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nyone who’s ever spent time trying to 
get around Destin knows well the head-
aches of contending with traffi c on the 

heavily congested streets through town—most es-
pecially on Highway 98. And when you’re out for 
a fun time, dealing with the stressors of aggressive 
drivers, roadway hiccups, or even just everyday 
commuters can put a defi nite damper on the day. 
It’s a headache that seems to be the price of admis-
sion, whether you’re a local going out for a night 
on the town or a tourist looking to explore. When 
Jimmy Crawford and Crystal Newborn teamed 
up to start Destin Water Taxi in 2011, they turned 
this daily frustration into a business plan that can 
really hold water.

Using their backgrounds in boating, their 

profi ciency of the water, and their love of the area 
as their springboard, Crawford and Newborn 
became true captains of their own destinies, 

offering their clients a method of transportation 
that was entertaining, unique, and anything 
but mainstream. “We offer a fun, convenient 
transportation alternative for a number of 
destinations along the water like Holiday Isle, 
Norriego Point, HarborWalk Village, 
and every restaurant and bar on the 
harbor,” says Crawford, a USCG 
Master Merchant Marine who 
seemingly grew his sea legs before he 
could navigate on land. “Traffi c gets 
extremely busy here during the height 
of tourist season, and our clients love 
having a different way to arrive at 
their destination—all while relaxing 
and enjoying the view from the water 
with a cocktail in their hand.”

Rather than tasking more 

conventional boats with their daily 

fare, Destin Water Taxi uses a fl oating fl eet of 
three boats including a custom-built Carolina 
skiff and two very unique vessels—old motor 
whaleboats that were once used as tenders, 
Liberty boats, or lifeboats by the Navy. “They 

story by

 

Liesel Schmidt

CABBING IT

May 2017  |   45 

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