Things to do in Fort Lauderdale all start with one idea, really: get on the water. Picture this: the sun hits your face, a salty breeze runs through your hair, and million-dollar mansions glide past while your boat winds through Fort Lauderdale’s famous canals. Most visitors remember this moment long after their trip ends.
Fort Lauderdale earns its “Venice of America” name honestly. Miles of scenic waterways, luxury yachts, palm-lined canals, sandy beaches, and waterfront dining stun visitors here. Travelers searching for things to do in Fort Lauderdale find out fast: the water isn’t some backdrop. It’s the main event.
Riding the water taxi stands out as one of the most popular things to do in Fort Lauderdale, a true must-do, honestly. It’s not just transportation; it’s way more.
A sightseeing cruise, a guided tour, and your ticket to the city’s best spots, all in one. With hop-on, hop-off access, the captain narrates stories as you go, multiple routes connect, and stops drop you right at waterfront restaurants and bars, making exploring effortless.
It even connects you to Hollywood Beach and Pompano Beach; with one ticket, an entire region opens up. First-time visitors and locals, too, this is simply the best way you’ll see Greater Fort Lauderdale.
Why the Water Taxi Is One of the Best Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale
Looking for things to do in Fort Lauderdale that actually show you the real city? Skip the car; hop on a boat instead. The Water Taxi turns a simple ride into a full sightseeing experience, and it’s easy to see why locals and visitors love it.
Here’s what you get with one ticket
- Hop-on, hop-off transportation
- More than 30 stops across the region
- All-day access, one ticket only
- Narrated sightseeing tours along the way
- Scenic views of canals, mansions, and mega-yachts
- Beverages and cocktails onboard
- Onboard restrooms
- Luggage storage available
- Routes connecting Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Hollywood
- Private charters and group experiences, too
Water Taxi Hours of Operation
The boats run every day, rain or shine, no excuses:
- Operates 7 days a week
- Rain or shine service
- Daily hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Boats arrive roughly every 30–45 minutes
- A live boat tracker is available online. Check it before you head out
Water Taxi Ticket Prices
All Routes Including Pompano Beach
- Adult Pass – $38
- Children (5–11) – $18
- Children Under 5 – Free
- Evening Pass (After 5 PM) – $25
- Multi-Day Pass (30 Days Unlimited) – $140
- Annual Pass – $349
Pompano Beach Only
- Adult Pass – $30
- Children (5–11) – $10
- Children Under 5 – Free
- Evening Pass – $15
- Multi-Day Resident Pass – $80
- Annual Pass – $250
Signature Water Taxi Cruises for the Best Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale
Want something more themed? These cruises take it up a notch.
- Sunset Music Cruise: Live music, cocktails, and evening entertainment with the water as your backdrop.
- Premier Sightseeing Cruise: Mansions, mega-yachts, landmarks, and the famous canals, all in one ride.
- Early-Bird Cruise: Mornings are calmer and cooler, too, perfect if you like quiet starts.
- Holiday Lights Cruise: Decorated waterfront homes light up the season, a must for holiday visitors.
Whatever you pick, the Water Taxi makes exploring Fort Lauderdale simple and memorable.
Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale – Complete Water Taxi Stops & Routes
Planning your route matters when you’re chasing the best things to do in Fort Lauderdale, and the Water Taxi makes that part easy, honestly. Every stop drops you somewhere worth exploring: restaurants, parks, marinas, beaches, all of it. Below, you’ll find every stop across all three routes, addresses, contact numbers, and what makes each one worth a visit, too.
Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi Stops
This route covers the heart of the city, eleven stops total, and each one leads to something good.
F1 – Riverside Hotel + Stranahan House
📍 335 SE 6th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Fort Lauderdale’s oldest surviving structure sits right here, the historic Stranahan House Museum. History lovers will love this one; a guided tour shows you the city’s pioneer roots.
