What Kinds of Boat Tours and Cruises Does Crab Island Cruises Offer?

Updated

Crab Island Cruises offers captained private boat charters to the Crab Island sandbar in Destin, Florida, plus houseboat cruises on a 37-foot vessel with an onboard restroom. Both are crew-driven experiences: the company's stated approach is "let us do the driving while you have all the fun," so you book a trip rather than pilot a boat yourself. The choice comes down to the style of day you want — a lively sandbar scene with water toys, or a calmer cruise with more shelter and amenities.

The two core experiences

Captained private charters to Crab Island

These trips run to Crab Island, the sandbar north of the Marler Bridge in Destin, just minutes from Destin Harbor. The company describes the charter experience as a mix of relaxing on the water and active play, with a lily pad, paddleboard, and beer pong among the options on board. Because the boat is captained, your group's job is simply to enjoy the water while the crew handles navigation and anchoring.

Crab Island itself is a shallow sandbar where boaters anchor and wade — the site notes it has grown into a popular social scene for locals and tourists, and that dolphin and seabird sightings are common. The name comes from the island's original crab-like shape before a hurricane covered it, along with the small crabs found on the sandbar floor.

37-foot houseboat cruises

The houseboat option uses a 37-foot vessel and is framed around a more relaxed pace: cruising to Crab Island, looking for dolphins, sunbathing, or simply unwinding while the crew takes care of guests. Its distinguishing feature is a full restroom on board, which matters for longer outings and mixed-age groups.

How to choose between them

Your priority Better fit Why
Active sandbar day with water toys Captained private charter Lily pad, paddleboard, and games are part of the experience
Comfort and amenities, longer time on the water Houseboat cruise 37-foot boat with a full restroom
Dolphin watching and a slower pace Houseboat cruise Explicitly framed around dolphin searches and relaxing
A group that wants the boat to itself Private charter Sold as a private, captained booking

If your group includes young children or older adults, the houseboat's restroom and sheltered space are practical advantages. If the goal is the classic Crab Island scene — anchoring on the sandbar, swimming, and playing — the captained charter is the closer match.

What the company says about itself

Crab Island Cruises describes itself as veteran owned and operated, established in 2011, serving Destin and Fort Walton. Its stated priorities are fun-focused vacations and a high share of repeat and referral business. The site also mentions a partner condo near the beach that sleeps up to six with pool and hot tub access — useful if you need lodging alongside the boat trip, though it is a separate booking from the cruise.

Before you book

  • Confirm what's included. The site lists activities and amenities but does not publish prices, so ask about cost, trip length, and what the charter fee covers when you contact the company at 850-450-3307.
  • Plan around the sandbar, not a beach. Crab Island is a sandbar reached by boat; swimming and wading are central, so bring what your group needs for time in the water.
  • Book ahead for peak dates. The company positions itself around vacation traffic in Destin, and private charters with a specific date and group size are best reserved early.
  • Ask about group size and age suitability. Neither is specified on the site, so confirm capacity and any restrictions for your party directly.