If you’ve visited the beautiful Emerald Coast and driven down scenic Highway 98 across the Destin Bridge, you’ve probably noticed the alluring sight of Crab Island, Destin’s most popular (and picturesque) attraction and local watering hole. Crab Island is located just north of the Destin Bridge, inside the inlet that connects the Choctawhatchee Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. On a clear day, Crab Island looks like this:
Wow. Right?! No wonder Crab Island is so popular!
How to get to Crab Island
Now, you may be tempted to figure out how to get to Crab Island. We get many phone calls and emails from people who are trying to figure out how to get to Crab Island without a boat. In all honesty, the only truly safe way to do this is to either rent a boat or do an excursion, like the Crab Island Shuttle Boat. The tidal currents that rush around the popular underwater sandbar are strong and have claimed the lives of people of who have tried to swim across the channel. It’s just not worth the risk.
Pontoon boat rentals are the most popular type of rental among Destin area visitors, due to their ease of use and plush comfortable seating. Seriously, it’s like having your own floating living room. They also seat large groups, so if price is a concern you can split the cost among friends. For example, the cost for 12 people to rent a boat to get to Crab Island for half a day would be just over $20/person. I don’t know about you, but it’s pretty hard to find something fun that you can do for four hours for $20.
If pontoons are not your thing, you can find any and all manner of rentals, tours, and excursions to get to Crab Island, from jet ski or pontoon boat rentals to private charters on luxury yachts. Most of these boat rentals and excursions depart from the Destin Harbor or nearby Okaloosa Island, both just a stone’s throw away from Crab Island! You can browse this website for everything you need to get to Crab Island.
Crab Island Activities
Once you decide how to get to Crab Island, you can focus on what there is to do once you get there! Crab Island has an abundance of activities, including water volleyball, inflatableslides and trampolines, jet ski and paddleboard rentals, the occasional concert on a floating stage, and floating food vendors and restaurants. If you’re not in the mood for anything other than relaxing on the water and catching some rays, don’t worry! Crab Island encompasses a huge area and is plenty large enough for everyone. You can anchor away from the crowds and do your own thing just as easily.