Visiting Crab Island in Destin, Florida? Watch This First!

Crab Island in Destin, Florida is one of the most popular destinations along the Emerald Coast. Crab Island is a large sandbar just off the Destin Harbor where everyone parks their boats and jet skis to enjoy the crystal clear water and hang out with all of the locals and tourists visiting the area.
Our family decided to rent a double decker pontoon boat (thanks to my sister Heather) to enjoy the day out on the water and we had a blast. Between dolphin sightings and sliding down the boat slides to beautiful weather and the emerald green water, we had an absolute blast and would recommend a trip out to crab island to anyone vacationing in the area.
#destinflorida
#crabisland
#destinfloridabeach

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the channel for more fun and informative videos about Destin, Florida! Also...SHARE this video with anyone who may be coming to Destin for their next beach vacation!

[@HungVuiShare]

Beautiful footage i Watch you video before i book the Hotel there thank for sharing.. subscribed

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Thank you so much. You’ll have a great time in the area.

[@TheWrightAdvantures]

We will be in Destin from 7/29-8/7! We love Destin. It will be our 4th annual vacation. We also will be renting a pontoon boat to go enjoy Crab Island. Last year, the day we went to crab island,it was after a huge storm so the water at crab island was brown! Hopefully this year, it’ll be like the water you got to enjoy! Thanks for the video!

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

The water clears out in a few days after a rain so hopefully you’ll have good weather when you visit. It wasn’t too nice out in the gulf this year because of a ton of seaweed but it’s pretty much cleared up now. The water is so beautiful around here though isn’t it. Thank you again for watching and subscribe if you get a chance.

[@markpleasant9843]

We are here now. Just finished raining and now the weather is nice.

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

@@markpleasant9843 yeah I woke up to some rain this morning but the rest of the day and the weekend look great. Enjoy your trip!

[@TheWrightAdvantures]

We got here yesterday. Water was great! Woke up this morning to some great weather and the water looks awesome! Went for a morning run and then got some shots with my drone. We love this place and are excited to be here until the 7th!

[@jamiefine8419]

So beautiful....love the clear water....

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

It sure is. Thank you so much watching.

[@jamiefine8419]

@@thebutlerfamilyadventures you're welcome

[@meleodyt2864]

Just made it back to Ohio from our annual vacation to Destin Florida it was awesome as usual …can’t wait until next year!!!!

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Outstanding. The weather has been nice around here the last week. Hot but at least not a ton of rain. Glad you enjoyed your trip and thank you so much for watching the channel.

[@TeeeganPRODZ]

Heading up there rn

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Crab island is such a fun part of visiting Destin, Florida. What’s your favorite things about going to crab island?

[@faithandfootsteps]

The water is absolutely beautiful!

[@TeeeganPRODZ]

Everything is good the food the entertainment and mainly the crystal clear blue water

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

@@TeeeganPRODZ the water is amazing isn’t it. Just drove by there today and it was beautiful just like in the video.

[@TeeeganPRODZ]

I’m driving there right now

[@TeeeganPRODZ]

I’m subscribing

[@ducheau100]

wow the water looks like the Caribbean or Bahamas.

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

yeah the water is beautiful here most of the time. If you haven't visited this area, it's definitely a nice place to do a beach vacation. Thank you so much for visiting the channel.

[@TeeeganPRODZ]

fr

[@amberspencer529]

I so miss Destin Florida

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Did you used to live here or do you vacation here? it’s a beautiful area isn’t it?

[@amberspencer529]

@@thebutlerfamilyadventures no we went there on vacation but we plan on moving down there soon. I was tempted to get an apartment though lol

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

@@amberspencer529 Yeah I've lived in the area for 30 years and love it. It does get pretty busy during tourist season but well worth it for how beautiful the area is. Thank you so much for watching the channel!

[@chafiaben2514]

I’m going tomorrow from Georgia to Panama City beach to Destin.

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Awesome. Just drove by crab island today and the water was beautiful.

[@charlesphillips9319]

I live in Destin, when you go to Crab Island do not swim in the channel next to the bridge. The tide going out is very strong. Several people have drowned trying.

