10 Safety Tips for Visiting Crab Island
- Do not swim beyond Crab Island. “STAY ON THE ISLAND.” The current is very very dangerous. At times it’s strong enough you will need to brace yourself while standing.
- If you anchor on the edges of the island, do not go to the edge where it gets deep. If you do, you’re taking the risk of drowning.
- For everyone’s safety, have someone get off the boat and pull it to your desired location once you’re in the shallow area.
- Look for the white buoys that say no boats. That’s where you can go and then have someone on the boat jump off and pull you to where you can safely anchor.
- If you choose to drive your boat to the island, rather than getting a boat with a captain, watch out for other people’s anchor lines. The last thing you want to do is get that wrapped up in your prop.
- Do NOT dive off of your boat and into the water. The depth can be deceiving and is usually not deep enough for diving. You could break your neck or worse.
- Just about everyone is drinking. The Florida sun is intense. Be mindful and don’t let the alcohol go to your head. The only shade out there is what you bring.
- For everyone’s safety, leave glass bottles at home.
- Go SLOW. It is idle speed from where you rent your boat until you reach Crab Island. Remember, law enforcement is out there pulling people over left and right. Take your time to get to the island and enjoy the view.
- If you’re walking around on the sandbar, watch out for anchors. Most of them are probably rusty and could end your day of fun very quickly.
Let’s talk about etiquette. Crab Island is a fun place for all ages.
If you pull up next to another boat with small kids, don’t turn your radio up and play disrespectful music or foul language. Remember, you pulled up beside them.
If you have kids and you pull up beside a boat and their music isn’t something you want your kids to listen to or you don’t want to hear, then go park somewhere else.