Hillsboro Beach

Spanning just three miles in length and 900 feet in width, the charming town of Hillsboro Beach is all beach. Situated on a peninsula between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, glistening water beckons you everywhere you look. Take the one road running through town, Hillsboro Mile, and you’ll find several spots to park and unload for a day at possibly the most calming beach of Greater Fort Lauderdale.

Things to Do

With no commercial properties to be found in Hillsboro Beach, things to do take the form of communing with nature and delving into the history of this quaint beach town.

Head to the beach and set up for oceanside fun in the sun. Then frolic in the ocean till your heart’s content, and perhaps enjoy a warm nap under blue skies. Once you’ve had your fill of traditional beach activities, take a moment to explore the serene expanses of sand and you might just spy the nest of a sea turtle.

From March to October, Hillsboro Beach is home to leatherback, loggerhead, and green sea turtles nests. Although sea turtle nests can be found throughout the beaches of Broward County, Hillsboro Beach is proud to have one of the highest densities of sea turtle nests per mile along Florida’s East Coast. Nests will typically be marked by the county for protective and tracking purposes. Keep in mind that it is illegal to disturb these nests or the hatchlings. Additional information on sea turtles in Hillsboro Beach can be found on the town website.

For more fun on the beach, check out the Hillsboro Lighthouse at the southern end of the peninsula. The 138-foot tall lighthouse has been a beckon of light for the area since it went into service in 1907. Today, the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society is in charge of preserving the lighthouse for the public and offers tours on specific dates, usually about once a month.

Hotels

Sunseekers can indulge in a quietly tucked away retreat with luxury accommodations and amenities at Hillsboro Beach Resort, opened in October 2021. Located in a largely residential area, the 99-room property on the exclusive Hillsboro Mile offers bikes, kayaks, Sunday beach yoga, beach chairs and towels, and telescopes for stargazing – all complimentary. Hillsboro Beach Resort's oceanfront oasis offers tranquility across every touchpoint. Enjoy beachfront views from the balcony or poolside, ride cruiser bicycles down Hillsboro Mile, hop on a fishing excursion, or even wine-and-dine from onsite restaurant Roí. Guests can clear their minds and nourish their souls with a walk along the private beach. 

Entering Hillsboro Beach from Deerfield Beach at the north end of town, you’ll find two waterfront lodging options. Just like Hillsboro Beach, hotels here are on a smaller scale and these quaint accommodations offer a calm home base for your vacation with shopping and dining just a quick drive or scenic walk away.

With only 2 accommodations available, Sunrise Ocean Suites is a quiet retreat on the beach where you’ll feel right at home. The suites with one or two bedrooms each have full kitchens, while the hotel rooms have microwaves and mini fridges. The u-shape of the hotel’s layout opens up to a grassy courtyard area with a pool, shaded tables, and shuffleboard courts. There’s also a private beach area with loungers where you can lay out, toes in the sand, and gaze upon the bright blue waters.

At Royal Flamingo Villas, you can take your pick of villas that are closer to the resort’s private beach or private Intracoastal Waterway frontage and dock. The condominium is operated as a resort with 40 individual villas available to choose from. The property is surrounded by lush landscaping with paved walkways leading to thatched-roof tiki huts ideal for picnics, a heated pool, charcoal grills, and the beach.