The gentle rocking of waves beneath your feet, sunlight dancing across rippling turquoise waters, and the cool spray of salt misting your skin — this is Greater Fort Lauderdale from its most flattering angle.
Known as the "Venice of America" for its 300 miles of inland waterways, Fort Lauderdale is a water lover’s paradise teeming with activities to try during a visit.
You’ll find historic riverboats that have ferried visitors for generations, as well as intimate gondola experiences cruising down the Intracoastal Waterway.
Whether you're hoping to spot alligators in the Everglades, sip cocktails on a floating tiki bar or explore vibrant coral reefs and shipwrecks, Greater Fort Lauderdale's waterways promise adventures as varied as the travelers who seek them.
Here are some of the best boat tours and water excursions for everyone under the sun to enjoy.
Scenic & Sightseeing Tours
Chances are you’ve spotted the Jungle Queen Riverboat on the Intracoastal Waterway near the Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach. This vintage riverboat has offered dinner-and-show cruises and 90-minute sightseeing tours of Fort Lauderdale’s waterways for almost 90 years. It’s a quintessential part of Fort Lauderdale history you should experience at least once.
Not far behind in icons and history is the famous yellow Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi — the stress-free way to explore Greater Fort Lauderdale. These hop-on, hop-off taxis have served locals and visitors traveling between Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and Hollywood for many years. Visit 15th Kilwins Las Olas for a sweet scoop of ice cream, or head south, where stop H1 invites you to enjoy the laid-back life at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort via the Water Taxi’s express Hollywood route.
If you head north, you’ll find some of the best local seafood at restaurants like Blue Moon Fish Co. in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. The best part? It’s affordable, with all-day Fort Lauderdale passes starting at $38 for adults, plus rates for evening voyages and groups.
Looking for a little romance? Cruise along the New River in style with Riverfront Gondola Tours. This casual cruise departs from Casa Sensei on Las Olas Boulevard and glides along the Intracoastal, offering a private tour where you can sip and savor bites from the Pan-Asian restaurant as you take in the waterfront views.
Party & Social Experiences
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or looking for a new experience on the water, consider Cruisin' Tikis, dubbed the “original tiki boat cruise” in town. Gather your friends and some of your favorite libations for a private tiki bar boat cruise along the Intracoastal — a quintessential Fort Lauderdale experience.
Enjoy everything from Tiki Fun Cruises, which take you along the beautiful New River and surrounding mansions, to Sandbar Trips, where your captain will anchor at a sandbar for a refreshing swim.
An alternative is Tiki Time Boat Party, a retrofitted pontoon boat offering tours of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Start your adventure from 15th Street Fisheries to feed six-foot tarpons before indulging in views of mansions and mega yachts.
One of the newer water activities is Paddle Pub, a pedal-powered party boat with a sound system for groups of up to 26 guests. These cheerful turquoise and aqua vessels head out from the New River and are ideal for all kinds of adventures — bachelor and bachelorette parties, sunset cruises, booze cruises, team-building gatherings and more.
Family Adventures
The beauty of Greater Fort Lauderdale is that its water activities truly cater to everyone. If you're traveling with little ones, check out Bluefoot Pirate Adventures in Dania Beach. This cruise invites you to round up your gang of pirates for the day aboard the Bluefoot for a fully interactive children’s pirate adventure. Adult BYOB sunset cruises are also available for grown-up pirates.
Sea Experience takes snorkelers of all levels on daily reef adventures from Fort Lauderdale aboard its glass-bottom boat. The trip features a guided tour past the mansions of Millionaire’s Row along the Intracoastal Waterway before arriving at the Twin Ledges reef, where underwater exploration awaits. Add a touch of whimsy to your outing with Heather Mermaid, a PADI mermaid instructor, rescue diver and freediver, who brings the fun with graceful flips, bubble kisses and more.
Experience Florida’s wild side with Everglades Holiday Park, located on the edge of Everglades National Park in Weston. The park’s tours take you deep into the River of Grass on a thrilling airboat ride. Keep your camera ready as gators sunbathe on muddy banks, turtles bask in the sunlight and rare birds soar overhead. Back on dry land, the Gator Boys team up close with Florida’s apex predators during their live show, turning close encounters into teachable moments that will leave you educated and exhilarated.
No matter your speed — whether you're paddling peacefully, partying with friends, or cruising into the sunset — Greater Fort Lauderdale offers a water adventure for every kind of traveler. So grab your sunnies, chart your course, and dive into the one-of-a-kind experiences waiting on these sparkling waterways. The only question left is: Which excursion will you choose first?