Frequently Asked Questions

Destin earned its nickname "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village" due to the abundance of fish just offshore and the largest fishing fleet in the state of Florida. There are dozens of licensed captains that are waiting to take you deep sea fishing. Destin is truly a fisherman's paradise-whether you're a seasoned angler, or trying it for the first time. However, not all fishing is deep sea. Inshore trips target redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum in calmer waters. Perfect for families and beginners.

The region's signature green color comes from sunlight reflecting off microscopic plankton and sugar-white quartz sand. The quartz sand is soft, sugar-white sand along Destin's beaches, and it's made almost entirely of finely ground Appalachian quartz that reflects sunlight into the clear water. The Phytoplankton are tiny marine plants rich in chlorophyll, and when sunlight hits them, the water appears green instead of blue. Finally, the relatively shallow coastal shelf allows sunlight to fully penetrate the water, enhancing it's vivid color.

Crab Island, one of Destin's most iconic spots, is truly a man-made paradise.

It is a submerged sandbar, formed by sand dredging, and loved by locals and visitors because of the crystal clear shallow water, and fun had by all. Originally, Crab Island was a small, natural island covered in sea grass and sand dunes. It's location is just north of the Destin Bridge, at the entrance of Choctawhatchee Bay. It sat above the water and served as a natural landmark for boaters and fisherman. In the 1960s and 1970s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredged the East Pass to help with navigation. During this process, much of Crab Island eroded away or was submerged by rising tides and shifting sands, turning it into a shallow underwater sandbar that it is today.

• It's accessible only by boat or jet ski. However, some people may try to kayak or paddle board, but that may be a little tricky with the high volume of boat traffic during peak season.
• There are no permanent structures-everything floats!
• There are food and merchandise vendors, and a general store at Crab Island. They accept cash or credit cards, and our captains know most of the vendors personally, and will call them over to our boat on the 2-way radio when you would like to place an order. There's everything from Chick-fil-A, burgers, hotdogs, tacos, French fries, Dip-N-Dots, ice cream, wings, pizza, and more!
• The water is shallow and calm, but it does change color with the tides. Just before and during high tide, the water is a beautiful crystal clear blue, like the Caribbean or swimming pool. However, during low tide, the water is more green in color. It is still clear, but resembles pickle juice. Always check the tide chart before booking your trip if this matters to you. You will find the tide chart on our Home Page.
• Crab Island can be one big party, or family friendly. Our captains will find the perfect spot to anchor depending on what you are in the mood for, or if there are kids onboard.

Spring and Fall are the most popular for perfect weather and smaller crowds, but summer is peak season for water activities and festivals. Destin Bay Hopper offers a 3 hour Crab Island Excursion from March 1st to October 31st, and we offer Sunset Cruises and Dolphin Watching tours all year long.

Vehicles are not allowed on the beach in Destin.

Open fires, bon fires, and camp fire are prohibited on public beaches in Destin and across most of Okaloosa County. This includes wood-burning fires, fire pits, and grills directly on the sand.

Dogs are NOT ALLOWED on any public beaches in Destin, which is in Okaloosa County, without exception. This prohibition is enforced via county ordinance and can result in fines ranging from $100 - $500.

Nancy Weidenhamer Dog Park is a 3 acre fenced dog park located at 4100 Indian Bayou Trail. There are separate areas for large and small dogs, benches, shade, and water stations. It is open sunrise to sunset.

Henderson Beach State Park allows dogs on a 6 foot leash on sidewalks and nature trails only, but not on the beach.

Leashed dogs are welcome on the Destin Harbor Boardwalk and on the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk.

If you've checked the weather and there's rain in the forecast for Destin, don't panic. Locals know about something we lovingly call the Destin Bubble. This "bubble" isn't official, but it sure feels real! Thanks to our unique location between the Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf, storms often split, weaken, or pass right around us, leaving Destin dry, or briefly sprinkled on. So while the forecast might show rain, it rarely rains all day. Don't cancel your beach or boat plans yet. There's a very good chance you'll still get sunshine, sea breezes, and a beautiful day in Paradise!

Destin Bay Hopper offers a breathtaking 90 minute Sunset Cruise!

Truly the perfect end to a perfect day! Go to our Home Page to book now!

Not feeling up to a boat ride? No worries, there are a few places in Destin that are Insta worthy for catching an awesome sunset. They are: Norriego Point, HarborWalk Village, Henderson Beach State Park, and beach front restaurants like Sky Bar at The Edge , or The Back Porch.

Destin beaches are stunning, but the Gulf can change quickly. That's why the Beach Flag Warning System is so important. These flags are posted daily at beach access points to let you know the current surf, swimming conditions, and marine pests present.

Beach Flag Meanings:

Flag Color: Double Red / Meaning: Water Closed to the Public, NO SWIMMING! It's illegal.

Flag Color: Red / Meaning: High Hazard-Strong Currents. Swim with EXTREME caution, or don't swim.

Flag Color: Yellow / Meaning: Medium Hazzard-Moderate Surf/Currents. Be cautious, weak swimmers stay close to shore.

Flag Color: Green / Meaning: Low Hazzard-Calm conditions. Safe to swim, but be alert. It can change in an instant. Especially with the changing of the tides.

Flag Color: Purple / Meaning: Marine Pests Present- jellyfish, stingrays, etc. Swim with caution.

Please note that flag colors may be combined.

Check daily beach conditions and flag colors via: BEACH CONDITIONS HOTLINE: 850-833-9542