Explore the best Destin, FL and Crab Island boat rentals
Top 10 Destin Boat Rentals and Yacht Charters
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Rent a Boat in Destin
Located near the northwestern end of the Florida Panhandle, Destin is one of the Gulf Coast’s most popular destinations for boating, fishing, and other water-based recreation. Known as the “Emerald Coast” for its stunning green waters, the area is also home to sugar sand beaches, diving and snorkeling, and an incredible variety of fresh-caught seafood thanks to Destin’s reputation as one of America’s best saltwater fishing ports.
Destin has been called one of the best places for boating in the United States by magazines and news outlets, and with its beautiful beaches, clear water, and a variety of land-based attractions, it’s easy to see why.
What To Know
Destin’s great weather and the opportunity for both inshore and offshore boating make several boat styles popular, including –
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Pontoon and deck boats are common options for sunset cruises, snorkeling, wakeboarding, and exploring nearby Crab Island, Choctawhatchee Bay, and other Emerald Coast hotspots.
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Destin’s incredible offshore fishing reputation makes center consoles and small cruisers popular boat rental options, although larger sportfishing boats and luxury yachts are also common.
Safety Requirements:
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Boating License/Education Rules: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boater safety course and have in his/her possession photographic identification and a boating safety education identification card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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Life Jacket Requirements: Children ages 6 and under must wear a personal floatation device (PFD).
For more information, visit the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Where to dock your boat or meet your rental:
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Joe's Bayou Boat Ramp
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Destin Marina
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HarborWalk Marina
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Okaloosa Island Boat Ramp
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Legendary Marina
Weather Conditions
Late spring and early summer are great times to visit Destin. Temperatures are still lower than summer averages but with lots of 80-degree days, it’s usually warm enough to swim, snorkel, or lay in the sun. Summers are warmer but with 90-degree highs, but the Gulf weather is still a bit more mild than South Florida.
The Gulf of Mexico and Florida Panhandle coastline can see some storm activity during hurricane season so be prepared for that possibility during the late summer and fall months.
Avg. Temperature High: August is typically the hottest month at 90°F
Avg. Temperature Low: December and January are the coolest with temps around 55°F
Avg. Water Temperatures in and around Destin:
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80°F to 85°F in the Summer (June, July, August)
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65°F to 75°F in Spring (March, April, May)
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70°F to 80°F in Fall (September, October, November)
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60°F to 70°F in Winter (December, January, February)
Things to Do in Destin by Boat
Visit Crab Island
North of the Destin bridge and just inside the entrance to Choctawhatchee Bay, Crab Island is one of Destin’s most popular attractions. Accessible only by boat, Crab Island is a large, shallow-water sandbar where people anchor up and enjoy the water, sun, and soft sand.
Float on a raft or tube, fish, or snorkel in the shallow water with turtles, dolphins, and other sea life. Although it can be a popular party spot on major holidays, Crab Island is usually a family-friendly destination where visitors can even buy food and souvenirs from floating vendors.
High tide is the best time to go so check the local tide charts. Be sure to take plenty of food, water, and sunscreen along.
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Location: Google Maps Link
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Closest boat ramp: Destin Marina and Boat Ramp is available east of the sandbar on the western point of Destin.
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Lat/Long: 30.39749° N, -86.51072° W
Visit the Destin Harbor Boardwalk
Located at the southwestern edge of Destin, the Destin Harbor Boardwalk and Harborwalk Village offer shopping, dining, live music and nightlife, access to the beach, and a full-service marina with transient slips for visitors. If you would like to book a charter boat or sightseeing tour and let someone else do the driving for a while, there are a variety of options available here as well.
Destin’s Boardwalk was finished in 2012 after local businesses and property owners came together to connect attractions, restaurants, and shops, and also create an easy way to access the local charter fleet.
The Boardwalk also offers a great place to watch Destin’s weekly fireworks display Thursday evenings at 9:00 PM throughout the summer and on holidays like July 4th, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
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Location: Google Maps Link
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Closest boat ramp: Destin Marina and Boat Ramp is available east of the sandbar on the western point of Destin.
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Lat/Long: 30.39459° N, -86.51162° W
Fish Offshore in the Gulf or Inland in Choctawhatchee Bay
With nicknames like “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” and “Billfish Capital of the Gulf,” it’s easy to see why Destin is one of the most popular fishing destinations in Florida. There are a wide variety of light tackle species to catch in the shallow waters near the coast, or for bigger fish, the 600-foot depths of the Gulf of Mexico’s famed 100-Fathom Curve are less than 20 miles from Destin.
Deep Sea Fishing in the Gulf (Offshore)
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Target species: Marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi, tuna, wahoo, snapper, mackerel, cobia, shark, tarpon, snook
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Seasonality: April through October are best for many species. Although things cool down in the winter, there is still plenty to catch
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Boat selection: Center consoles, sportfish, and convertibles for deeper water
Fishing Choctawhatchee Bay (Inshore)
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Target species: Redfish, speckled trout, black drum, sheepshead, flounder
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Seasonality: May through September are the most active months
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Boat selection: Flats skiffs, center consoles, aluminum fishing boats, runabouts, pontoon boats
Where to Go Boating in Destin
Joe’s Bayou
Located on the north side of Destin, the sheltered waterway at Joe’s Bayou is not a no-wake zone once you are more than 500 feet from the boat launch, making it a great destination for tubing, wakeboarding, and skiing. As part of Choctawhatchee Bay, fishing is also good here with plenty of redfish and speckled trout. Access is easy from the city’s 1.5-acre park and concrete boat ramps making Joe’s Bayou a great place to spend a day on the water.
