If you live or vacation in Destin Florida, Crab Island has to be on your summer bucket list. All the talk throughout the summer is Crab Island, one of the top things to do in Destin. Our summer visitors and friends are curious about Crab Island, which is by far our most popular cruise at SunVenture Cruises. We take two daily trips to this underwater sandbar for guests to enjoy an unforgettable day of relaxing and having fun in the sun. Our captains and staff get a variety of questions each week about what Crab Island is, what there is to do, how to get out there, etc. so we are answering some of the most frequently asked questions. Learn everything you need to know before you hit this must-see attraction in Destin Florida.
What is Crab Island?
Surprisingly Crab Island is not an island but it use to be. Crab Island got its name because it was a small island shaped like a crab before a hurricane submerged it. Today, it’s a shallow, underwater sandbar near the iconic Destin bridge that is the epicenter of fun in Destin Florida as boats anchor and people wade in the waist-deep emerald green waters. Drive over the Destin bridge any day in the summer and you can’t miss Crab Island with hundreds of anchored boats and people relaxing and catching rays from the water or on floats. There are also a variety of attractions such as floating food vendors, inflatable water slides and more.
Crab Island is so popular with locals and visitors alike because of what a breathtaking and unique experience it is – how often do you get to hang out in the middle of waist deep, emerald green waters with friends? From paddle boarding to kayaking to music, inflatables and people lounging, there’s something for everyone of all ages. It’s an attraction unlike any other that you have to experience for yourself.
How do you get out to Crab Island?
Since Crab Island is out in the middle of the waters, the only and safest way to get out there is by boat. On the busiest days in the summer (typically Wednesday through Sunday) there could be hundreds of boats anchored and hundreds of people wading in the water. That’s why the safest way to get to Crab Island is by letting an experienced captain take you. The SunVenture Cruises captains take two trips daily to Crab Island at both the Destin location and the Okaloosa Island location. Our Coast-guard licensed captains are well versed on navigating the busy waters as well as knowledgeable about the varied depths of Crab Island. They know just right the location to anchor and how to anchor safely around the hundreds of other boats and people.
Unlike boat shuttle services, our boats and captains stay with you the entire time so you have full access to shade, restrooms and your coolers. Renting a pontoon boat in Destin can be very expensive and less convenient than a SunVenture Cruise. Our Crab Island cruises cost a fraction of the price and our captains do all the work so you enjoy a stress-free day on the water.
How deep is the water?
The average depth of the water at Crab Island is 3 feet. Perfect for relaxing but ever more reason for boat drivers to be cautious. There are some spots that are deeper and others that are more shallow – another reason why it’s better to ride with an experienced captain who knows how to navigate the busy waters and varied depths.
What is there to do at Crab Island?
There’s something for everyone of all ages at Crab Island. Whether you want to relax or want an adventure, it’s all available at Crab Island. You will find many people lounging on floats in the water and listening to music. You will see people renting paddle boards or kayaks to explore the emerald green waters. Floating food vendors are also around and open daily. One of the most popular attractions is the inflatable water park with trampolines, obstacle courses and more. All these Crab Island activities cost an additional price based on the particular vendor so bring additional cash to enjoy these amenities.
Can you drink alcohol at Crab Island?
Vendors are no longer allowed to sell alcohol at Crab Island but guests are welcome to bring their own. If you want to enjoy a safe day of drinking on the water, SunVenture Cruises is the safest option. Guests are welcome to bring their own cooler and have access to it the entire time we are at Crab Island. Our captains do the driving and anchoring and you have fun at a fraction of the price of renting a pontoon boat.
Is Crab Island kid-friendly?
Yes, Crab Island is a popular place for kids and families to enjoy the beautiful emerald green waters. Peak hours for Crab Island are in the afternoon and so kids and families are recommended to go on our early Crab Island cruise to avoid the heat and crowds. The 3-hour morning Crab Island cruise is great for families with small children or those who want to enjoy Crab Island before the afternoon heat settles in. Our 4-hour Crab Island excursion is perfect for those who want to enjoy all that Crab Island has to offer. This afternoon trip is great for those looking for a little bit more time to relax and play.
Are there crabs at Crab Island?
