Destin’s Best Day on the Water: Double Decker Pontoon Rental
There is the rental you book to get to Crab Island, and then there is the rental that becomes the day. A double decker pontoon boat is the second one. Twelve people. Two levels. A slide off the upper deck. An afternoon at Crab Island that gets way more group-chat replays than the resort pool.
Crab Island Runner’s double decker pontoon rentals in Destin are user-friendly enough for first-time captains and built for the kind of crew that wants the slide. Fuel is included, fishing is allowed with a Florida saltwater license, and you have 15 square miles of bay to explore.
Double Decker Pontoon Boat Rental Details
Ready to make a splash with the dolphins of Crab Island? Then let’s go! Crab Island Dolphin cruises with Crab Island Runner are the perfect blend of adventure, education, and unforgettable moments. Book your dolphin cruise now and prepare to be captivated by the magic of these gentle sea creatures. Your dolphin adventure starts here!
Standard 4 hr: $400 / 8 hr: $600
Double Decker 4 hr: $695 / 8 hr: $895
Why Rent a Double Decker Pontoon in Destin
- The slide: The actual answer. The top-deck slide is the reason these book out three weekends deep in summer.
- Two decks of usable space: Upper deck for sunbathing, photos, and slide launches; lower deck for shade, cooler access, and the wheel. Way more room than a single-level pontoon for the same headcount.
- Up to 12 guests: Including all babies and children. Big enough for two families, a friend group, or a bachelorette day.
- Fuel included: No extra fuel fees. Book a 4-hour or 8-hour rental and that is what you pay.
- Easy to drive: User-friendly controls, 60–70 HP outboards. Anyone with a valid driver’s license can captain (plus a Florida boater education ID if you were born in 1988 or later).
- Crab Island in 15 minutes: Crab Island sits a short cruise from our dock — you will be anchored at the sandbar within the first half hour of your rental.
What’s Included With Your Pontoon Rental
- Double decker pontoon with built-in slide
- Capacity for up to 12 guests (including children and babies)
- Fuel for your full rental window (no extra charge)
- Coast Guard-approved life jackets for every guest
- In-person safety briefing before launch
- Choice of 4-hour or 8-hour rental window
- Pet-friendly option (regular pets $25 non-refundable; service animals free)
Add-Ons to Make the Day Even Better
- Lily pad add-on: $50 for a 4-hour rental, $90 for an 8-hour rental. Attaches to the back of the pontoon while you anchor — the favorite accessory at Crab Island.
- Damage protection: Optional $75 non-refundable damage protection per boat covers up to $1,000 of potential damage. Skip it and we hold a fully refundable $500 security deposit instead (refunded if you return on time and damage-free).
- Pet add-on: Regular pets are $25 non-refundable per pet. Service animals are free.
How a Double Decker Pontoon Day in Destin Actually Goes
Morning: Check In and Brief
Arrive at the dock 45 minutes before your rental window starts. You will complete waivers, get fitted for life jackets, and run through the in-person safety briefing — including no-wake zones (harbor, Crab Island, and a little past Crab Island), the 15-square-mile riding boundary, the no-Gulf rule for rentals, and how to anchor at Crab Island.
Cruise to Crab Island
Crab Island is a short cruise from the dock. Most groups head straight there to drop anchor at the sandbar, deploy the lily pad, and start the slide rotation. Floating food vendors, music, and the famously shallow water make this the focal point of the day.
Float, Slide, Fish, Repeat
Anchored at Crab Island, you have everything you need: the upper-deck slide, the lily pad, shade on the lower deck, and the bay for floating. Bring a saltwater fishing license and you can fish off the pontoon.
Sunset Loop Back
On an 8-hour rental, leave time to cruise back slowly. The light off the bay at golden hour is the photo opportunity nobody warns you about.
Double Decker Pontoon Rental Rules to Know
- Operating area: 15 square miles of bay to cruise. No going into the Gulf with the rental.
- No-wake zones: Harbor, Crab Island, and just past Crab Island are all no-wake. Your captain will walk the route in the safety briefing.
