Crab Island
An underwater boating and party island on the north side of the Destin bridge, where a shallow sandbar turns into the busiest anchorage on the bay.
Crab Island is a sandbar in the Choctawhatchee Bay with water depths of 2 to 10 feet. From April through October it draws anywhere from 10 to 200 anchored boats a day. At high tide, roughly an hour before to two hours after the peak, the water turns a striking turquoise, especially in May and June. After a heavy rain, tannins can give the water a brown tint. It's harmless and can last up to two weeks.
Water depth
2 to 10 feet
Location
North side of the Destin bridge
Busiest season
April through October
Amenities
Seasonal floating restaurants and mobile vendors
Know the water before you anchor
Safe zones
- The middle, north, and west sides of the sandbar are the safe zones
- Weak swimmers should wear a life jacket
- Supervise children at all times
Use caution here
- The east and south sides can be dangerous during an outgoing tide, meaning after high tide
- Avoid water deeper than hip height on the east and south edges
Amenities, vendors, and what to expect
There are no bathrooms on the sandbar itself. Floating restaurants like Crab Island Sandbar and Reef Burger operate seasonally, and mobile vendors sell coconuts, pineapple, ice cream, and boiled peanuts from May through October. Jellyfish tend to arrive in late July around high tides, and June Grass, a harmless algae, can appear unpredictably through the summer.
Ready for Crab Island?
Book a pontoon or WaveRunner and we'll point you the right direction, it's only 5 minutes from our docks.