There are a few necessities for Crab Island. Its not far. I will tell you about the ones I know of from firsthand experience and then list a few others that I know to be reputable. There is no way to guarantee the water color, but using these charts with my tips will give you the best chance of success. Crab Island in Destin, Florida is the perfect combination of sun, sand, and sparkling emerald waters! One benefit of renting from the Harborwalk and Destin Boardwalk area is that you get to enjoy a short scenic boat cruise on your way to Crab Island. Reminder: I dont allow anyone to pay to be recommended in my content, unlike most other online sites. Plan a trip in the 10-3 range if possible. old). These months also have more clear water days compared to the rest of the year because of the high tide times falling more often during the day. Participating local restaurants include Fatboys, Red Onion Organic, Vinny McGuires Pizza, Destin Seafood Market, and more. Hi Beth, the crowds are much smaller after Labor Day. Yes that should be an amazing day at Crab Island. Would 10/12 or 10/13 be ok days if we were to go? Before you ask why it is called an island, let me explain. Yes, you can get to Crab Island with a canoe or kayak. I am having a hard time interpreting the chart since their are 2 high tide times, which from your article do not seem to be ideal times to go. My family of 12 has been going to Destin for many years and always wanted to try crab Island but want to have bad conditions and really didnt know anything ab it. June 28th shows an 11:11am high tide which should be a good day. Sometimes I look around at the crystal clear blue sparkling water and think, Is this real?. If high tide is at 11:00am, the water could start turning color at noon or even sooner, so still only pick that day if you are a morning person. As mentioned above, Crab Island is only accessible by boat (or other watercraft) due to the distance from shore and the strong tidal currents and boat traffic that surround it. Thanks! Destin Marina is the closest place to launch your boat for Crab Island located at 7 Calhoun Drive in Destin. We are planning to visit on July 15 2023 and rent a pontoon boat at Tailfins for 8hrs. Hi Jake, yes unfortunately those days dont look the best for water clarity unless you can go on that Saturday the 5th in the early afternoon. I have several of them in case I need more for stronger currents. As long as you follow the safety recommendations at Crab Island, the risk no higher than swimming at the beach. You can lay out on the provided floating mat or float on a raft to soak up some sun. So we were planning a trip to Destin Oct 2nd-5th with plans to visit Crab Island at the top of our list.now I am not 100% sure I am reading the charts right, but if I am we have picked what looks like 3 terrible days for the clear water (main reason for wanting to go) Below are our top 5 picks for the best tours in Destin and keep reading for more fun in Destin: Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. Be safe on the water, and always check the weather report and tide report before heading out to Crab Island. Late summer and early fall are also when you see more of them at the beach in the Gulf of Mexico. So, for example, water clarity will be better for a 1pm high tide on a sunny day than a 10am high tide. Adults: $68.50. Unfortunately the water will probably be getting a little tea colored by late morning. Sadly Due to the government, this is not family friendly. Its on Sunday mornings at 10am though, so its hardly the busiest time at Crab Island. I went on the Crab Island adventure with Destin Snorkel in the fall of 2022 and had a great time. So, come see us if you are staying in or around Destin, Fort Walton Beach, 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Miramar Beach, Grayton Beach, & Navarre Beach, Florida. Now you just need the tide charts for the time you plan to visit. There is a place to launch your kayak or paddle board right near the parking lot. 2023 CrabIsland.com LLC | All Rights Reserved Worldwide, Size doesnt matter, at least when it comes to getting a boat to get, The Gulf at Okaloosa Island or Two Georges Marina, Shalimar, Click here to find out how to get to Crab Island, Book Private Captained Crab Island Tiki Cruise, Book All Inclusive Captained Pontoon Charter, Book 14 Person Double-Decker Pontoon with Two Waterslides, Book Destin Sailing and Dolphin Adventure, Book Marriage Proposal / Anniversary Sail, Gilligan's Watersports Parasailing, Pontoon Boats & Waverunner Rentals, Book Private Captained Crab Island Pontoon, Book 3 Hour Swim & Snorkel Sailing Charter. Crab Island used to be an actual island that was created by sand dredging in the East Pass, but over time storms and currents eroded it into what remains today, which is all underwater. Saturday the 5th would be an ideal day with the 2:43pm high tide but the tides turn after that to the clear water being super early in the morning. There is a $20 fee to launch your boat for the day from