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

We live right across the bridge in Niceville. Been out to crab island many times and you’re not kidding about the current. Whenever we’ve had a boat anchored there, we always get on the north side of crab island away from the channel for that very reason.

[@sgtjameslindsey2493]

From nearby Niceville Fl, we always laugh and call this "crap island". In any video or picture you see, there is never any a floating outhouse is there? Where do you think people go to the bathroom? Either directly into the water or in a bucket, then dump it into the water. Would you really want to swim in that, not to mention what it does to the environment.

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Live in Niceville as well for the past 32 years. Seen crab island change quite a bit. It does get pretty dingy at times but luckily there are the strong currents of the pass to “flush” it out.

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

we will be there on 7.18 and 7.22 Can't wait ....

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Awesome. You’ll love the area. Have a great visit and thank you for watching.

[@binkyfaith]

Me and my daughter will hopefully travel to destin by car in a week, our first time, how much is boat rentals and things to get to crab island

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

@@binkyfaith $500+ per day for 8 hrs

[@AB-fq4mr]

Probably a stupid question, but how do you find your way back to return the boat to the vendor? I'm scared to death of not being able to find my way back if I rent one of those.

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Most places will give you a map of the bay and surrounding waterways. It really is easy to navigate around the area, but if you think you may need it, just look at the area on google earth and screen shot where you’re picking up your boat and where it is in relation to crab island so you can have that on your phone to reference.

[@johnmarkmier144]

Best month to go to destin?like storm or warter is not cold.

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Hurricane season is from June through November but it’s most active August -October. The water is plenty warm starting in May. If you can come in early may before summer crowds arrive that’s a great time to be here.

[@JQUICK21]

@@thebutlerfamilyadventures Well you just scared me! We are coming down there on August 20 - August 30.....so many pontoon business's like everything else these days it's nauseating to try and choose which one to go to......

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

@@JQUICK21 really everyone is pretty evenly priced. If you’re looking for something unique, give 30a Boat Valet a try. They do chartered pontoon boats with a captain and have all kinds of fast boats too. Let them know I recommended them to you if you give them a call.

[@jaimeagee4744]

just get seats on a charted boat with a captain that does it every day. Original Cruisin Tiki’s have the most experienced Captains.

[@bans5]

Just curious did you book the boat rental day of or before? If before how many days prior?

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

It was booked about a week ahead of time. Depending on what time of year you come, you may want to book ahead especially if it’s during a holiday week. There are tons of boat rental places in the area so if one is sold out, there would probably still be one available with another company.

[@bans5]

@@thebutlerfamilyadventures Awesome thanks for the response :D

[@kellykellssz]

The rental boat that you got did you have to sail it yourself or was there a captain?

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

You do drive it yourself. There are several other companies in the area that offer captained boat rentals though. A good one would be 30a boat valet. All of their rentals are captained and they have some of the fastest pontoon rentals in the area.

[@kellykellssz]

@@thebutlerfamilyadventures I was looking in to those plus I heard in your video of you choose that option you only have 4hrs there. I think that would be good enough but in case I wanted to stay longer. I’ll have to research more to see if there’s trips there that’s longer. Like the whole day. Thnx!

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

@@kellykellssz most captained rentals are indeed just half day. There are tons of companies in the area though. I’m sure someone does all day rentals with a captain.

[@r.f.s4891]

Me & My family had worst experience on that same type of boat from the same company the double deck boat died otw back from crab island crossing the bride the current was taking us right into the concrete posts we just missed thank God , We had my 11 month old baby on board with no one out there to help us for the first 30 min

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

@@r.f.s4891 wow that’s crazy. Glad you were ok. As you saw in the video, our engine died right after we got on the boat but luckily we were close to the launch site and we’re able to get help quickly and get another one.

[@JQUICK21]

Where to get one of those big blue floating thing as seen at 3:17? I like that for me and the Wifey!

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Most of the boat rental companies have those you can rent as well.

[@neenahlor17]

Hi awesome video! Does the boat boat rental place allow you to bring your own lily pad?