Again, contrary to its name, Crab Island is not an island full of crabs. But you might find local sea life swimming in the emerald green waters of Crab Island including small crabs, fish, hermit crabs, dolphins and more. Our captains are always on the lookout for dolphins as they venture out to Crab Island.
Is there a bathroom at Crab Island?
If you are not on a boat with a restroom, then there is a vendor that you can pay to use a portable bathroom. Luckily, both the SunVenture I and SunVenture II have restrooms on board and our boats stay with you the entire time so you have full access. A huge plus in a time of need and another convenient reason to cruise with us to Crab Island.
What should I bring to Crab Island?
Even if you don’t plan to get in the water you might get wet on the boat so plan accordingly. On SunVenture Cruises, we allow personal coolers that will fit under your seat. For Crab Island, we suggest a towel, sunscreen, extra cash for Crab Island activities if you want to do them, bathing suit, flip flops, waterproof camera or waterproof pouch for your phone.
SunVenture Cruises offers daily cruises to Crab Island. You can join us at 9:45 am for a 3 hour Crab Island Cruise or at 1:30 pm for a four hour Crab Island excursion from either the Destin Harbor location or from Okaloosa Island. Check out our daily Crab Island Cruises schedule and enjoy the most relaxing, convenient and affordable way to experience the one and only Crab Island.
Wondering about things to do in Destin Florida for the 4th of July? Well the secret is out that the top spot is Crab Island, an underwater sandbar where locals and guests drop anchor with their boats for an unforgettable day in the sun. Only accessible by boat, Crab Island offers hours of fun in the crystal clear, waist deep waters – whether you want to relax on a float or listen to live music and jump on inflatables, it’s a playground of fun for everyone.
Instead of dealing with the hassle of captaining your boat, let us take you to Crab Island. Our Crab Island cruises are soaring in popularity, as one of the top things to do in Destin Florida. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Check out our 5 star reviews on Facebook or our Yelp Reviews, that earned us the People Loves Us on Yelp Award for 2017.
What a great way to kick off summer with an award based on our guests’ reviews. There’s nothing more coveted than an award earned directly due to the reviews your guests have taken the time to leave. SunVenture Cruises is the proud recipient of the 2017 People Love Us on Yelp award – based on the numerous 5 star reviews left by our guests.
Here is what our guests had to say:
Brittany, Magnolia TX: “Great time with Larry and Mark. Entertaining and nice people. Great time and worth the money to get to crab island. Short ride over so it was great.”
Marco, Magnolia TX: “Went out with Grant and Larry to Crab Island in Destin. The guys were great and took us straight to Crab Island and anchored us down right next to the best burger spot in the area. We got to play volleyball there and listen to the DJ at the same burger place – they also have live music at Crab Island. The water was amazing and we got to swim and show the kiddos some hermit crabs that were walking along the ocean floor. Words of advice for others, bring your own drinks; alcohol, sodas, waters, etc. Bring your own floats, etc or you can rent from the guys or rent jet skis from near by vendors. You can also bring your own food as well if you would like or you can purchase chips and drinks from the boat for $2 a piece or buy a burger or other food from other floating vendors. Tipping the guys is encouraged as they do an awesome job and will hand you whatever you need and be your personal waiters as well as inflate your floats. Thanks again Grant and Larry!!”
Krystalynn, New Orleans: “Had a great time with Grant and Larry. They tell you it takes 25 mins to get to crab island but it only takes 5-10. If you bring floaties they’ll inflate them for you. Also, bring cash to tip and for other rentals the have (jet skis, paddle board, kayak) and food. Bring your own alcohol!”
Kara, Circleville, OH: “We took the 2pm excursion to Crab Island on the Sunventure I. We had a blast! Captain Larry and Joe are the best! They are tons of fun and they provided excellent service. We will definitely book another Destin cruise trip with them next time we come to Destin.”
Ande, Scott Depot, WV: “The guys on the boat were great. They were funny and eager to help you with anything. Bring your own alcohol. It is allowed, and if not the margaritas are $15.00. The guys from the boat will even give you your beer/fill your cup so you don’t have to climb up and down. They were great.
The water at Crab Island was perfectly clear and this was probably our favorite day of our whole vacation. We will definitely do this again when we return to Destin, maybe even more than once.
