Crab Island Sandbar Cruise from Destin: 3-Hour Tiki Boat

Float at Crab Island in water so clear and shallow you stand on white sand.

A 3-hour boat cruise from Destin to Crab Island on a tiki-style vessel with a USCG-licensed captain, where you anchor, swim and float in the sandbar shallows. The boat supplies a cooler, ice, cups, bottle openers and bottled water; you bring your own food and beverages. Floats are available on board or bring your own. Parties of seven or more should call ahead for availability.

The Experience

The Original Cruisin' Tikis boat leaves Destin Harbor and runs a 3-hour loop that ends at Crab Island, the sandbar anchorage that fills with swimmers and floaters on warm days. The captain navigates through the harbor first, giving you time to settle in and take in the water and the crowds before heading out. Once anchored at the island, you drop into water shallow enough to stand in, with white sand underfoot and visibility that lets you see straight down.

What you get on board: a cooler stocked with ice, cups and shot glasses, bottle openers, bottled water, and an electric pump if you want to inflate floats. You bring your own food and drinks—glass bottles are fine, and so are your own floats if you prefer them. The boat does not serve or sell alcohol, but you can bring your own; alcohol purchased off the island is illegal to consume there, so plan ahead. The crew handles the logistics; you handle the day.

Infants ride free on an adult's lap; service animals are allowed but may need to stay on the boat for safety. The boat operates rain or shine, though the captain will cancel and rebook or refund if weather makes it unsafe. If you arrive noticeably intoxicated, the captain can refuse boarding for safety reasons. Parties of seven or more need to call 850-200-0573 to confirm space.

What’s included

• Cooler with ice.
• cups and shot glasses.
• bottle openers.
• bottled water.
• electric pump for floats.
• USCG-licensed captain.
• 3-hour cruise through Destin Harbor to Crab Island and back.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cruisin Tikis Destin

Is this one for you?Bring your own cooler or use ours, set your own playlist, and anchor at Crab Island with a captain who knows the harbor—the tiki boat puts you in the water without the nightclub atmosphere.

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Top questions

What is Crab Island and why do people go there?

Crab Island is a shallow sandbar off Destin where the water is clear and only waist-deep, making it a place to float, swim and socialize without a beach. It fills with boats and swimmers on good-weather days and is known as one of Destin's most popular gathering spots on the water.

Can I bring my own drinks and food on the Crab Island cruise?

Yes. You bring your own beverages and snacks; glass bottles are allowed. The boat provides the cooler, ice, cups, bottle openers and bottled water, so you just load your supplies on board and enjoy them at the island.

How long does the boat spend at Crab Island?

The full trip is 3 hours total, which includes the cruise through Destin Harbor to the island and the time anchored there. The captain decides the exact duration at the sandbar based on conditions and the group, but the whole outing runs three hours from start to finish.

Do I need to bring a float, or does the boat have them?

The boat carries floats and has an electric pump on board to inflate them. You can use one of theirs or bring your own; either way, the pump is there if you need it.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my cruise?

If the captain determines that weather makes the trip unsafe, the cruise will be cancelled, and you'll receive a full refund or the option to rebook on another date.

Are there any rules about alcohol at Crab Island?

You can bring your own alcohol on the boat and to Crab Island, but it is illegal to purchase or consume alcohol that you bought on the island itself. Plan to bring what you want before boarding.