11 Fun Outdoor Activities in Fort Lauderdale
Soak up the sun while visiting South Florida! These are the best outdoor activities in Fort Lauderdale to do on your next visit!
Known for its sand, sun, nightlife, and vibrancy, Fort Lauderdale is a major ocean destination in the southeast corner of Florida.
I lived here for years. I love it. But being in the big city was challenging from time to time. So I did what I do best: find incredible outdoor activities in Fort Lauderdale. I needed that reprieve to nature. And it wasn’t too hard to find, after all.
So while you’re visiting, make sure you soak up the sun and enjoy the outdoors. This city has more outdoor fun than you’d imagine!
The rest of this article describes the best outdoor activities in Fort Lauderdale to do as a visitor, local, or longtime resident. Enjoy!
11 Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale
1. Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
2. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is a tropical getaway in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Fort Lauderdale.
The park has nature trails, a lagoon for paddling, a 2-mile cycling loop, and even a bar and restaurant.
📚 Related Reading: Exploring Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
3. Take a Boat Ride
The best way to explore a city that goes by the nickname of The Venice of America, is well, by boat!
All sorts of boat charters depart the marinas of Fort Lauderdale daily from sightseeing tours, fishing boats, sailboats, and party boats.
👉 Local Tip: the best boat ride is the Water Taxi, hands down. Book your ticket ahead of time!
4. Paddleboarding or Kayaking
🚣 Best Paddleboarding Tour in Fort Lauderdale
Another popular thing to do in Fort Lauderdale is to go kayaking. With plenty of canals, rivers, and other waterways to choose from, the paddling trails are endless.
Here are a few of our favorites:
5. Cycle Around Town
Renting a bike is a great way to explore the streets of Fort Lauderdale. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Hugh Taylor Birch, Fort Lauderdale Beach, and Las Olas Boulevard are all fantastic destinations on a bike ride.
Check out our Fort Lauderdale cycling guide for a self-guided tour around town.
6. Scuba Diving
Now, I must admit, I’m not impartial to this. I did work as a professional scuba diver for a local dive company for years in Fort Lauderdale. But the scuba diving in Fort Lauderdale is fantastic.
It has it all. Deep shipwrecks, miles of natural coral reefs, an epic artificial reef program, and some thrilling drift diving.
🤿 Learn More: Ultimate Guide to Scuba Diving in Fort Lauderdale
7. Snorkeling
🤿 Top Snorkeling Tour in Fort Lauderdale
With a relatively shallow coral reef, the snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale is surprisingly great.
A few spots are better than others, like Twin Ledges and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. So be sure to read up on our 4 Best Snorkel Spots in Fort Lauderdale to help plan!
8. Relax at the Beach
Why else did you come to a tropical destination anyway? Fort Lauderdale’s year-round warm weather and 26 miles of beaches make for perfect beach days!
🏖️ Beach Gear Recommendation: We were gifted this sand-resistant, packable beach blanket made by Grand Trunk. It’s the perfect addition to your beach backpack!
9. Visit the Everglades
🐊 Top Everglades Airboat Rides
The land of alligators isn’t all too far away from Fort Lauderdale and if you’ve never been before, we highly recommend it!
There’s a lot to do in the Everglades but the most common is to hop aboard an airboat ride!
10. Deep Sea Fishing
Making its way near the shores of Fort Lauderdale is the Gulf Stream – a major ocean current bringing warm blue water and plenty of marine life from the Gulf of Mexico to Europe.
Because of the Gulf Stream, the deep sea fishing in Fort Lauderdale is excellent. So cast a line while you’re visiting!
11. Stroll the Riverwalk
For some free outdoor fun, head to the Riverwalk in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. The public space brings you along the New River, where restaurants, shops, and city views meet megayachts and sailboats traveling up and down the river.
🗺️ Related Reading: Two-Day Fort Lauderdale Travel Itinerary
Outdoor Activities in Fort Lauderdale: Debrief
So there you have, 11 epic and wildly fun outdoor activities in Fort Lauderdale. Sure, it’s a big city but you’re in such a nice place with such nice weather! Take advantage of it!
Travel Planning Resources for Fort Lauderdale
Book Your Flight: Book cheap flights to FLL on Skyscanner, one of the best tools to find good deals.
Rent a Car: Discover Cars compares prices all over the globe – finding you the best deal on a car rental.
Find a Bus Ticket: We love using BusBud to check for departure times and prices while traveling.
Book a Place to Stay: Booking.com is a great resource to compare hotels and guesthouses. Or book a local apartment on VRBO!
Protect Your Trip: Protect yourself from theft or gear damage! World Nomads covers all things while traveling.
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Read More About Ocean Adventures!
We hope you enjoyed our post on outdoor activities in Fort Lauderdale. Hopefully, you’ll find it useful on your next adventure! Here are a few more ocean-loving articles we think you should read next:
- How to Visit Lime Out VI in 2024 (Tips for Visiting the Floating Taco Stand on St. John)
- 13 Unforgettable Adventures to Experience in Puerto Rico
- Honeymoon Pt. 3: Exploring Domes and Steps Beach in Rincón
- 13 Tips for Hiking the Angelito Trail in El Yunque
What outdoor activities in Fort Lauderdale have you done? What would you add to this list? If you have any questions let us know in a comment below!