I definitely recommend this to anyone looking into it. Take a float and you will have a blast.”
Crab Island is by far one of the most unique things to do in Destin Florida. Where else can you float, mingle and play in waist-deep, emerald green waters, go down inflatable slides, listen to live music and bask in the sun? It truly is something everyone has to experience.
Crab Island is only accessible by boat which presents a challenge if you are on a Destin beach vacation. Even people who live here and have boats have found our daily Crab Island cruises to be a more beneficial option. Here are a few reasons why:
Cheaper than renting a boat to Crab Island – the cost of renting a pontoon boat and the gas will cost you much more than $40 per person for our Crab Island cruises. Not to mention – you might not have a bathroom on board.
Safer than renting a boat – all our captains are Coast-Guard licensed and cruise twice daily thru the Destin Harbor to Crab Island. You will not find anyone more experienced with the Destin waters. No need to worry about navigating through the unpredictable boat traffic and figuring out where to anchor at Crab Island. Also if you decide to BYOB, you don’t have to worry about driving the boat, just having fun.
More relaxing, convenient and fun than renting a boat – it’s no fun to have the hassle of driving, anchoring and caring for the boat while everyone is enjoying cocktails in the sun and taking in the scenery. Let our captains host you for the day – they anchor at Crab Island and stay with you the entire time.
Bring your own cooler – Just when you thought the deal couldn’t get any sweeter – BYOB! Bring your own alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages aboard the SunVenture at no additional cost.
Bathroom on board – Did we mention that the Crab Island sandbar is out in the middle of the waters? The SunVenture stays anchored with you through the entire 3 hour excursion so you have complete access to the bathroom and your cooler.
Just when we didn’t think we could top last year – this summer has proved to have been the most fun for our Crab Island cruises. Captain Larry and Joe provided our guests with laughs and memories throughout the summer. We want to end the summer on a memorable note and we want to celebrate with you.
The only place to celebrate Labor Day in Destin Florida is at Crab Island. This underwater playground offers hours of fun in the sun as we anchor at the shallow sandbar near the Destin bridge. You’ve worked hard, now it’s time to play hard!
We will stay anchored during the entire Crab Island excursion as you decide what you want to do in the emerald green, waist deep waters. You can go canoeing, jump on the inflatables, slide down the slides, listen to music, eat food or simply float and relax in the sun. Bring your cooler and let us take you to the only place to be this Labor Day in Destin. We have Crab Island Cruises at 10am, 12 pm and 2 pm throughout Labor Day weekend.
If you want to catch one of the last summer sunsets this Labor Day, we’re cruising every night at 6:30pm for our Destin Dolphin Sunset Cruises. Our entertaining captains will take you through an entertaining and narrative tour of the Destin Harbor for this educational and fun eco-tour. Watch the sun set under the iconic Destin bridge and hopefully see some playful dolphins. The SunVenture’s relaxing setting and arrangement gives you one of the closest views of the dolphins without being on a large, overcrowded boat.
From all the rave reviews we’ve received this year, it seems like one of the highlights of Destin beach vacations is a cruise on the SunVenture. With its versatile open air arrangement, the SunVenture offers so many ways to have fun on the water. A great alternative to the larger Destin cruises, the SunVenture offers a more personal, relaxed setting for families and friends.
Here are the top 5 ways to enjoy a SunVenture cruise:
1. Crab Island – We are cruising twice daily to one of the most unique water experiences. Ranging in depths from 2 to 10 feet, the underwater sandbar known as Crab Island is the place where everyone anchors their boats and spends a day in the waist-deep emerald green waters. With picturesque views of the Destin bridge, Crab Island offers everything from live music and water slides to floating food vendors, paddle boarding and relaxing in the water.
Pack a cooler and jump aboard as our Coast-Guard licensed captains take you for a narrated tour of the harbor and drop anchor at Crab Island. The boat stays with you the entire time, offers a restroom on-board and is much cheaper and convenient then renting your own boat.
Here’s a June 2016 review: “”Crab Island was absolutely beautiful and there was so much to do! The boat was great and the crew was very friendly and very funny. They kept you entertained! Once you arrive, you get off the boat and just walk or swim around. The waters are waist deep and you can walk around to different activities such as jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks, banana boats, etc. There are different restaurants to eat from and also a big inflatable playground. It was so much fun for myself and the children. Thanks Sunventure 1!!!”
