the East Pass in Destin didn’t always look the way it did.

In fact, the East Pass didn’t exist at all and was instead a beach.

After a hurricane had flooded the Destin Harbor, businesses were at risk of flooding.

A couple fishermen dug a small trench from the harbor to the Gulf of Mexico to let some of the water drain from the Destin Harbor.

This small trench expanded to over 100 feet wide overnight.

Over time the salt in the water coming from the Gulf of Mexico killed the vegetation on Crab Island.

With no root structures protecting the sand on Crab Island, the island slowly started to erode away.

Eventually a hurricane came through and wiped out the remaining sand, making Crab Island the giant sandbar that it is today.

Where is Crab Island?

Crab Island is located northwest of the Emerald Grande and Destin Harborwalk Village.

If you are driving into Destin from Fort Walton Beach, you can see Crab Island when driving over the Marler Bridge.

The GPS coordinate location is N 30° 23' 36.7224", W 86° 29' 44.8188".

Crab Island is also located about 1000 feet directly across from the Destin Marina. 

On a summer day you cannot miss Crab Island when you’re driving over the Marler Bridge. 

During the off-season in the winter, you may have a harder time seeing Crab Island.

All you will see in the winter is a large area of shallow water that appears lighter in color than the surrounding area.

Although it is harder to see when driving by, if there are no boats on Crab Island you will see what looks like two parallel lines of white buoys.

These buoys represent a designated no boat zone to all the Coast Guard a fast route through Crab Island on a busy summer day. 

Why is Crab Island Popular?

Over the years, Crab Island has experience consistent growth in popularity each year.

When you see the emerald green water at high tide it’s no surprise why Crab Island is so popular.

On any given day in the summer, you will find 100s of boats anchored in the shallow water playing water games and hanging out in the water.

Whether you have a boat or not, who wouldn’t want to spend their day hanging out in crystal clear water listening to their favorite tunes. 

Crab Island hasn’t just grabbed the attention of locals and tourist, travel magazines and even Good Morning America have featured Crab Island.

The increase in popularity of Crab Island can be attributed to attention from national media outlets, but it’s also due to the people who visit.

After visiting Crab Island for the first time, people can’t help but share pictures on Instagram of the beautiful emerald green water.

When people see pictures of Crab Island they want to visit themselves and thus the cycle repeats itself. 

Another factor that makes Crab Island so popular is the mobile vendors.

When I was 15, I got my first job selling Ice Cream on an inflatable dinghy at Crab Island.

Back then it was just a couple ice cream boats and a guy who sold boiled peanuts, but the number and variety has grown over the years along with Crab Island’s popularity.

The mobile vendors at Crab Island create an incredibly unique environment on the water that cannot be found anywhere else. 

What is there to do at Crab Island?

The shallow water makes Crab Island perfect for water sports games.

You can throw a football around with your family and friends and even practice your diving catches.

Crab Island is also a great place to learn how to paddle board since the water is shallow enough to allow you to get back on easily.

Crab Island is also the perfect spot to blow up a floating lounge such as the Mission Hex 82.

If you are looking to relax and soak up the sun, a floating pad is one of the best ways to do it.

 

We recently added a Mission float pad and a paddleboard on our boats for those looking for an all-inclusive cruise to Crab Island. 

What should I bring to Crab Island?

You should pack for Crab Island like you’re headed to the beach.

This includes your bathing suit, a towel, sunscreen, and any snacks or drinks that you may need.

You should also bring sandals, flip flops, or shoes that you don’t mind getting wet.

The sun and water work together to dehydrate you quicker than you think, so making sure to pack extra waters or sports drinks like Power Aid.

I also recommended that you bring your wallet if you are interested in experiencing the mobile vendors that sell various items at Crab Island.

In addition, there are several restaurants on the water close to Crab Island that you can order from the water and take on your boat.

If you are launching your boat at the Destin Marina or taking a Crab Island Adventure cruise, they have a small shop you can purchase items you may have forgotten.

The Destin Marina has sunscreen, drinks, dri-fit shirts, sunglasses, and snacks available for purchase.

If you are in the Destin harbor, the Boathouse Marina sells similar items.

What vendors are at Crab Island?

I mentioned earlier that I used to sell ice cream on an inflatable dinghy at Crab Island.

Almost 10 years later, and the ice cream boats are still a popular vendor at Crab Island.

Ice cream on the water during a hot summer day just make sense.

The number of vendors has increased since I started selling ice cream, but here is a list of the current vendors:

• Reef Burger
• Gulfstream Ice Cream
• Robby’s Boiled Peanuts (Red Boats)
• Wild Coconuts (Also sells pineapple)
• BBQ boat

The business may change day to day, but you can almost guarantee that Jimmy and Robbie will have their ice cream and peanut boats out at Crab Island rain or shine.

Take it from me, I’ve been out there selling ice cream with white caps and rain battering my rubber boat. 

Is Crab Island Family-Friendly?

Yes, Crab Island is family friendly.

The best time for families to visit Crab Island is on the weekdays.

One of the amazing things about Crab Island is that it is very large and has something for everyone.

Similar to how High Schools have clichés, Crab Island has certain areas that you want to avoid if you are looking for a family friendly experience.

Crab Island is big enough that you can always move your boat to another area if a group next to you is doing something you don’t like.

With all the water activities and things to do at Crab Island listed above, you can take your family to Crab Island and make the memories of a lifetime.

Crab Island is big enough that you can always move your boat to another area if a group next to you is doing something you don’t like.

With all the water activities and things to do at Crab Island listed above, you can take your family to Crab Island and make the memories of a lifetime.

You can rent a boat with a knowledgeable local captain who can help you navigate Crab Island to find the adventure your family and friends are looking for.  

What is the best time to visit Crab Island?

The best time to visit Crab Island varies based on your priorities.

As mentioned above, the best time for a family friendly visit to Crab Island is during the weekdays.

The color of the water at Crab Island also changes with the tides.

At high tide, the water is the crystal clear emerald color that you see in pictures on Instagram and Google.

When the tide is falling and the water is going out into the gulf, the water at Crab Island starts to turn to more of a tannish brown color.

The water at Crab Island is still clear, but it is not the emerald green color all the time.

If you are trying to see dolphins swimming around, the morning and sunset are the best times to visit Crab Island.

At these times you may spot dolphins swimming in the channels surrounding Crab Island.