7 Ocean Animals Spotted in Fort Lauderdale

Scuba diving in Fort Lauderdale? Look out for these ocean animals while you’re diving!

Fort Lauderdale is one of my all-time favorite scuba diving destinations. And no, it’s not because I lived and worked aboard a dive vessel there for years.

Although, that might have made me slightly biased.

Doesn’t matter, though. Fort Lauderdale diving is epic! And part of the reason is the awesome marine life that likes to make appearances. You know, rare species that are seen in very few other places. Here’s the best that I’ve seen during my time there:

🐟 Bookmark for Later: Read our full article, The Complete Guide to Scuba Diving in Fort Lauderdale!

Common Marine Life Spotted While Scuba Diving in Fort Lauderdale

1. Loggerhead Sea Turtles

South Florida beaches are the busiest loggerhead sea turtle nesting sites in the world. And as such, it’s not uncommon to spot a behemoth of a turtle roaming the reefs of Fort Lauderdale before they lay their eggs at night.

🐢 More Sea Turtles: Loggerhead Sea Turtles aren’t the only marine reptile species making appearances in South Florida.

2. Goliath Grouper

The state of Florida has made the effort to protect these underwater giants and it seems to have paid off. Nearly every wreck in Fort Lauderdale is inhabited by at least one goliath grouper.

🐟 Interested in Goliath Grouper? Just north in Jupiter, Florida is an epic dive with Goliath Grouper!

3. Nurse Shark

The one shark I consistently see in Fort Lauderdale is those sleepy nurse sharks. Most reefs, and some of the wrecks, have plenty of resident nurse sharks resting under the well-defined ledges.

🦈 More Sharks in South Florida: Common Sharks Seen in Florida

4. Lionfish

Invasive lionfish are commonly spotted around the reefs and wrecks of Fort Lauderdale. We need to eradicate them from our environment, so their presence makes for an incredible hunting ground – and tasty eating!

🔱 Interested in learning more about Lionfish? We have an extensive library of knowledge about hunting lionfish in Florida. We recommend you start right here!

5. Southern Stingray

Southern Stingrays are often flitting about the reefs of Fort Lauderdale before burrowing in the sand. These creatures are fun to watch and there’s a good chance you’ll spot one on your next dive.

6. Spiny Lobster

Catching lobster in Florida is a statewide pastime. Everyone catches lobster, or everyone at least knows someone who catches lobster. As for Fort Lauderdale, it’s one of the best places in the state to go diving for some lobster! Just make sure you’re abiding by all the rules!

📙 Related Reading: How to Catch Spiny Lobster in Florida

7. Guitarfish

Fort Lauderdale is the only place I’ve ever witnessed a guitarfish, and I’ve seen them on multiple occasions nonetheless. Chances are slim to see this elusive ray, but it is possible!

Reef Fish Guides and Source Material

Much of the information above was sourced from the Reef Guide books by Paul Humann and Ned Deloach. They’re a fantastic resource for your library as you immerse yourself in the underwater world. Whether you’re a diver, snorkeler, or sailor – these books are a must for your library.

Scuba diving in Fort Lauderdale Resources

Fort Lauderdale is a great place to plan a diving trip. Just look at all the amazing ocean creatures you might encounter!

All you need to do is plan your trip!