2. Sunset Dolphin Cruises – It doesn’t get much better than cruising into the sunset as dolphins are frolicking from the emerald green waters of Destin Florida. We’re cruising every evening at 6:30 pm with our Captains Larry and Joe whose goal is to keep you laughing and entertained throughout the cruise.
Here’s a July 2016 review: “We joined Captain Larry and Joe out for the 10am Crab Island cruise. The guys were so much fun and Crab Island was a blast. We enjoyed the trip so much that we decided to book the 2pm cruise and the dolphin sunset cruise for the same day. We saw a ton of dolphins on the evening cruise and one came right up next to the boat. I would highly recommend Sunventure I for any of their cruises. Larry and Joe made our day on the water. They are great guys and tons of fun.”
“This was our last adventure during our vacation there and we enjoyed the sunset cruise very much. We were able to see four dolphins and the sunset was beautiful. Grant and the captain (I feel bad for forgetting his name) made it fun and had a great sense of humor adding to the enjoyment. We were glad to be on this boat and not the overly crowded boats so we could still fully enjoy the beauty without the feel of a booze cruise. Thanks for making our trip to Destin, Florida memorable!”
3. Fireworks Adult Cruises – who says fireworks are just for holidays? In Destin, you can enjoy the Fireworks every Thursday night from the Destin Harbor. Life is all about family but if you’re looking for a break, then consider our adults only Fireworks Cruises.
Here’s a July 2016 review: “We have been on several sunset cruises, but, this fourth of July sunset/fireworks was absolutely the BEST!!! Larry and Joe were funny, knowledgeable, and just overall fun. While we didn’t know what to expect it did not disappoint. We will definitely be back aboard and if you are looking for fun-check this out. You won’t be sorry!”
4. Birthdays – Destin cruises are the ultimate way to celebrate any occasion – from birthdays to bachelor / bachelorette parties or family reunions. Our captains can take you to Crab Island, a sunset dolphin cruise or anything else you are interested in. We also have event planners and food catering options.
Here’s a July 2016 review: “The SunVenture captain and crew was amazing. This was my first time to destin and crab island. The trip was for my birthday and it was the best time ever. I can not wait to go back. This is a must for all ages to try at least once. Very kid and adult friendly place to go.”
5. Private cruises– We can arrange for private cruises year-round, any day of the week, any time for any occasion. Boating is all about having fun in the sun and water. So why would you want to worry about fueling up the boat and driving while you watch your friends have fun? The SunVenture offers the best of both worlds…a private boat that our Coast Guard-licensed captains will drive so you can enjoy a worry-free day of fun in the sun.
The SunVenture I is perfect for Destin private cruises and boat rentals for up to 49 guests. The 45-foot Catamaran features a state-of-the-art sound system and the open deck arrangement is great for relaxing in the sun or dancing under the stars.
““Our sunset cruise on the Sunventure was a wonderful time. The boat is painted in such awesome underwater scenes and the crew was so nice. Definitely doing this again when we come back into town!”
Since Crab Island is out in the middle of the waters, the only and safest way to get out there is by boat. On the busiest days in the summer (typically Wednesday through Sunday) there could be hundreds of boats anchored and hundreds of people wading in the water. That’s why the safest way to get to Crab Island is by letting an experienced captain take you. The SunVenture Cruises captains take two trips daily to Crab Island at both the Destin location and the Okaloosa Island location. Our Coast-guard licensed captains are well versed on navigating the busy waters as well as knowledgeable about the varied depths of Crab Island. They know just right the location to anchor and how to anchor safely around the hundreds of other boats and people.
There’s something for everyone of all ages at Crab Island. Whether you want to relax or want an adventure, it’s all available at Crab Island. You will find many people lounging on floats in the water and listening to music. You will see people renting paddle boards or kayaks to explore the emerald green waters. Floating food vendors are also around and open daily. One of the most popular attractions is the inflatable water park with trampolines, obstacle courses and more. All these Crab Island activities cost an additional price based on the particular vendor so bring additional cash to enjoy these amenities.
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