Destin: Crab Island & Harbor Tour with Paddle Boards

4.88

(188 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

We were already laughing before we left the dock in Destin—our guide, Jamie, had this way of making everyone feel like we’d known each other for ages. The boat hummed out into the harbor, pelicans swooping low over the water. I could smell sunscreen and salt in the air, a little mix of nerves and excitement. Jamie slowed down near a cluster of boats—“Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins,” she said, pointing at a ripple. And sure enough, two fins arched up right next to us. I didn’t expect how quiet it would get as everyone watched—just that soft slap of water against the hull.

Crab Island wasn’t really an island at all—more like a giant submerged sandbar where boats gather and people hop off into waist-deep emerald water. The color is something you have to see to believe; it almost glows when the sun hits it right. We grabbed snorkel gear (I forgot how weird flippers feel), and tried spotting little crabs scuttling underfoot. Someone shouted about ice cream boats drifting by—I never thought I’d buy a popsicle from a floating vendor, but here we are. Paddle boards were passed around; I wobbled a lot more than I’d admit but managed not to fall in (Li did though, and everyone cheered). The lily pad mats were just as good for flopping on as they looked.

I ended up just lying there for a while, half-listening to people chatting nearby and watching clouds drift over Destin Bay. There was this light breeze that kept everything from getting too hot—even with Florida sun. It’s funny how quickly you forget about time out there; two hours felt like ten minutes. Jamie rounded us up with her usual “y’all ready?” and honestly, I could’ve stayed longer. On the way back through the harbor, someone spotted another dolphin and we all scrambled to one side again—probably looked ridiculous from shore.