Featured Destinations
Fort Lauderdale
Now here’s a stretch that has seen more than a few major transitions over the years, all having at least some connection to the water. Regardless of transformation and evolution, it is unlikely the boat-centric identity of this Florida coastal city will ever disappear. Famed marinas, superb service facilities, dock-and-dine restaurants and jaw-dropping superyachts have long lined the canals, rivers and a stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway. To boot, this is the site of the world-renowned Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in late October — not the easiest time to arrive by boat, but one of the best times to be a boater.
The New River leads the way into the heart of the city and Riverwalk, with the tony and eclectic stretch of Las Olas Boulevard nearby. There is something for everyone from Segway, electric bike and party bike tours, to a taco battle and jazz brunch, year-round activities at Esplanade Park, a historical society campus and a nightlife scene that will keep you smiling ‘till the wee hours.
At the Atlantic coast, you find one of the best beaches in Southeast Florida. Make for the sands from Sunrise Boulevard to the easternmost end of Las Olas Boulevard, which have been preserved for several decades after concern arose about high-rise developments during the 1960s and ’70s. The result is one of the most iconic sand spits in America, with a 2-mile-long “white wave wall” lining the promenade. From families to bodybuilders to retirees, everyone who loves the beach finds it to be a mecca for relaxation and people-watching.
Enjoy it all while your boat gets some TLC from highly skilled practitioners. That repair that you’ve been waiting to make? You’ll find people who can do it — and do it well. The boat parts you couldn’t find? Chances are you’ll find them here. While the boat is laid-up, you’ll have no shortage of things to do, and it’s likely you can walk to your destination from the marina. If not, hop on a Water Taxi, which can take you just about anywhere with waterfront access.
Cruise with Confidence with Maptech Chart Products
Embassy Cruising Guide: Florida to Mobile Bay
Florida to Mobile Bay, 10th Edition Complete coverage of Florida’s East Coast, Gulf Coast to Mobile, AL, the Florida Keys, the Okeechobee Waterway. Features detailed navigation advice, superyacht facilities, aerial photos, destination and dining tips, comprehensive bridge tables, GPS waypoints and detailed listings for 1,200 marine facilities. 546 pages.
ChartKit® Region 7, 18th Ed. - Florida East Coast and the Keys
ChartKit® Region 7, 18th EditionFlorida East Coast and the Keys St. Marys Entrance to Dry Tortugas, inside and outside, including St. Johns River, St. Lucie River and Lake Okeechobee. Full-color charts, waypoints, courses and distances, chart datums for GPS, Yeoman points, and Intracoastal Waterway bridge table. Chartbook Companion Software included free with continental ChartKit® books. 22 X 17", 78 chart pages. Download Companion Software
Things to See and Do
It only makes sense that getting around the “Venice of America,” best be done on the water, whether on your own boat or by hopping on one of the yellow-and-green vessels of the Water Taxi (954-467-6677). The taxis are a great way to get where you want to go while listening to running commentary on the area, including interesting tidbits about the fabulous homes and yachts. It’s one of the best ways to truly experience Fort Lauderdale. Call or visit the website where you can download the Water Taxi Tracker app. There are 10 stops in Fort Lauderdale and 1 stop in Hollywood. At the Stranahan House stop, you can switch over to the free LauderGO! Water Trolley, which has 8 stops on the River Route.
The Stranahan House (335 SE 6th Ave.; 954-524-4736) is the former home of Frank Stranahan, who built a thriving trading business with the Seminole Indians in the settlement that came to be known as Fort Lauderdale. The Native Americans trusted Stranahan and his wife, Ivy, who taught Seminole children. There are daily tours of the home. From there, you can walk all the way to Cooley’s Landing (named after a settlement raided by Indians) on the Riverwalk (954-468-1541), a winding pedestrian thoroughfare. You’ll find plenty of cafés and shops here and on nearby Las Olas Boulevard. The New River Downtown Docks (954-828-5423) and Cooley’s Landing (954-828-5423) are municipal facilities that welcome transients. The former can accommodate vessels up to 140 feet, the latter up to 50-foot lengths.
Head over to the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society (219 SW Second Ave.; 954-463-4431) for guided tours of the society’s historic village, which includes the King-Cromartie House (229 SW Second Ave.), built in 1907. Its floor joists are made from ship’s timbers, and the exhibits highlight the lives of early pioneers.
The Museum of Discovery and Science (401 SW Second St.; 954-467-6637) and its IMAX theater are good indoor alternatives on a rainy day. The museum is across from Esplanade Park and the beautiful Broward Center for the Performing Arts (201 SW Fifth Ave.; 954-462-0222), which has a broad range of performances for all tastes. The NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale (1 E Las Olas Blvd.; 954-525-5500) houses a permanent collection that contains more than 7,000 works.
Lauderdale’s lengthy expanse of sand-swept coastline is perfect for relaxing beneath an umbrella with a good book. Many vintage hotels were razed along Atlantic Boulevard to allow for luxurious hotels and condominiums, which spawned upscale dining and shopping establishments.
At the International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum (1 Hall of Fame Drive; 954-462-6536), you can learn everything you always wanted to know about the sport, with wax statues of some of the greats, such as Mark Spitz and Johnny Weissmuller. Alongside the museum, the newly expanded Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center (954-828-7275) reopens in late 2022 with a new 27-meter dive tower. On your way to the beach, visit the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens (900 N. Birch Road; 954-563-5393). Once the home of artist Frederic Clay Bartlett, the house is located between the Atlantic and the ICW with five ecosystems on the 35-acre property. The interior is a glimpse into the artistry of times gone by.
