How to Book a Crab Island Cruises Trip in Destin or Fort Walton

Updated

You can book a Crab Island Cruises trip either through the "Book Now" links on crabislandcruises.com or by calling 850-450-3307. The company runs all-inclusive private captained boat charters and houseboat cruises serving Destin and Fort Walton, so the right booking path depends on whether you want a private charter or a spot on the 37-foot houseboat.

Before You Book: Know What You're Choosing

Crab Island Cruises describes itself as a veteran-owned and operated company established in 2011, built around the idea that customers should have fun on the water. Two main products are presented on the site:

Option What the site says Good fit if…
Private captained charter All-inclusive private captained boat charter with a captain doing the driving; amenities mentioned include a lily pad, beer pong, and paddleboarding You want a private group outing and don't want to operate a boat yourself
Houseboat cruise Cruise to Crab Island on a 37-foot houseboat with a crew, amenities, and a full restroom on board You prefer a relaxed, crew-handled cruise and value having a restroom aboard

Both options are framed as "let us do the driving while you have all the fun," so you are not captaining the vessel in either case.

What Crab Island Actually Is

Crab Island is a sandbar north of the Marler Bridge in Destin, FL, just minutes from Destin Harbor. It began as a small island (reportedly shaped like a crab before a hurricane covered it) and is now a popular social spot where locals and tourists anchor, wade, and soak up sun. The site notes that dolphin and seabird sightings are common, so wildlife watching is part of the experience.

Step-by-Step Booking

  1. Decide on your trip type. Choose a private captained charter if you want a private group experience with activities like paddleboarding or the lily pad; choose the houseboat cruise if you want a crew-driven, restroom-equipped cruise.
  2. Go to crabislandcruises.com and use the "Book Now" links. The site places "Book Now" buttons next to both the general cruise offering and the houseboat cruise, so pick the one matching your choice.
  3. Or call 850-450-3307. The phone number appears in the site's contact line and is the direct route if you have questions about availability, group size, or which option fits your plans.
  4. Confirm your details before paying. The site does not publish pricing, deposit terms, or cancellation policies, so ask about these directly when you book rather than assuming.
  5. Plan your stay separately if needed. The site links to a nearby condo on the Emerald Coast (across from the beach, walking distance to Camille's, Sandos, The Crab Trap, and Pompano Joe's; sleeps up to six with pool and hot tub access). Lodging is a separate booking from the cruise.

Common Snags and What to Check

  • No published prices. Pricing signals aren't available on the site, so get a quote by phone or through the booking flow before committing.
  • Don't assume "all-inclusive" covers everything. The term appears in the charter description, but what's included beyond the listed amenities (lily pad, paddleboarding, restroom on the houseboat) should be confirmed at booking.
  • Book the right product. The houseboat and the private charter are separate offerings with separate "Book Now" links; clicking the wrong one won't get you the trip you want.
  • Service area. The company serves Destin and Fort Walton. If you're staying elsewhere on the Emerald Coast, confirm pickup or meeting logistics when you call.

Quick Answer Recap

Book online via the "Book Now" links at crabislandcruises.com or call 850-450-3307. Choose the private captained charter for a private group day with activities, or the 37-foot houseboat cruise for a crew-handled trip with a full restroom. Confirm pricing and inclusions directly, since the site doesn't publish them.