If you’ve visited the beautiful Emerald Coast and driven down Highway 98 across the Destin Bridge, you’ve probably noticed the alluring sight of Destin’s most popular attraction and local sandbar hang out spot, Crab Island.
Crab Island is a great place to visit with family or friends! Over the past decade, it has grown from a quiet, little hangout spot to a miniature floating city with different businesses attracting thousands of visitors from all around the world each day.
So, how exactly do you get to Destin’s famous Crab Island, what do you do there, and what should you bring? This post will tell you everything you need to know about Crab Island!
How to Get to Crab Island
You cannot drive your car to Crab Island, and you definitely cannot swim or walk there. The only safe way to get to Crab Island is by boat. You can either rent a boat, charter a boat, or go on an excursion, like the Crab Island Adventure Tour.
Pontoon boat rentals are the most popular type of rental among Destin visitors, due to their ease of use and comfortable seating. The cost for 12 people to rent a pontoon boat to get to Crab Island for half a day would be just over $22/person. Smaller groups would do better price-wise to take the shuttle boat. At $39/person, taking a shuttle boat is cheaper than renting your own boat, especially if you have less than 7 people.
Directions to the Sandbar
Once you’ve determined your transportation to the island, you will probably need directions on how to actually get to the sandbar. Crab Island is located just north of the Destin Bridge, inside the inlet that connects the Choctawhatchee Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. If you’re launching from Destin Harbor, head west on your boat towards the Destin Bridge. Pass underneath the bridge and Crab Island is the sandbar located just to the northwest.
Food and Activities on the Island
So, now that you know how to get to Crab Island, let’s talk about what you can do when you get there! Visiting Crab Island is a truly unique experience. Guests can enjoy water volleyball, inflatable slides and trampolines, jet ski and paddleboard rentals, the occasional concert on a floating stage, and mobile food vendor boats and floating restaurants. Crab Island spans a large area and has plenty of room for everyone, so if big groups of people aren’t your thing, you can anchor away from the crowds and enjoy the beautiful scenery and water on your own!
Crab Island Packing List
Here’s a list of items you should consider packing for your fun day trip to Crab Island:
- Must haves:
- Towels
- Sunscreen – Find a list of our favorite sunscreens for Destin beach days here!
- Lotion
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Money and ID – You’ll want to bring money for the floating vendors at Crab Island. You will also need a driver’s license to rent a boat.
- Boating/Fishing licenses (If required)
- Optional:
- Cooler for ice, food, and drinks – You can find good options at Crab Island, but it’s nice to have snacks on hand.
- Ball or Frisbee to toss around in the water
- Portable charger
- Bluetooth speaker
- Floaties
- Rope to tie floaties to boat
- Trash bags
Now that you know how to get there, what activities are available, and what to bring, make sure to add Crab Island to your Destin vacation itinerary and enjoy a fun day in the sun out in the water! It truly will be an unforgettable experience for you and your family and friends!
If you have any more questions about Crab Island, refer to this Complete Visitor’s Guide to Crab Island.
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