If you’re looking for a fun day trip, then I recommend visiting Crab Island in Destin, Florida. It’s a great place to go with friends and family because it has so many different things to do.
You can rent kayaks or paddleboards and explore the mangroves by water or take a walk on the beach. There are also plenty of places to eat and even get fresh seafood from local fishermen.
After exploring all that this island has to offer, head over to one of the many bars on the pier for some drinks and live music! We’re excited to share our visitor’s guide to Crab Island, so let’s dive right in!
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About Crab Island
Crab Island is one of the most popular attractions for those visiting Destin, Florida. The name ‘Crab Island’ is a bit misleading because it makes you think that it’s an actual island. At one time it was an island, created by the Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960s when they dredged the Destin Pass and created the Jetties to stabilize the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico.
The sand from the project was later dumped into the Choctawhatchee Bay and it formed the small island that eventually came to be known as Crab Island. As time went on, drifting sands from the Gulf of Mexico, with the help of the occasional hurricane, began to erode the spoiled island
You’ll be able to find Crab Island on the north side of the Destin Bridge and at the southern entrance of the Choctawhatchee Bay.
Things to do at Crab Island
Relax on the beach
What can you do on Crab Island? The most common thing to do when visiting Crab Island is to relax on the soft white sandbar. There are plenty of places to sit with your friends or family and enjoy the beautiful Gulf Coast weather!
Grab a Meal
The Crab Island SandBar is a great place to grab some drinks and food. You can also buy fresh seafood from the Crab Island SandBar, and if you’re looking for some drinks, Joe’s Crab Shack is a great place to grab a drink while you watch the sunset over the ocean.
Go Swimming
You can also swim at Crab Island. The water is clear enough that you can see all of the fish swimming around in it. There are even stingrays hanging out off of the Pier!
Just be careful when swimming because the water is pretty deep. It can be dangerous if you’re not used to swimming in this type of water, we recommend wearing life jackets when swimming.
Go Kayaking
Kayaking at Crab Island is another fun activity for people of all ages. You can rent kayaks on the pier or you can bring your own and paddle out to the sandbar.
If you’re not a very strong swimmer, I recommend renting kayaks because if something happens, you can get back to the pier more easily than if your paddleboard has a problem.
Rent a Water Inflatable
If you have an extra $70ish to spare, I recommend renting one of the fun water park inflatables. They’re so much fun! You jump on and ride around in them or play on an obstacle course, water trampoline, and more!
How to Get to Crab Island
The closest major city is New Orleans and Birmingham which are both about 215 miles away. If you’re coming by plane, the closest airport is the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport.
Best Time of Year to Visit Crab Island
The best time of year to visit crab island for people who want a summer vacation is from the months of May to September. This is because the weather during this time of year can be considered warm and dry with a low risk of rainfall.
With an average high of 84 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low of 77, the climate is quite comfortable for most travelers. These annual temperatures will vary which means you need to check on the average highs and lows before your trip.
Best Places to Stay in Destin, Florida
Hyatt Place Sandestin at Grand Boulevard
The Hyatt Place Sandestin at Grand Boulevard is located near the Grand Boulevard Town Center near the beach. This hotel has a variety of amenities, including an outdoor pool, restaurant on the property, fitness center, free buffet breakfast, a bar/lounge, a coffee shop, and more!
Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin Grand Boulevard
The Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin Grand Boulevard is located in the business district of Miramar Beach. The hotel has a restaurant, 24-hour fitness center, outdoor pool, coffee shop, bar/lounge, and more amenities!
Hampton Inn & Suites Destin
The Hampton Inn & Suites is located in the city center near the beach and the Destin Harbor Boardwalk. This hotel is smoke-free and has a variety of amenities for guests to enjoy. Such as an outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, children’s pool, free wifi, and more!
Wrapping Up
If you’re looking for a fun day out on the water, Crab Island is your place! There are plenty of activities to keep everyone busy from going for a swim and walking along the shoreline to kayaking.
We hope you enjoyed our visitor’s guide to Crab Island we think it should be at the top of your vacation bucket list next time you’re in Florida! Happy travels!