F2 – Shops & Restaurants at Las Olas
📍 904 E Las Olas Blvd / End of SE 9th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
This is the city’s premier shopping and dining strip, honestly. Boutiques, art galleries, sidewalk cafes, and upscale restaurants line the street, perfect for an afternoon stroll.
F3 – 15th Street Fisheries
📍 1900 SE 15th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
A long-standing waterfront seafood restaurant, known for fresh catch and marina views. Good spot for lunch or dinner right on the water.
F4 – Hilton Marina + Convention Center
📍 1881 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Business travelers and conference-goers find this one convenient, plus you get easy access to the marina and nearby hotels.
F5 – Pier 66
📍 2301 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
An iconic Fort Lauderdale landmark, a rotating rooftop lounge, and resort-style marina views call this home. Great for cocktails, skyline backdrop included.
F6 – Marina Village + Bahia Mar
📍 1001 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
A bustling marina, mega-yachts line it, close to Fort Lauderdale Beach, too. Ideal for yacht-watching, a quick walk gets you to the sand.
F7 – Las Olas Landing
📍 301 Las Olas Circle, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
This sits at the gateway to the Las Olas Isles, where waterfront dining and views of luxury homes line the canals.
F8 – GalleryOne DoubleTree + Galleria Mall
📍 2670 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
This connects you straight to The Galleria, a major shopping mall, retail stores, dining, and entertainment all in one place.
F9 – Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
📍 3109 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
A 180-acre coastal state park, nature trails, a freshwater lagoon, and beach access await here. Great for hiking, picnics, and wildlife spotting (note: this stop closes at sunset).
F10 – Shooters Waterfront
📍 3033 NE 32nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
A lively waterfront bar and grill, sunset views, and live music make this one fun, a real happy-hour scene right on the Intracoastal.
F11 – Bokampers
📍 3115 NE 32nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
A sports bar and grill, waterfront seating included, popular for game days, casual dining, and drinks by the water.
Shopping, dining, history, nature, this stretch alone covers most of what people search under Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale.
Pompano Beach Water Taxi Stops
Heading north opens up a quieter side of South Florida, with twelve stops, each one its own little discovery, honestly.
P1 – Shooters Waterfront
📍 3033 NE 32nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Same lively waterfront bar and grill as F10, a popular sunset and happy-hour spot, shared between routes.
P2 – Bokampers
📍 3115 NE 32nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Same sports bar and grill as F11, great for casual waterfront dining and game-day energy too.
P3 – Blue Moon Fish Co.
📍 4405 W Tradewinds Ave, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL 33308
An upscale seafood restaurant, Intracoastal views included, known for fresh fish and a romantic waterfront setting.
P4 – Port Royale
📍 3101 Port Royale Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
A quiet residential marina stop, good if you’re exploring the Port Royale Isles community by water.
P5 – Indian Mound Park
📍 1232 Hibiscus Ave, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
A small waterfront park, named for an ancient Native American mound, is good for a peaceful break and some green space.
P6 – Sands Harbor Resort & Marina
📍 125 N Riverside Dr, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
A waterfront resort, marina, and dockside bar are included (currently temporarily closed), usually a favorite for live music and drinks.
P7 – Dockswell Dock
📍 198 N Riverside Dr, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
Part of the Pompano Riverwalk area, close to dining and downtown Pompano attractions.
P8 – Scott A. Winters Memorial Park
📍 1199 N Riverside Dr, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
A riverside park, ideal for a relaxing walk or a picnic along the water.
P9 – Alsdorf Park
📍 2901 NE 14th St, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
A community park stop, good for a quiet local detour off the main tourist path.
P10 – NE 16th Street Park
📍 Pompano Beach, FL 33062
A neighborhood park stop, handy for residents and anyone exploring residential Pompano.
P11 – Roy L. Rogers Family Park
📍 2700 N Ocean Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
Close to the beach, this family-friendly park stop works great, combining a beach day right with the boat ride.
P12 – Lighthouse Point Marina + Nauti Dawg
📍 2841 Marina Circle, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064
The northernmost stop, Nauti Dawg restaurant, calls it home, known for a laid-back marina vibe and waterfront bites.
