Staff Answer
Jun 20, 2026 - 08:04 PM
It really depends on what kind of day you're looking for, but if you ask me, a full day rental is almost always worth it. A half day (i.e. 4 hour) rental gives you enough time to get out to Crab Island, anchor for a couple of hours, swim, hang out, and then head back. If that's all you want to do, it's plenty. A lot of families with younger kids are perfectly happy with a four-hour rental. The downside is that time goes by fast. By the time you get checked in, receive your safety briefing, cruise out to Crab Island, and find a place to anchor, you've already used up around 45min-1hr of your rental. Before you know it, it's time to head back. With a full day rental, you're not watching the clock. You can spend a few hours at Crab Island, then go explore the bay, look for dolphins, stop at a quiet beach, grab lunch at a waterfront restaurant (Dewey Destin Harborside is must), or just cruise around. That's when having your own boat really starts to feel like a mini vacation instead of just another activity. If it's your first time in Destin and your budget allows for it, I'd recommend the full day every time. Almost nobody says, "I wish we had rented the boat for less time." It's usually the opposite. People come back saying they wish they'd had another couple of hours to explore.
