Cruise Crab Island Aboard the Godfrey Single Deck (NuNu!) in Choctawhatchee Bay

Boat Tour · Fort Walton Beach

Godfrey Single Deck (NuNu!)

Spend a day on Choctawhatchee Bay aboard the Godfrey Single Deck (NuNu!)—a spacious pontoon perfect for family cruises, paddleboarding and the infamous Crab Island scene. Choose four- or eight-hour trips, self-captain with the proper Florida card, or hire a skipper to relax and soak up the Emerald Coast.

View experience
Duration4–8 hours
LocationFort Walton Beach, Florida
OperatorMotorboatin Toon Rentals

Adventure brief

Godfrey Single Deck (NuNu!)

Spend a day on Choctawhatchee Bay aboard the Godfrey Single Deck (NuNu!)—a spacious pontoon perfect for family cruises, paddleboarding and the infamous Crab Island scene. Choose four- or eight-hour trips, self-captain with the proper Florida card, or hire a skipper to relax and soak up the Emerald Coast.

On a Godfrey Single Deck pontoon, the water around Fort Walton Beach rewrites the idea of a good day. The Godfrey Single Deck (NuNu!) launches into Choctawhatchee Bay and Destin Harbor, carrying up to twelve people for four- or eight-hour trips that orbit Crab Island, cross shallow sand flats and roll past salt marshes and classic Emerald Coast beaches. The boat’s 150hp Yamaha gives a steady, confident ride; the layout leaves room for sunbathing, socializing and a paddleboard glide off the aft.

This trip is as much about place as pleasure. Crab Island is a submerged sandbar—more a social shoal than an island—where anchored boats stage potlucks, music and floating games on 15-foot lily pads. Destin Harbor frames the approach with seafood restaurants, fishing boats and a working marina; Choctawhatchee Bay opens into wide, glass-green water rimmed by seagrass beds and live oaks.

Keep an eye out for dolphins that commonly ride the bow wake and for brown pelicans diving along the shallows. Practical comforts are built into the experience: a large cooler and Bluetooth JBL speaker for tunes, a paddleboard for exploration and a buoyant lily pad for lazy afternoons. You can captain your own outing with a Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card, or book a skipper for an added fee—perfect if you want to focus on cocktails and cameras.

Standard restrictions protect safety and habitat: no glass, no fishing from the vessel, and limits for pregnant guests or those with heart conditions on higher-speed craft like jet skis. Plan to arrive thirty minutes early to touch base with the team and stow gear. For an eight-hour stretch, pack sun protection, reef-safe sunscreen, and a water-resistant phone case; bring cash or card if you want ice delivered by the operator.

The vibe ranges from family-friendly bay cruises to celebratory runs with a speaker on full volume at Crab Island—choose the rhythm that suits your group. Why book this specific boat? The Godfrey Single Deck (NuNu!) pairs an easygoing pontoon footprint with utility gear—GPS for confident navigation, a roomy deck and a 150 Yamaha engine—making it a versatile choice for families, small celebrations and photographers chasing low-angle water reflections. It’s an accessible way to own a day on the Emerald Coast without owning the boat; in an area shaped by sandbars and salt marshes, a reliable pontoon opens access to the best shallow-water scenes.

Whether you’re filming horizon-to-horizon sunsets, teaching kids to paddleboard over seagrass flats, or meeting friends at a floating gathering, the Godfrey Single Deck (NuNu!) makes the logistics simple and keeps the focus on time spent on the water. Book a four-hour sampler or claim a full day to explore every shallow inlet and shoreline café.

Adventure tips

Plan your experience.

Curated tips for an optimal adventure.

  1. 01
    Arrive early to check in

    Plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure to confirm safety briefings, stow gear and board without rush.

    essential
  2. 02
    Use reef-safe sunscreen

    Protect local seagrass and marine life by applying reef-safe sunscreen before boarding.

    essential
  3. 03
    Bring a dry bag

    Keep phones, wallets and cameras in a dry bag for protection against spray and lily-pad sessions.

    warning
  4. 04
    Know captain requirements

    If you’ll operate the boat, carry your Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card and be honest about experience.

    info
DifficultyEasy
Duration4–8 hours
FitnessLight activity—suitable for most fitness levels; you’ll stand, paddleboard briefly, and climb on/off a lily pad.
Technical skillsBasic boat handling (if you will captain), Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card (if self-captain)

Recommended gear

What to bring.

01

Reef-safe sunscreen

Protect skin and the bay’s seagrass and coral by using reef-safe formula.

summerEssential
02

Water-resistant dry bag

Keeps electronics and valuables dry during splashy moments and lily pad sessions.

Essential
03

USCG-approved life jacket

Comfortable flotation for all passengers; required for children and recommended for non-swimmers.

Essential
04

Water shoes or reef sandals

Make stepping on sandy flats and the lily pad safer and more comfortable.

summer

Local insights

Context for the journey.

Hidden gems

Nearby secrets

Early-morning seagrass flats east of the harbor—calm water and glassy reflections, Henderson Beach State Park shoreline for a quieter, photogenic stretch of sand

Wildlife

Local fauna

Bottlenose dolphins, Brown pelicans

History

Historic heritage

Destin and the surrounding area have a long commercial fishing tradition and are often called the "World’s Luckiest Fishing Village," reflecting that heritage.

Conservation

Mindful exploration

Avoid anchoring in identified seagrass beds, use reef-safe sunscreen and pack out all trash to protect the bay’s shallow ecosystems.

Photography tips

Capture the moments

Viewpoints
Bow of the pontoon for low waterline reflections, On the lily pad at Crab Island for social scenes, Entrance to Destin Harbor for marina and shoreline shots
Subjects
Seascapes and sandbar patterns, Dolphins and shorebirds, Social gatherings at Crab Island
Best times
Golden hour, Midday for vivid water color, Sunset

Frequently asked questions

Before you go.

Can I captain the boat myself?

Yes—renters may operate the vessel if the designated operator has appropriate experience and holds a Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card.

What’s included on board?

The boat includes a paddleboard, 15-foot lily pad, Bluetooth JBL speaker, large cooler and GPS; ice is available for an additional fee.

How many people can the boat hold?

Max 12 passengers, including the captain.

Are pets allowed?

Pet policy is not specified—contact the operator directly to confirm whether pets are permitted.

Can we go to Crab Island?

Yes—trips commonly visit Crab Island, the shallow sandbar gathering spot popular for anchored groups and floating activities.

What restrictions apply?

No glass, no fishing from the vessel, and jet ski/fast-craft restrictions for pregnant guests or those with heart conditions.

Motorboatin Toon Rentals

Cruise Crab Island Aboard the Godfrey Single Deck (NuNu!) in Choctawhatchee Bay