Fort Walton Beach-Okaloosa Island Crab Island Tours & Activities

Crab Island Destin Florida got its name because it was once a small plot of land that looked like a crab. Moreover, thousands of tiny crabs were discovered on the floor of the sandbar. Locals would regularly visit the sandbar to catch crabs, fish, and swim, making it a popular boating destination in Destin.

The most crowded days to visit Crab Island are Wednesday through Sunday, with Memorial Day and Labor Day being the busiest times. Boats start to arrive around 10am, and the crowd consistently will grow until around 1pm. Boats will start to leave the island in the late afternoon, and you can expect the sandbar to be almost empty by sunset. If you're looking for the best spot to anchor down near attractions and shallow, calmer waters, arrive early! 8-9am is a good sweet spot for arriving early with few boats, but still warm enough to soak up the sun and swim. This is also an optimal time to arrive for families with children, as you're able to avoid the rowdier crowds that gather later in the afternoon, and have easy access to the shallow area of the sandbar. If you're worried about navigating and parking your boat during crowded times, try a Crab Island shuttle. A shuttle is the cheapest way to get to Crab Island that can carry group large and small with zero hassle.

Crab Island has shallow waters with an average depth of approximately 3 feet. Depending on the tide, and where you're located on the sandbar, the depth can be more shallow or deeper. Also, the more towards the center, the shallower the water. If you anchor near the outskirts, the depth will likely be over your head! Even though the water is deeper during high tide, many boaters prefer to visit Crab Island during high tide because the current is weaker, and water is more clear and beautiful. Refer to the NOAA Tide Chart for up-to-date info on Crab Island tides.

Yes! However, due to the heavy influx of boaters, it may not be the most ideal location for fishing. If you arrive early in the morning (before 8am), you can avoid some of the crowds, and expect to catch some of the most desirable inshore/bay fish in Destin. These fish include speckled trout, redfish, snapper (inshore species), tarpon, and pompano.

Yes! There are crabs on Crab Island, as well as other marine life, such as dolphins, fish, hermits, and more. If you're interested in visiting Crab Island to see the wildlife, we highly recommend a Crab Island tour that offers snorkeling and swimming at the sandbar. More of a "chart your own adventure" type? You can rent a boat, paddleboard, or kayak and head to Crab Island yourself! Learn [how to get to Crab Island](https://www.tripshock.com/blog/what-is-crab-island-destin-fl/ "how to get to crab island) online!