Crab Island Tours: Hop On Our Crab Island Cruise
Crab Island is a sandbar that has become a social gathering destination for many people to anchor their boats and wade in the water. The best way for you and your crew to get to Crab Island is with our Island Runner Crab Island tour. Our Crab Island cruise in Destin, FL uses a U.S. Coast Guard-certified boat that comfortably accommodates up to 27 passengers, ensuring an enhanced Crab Island shuttle experience on the shimmering waters of Destin, FL
Cruise Info
Crab Island Runner has bench seating with storage for small coolers and small beach bags. Be sure to pack along your favorite sunscreen, towels, hats, sunglasses, watertoys, snacks etc… We offer complimentary iced water bottles and select adult beverages are available for purchase. Guests are allowed to bring a small, soft-sided cooler with them but no glass is permitted. Due to liquor license, no outside alcohol is allowed on board.
The following items are offered to share on Crab Island trips with all the guests: Lily Pad • Water Floats Water guns • Water toys
Starting at: Adult $60 / Child $35 / Young child $10
Crab Island Runner Tours
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Crab Island Cruise in Destin, FL: Set Sail With Us
3 to 4 hour captained Crab Island cruises from $60 per adult
Crab Island is a sandbar in the bay just north of the Destin Bridge, and the only way there is by boat. If you don't have one, the Crab Island Runner is the boat. Our Crab Island cruise runs scheduled 3 to 4 hour trips on a U.S. Coast Guard-certified boat for up to 27 passengers. Your captain picks the spot, sets the anchor and stays with the boat, so your whole group gets to swim, snorkel and float in Destin's clear emerald water.
Adult Ticket
A captained cruise to the Crab Island sandbar with time to swim, snorkel and float, plus complimentary iced water.
Child Ticket
Kids wade and play in the shallow water with the shared lily pad, water floats, water guns and water toys.
Young Child Ticket
The littlest crew members ride along for the whole trip. Anyone under 18 sails with a paying adult.
Crab Island Boat Tours With a Captain
Every trip is run by a USCG-certified captain who works these waters daily. The sandbar shifts, East Pass traffic is heavy and the best anchoring spots change with the tide, so nobody in your group has to sit the day out behind the wheel. The crew handles the safety briefing, the music and the water.
No Boat of Your Own Needed
Book a seat like any other tour: pick a time, arrive 45 minutes early with a photo ID, and we handle the rest. No trailer, no launch ramp, no rental deposit. Think of it as a water taxi to Crab Island that gets you there and back with plenty of time to swim.
Book Crab Island Runner TourWhat Guests Say About Our Crab Island Cruise
Families and friend groups share their day at the sandbar aboard the Crab Island Runner.
Choose Your Crab Island Cruise
Two boats make the run to the sandbar from Destin Harbor. Grab seats on a public trip or reserve the Runner for your group.
Crab Island Runner Cruise
Boards at 7 Calhoun Ave beside the Destin bridge. Adult $60, Child $35, Young child $10.
Tipsy Tiki Sandbar Trip
Prefer a floating tiki bar? The Tipsy Tiki boards at 530 Harbor Blvd for its own Crab Island trip.
Private Runner Charter
Have the Crab Island Runner to yourselves for a birthday, reunion or group outing. Call (850) 706-2722 for dates.
Photos From Crab Island
Emerald water, a shallow sandbar and plenty of room to float.
Crab Island Cruise Boarding: Docks, Parking & Check-In
Two boats make the run to the sandbar. Your boarding dock is named at checkout and in your confirmation email.
Getting Here
Address: Crab Island Runner, 7 Calhoun Ave, Destin, FL 32541 · (850) 706-2722
- The Crab Island Runner boards at 7 Calhoun Ave beside the Destin bridge, with Crab Island practically in view.
- Tipsy Tiki sandbar trips board at Gilligan's Watersports, 530 Harbor Blvd · (850) 650-9000.
- Your dock is named on the booking screen and again in your confirmation email.
Parking
7 Calhoun Ave: use the Destin Marina public parking next to the launch. It fills fast on summer days, so share a ride. 530 Harbor Blvd: free parking on the property, first come, first served, with overflow at 531 Mountain Drive.
Check-In
Every seat is captained, so there's no license or test. Arrive 45 minutes before departure with a photo ID, complete your waivers at the dock, and your USCG-licensed captain takes it from there.
