How to Find Ghost Crabs in Destin, Florida on the Beach
LOOKING TO FIND GHOST CRABS ON THE BEACH IN DESTIN?
You are in the right place! We have spent many nights looking for sand crabs out on the beach in Destin and nearby Panama City. We have even found them as far as the Outer Banks in North Carolina!
Destin, Florida, on the Emerald Coast, has amazing beaches throughout, and many people love to visit them because of the beautiful white sand beaches, but we also love ghost crab hunting on the Destin, Florida beaches. Ghost crabs are not hard to find. You just need to know how to look for them.
Most of the beaches in Destin have ghost crabs, but some have a lot more than others.
All you need to do to find them is to head to the beach after dark with a flashlight. As you walk along the beach with your light, you will see these nocturnal creatures scuttling across the white sands.
These Florida sand crabs are a transparent color and, during the day, blend in very well with the white sand. We sometimes find them during the day, but not very often.
What Are Ghost Crabs?
Ghost crabs, or ocypode quadrata, are named for their pale, almost translucent coloration, which provides excellent camouflage against the white sands of Destin’s beaches.
They are known for their distinctive square bodies, stalked eyes, and the ability to run at high speeds. These crabs can be found in the Gulf of Mexico and are primarily nocturnal.
Ghost crabs feed on various materials, including debris, dead fish, sand fleas, vegetation, and other small sea creatures.
Where to Find Ghost Crabs in Destin, Florida
If you are wondering where to see ghost crabs in Destin, Florida, you are in luck; ghost crabs are prevalent on the beaches in Destin. There is lots of beach access right off some of the hotels and water-front restaurants.
Each location offers a unique environment for these elusive creatures.
✔️ Henderson Beach State Park is one of the best places to find these little guys, thanks to its undisturbed beaches and dunes. We camped at Henderson Beach State Park during our last visit to Destin so we could easily access the beach there each night.
✔️ Crystal Beach is known for its crystal clear waters also provides a great place for spotting ghost crabs along its shores.
✔️ Okaloosa Pier and the area around the pier is a perfect place for observing ghost crabs, especially during low tide.
✔️ Santa Rosa Beach, with its quiet atmosphere, is another great spot for those looking for a peaceful ghost crab hunting experience.
✔️ Fort Walton Beach is another popular place, offering a mix of tourist activity and natural habitats.
Tips for Ghost Crab Hunting
If you are wondering how to catch ghost crabs, you must come prepared with a few important items. The most important thing you will need is a flashlight because it is easiest when catching ghost crabs at night.
If you do not have a flashlight, you can sometimes find them during a bright full moon, but a flashlight is the best way to find them. Wandering the beach with a flashlight is one of my kids’ favorite things to do in Destin.
You can use a headlamp or a handheld flashlight; we use both, and they both work well. You can even have one person hold the flashlight while others try to get closer to them.
If you want to catch the sand crabs in Florida, you need to come prepared with a little net and a bucket to catch them in. We will catch them and put them in a bucket; then, we let them go. You can easily take these from your kids’ sand toys.
A net is important if you want to catch them. They have very fast feet, especially on damp sand, so make sure you bring a net. You also need to be careful when you pick them up because they do pinch.
Things to Bring Ghost Crab Hunting
Proper equipment can greatly enhance the ghost crab hunting experience. If you are looking at catchin’ crabs during turtle season (March-October), you must have a turtle-safe flashlight.
These emit a red or amber light, which is less disruptive to wildlife. If you do not use a turtle-safe red flashlight, the local sea turtles and the sea turtle hatchlings can be disturbed.
➡️ SHOP Turtle-Safe Red Flashlights
If you want to have your hands free, a headlamp is the best option, but many headlamps are not as bright, so we like to have both.
A small net is a must if you want to catch them to see them up close. If you want to try and see who can catch the biggest one like we do, you will need a bucket to temporarily hold the crabs while you look for them.
Other Kinds of Crabs in Destin, Florida
Destin area beaches are home to 3 other species of crabs:
- Stone Crabs: A larger crab known for their delicious claws, these crabs are often found in rocky areas.
- Big Blue Crabs: Common in the area, these crabs are identifiable by their blue claws.
- Hermit Crabs: Often found in shallower waters, these crabs inhabit discarded shells.
Tips for Taking Pictures of Ghost Crabs
Photographing these little white crabs can be challenging due to their nocturnal nature and quick movements. Using a low-light capable camera, a gentle light source and a steady hand will yield the best results.
Patience is essential, as it may take time to find and properly photograph these elusive creatures.
Most cell phones do not take pictures that well in low light; because of this, if you want to take a really good ghost crab photo, it is recommended you use a professional DSLR camera.
Often, after you catch the crab, you can remove the net, and the crab will hold still long enough to get a good picture.
FAQ: Ghost Crabs in Destin, Florida
The best time of year to find ghost crabs is in the summer months, but crabs are seen almost year-round. In the winter is the only time that ghost crabs are hard to find. During the winter, the crabs will spend more time burrowed in the sandy beaches, making it hard to find them.
While technically edible, ghost crabs are not commonly eaten due to their small size and the effort required to catch them. We don’t recommend trying to eat the Atlantic ghost crab.
Apart from Destin, ghost crabs are found along many Florida beaches, particularly those with less foot traffic and light pollution. If you are in Florida near the beach, take a flashlight with you as you walk the beach, and there is a great chance you will find ghost crabs.
Ghost crabs are called ghost crabs because they are translucent and blend in with the sand so well it makes their appearance ghost-like.
To hunt ghost crabs on a Destin beach, you will just need a flashlight. While some beaches are way better for finding ghost crabs, if you are by a beach at night in Destin, you should try to find them. It is fun to watch them run around.
We have found that finding ghost crabs is easiest once it is dark outside. However, you can find ghost crabs during the day. We have found them during the day but only in areas or small islands that do not have many people.
Ghost crabs are not dangerous or aggressive, but they can pinch if you try to pick them up. Ghost crabs are also small so you do not need to worry about ghost crabs being aggressive.
Their activity depends on various factors, including tide, moon phase, and weather, but they are generally more active on warmer, humid nights. They can be found during the day, especially on beaches that are less frequented but are best found at night.
During the day, ghost grabs burrow into the sand and make crab holes. They do this to escape predators and to stay hidden. This is why crab hunting at night is better because the are easier to find at night.
Ghost crabs can be found farther from the ocean but typically are around the high tide line. Ghost crabs are best found during low tide.
Conclusion: Ghost Crabs in Destin, Florida
Ghost crab hunting in Destin, Florida, is a unique and enjoyable activity that appeals to the entire family. We love night crabbing on the beach with our kids. It is so fun looking for the crabs and then screaming as the crabs scurry towards you.
It does not matter your age or if it is your first time or not; hunting ghost crabs is a good time and a great way to spend time together in Destin, Florida. During one of our last ghost crab adventures, my dad came with us, and my kids had so much fun chasing the crabs down the beach with their grandpa.
If you are in the area and have not looked for ghost crabs, you should try it. It is a lot of fun. Even if you only take a short trip to the beach at night, bring your flashlight because Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches a great place to find these little friends.
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