here, which includes parking and restroom use. See dolphins & other marine wildlife. Best Time to Visit Crab Island. It can be difficult at times trying to anchor a boat at Crab Island. It will still be fun though. Subscribe by email to receive occasional updates from me about things happening in Destin and new articles I write. June 11th 2022 21 year-old man from Houston, Texas drowned on Crab Island after experiencing a traumatic injury possibly from falling off the front of a moving boat according to witnesses. The remaining vendors expected to be forced to cease operations in 2020, but Covid slowed things down and they allowed them to continue operations with the current restrictions in place. Although most people would pack their own food and drinks, Crab Island does have floating food vendors and restaurants occasionally. Theres not really a time that day much better or worse since high tide is 7:30am and you probably wouldnt want to head out that early. I am having a hard time interpreting the chart since their are 2 high tide times, which from your article do not seem to be ideal times to go. Even in a light current, I couldnt let go of my kayak or paddle board for a minute without worrying that it would float away. I wouldnt necessarily recommend this to a beginner paddler. SunVenture Cruises is not responsible for other vendors not being present at Crab Island on any . At one point, it actually was an island, but sands from the Gulf of Mexico have eroded it over the years to turn it into what it is today. I have analyzed the surf and tide reports and talked to tour operators for tips and advice on various aspects of the Crab Island experience. I am including the list of Crab Island drownings so you can see some of the most common causes. If youre departing from the Destin Harbor, you will head west on your boat towards the Marler Bridge (also referred to simply as the Destin Bridge). Jet Skis are a fun way to get to Crab Island and you can also go north of Crab Island to play around at faster speeds on Choctawhatchee Bay. Private Sail Boat Tour. We can teach you everything youd need to know. When you stay at Emerald Grande, you can catch one of the many Crab Island taxi tours by just walking right outside to Harborwalk Village. Renting a pontoon boat and getting out on the water is a must when in Destin. This has been so informative, thank you so much! I am an experienced paddler though and I plan my days and times around certain factors. Unfortunately, there are no restrooms anywhere on Crab Island. Most assume that it's an actual island, however, it's an underwater sand bar within the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Rental companies do not allow you to cross the east pass into the Gulf of Mexico and its dangerous to do this in a jet ski. These are usually head or leg injuries that result from misjudging the depth of the water. The most important factor when renting a boat is who you are renting with. However, if you have several days to choose from as your Crab Island day, you might as well choose the one with the highest probability of clear water. Floaties, footballs, and frisbees are also common to see for some fun out on the water. In most places on Crab Island, the depth of the water is about 1-4 ft. Its the perfect place to anchor your boat down and have a good time out in the sun! Here is the info if you want to check it out: Crab Island Adventure Tour with Inflatable Water Park. By continuing, you agree to our Thanks again for the great information you provide and I will be keeping up with your posts. - You'll enjoy Crab Island more on an incoming tide, if you can work that out. I cannot wait to get back next year! We really dont want to rent a boat. October is an amazing time to be in Destin though, and the beach will probably be beautiful (unless theres a lot of storms). Is it family friendly ? Several days in a row of double red flags can churn up the water, which can affect water clarity at Crab Island. So its best to go around the high tide mark, but especially on days when the high tide falls during the sunniest part of the day. Another factor is that some tides dont come in as high as others, making the window shorter. The water at Crab Island in March is a bit chilly for swimming but some people will still be out there enjoying it. I do social media and website work for them, so I have gotten to know them really well. Crab Island is accessible only by boat! As far as what time range to go around high tide, most people say 2 hours before and 2 hours after high tide are the clearest. The downside of renting from here is that you would miss the opportunity to cruise through Destin Harbor on your way to Crab Island. Also plan to go in the morning rather than the afternoon when there will be more people drinking and partying. Crab Island isnt one of the most popular spots in Destin for no reason. The charge for those is currently $5, but they plan to go up to $20 in mid-May. Hope that helps! Click to open it as a printable