Why Choose the Crab Island Runner?
The easy way to reach Destin's famous sandbar without renting, driving or anchoring a boat yourself.
Closest Dock to the Sandbar
The Runner boards at 7 Calhoun Ave beside the Destin bridge, so less of your trip is spent getting there and more is spent in the water.
A Captain Who Knows the Water
Your USCG-certified captain handles East Pass traffic, the shifting sandbar and the anchor, so everyone in your group gets to swim.
Water Toys for Everyone
A lily pad, water floats, water guns and water toys are shared with all guests at Crab Island.
Comfortable and Certified
A U.S. Coast Guard-certified boat for up to 27 passengers, with a shaded deck, a restroom and bench seating with storage for small coolers.
Crab Island Shuttle Notices & Booking Policies
A few notices from our crew to keep everyone on board safe, informed and enjoying their Crab Island cruise.
Safety Requirements
Children under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Life jackets are provided for all passengers.
No service animals, comfort animals or pets are allowed on the Crab Island shuttle.
Glass is strictly prohibited on board for safety reasons.
Movement is minimal, but guests prone to motion sickness should take preventive measures.
Booking Policies
Arrive 45 minutes before departure with a photo ID to complete waivers and check in.
Cancel 24+ hours before your arrival date for a full refund minus a $5 service fee. Later cancellations and no-shows are not refunded.
If the weather is unfavorable, your trip may be rescheduled, modified or refunded (minus a $5 processing fee).
Outside alcohol isn't permitted. Beer and wine are sold on board to guests 21 and over.
Crab Island Shuttle FAQ
What to know about Crab Island, the cruise and what to bring on board.
What is a Crab Island cruise?
A Crab Island cruise is a guided boat trip to the famous Crab Island sandbar in Destin, FL. Our experienced captains take you aboard a U.S. Coast Guard-certified vessel to this shallow-water destination in Choctawhatchee Bay, where you can swim, snorkel and enjoy the clear emerald water with family and friends. The cruise includes all safety equipment.
What is the best way to get to Crab Island?
Crab Island is a sandbar on the north side of the Destin Bridge. It used to be a spoil island but became an underwater sandbar after years of hurricanes, so it's only reachable by boat. The easiest way to go is our Crab Island shuttle, which takes you to the sandbar and back.
How long is the Crab Island tour?
Our Crab Island cruise typically lasts 3 to 4 hours. That includes travel time to and from Crab Island plus extended time anchored at the sandbar, where you can swim, snorkel, visit the floating vendors and soak up the sun in the shallow water.
What should I bring?
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, towels and water-friendly footwear. Many guests also bring snorkeling gear, inflatable floats, a waterproof phone case and a small soft-sided cooler with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. We provide complimentary iced water bottles on board, and select adult beverages are available for purchase.
Is the Crab Island cruise good for kids?
Absolutely. It's one of the most popular family activities in Destin. The shallow water at Crab Island is perfect for children to wade, swim and play, and our crew is experienced with families. Kids love spotting marine life, playing on floats and exploring the sandbar. Anyone under 18 must sail with a paying adult.
Can I bring my own food and drinks?
Yes. Bring a small, soft-sided cooler with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. No glass containers are allowed for safety reasons. Because of our liquor license, no outside alcohol is allowed on board, but complimentary iced water is provided and select adult beverages are sold during the cruise.
Do you need a boat to get to Crab Island?
Yes. Crab Island is only reachable by water, since there's no road, bridge or walking route to the sandbar. You can bring your own boat, rent a pontoon, or book a seat on a captained Crab Island cruise like ours, starting at $60 per adult, and let our captain handle the driving and anchoring.
Can you take a boat tour to Crab Island with a captain?
Yes. Crab Island Runner runs captained boat tours to the sandbar daily in season from Destin Harbor. Trips run 3 to 4 hours and include a USCG-certified captain, crew and complimentary water. The captain picks the anchoring spot and stays with the boat, so everyone in your group can swim.
Is there a shuttle boat to Crab Island?
Yes. Our scheduled cruise works as a Crab Island shuttle, with set departure times from two Destin Harbor docks: the Crab Island Runner at 7 Calhoun Ave and Tipsy Tiki trips at 530 Harbor Blvd. The boat stays anchored at the sandbar for the length of the trip, then brings you back.
