Water Taxi - Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood

We are planning to use the Water Taxi both to get around and as a bit of a scenic tour, as many here have recommended. How does the scenery on the Hollywood loop compare with route(s) in Ft. Lauderdale proper? Also, how much time do these routes take, not counting any time hopping on and off at a few stops? We're going on weekend days in April if that matters. Thanks!

The northern route (using the 17st street bridge as the difference between north and south, Hollywood is south) is FAR superior to the Hollywood route.

The northern route (using the 17st street bridge as the difference between north and south, Hollywood is south) is FAR superior to the Hollywood route.

And the Hollywood is not nearly as frequent. Check out http://www.watertaxi.com.

The Hollywood route would be cool if there are some cruise ships in Port Everglades, especially at terminals 2, 25, 26. Other than that, it's a long ride through a bunch of basically nothingness and industrial port until you get down to Hollywood. And then another 45 minute round trip boat ride in Hollywood from Margaritaville to actually see Hollywood.

North of 17th you see amazing homes and yachts. South of 17th you see the port (and maybe some cruise ships). On the way to Hollywood beach you go past a nature preserve. We took the water taxi down to Hollywood beach, hopped off and hung out in the beach for a couple hours.

I would only do the Hollywood trip if have done the others, totally different experience, and don't forget your sun screen, you will be out on the water for a while.

Thanks very much for the info everyone. Want to make the best use of our time.

For a scenic tour, I agree the ride along the intercoastal viewing all of the beautiful homes is a great time. Although, Hollywood has a better beach & the broadwalk, IMO.

On another note, make sure you keep checking Groupon, occasionally buy-one-get-one offers are posted.

FiftySailsOfGrace,

The highlight of the Hollywood water taxi route is going past Port Everglades and watching the cruise ships up close, otherwise not too interesting (or exciting, in fact rather boring, once was enough, but was included in the overall $26.00 pp ticket price - price just for the Hollywood route is $16.00 pp.

If you don't want to travel the whole way and back again, get off at the first stop (H1 - Hollywood Margaritaville Beach Resort/Boardwalk/Beach), walk along the boardwalk to Margaritaville, have a drink and catch the returning (or a later) water taxi back.

It takes 45 minutes from the Hilton Marina Hotel to H1 (and 45 minutes back), with a further 45 minutes to rcomplete the trip from H1 to H5 and back to H1.

There is more to see and do on the Fort Lauderdale route, the round trip to and from the Hilton Marina Hotel will take around 3 hours plus stops, of which there are many and varied.

NA Gooner

So we can pick the taxi up in Hollywood and ride it all the way up to the end and back ? What number is the 1st station and location in Hollywood ? Thanx

So we can pick the taxi up in Hollywood and ride it all the way up to the end and back ? What number is the 1st station and location in Hollywood ? Thanx

Route maps and schedules are found on http://www.watertaxi.com.

We will be staying at Margaritaville, and have never done the Hollywood portion of the water taxi. Can we just do the 5 Hollywood stops?, sort a just a roundtrip starting and ending at 5 o'clock Somewhere.

We will be staying at Margaritaville, and have never done the Hollywood portion of the water taxi. Can we just do the 5 Hollywood stops?, sort a just a roundtrip starting and ending at 5 o'clock Somewhere.

You can just do the Hollywood portion of the water taxi, costs $16.00 pp. It's a 45 minute round trip. Leaves Margaritaville at 4:00 pm, 4:45 pm, 5:30 pm, 6:15 pm, and so on up to the laat trip at 10:45 pm.

Check the web site for brochure, fare structure, stop locations and full schedule including the water taxi to the Hilton Marina Hotel at 17 St SE.

NAGooner

We are just home from our cruise this week. We arrived in Fort Lauderdale the day before our cruise and wanted to use the water taxi as transportation and sightseeing just as you have mentioned. We thoroughly enjoyed it! They narrate along the way which really added to the experience. The homes along the intercoastal waterway are gorgeous. It was raining the day we were there but we still went ahead and went as the water taxi was covered and enclosed. We pre-purchased our water taxi tickets on Ex ped i a & saved $8pp.