Parks, marinas, fish co’s, Pompano’s stops feel more local and less touristy but are still worth the ride though.
Hollywood Water Taxi Stop
One stop here, but it’s a good one, honestly.
H1 – Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort
📍 1111 N Ocean Dr, Hollywood, FL 33019
A beachfront resort, right on Hollywood Beach and the famous Hollywood Broadwalk. Great for beach time and dining, plus access to the Hollywood Trolley and boardwalk shopping.
Three routes, twenty-four stops, one ticket, that’s really the beauty behind Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale by Water Taxi. You decide where to get off, but the boat just keeps going.
Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale Beyond Transportation: Cruise & Save Program
More Things to Do With One Ticket
Your water taxi ticket does more than get you on the water; it unlocks savings, too. The Cruise & Save Program gives you discounts at 80+ partner businesses across Fort Lauderdale; just present your ticket.
Popular spots in the program
- YOLO
- Wild Sea Oyster Bar & Grille
- Sky Thai Sushi
- Java & Jam
- IT! Italy Ristorante
- Gran Forno Pronto Las Olas
- Historic Stranahan House Museum
- Boathouse at the Riverside
- Craft Food Tours
- Elba Las Olas
- Segway of Fort Lauderdale
Private Charters and Group Experiences
Want the boat all to yourself? Water Taxi handles that too: corporate events, team-building outings, birthdays, weddings, family reunions, sunset cruises, sightseeing charters, whatever the occasion calls for.
Charter vessels available
- Island Adventure (50–100 guests)
- Double Decker (50–125 guests)
- Fiesta (50–75 guests)
- Midsize (50 guests)
- Old Port (15 guests)
Groups of 10 or more get special rates, so gather your crew and go explore together.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Taxi – Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale
How long does the full water taxi ride take?
Three hours, roughly, cover the complete Fort Lauderdale loop.
How often do water taxi boats arrive?
Every 30 to 45 minutes, boats show up, most of the time anyway.
Can I hop on and off all day?
Yes, definitely. All-day passes give unlimited hop-on hop-off access; there are no limits at all.
Is luggage allowed onboard?
No, it’s not; you’ll store bags at the Water Taxi luggage storage facility instead.
How much is luggage storage?
$10 per bag covers it. Past 7 PM, though, a $15 late fee kicks in if you leave a bag.
Are private charters available?
Yes, Water Taxi runs private charters, corporate events, weddings, celebrations, and group outings; it covers it all.
What is the best way to see Fort Lauderdale from the water?
The Premier Sightseeing Cruise or the hop-on hop-off route, most people pick one of these, both of which rank among the top things to do in Fort Lauderdale.
“Ready to explore Fort Lauderdale by land and water? Use our Great Locations Mobile Tour Guide to discover top Water Taxi stops, attractions, restaurants, and must-see destinations.”
Conclusion – Why the Water Taxi Tops Every List of Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale
Building your list of things to do in Fort Lauderdale, the Water Taxi earns the top spot, honestly, no question there. Sightseeing, transportation, waterfront dining, shopping access, and guided exploration combine all of it into one experience.
Want to cruise past luxury yachts? You got it; easy. Visit Las Olas Boulevard, explore Pompano Beach, catch a sunset music cruise, or just discover the city from the water; the Water Taxi covers all that ground. One ticket, and suddenly so many options open up for you.
First-time visitors and locals, too, this stays one of the most enjoyable and convenient ways to experience South Florida, honestly. Hop on, pick your stops, let the water show you a side of Fort Lauderdale most people never get to see from a car window.
Three routes, dozens of stops, food, history, beaches, and nightlife, all connected by one boat ride. Whether you got a full day to explore or just a couple of hours free, the water taxi fits right into your plans, flexible like that.
At the end of the day, it’s not just transport; it’s the experience itself, and that’s exactly why it belongs at the top of your Fort Lauderdale itinerary.
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