[@JL-cn6nh]

Where does all that beer that folks are consuming go ? 😮😂😅

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Yeah no kidding. The water isn’t the cleanest by the end of the day I’m sure. Luckily a lot of current flows through there through the pass so maybe that helps. 😛

[@KMWES11]

What best time is best for clear water in crab island morning or afternoon? Thank you

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Either time. The only time it’s not really clear is for a few days right after a heavy rain. Thank you for watching.

[@jaimeagee4744]

4 hours before high tide through 2 hours after high tide. Tides change daily. Typically move 45 minutes forward every day and then tide resets after a few weeks. Direction of wind is also a big factor sometimes it can stay blue longer or shorter depending on wind direction.

[@ibeds3172]

can u tell us the company that u rented from and the price

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

You can find the company at www.doublefunwatersports.com. Rent from their okaloosa island site will save you a little money and it’s an easy cruise to crab island. Price is based on what time of year it is. We rented in may so the cost at that time was 595 for half day and 795 for full day which is 8 hours.

[@danielleg2616]

Are there crabs out here? It its so dangerous why are people in the water that come to their knees or waist? Are there boat companies that take you back in 2 hrs?

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

No I havent seen many crabs but dolphins like to swim by and there have been sharks sighted near crab island. The only dangerous area would be right by the channel where the water gets deeper because the tide rushes through there and it can be difficult to swim against. Yes there are companies in Destin that do excursions to crab island for only a few hours but they are usually with other people.

[@Malia_00001]

Crab to eat?

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Sounds like a good idea. 😉. Maybe we can get a boat out there selling seafood to the tourists. It would make a killing.

[@cindelcriss1801]

Hello

[@cindelcriss1801]

From school Logan criss ms. Tipton

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

hello Logan!

[@vafunseekers]

We are visiting Destin in July. This is something we will have to do!! Looks like such a fun time. You got some great footage in your video. Thanks so much for sharing your adventure.

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Appreciate that and thanks for watching!

[@kellykellssz]

Me & my husband is going as well in July. I’m 🙏🏾 for beautiful weather.

[@wimberlyfam636]

We wanted to go here so bad, but did not know if it was toddler friendly so we skipped it. We need to try it out next time!!

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Most definitely. Plus you can really Anchor a boat away from the main crowds to have little privacy. The whole crab island area is pretty large. Thank you for watching.

[@jackburgess357]

What's the rental rates? Roughly

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Most are around 300-400 for 4 hours. If you go up to 8 hours, you’re looking at 700-800 especially for the ones with double slides. You can get smaller pontoons around the area if you don’t have a large family or you can even join one of the large party boats that go out to crab island for a much cheaper price.

[@alexeatonexploresamerica5511]

Destin Florida is my neck of the woods I swim across the Destin past four times

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Oh dang that’s crazy. I’ve paddled my kayak across there and the current is crazy. Thanks for checking out my channel.

[@GEORGIABOY23]

I’ve been there 100 times and loved every time! Gotta hit Santa Rosa on 30A!

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

The 30a area has really grown over the 30 years I’ve been in the area. It’s super crowded now but still nice.

[@GEORGIABOY23]

@@thebutlerfamilyadventures Yeah that is why we go in October..to me it’s the best month..no crowds, water is warm, and better deals.

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

@@GEORGIABOY23 That is an excellent time to be around here. It's definitely cheaper and the weather is still super nice. Don't let the secret out...we locals still want a little part of the year to ourselves. :)

[@GEORGIABOY23]

School is still in then so I think you’ll be ok

[@TeeeganPRODZ]

Only 100 so sad

[@KimberlyKuharik]

How far is parking from the dock area?

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

It depends on where you rent your boat from. If you rent from the same place we did at the foot of the mid Bay Bridge then the parking is right next to the dock. Most boat rental places in Destin have their own parking though so you should be able to get close to wherever you rent from.

[@williamchevalier2224]

can you get there by bridge

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

The only way to get to crab island is by boat. You can see it from the bridge going into Destin but you’d need to be out on the water to go out there. It really is nothing more than a big sand bar.

[@souledout3239]

Great video!

[@thebutlerfamilyadventures]

Appreciate that...and thanks for watching!