23+ Outdoor Companies in Fort Lauderdale to Support After Coronavirus

Fort Lauderdale is uniquely tied to the ocean – and the city’s industries are no different. Unfortunately, with a collapse in tourism, coronavirus lockdowns have threatened permanent closure to many ocean-loving companies in the area. These local outdoor companies in Fort Lauderdale need your help to keep the doors open and the ocean adventures rolling.

Outdoor Companies in Fort Lauderdale Need Your Support After Coronavirus

Cruise ships and a fancy airport: in many folk’s eyes, that’s all Fort Lauderdale really is. They couldn’t be more wrong.

The Everglades are just a short drive to the west; you can find a vibrant coral reef right off the beach; explore miles of canals and rivers for days; and you can even take a short boat ride to a different country!

Simply put, Fort Lauderdale is filled with ocean adventures – all of which are supported by some amazing outdoor companies. Sadly, these outdoor companies are now facing an unprecedented economic threat.

Spring break has been cancelled and summer plans tossed away. With a potential collapse from the cruise lines, and the tourism industry itself, most local companies are facing rocky roads ahead. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a city built on tourism.

We’ve done our best to compile a list of outdoor companies in Fort Lauderdale that are in desperate need for help; small businesses built by hard working men and women who love the outdoors. Send your support simply by booking a trip, making a purchase, or renting outdoor gear.

It’s been an agonizing few weeks. It’s probably about time to enjoy the ocean and the outdoors, anyway.

The Dive Industry

Fort Lauderdale is a leading destination in south Florida for scuba diving. Home to the only natural coral reef in the continental United States, the dive industry has a direct responsibility, and interest, in protecting our dying oceans.

Book a trip, learn to dive, or get some sweet new dive gear from the closest shop to you:

• Sea Experience: charter, school, and full dive center at Bahia Mar.
• American Dream: great dive charter near the cruise ports.
• Pineapple Scuba: school and shop in Oakland Park.
• Deep Blue Divers: dive school near world class shore diving.
• Gold Coast Divers: similarly near Florida’s best beach diving.
• Underseas Sports: small operation just north of town.
• South Florida Diving HQ: charter and school in Pompano Beach.

For a more comprehensive list: Dive Shops in Fort Lauderdale.

Kayak, SUP, and Paddling Outfitters

You can spend weeks exploring the waters around the city and still not see it all. 165 miles of canals, rivers, and waterways, to be exact. Our favorite method? Paddling via kayak or SUP, of course!

With so many miles of water to discover, outfitters renting gear are abound throughout the city:

• Blue Moon Outdoor Center to explore around George English Park.
• Atlantic Coast Kayak Company to see the Wilton Manors Loop.
• SUP PUP to paddle around mega yachts and mansions!
• Riverwalk Activities for a downtown adventure.
• Las Olas Paddleboards let’s you see the canals of Fort Lauderdale.
• Sunrise Paddleboards roams the Middle River.

Or plan your day of paddling with our list of best routes to paddle or SUP in Fort Lauderdale.

Gear Outfitters within State & National Parks

We love State Parks and National Parks as much as the next person. However, these protected areas won’t lose their funding from the pandemic lockdowns. You know who will? The privately owned outdoor retailers that operate within them.

• Park & Ocean Adventure Center in Hugh Taylor Birch State Park offers rentals for bikes, SUPs, canoes, kayaks, and jet skis.
• The Whiskey Creek Hideout has recently made a comeback after a couple year absence from Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach.
• Biscayne National Park Institute, aptly named for their presence within the National Park.
• Rent a bike or ride a tram to see the 14 miles of Shark Valley in Everglades National Park with Tram Tours.
• Further south, Flamingo Adventures provides visitors with a plethora of outdoor adventures for those visiting Everglades National Park.

Fishing Charters & Bait Shops

Quite possibly the hardest hit from lockdowns: fishermen. These guys make most of their income during high season (spring break, holidays, etc.). Subsequently, earnings eventually sustain their livelihood for the remainder of the year through seasonal slow times.

The coronavirus lockdowns couldn’t have come at a worse time for these captains.

As for Fort Lauderdale, there’s too many fishing charters to name. Luckily, FishingBooker is a phenomenal tool to find you the best charter. Some are likely to even offer deals to get out you back on the water!

Outdoor Retail Stores

Retail, in general, is going to be suffering for a long, long time once the pandemic is over. Outdoor retail stores are no different, particularly smaller, locally owned ones. So before your next outdoor adventure in south Florida, be sure to stop in one of these shops to stock up on adventure gear:

• Diver’s Direct
• Adventure Sports Fort Lauderdale
• Liquid Surf and Sail
• Surf World

Our Retail Partners

Outside of Fort Lauderdale, we’ve specifically partnered with a few outdoor retailers. These are small businesses with an outdoor and adventure focus that surely will be struggling too.

Additionally, these are our affiliate partners. Meaning, any products or services bought through the following links also support our blog (via commission), at no extra cost to you. As a new outdoor business ourselves, any support during these trying times is, of course, appreciated!

• House of Scuba is an online scuba retailer based in San Diego, California.
• Summit Sports is a leading provider in outdoor gear based in my home state – Michigan!
• Austin Canoe and Kayak in Austin, Texas is a great retailer to accommodate all your paddling needs.
• Stream2Sea is the leading provider in eco-friendly outdoor products like sunscreen. Use the coupon code “oceanwide” at check out to receive an additional 10% off your purchase.

A note to outdoor companies in Fort Lauderdale.

If we missed your business and you want to be included, feel free to contact us so we can add you to this article! We want to help and support you the best way we can!