- Captain requirements: Driver must have a valid driver’s license and be 18 or older. Anyone born in 1988 or later also needs a Florida boater education ID (we send a link to a temporary license after booking).
- Alcohol: BYOB is allowed on pontoon rentals. No glass. If the rental crew determines someone is impaired, alcohol can be cut off — we are responsible for the boat and the people on it.
- Fishing: Allowed off the pontoon. Anyone fishing needs a Florida saltwater fishing license (available from the FWC website).
- Wildlife: It is illegal to touch, harass, or swim with wild dolphins (up to a $1,000 fine per dolphin in your immediate area). View from the pontoon, never approach.
- Cleaning: Return the boat in reasonable condition. Boats left in poor condition are subject to a $25 cleaning fee.
Rental Duration: 4 Hours or 8 Hours?
4-Hour Rental
Best for families with smaller kids, first-time renters, or guests fitting the boat day into a multi-stop vacation day. You can comfortably hit Crab Island, slide for an hour, and cruise back.
8-Hour Rental
The right pick for groups who want the full Destin pontoon day. You can hit Crab Island for the morning, cruise to a quieter cove for lunch, fish for an hour, and end with a golden-hour cruise back to the dock.
Reserve Your Double Decker Pontoon
Slide-equipped double decker pontoons are the highest-demand rental in our fleet, and weekend slots in summer book out a week or more in advance. Lock in the date your group can do — then bring the cooler, the swimsuits, and one person who is willing to skip the bachelorette pre-game.
Crab Island Dolphin Cruise FAQs
Will we see dolphins on the Crab Island Dolphin Cruise?
While wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, our dolphin tours have an extremely high success rate thanks to our experienced captains who know the best spots around Destin and Crab Island. Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins are abundant in these waters year-round, and our crew is skilled at locating pods for unforgettable close encounters.
How long is the Crab Island dolphin tour?
Our Crab Island dolphin tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours, which includes a thorough safety orientation before departure. This gives you plenty of time to cruise through the scenic Destin Harbor, explore the waters around Crab Island, and enjoy multiple dolphin sightings along the way without feeling rushed.
Is this tour good for families?
Absolutely! Our dolphin tours are one of the most popular family-friendly activities in Destin. Children of all ages are welcome to ride as passengers, making this a perfect adventure for the whole family. Kids especially love the thrill of spotting dolphins up close in their natural habitat around the beautiful Crab Island area.
What kind of dolphins will we see?
The waters around Destin and Crab Island are home to Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins, one of the most playful and interactive dolphin species in the world. These intelligent creatures are known for approaching boats and jet skis, riding bow waves, and putting on impressive acrobatic displays that make for incredible photos and memories.
Double Decker Departure Docks — Parking & Check-In
The slide-topped double deckers load at two harbor docks — here’s your pre-launch rundown.
Pick Your Launch Point
Which dock you load at depends on the double decker you reserve — checkout names it, and your confirmation email repeats it.
Destin X on the Harbor: 214 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541 · (850) 898-1204
Double deckers stage on the harbor at 214. Get directions
Gilligan’s Watersports: 530 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541 · (850) 650-9000
More slide boats go out from 530 Harbor Blvd. Get directions
Parking
Destin X (214 Harbor Blvd): one vehicle per booking parks on site, first come, first served. Additional cars go free to 310 Mountain Drive or $15 at 285 US-98 W; RVs and trailers use the paid public lot across the street.
Gilligan’s Watersports (530 Harbor Blvd): park free right on the property, first come, first served; overflow lives at 531 Mountain Drive.
Check-In
Behind the wheel? Clear the paperwork before you get here: drivers born on or after January 1, 1988 need a Florida boater safety certificate, and taking the Florida temporary boater test online ahead of time makes check-in easier and faster. There’s a $3 NASBLA test at the dock too — just plan for extra time. Be at your launch point 45 minutes before your start with a photo ID for every driver, and the crew squares away life jackets and the safety talk.
Don’t forget: swimsuits and towels, reef-safe sunscreen, a waterproof pouch for your phone, and a small soft-sided cooler with drinks — glass stays on shore.