What are some activities to do at Crab Island?
Crab Island offers activities for all ages, including swimming, snorkeling, water sports such as parasailing, jet skiing, paddleboarding and kayaking, relaxing in the shallows, live entertainment, floating food vendors and wildlife watching.
Check Out Our Other Destin Tours
Add dolphins, parasailing or a rental to your Crab Island trip.
Sunset Dolphin Cruise $35
A 1.5-hour golden-hour cruise on the Crab Island Runner to look for dolphins.
Double Decker Pontoon $375
Two decks and a top-deck slide for your crew. Rent it for 4 or 8 hours.
Crab Island Parasailing $60
Fly high over Destin Harbor and see Crab Island from above.
Jet Ski Dolphin Tour $150
Follow a guide to look for wild dolphins, then ride out to Crab Island.
Pontoon Boat Rentals $275
Captain your own pontoon to Crab Island for 4 or 8 hours.
Jet Ski Rentals $89/hr
Rent a jet ski by the hour and explore Destin Harbor and Crab Island.
What to Expect on Your Crab Island Cruise
From the dock to the sandbar and back, here's how your 3 to 4 hour trip unfolds.
Book Your Seats
Choose adult, child and young child tickets online. Weekends sell out, so book about 48 hours ahead.
Park & Arrive Early
Park at the Destin Marina public lot beside 7 Calhoun Ave and arrive 45 minutes before departure with a photo ID.
Check In & Board
Finish your waivers at the dock, stow your small cooler and beach bag under the bench seating, and settle in.
Cruise to the Sandbar
Your captain heads through the harbor to Crab Island and Choctawhatchee Bay. Conditions allowing, the boat may cruise into the Gulf.
Swim at Crab Island
Anchor at the sandbar to swim, snorkel and float. The lily pad, water floats, water guns and water toys come out for everyone.
Cruise Back to the Dock
Dry off, grab a cold drink and enjoy the views on the ride back to Destin Harbor.
Crab Island Runner Ticket Prices
Per-person pricing for the public Crab Island cruise. Private Runner charters start at $1,800; call (850) 706-2722.
What's Included & What to Bring
Bring the sunscreen and snacks. The boat, the captain and the water toys are covered.
What's Included
- USCG-certified captain and crew
- Round trip from Destin Harbor to Crab Island
- Extended time anchored at the sandbar
- Complimentary iced water bottles
- Shared lily pad, water floats, water guns and water toys
- Life jackets for all passengers
- Shaded deck and onboard restroom
What to Bring
- Sunscreen (reef-safe preferred)
- Towels and water-friendly footwear
- Hats and sunglasses with a strap
- Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks in a small soft-sided cooler
- Snorkel goggles or inflatable floats
- Photo ID
Good to Know
- Outside alcohol isn't allowed; beer and wine are sold on board to guests 21+.
- No glass on board.
- No pets, service animals or comfort animals.
- Guests under 18 must be with a paying adult.
- Arrive 45 minutes before departure.
- Keep coolers and beach bags small to fit under the benches.
Make It a Bigger Day
Upgrade to a private charter or pair your sandbar trip with another Destin adventure.
Private Runner Charter
Reserve the Crab Island Runner for your group of up to 27. Private charters start at $1,800; call (850) 706-2722 for availability.
Sunset Dolphin Cruise
Come back in the evening for a 1.5-hour dolphin cruise on the same boat. Adult $35, Child $25, Infant $5.
Crab Island Parasailing
See the sandbar from above. Parasailing flights start at $60 per person.
Pontoon Boat Rental
Want to drive yourself? Pontoon rentals start at $275 for 4 hours.
Best Time for a Crab Island Cruise
Cruises run daily in season, with times on the booking calendar. Here's how to pick the right time for your trip.
Spring
Warm days, clear water and lighter crowds make spring an easygoing time to swim at the sandbar before the summer rush.
Summer
Peak season brings floating vendors and hundreds of boats to Crab Island. Weekends sell out, so book about 48 hours ahead.
Fall
The water stays warm into fall while crowds thin out, giving you more room on the sandbar and a calmer harbor.
Winter
Winter departures aren't guaranteed. Check the booking calendar for open dates before you plan your trip.
$60 per adult