Closest Boat Ramp: The city-run Joe’s Bayou boat launch provides easy access to the protected bay with 5 concrete ramps and plenty of parking
Wake Zone: The area within 500 feet of the boat launch is marked as a No Wake Zone
Hours: Official hours are Dawn to Dusk
Pro Tips: Access costs $20 per day. Destin residents can receive a free pass, while non-residents can purchase an annual pass for $205 which may make sense for longer visits.
Lat/Long: 30.41084 N, -86.49186 W
Choctawhatchee Bay
With more than 130-square-miles of open water and plenty of bayous, bays, and marshes to explore and enjoy, Choctawhatchee Bay is a beautiful place to go boating – especially if the weather has the Gulf of Mexico churned up or you don’t want to venture too far from shore. Choctawhatchee Bay offers great fishing, snorkeling, wakeboarding, and sailing, or to see everything from undeveloped coastline to stunning waterfront homes. In other words, it’s a perfect place to spend a day on the water.
Nearby Marinas: Destin Marina, Harborwalk Marina, Legendary Marina
Closest Boat Ramp: There are boat ramps all around Choctawhatchee Bay. The closest ramps to Destin are at Joe’s Bayou, Destin Marina, and Legion Park
Wake Zone: No Wake Zones exist in Choctawhatchee Bay near the Destin Bridge, in all of Destin Harbor, and in some smaller bays and bayous. Pay attention to warning signs and buoys and, above all else, be courteous to other boaters, swimmers, and the area wildlife.
Tips: Choctawhatchee Bay is a beautiful place to spend the day when the Gulf is too rough or if you would rather stay close to shore. With plenty of places to fish, snorkel, tube, and sightsee, the Bay is a great place to spend a day on the water.
Lat/Long: 30.43016 N, -86.42095 W
East and West Jetties and Norriego Point
While each has something a little different to offer, all three destinations are great places to go boating. The large rocky structures of the East and West Jetties protecting Destin’s inlet provide the perfect home to abundant sea life making them both great places to go snorkeling or fish. Visit nearby Norriego Point and you can pull your boat up on the sand and lounge in the sun or walk the beach and search for shells.
Nearby Marinas: Destin Marina, Harborwalk Marina
Closest Boat Ramp: Destin Marina
Wake Zone: The areas in the inlet and in Destin Harbor are all designated No Wake Zones.
Tips: All three areas have their own personalities so take your time and visit each. Be sure to bring plenty of food, water, and sunscreen for a full day on the water.
Lat/Long: 30.38919 N, -86.51181 W
Dock-and-Dine at Destin Waterfront Restaurants
With so much waterfront real estate, it's no surprise that Destin has a number of great restaurants that are accessible by boat. However, some of Destin's great eateries are just a short walk from a marina so while you're in town, be sure to check out:
Dewey Destin's Seafood Restaurant
- Address: 9 Calhoun Ave, Destin, FL 32541
- Hours: Open every day from 11:00am–3:00pm
- Reservations: Does not accept reservations
- Type of food: Fresh seafood in a casual atmosphere
- Dockage available: Yes - docking fees may apply
Boathouse Oyster Bar
- Address: 288 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
- Hours: Open every day from 11:00am–“Late"
- Reservations: Does not accept reservations
- Type of food: Fresh oysters and gumbo in a bar atmosphere
- Dockage available: Yes - docking fees may apply
Harry T's Lighthouse
- Address: 46 Harbor Boulevard Destin, FL 32541
- Hours: Open Mon-Fri 10:00am–10:00pm, Sat and Sun from 9:00am to 10:00pm
- Reservations: Does not accept reservations
- Type of food: Traditional American and fresh seafood with some vegetarian options
- Dockage available: Yes - docking fees may apply
Harbor Docks
- Address: 538 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
- Hours: Sun-Thurs 11:00am–10:30:00pm, Fri and Sat 11:00am – 11:00pm
- Reservations: Does not accept reservations
- Type of food: Sushi, seafood, steak and vegetarian options
- Dockage available: Yes - docking fees may apply
Check Out Additional Destin Boating Guides
Got questions?
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rent a pontoon boat in Destin?
The cost to rent a pontoon boat in Destin FL starts at $34/hour.
How much does it cost to rent a boat in Destin FL?
The cost to rent a boat in Destin FL starts at $44/hour.
How much does it cost to rent a boat to go to Crab Island Destin?
Renting a boat to go to Crab Island can be as cheap as $44 per hour. Pricing varies based on the the type of boat you would like to rent and for how long.
Top boat rental reviews in Destin, FL
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5/5 stars -
5/5 stars
Telly
Jan 2025 -
5/5 stars
We have very fun Thank you so much
Petr
Dec 2024 -
5/5 stars
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5/5 stars
Excellent experience!
Dan
Nov 2024 -
5/5 stars
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5/5 stars
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5/5 stars -
5/5 stars
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5/5 stars
Such a fun day on the water! Thanks Captain Hunter we had the best time
Kelly
Oct 2024 -
5/5 stars
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5/5 stars
Very nice and friendly employees.
Cheryl
Oct 2024
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