What is Crab Island?

The name Crab Island suggests it’s an island. In fact, at one time it was an island but drifting sands from the Gulf of Mexico eroded it over time and now it is an underwater sandbar and popular place to anchor your boat.

This underwater boating and party island is located on the North side of the Destin bridge. As you cross the Destin bridge, during the spring and summer months, you will see anywhere from tens to hundreds of boats anchored in the bay over the shallow sandbar.

Renting a pontoon boat is necessary to get to them. Crab Island is about standing around in shallow water, socializing with people, and drinking. It's very crowded in summer and takes about 2 minutes to get there after you depart the dock.

Crab Island ranges from 1—10 feet deep... depending on where you anchor.

What can you do on Crab Island?

Activities at Crab Island vary from snorkeling and relaxing on your boat, to eating boiled peanuts, sandwiches, or ice cream from one of the many floating food vendors, to watching your kids play on a giant inflatable slide, to partying with friends to local bands playing on a floating stage. Crab Island is large enough for everyone and as you can see there is always plenty to do and see!

This is where locals and tourists alike anchor to spend the day swimming, snorkeling, and playing football. Yes....football as well as Frisbee and volleyball. They also have a huge water trampoline, a giant water slide, floating volleyball nets, basketball hoops, kayak, yolo board, and jet ski rentals, and many, many other fun toys and activities.

If you like shopping and party atmosphere then Crab Island is for you. However, if you want to be to yourselves, to spend some time with your family and avoid the party scene, you just have to anchor away from the party crowd and take part in more family friendly activities.

When is the best time to go there?

The best time to go to Crab Island depends on what you want to do when you get there. If you want to party, drop anchor on a weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day in the summer. If you want to relax, plan to go on a weekday during the summer or any time during the rest of the year.

If you go there during high tide, you will be able to enjoy amazingly clear and aqua green. You can’t believe how beautiful it is.

...highly recommended!