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Attraction · Destin
Crab Island with kids.
Crab Island is a sandbar in Choctawhatchee Bay, about five minutes by boat from Destin Harbor, just northwest of the Marler (Destin) Bridge. On summer days the boats anchor in rows and families wade, float and hunt for hermit crabs. It's a good day with kids if you plan around the crowd.
Checked by a local · November 2026
Before you go
What parents need to know.
- There's no road, bridge or walk-in. You need a rental boat, a captained charter, or a shuttle or tour from Destin.
- Florida law: kids under 6 must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket on any boat under 26 feet while it's underway.
- Okaloosa County recorded more than four drownings at Crab Island in the summer of 2018 alone. Keep life jackets on in the water and keep kids clear of boat traffic.
- Snorkeling here is modest: small fish, shells and hermit crabs. Tours that stop at the Destin jetties get calmer, shallower water for kids.
- Floating bars can no longer sell alcohol, but boaters can still bring their own, and afternoons get rowdier.
- Boat access only
- Shallow sandbar
- Tours run 3 to 4 hours
Food nearby
Feed them after.
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Dewey Destin's Harborside
Sit-downThe sit-down sibling of Destin's favorite seafood window — servers, steaks for the non-fish eaters, and the harbor out front. Reservations online.
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Dewey Destin's Seafood Restaurant
Quick biteThe original: order at the window, eat on the boardwalk under umbrellas looking at Crab Island. New Orleans-style snowballs next door seal the deal.
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Fudpucker's Destin
Sit-downBeachside grill since 1982 with Gator Beach next door, where kids can feed live alligators. Loud, colorful, and built for families.
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Harry T's Lighthouse
Sit-downOn the HarborWalk boardwalk with harbor views — time dinner to roll straight into the 9pm fireworks.
Questions parents ask
Crab Island, answered.
Is Crab Island good for kids?
Yes, with a plan. The water is shallow, but it's crowded with boats and some adults are drinking. Put every child in a life jacket, stay together, and go with a reputable tour or charter if you're not an experienced boater.
How do you get to Crab Island without a boat?
Book a tour or shuttle. Several companies run family trips of 3 to 4 hours from Destin, and some include snorkel gear and a stop at the jetties.
How old do kids have to be to snorkel in Destin?
There's no single rule; each tour company sets its own. Some take kids from age 3 and 30 pounds, and an adult has to be with them.
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