Ft Laud Activities?

My family (2 adults, 7 kids ages 10-20) will be in FtLaud. for a day before we leave for our cruise Jan 8th. Can anyone recommend a fun activity to do? We will have our own snorkling gear. Is there anywhere we can snorkle for free in FtL? Any other recommendation? First time in FL for us!

Tiffany

A little reading around the board would find many threads on the Water taxi...certainly a fun thing to do.

The best snorkeling in the Fort Lauderdale area is in Lauderdale by the Sea. There is a snorkel trail in addition to the SS Copenhagen wreck.

We have taken our paddle boards out there in flat conditions, and when it was clear, we have seen some beautiful fish, sting rays, and turtles.

Here is more information:

http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/muni/snorkel.htm

Lauderdale by the Sea is definitely the best for snorkeling off the beach. It's famous. Fort Lauderdale, in general, has outstanding shore diving. If you do snorkel off the beach, you MUST have a dive flag. Pick up an inflatable one on Amazon and make sure you have the string for it, too!

The reef snorkeling is basically just south of the pier - 50 or 100 yards, about 3/4 of the way to the end of the pier. You also have the snorkel trail: http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/muni/snorkel.htm

The best snorkeling in the Fort Lauderdale area is in Lauderdale by the Sea. There is a snorkel trail in addition to the SS Copenhagen wreck.

 

We have taken our paddle boards out there in flat conditions, and when it was clear, we have seen some beautiful fish, sting rays, and turtles.

 

Here is more information:

 

http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/muni/snorkel.htm

This. However the water may be a bit chilly in January. Check into renting at least a couple of shorties.

Will you have a car?

As mentioned, In Jan the water can be quite cool - for we Floridians anyway - and especially off shore

but if you can make your way a few miles north there is a fantastic snorkeling site (esp for folks who have not done a lot of snorkeling) at Lake Worth Inlet ....

Phil Foster Park - Park

900 Blue Heron Blvd

Riviera Beach, FL

{BH .. how do you not know this place?????}

A 14.7-acre beach park featuring an underwater snorkeling trail, fishing areas & a playground. This is actually on the ICW (Inter Coastal Waterway) so 'protected waters and [potentially] warmer.

"UNDERWATER SNORKELING TRAIL

The Blue Heron Bridge area is internationally recognized by scientists, scuba divers, underwater photographers, and snorkelers for its abundance of unique marine life. Squid, octopus, spotted rays, and starfish are regularly seen. A snorkel trail made of limestone boulders and prefabricated reef modules spans a two-acre area in 6 to 10 feet of water. 600 tons of rock were used to build this artificial reef!"

http://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Locations/Phil-Foster.aspx#philfostersnorkeling

Will you have a car?

 

As mentioned, In Jan the water can be quite cool - for we Floridians anyway - and especially off shore

 

but if you can make your way a few miles north there is a fantastic snorkeling site (esp for folks who have not done a lot of snorkeling) at Lake Worth Inlet ....

 

Phil Foster Park - Park

900 Blue Heron Blvd

Riviera Beach, FL

 

{BH .. how do you not know this place?????}

 

A 14.7-acre beach park featuring an underwater snorkeling trail, fishing areas & a playground. This is actually on the ICW (Inter Coastal Waterway) so 'protected waters and [potentially] warmer.

 

"UNDERWATER SNORKELING TRAIL

The Blue Heron Bridge area is internationally recognized by scientists, scuba divers, underwater photographers, and snorkelers for its abundance of unique marine life. Squid, octopus, spotted rays, and starfish are regularly seen. A snorkel trail made of limestone boulders and prefabricated reef modules spans a two-acre area in 6 to 10 feet of water. 600 tons of rock were used to build this artificial reef!"

 

http://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Locations/Phil-Foster.aspx#philfostersnorkeling

Are you talking about Peanut Island? It's been a few years since I snorkeled there. Totally love going to Singer Island and having lunch at Sailfish Marina!

This time of year is an excellent time to see the Manatees at Riviera Beach at FP&L!

Will you have a car?

 

As mentioned, In Jan the water can be quite cool - for we Floridians anyway - and especially off shore

 

but if you can make your way a few miles north there is a fantastic snorkeling site (esp for folks who have not done a lot of snorkeling) at Lake Worth Inlet ....

 

Phil Foster Park - Park

900 Blue Heron Blvd

Riviera Beach, FL

 

{BH .. how do you not know this place?????}

 

A 14.7-acre beach park featuring an underwater snorkeling trail, fishing areas & a playground. This is actually on the ICW (Inter Coastal Waterway) so 'protected waters and [potentially] warmer.

 

"UNDERWATER SNORKELING TRAIL

The Blue Heron Bridge area is internationally recognized by scientists, scuba divers, underwater photographers, and snorkelers for its abundance of unique marine life. Squid, octopus, spotted rays, and starfish are regularly seen. A snorkel trail made of limestone boulders and prefabricated reef modules spans a two-acre area in 6 to 10 feet of water. 600 tons of rock were used to build this artificial reef!"

 

http://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Locations/Phil-Foster.aspx#philfostersnorkeling

OP - if you take up this suggestion, make sure you stop en route of on your return at the Manatee Lagoon (http://www.visitmanateelagoon.com/) which is just 5 minutes south of the Park. January is usually a great month to see the manatees. Kids and adults love it.

Added - I see that BlueHerons and I made the same recommendation!

Don't forget the Water Taxi. It's a fun way to see the inter coastal.

Are you talking about Peanut Island? It's been a few years since I snorkeled there. Totally love going to Singer Island and having lunch at Sailfish Marina!

 

This time of year is an excellent time to see the Manatees at Riviera Beach at FP&L!

Not Peanut. Phil Foster. It's just kind of funny you aren't familiar with it considering it's the main attraction off the Blue Heron bridge :)

I personally wouldn't recommend it to someone in the FLL area because it's a pretty long drive if someone is just wanting to snorkel for the day.

Another option to the water taxi would be the Carrie B (out of downtown) or Jungle Queen ( Bahia Mar marina).

Water taxi fun times..