PDF. Another potential downside for renting in this area is that traffic can get pretty heavy going to Destin Harbor, so you need to leave plenty of time to get there, just in case. The 5th in particular with the 12:20 high tide should be ideal for a 10-2 boat rental. " Invisible dinners " 07/23/2023. Enjoy swimming and fun activities in this on-the-water hotspot as you soak up the tropical sun. Crab Island is located just north of the Destin Bridge, inside the inlet that connects the Choctawhatchee Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. No. Destin Snorkel is the only company I have been on a Crab Island shuttle tour with, so I will start with them. 302 Harbor Blvd, FL 32541-2498. Destin Fun How to Get to Destin's Crab Island Written by Emerald Destin in Destin Fun Nearly everyone who is heading to Destin has heard of Crab Island. On that same note, check out the depth of the water with your feet before you even think about diving. Its always that way as the high tide times shift to night in the fall and winter. Is there a shuttle that can take you to the island? Most times, these visitors could have changed their Crab Island day by even a day or two to get the clear water if they had only known that its mostly predictable with a bit of information and planning. Such as sunscreen, towels, cash, water, and food/snacks. The official GPS coordinates for Crab Island are listed asN 3023.918, W 8631.236, although the sandbar is quite large and doesnt consist of just one point on a map. The downside to these spots is that they are the furthest away from Crab Island. We do offer captains for a fee if your group would prefer not to drive the boat. We are in Destin August 5-12, 2023 and always make it out to Crab Island with a pontoon rental when we are there. We do have a shuttle boat: https://www.destinvacationboatrentals.com/crab-island-shuttle-boat/, [] For more info on boat rentals:https://www.destinvacationboatrentals.com/blog-post/crab-island-boat-rentals/ []. Crab Island is in the middle of the water. Which day do you think is best to get clear water on Crab Island. Both Xtreme H20 (7 Calhoun Drive) and Wet n Wild Watersports (114 Calhoun Drive) operate here. Oftentimes, large groups will rent a pontoon boat and split the cost. They banned alcohol sales from Crab Island in 2018 when things started really getting out of control at Crab Island as far as the party scene, the pollution and unsafe behavior. **This area is represented with a red star on my map above**. Click here for info on the Crab Island Shuttle Boat: https://www.destinvacationboatrentals.com/crab-island-shuttle-boat/. I live on Destin Harbor and visit Crab Island frequently. Crab Island can be found in Destin on Florida's panhandle. Now its time to focus on what there is to do once you get to Crab Island! Our water color varies with the tides, with the prettiest water at high tide. There is plenty to do and see at Crab Island, but the primary reason people go is to just relax and hang out in the water. Shore Dash is a food delivery service that started in 2021 and has been a game changer for getting more variety of food at Crab Island. I mention the water park here because it remains one of the most common Crab Island questions I hear and many families go still expecting to find it there (mostly because of outdated information online) only to be disappointed. The high tides look pretty early on those days. Check credentials and ask questions before booking in every situation. Heres some more information if you want to check it out: Church Service at Crab Island by Shoreline Church in Destin. Crab Island is best known as a spot where boaters gather to swim and play in the crystal clear water. It is dangerous due to the currents and boating zones, and many people underestimate how far it actually is from the shore. Crab Island Destin FL Coordinates30.3941 N, 86.5121 W. Getting to Destin so you can play at Crab Island. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I will also show you how to use the tide charts, surf report and weather forecast to plan your visit for the most pristine and crystal-clear water conditions possible. Thank you so much for this valuable information! But if thats your only day available just go as early as you can! You are on a boat, on the water, in Florida. The captain slowed down for dolphin sightings on the way there and back, so everyone on the boat could spot them and get pictures. And how is it during memorial day weekend. I am planning (starting today) a trip for a week around July 4th in 2024. 16055 Emerald Coast Pkwy Unit 114 Suite 114. Map of Destin, Florida showing Crab Island. Both access points have a small fee for launching. March 20, 2023 by Steve Morrow If you plan a trip to the Florida Panhandle, Crab Island in Destin, Florida, is a fun little slice of paradise to explore. You can enjoy major holidays like Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day at Crab Island, but be prepared to party!
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