Do you like to dress your vessel up in lights? Take part in the Winterfest Boat Parade in mid-December (954-767-0686; winterfestparade.com), or just enjoy the show and the shoreside fun.
Featured Marinas
Bahia Mar Marina
954-627-6309Cooly's Landing
954-828-4626Hall of Fame Marina
954-764-3975HarborTowne Marina
954-926-0300New River Downtown Docks
954-828-5423Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center
954-713-0333Sunrise Harbor Marina
954-667-6720Suntex Bahia Mar
805-985-6400Suntex Las Olas
954-756-6557Yacht Haven Marina
954-583-2322
Restaurants and Provisions
The range of restaurants in Fort Lauderdale is wide with new additions breaking into a dining scene that has many tried-and-true favorites. Longstanding and well known among the boating crowd is 15th Street Fisheries (954-763-2777) at Lauderdale Marina. Giant tarpon swimming below your feet make for fun deck dining. (Children like the scheduled feeding times.) Reservations are accepted for upstairs in a more formal setting. Either way, we always start out with the crab cakes.
Just up the 15th Street Canal, dock at the Boatyard (954-525-7400) for a wide selection of “hook to table” options. The simply grilled fish is — to keep it simple — excellent. You can pull up to the Southport Raw Bar (954-525-2526) for a quick bite or take a meal to go. If you’re new to sampling shellfish, this is a great place to give it a try. The grilled oysters are excellent while the Oysters Southport is a slightly different take on Oysters Rockefeller. Either can serve as a great introduction to those who aren’t quite willing to sample raw oysters or clams — both of which are also served fresh here.
In the same lot as Hall of Fame Marina, you can raft up and bring your pooch, leashed please, to Coconuts (954-525-2421). For a bit more formal, head south to 3030 Ocean (954-765-3030), located at Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa — reservations recommended. It’s about a half-mile’s walk northeast of Las Olas Marina to reach Casablanca Café (3049 Alhambra St.; 954-764-3500), popular with locals and a charming spot for a romantic evening.
Guests and patrons of Bahia Mar Marina can dine in the attached Double Tree by Hilton, which has a few options for everyone aboard. Grab your morning elixir and a sweet pastry at 801 Blend & Brew, who tout the “best coffee on the beach.” Breezes serves a full breakfast buffet and a great selection of lunch and dinner options. Also here is The Market Deli & Liquor, a convenience store and deli that makes for the perfect provisioning pit stop before continuing your journey along the ICW.
Make your way down Las Olas Boulevard and take your pick of restaurants. Go to B Square Burgers & Booze (1021 E. Las Olas; 954-999-5216) for sliders, messy wings or their very popular lobster BLT. We liked the make-your-own-salad option. A block away, Ya Mas! is a taverna reminiscent of Mykonos serving Greek and Mediterranean fare, while The Floridian, aka “The Flo” (1410 E Las Olas Blvd.; 954-463-4041) is to the east and features a 24-hour diner atmosphere. The breakfast menu is extensive. Follow the scent westward to find award-winning meatballs at Noodles Panini (821 E. Las Olas; 954-462-1514), rivaled by the made-from-scratch mozzarella, soups, dressings and sauces. Farthest west, a newcomer to the boulevard is Del Frisco’s Grille (501 E. Las Olas; 754-312-3235), a modern setting in keeping with its restaurants nationwide.
Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center draws many guests to its grounds on the New River’s South Fork. Be sure to enjoy a waterside meal at the on-site YOT Bar & Kitchen (954-953-9000). Live music is a regular occurrence, and bottomless specials make their way to weekend brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Their menu is casual meets upscale with a great mix of options sure to keep the crew happy.
For an Italian fine dining experience, you’ll need a ride. Casa D’Angelo (1201 N. Federal Hwy.; 954-564-1234) is a top choice; wine connoisseurs will be pleasantly surprised by the wine cellar. More Italian artistry can be found at Café Vico (1125 N. Federal Hwy.: 954-399-4021).
North on the ICW, journey into the Galleria Mall with upscale shopping and destination restaurants like The Capital Grill, Blue Martini and Seasons 52.
For provisioning, ask your dockmaster to point you to the nearest Publix or Winn-Dixie. Specialty items can be found at the International Market and Wine Depot (1428 SE 17th St.; 954-523-1400) and The British Depot (1322 E. Commercial Blvd.; 954-491-4920), which imports all things British. It’s nice to know if you have a hankering for a steak and kidney pie or a Cornish pasty.
Since you’re enjoying this guide, you may as well check out our full line of ChartKits, Embassy Cruising Guides and more at Bluewater Books and Charts (3233 SW Second Ave.; 954-763-6533 or 800-942-2583), among books, flags, navigational instruments and updates for your electronic chart devices. Their exceptional staff is worth the trip on its own. They can tackle any question you throw their way, and can give firsthand navigation advice for practically any cruising spot in the world.
Get the supplies you need from Boat Owners Warehouse (311 SW 24th St.; 954-522-7998), ideally situated about midway between the Marina Mile and the 17th Street Bridge facilities, as well as a brand new location at Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center. They also have locations in Pompano Beach, Riviera Beach and Stuart.
Last, but not least, the largest West Marine (2401 S. Andrews Ave.; 954-400-5323) on the planet is located at the corner of Andrews and Marina Mile Boulevard. At 50,000 square feet, it’s hard to miss, and trust us — you don’t want to!
