Marina Mile to Pond Apple Slough: Fort Lauderdale Paddle Guide

What is the Marina Mile? Let’s just say, Fort Lauderdale isn’t known as the “Yacht Capital of the World” for nothing. Paddling this route will let you know exactly why we’re known for the yachting business. Not to mention, the slice of South Florida nature that’s awaiting for you at the end!

Marina Mile to Pond Apple Slough

Fort Lauderdale (AKA The Venice of America) is home to some of the most intricate canal systems in the US. Hence it’s other name: the Yacht Capital of the World. Honestly, it’s hard not to find great places to enjoy the water here!

Because of this, we discovered a paddling trek that takes you through boat yards full of grandiose yachts, mangrove ecosystems, and eventually into a small slice of hidden South Florida nature (Pond Apple Slough).

Grab your sunscreen and a paddle, you’re in for a Fort Lauderdale paddling adventure!

Access Points for Paddling the Marina Mile and Pond Apple Slough:

We started from Bill Keith Preserve Park off of Davie Boulevard. The park itself is a nice little corner of nature with small hiking trails and a picnic table but no bathroom facilities.

The park is a good launching point as you’ll paddle along the Marina Mile in its entirety. If you want to ONLY visit Pond Apple Slough and skip the Marina Mile, Riverland Woods Park is the best spot to launch.

Navigating to Pond Apple Slough:

Take a right from Bill Keith Preserve to head upriver in a west bound direction. Try not to gaze too hard at the super yachts docked ahead, you’d hate to run into any of them!

Pass Under I-95

Paddling past the marina you’ll approach the I-95 bridge. I realized how wide the interstate system actually is – it took me almost five minutes to cross it alone! Sure doesn’t seem THAT big when I get cut off by the no blinker using lane changers up there.

Once hitting a marina crossroad…

On the other side of I-95 you’ll hit a “crossroad” of sorts. Everywhere you look it’ll seem like there’s only boats. What do you do next?

Have no fear! Hang a right turn to continue up the river. If you head straight, you’ll hit a dead end in a marina. You’ll see some cool boats though, so that’s a plus.

Pass the Secret Woods Nature Center

The next mile or so will paddle along a stretch of mangroves to your left and spectacular homes to your right. The mangroves are a nice touch of nature that are apart of the Secret Woods Nature Center. The sad part, the mangroves are usually littered with trash. Everywhere.

To combat this, I bring a 5-gallon bucket on the back of my kayak to clean up the trash within reach. Every little bit counts, right?

Take a left at Bradford Marine Boat Yard

Continue up river until you see the Bradford Marine boat yard. Very important that you turn left here!! If not, you’ll be paddling up river until you hit the Everglades!!

On second thought, I guess that’s not so bad.

In all seriousness, take a left right before the sign, turning south. You’ll pass under I-595 and will instantly notice a change of scenery: you’ve arrived.

Exploring Pond Apple Slough

It’s not much but it is a touch of nature in an urban area. The swamp is mainly just a canal surrounded by mangroves. At the beginning, to your right, there’s some entry points into the swamp that may or not be accessible, given the tide.

I stumbled upon an abandoned boat (technically a ship wreck) that seems to have been there for just a few years. It’s neat to see and check out as the windows have been blown out and you can peer into the vessel.

After exploring, eating lunch, and getting some water, it’s time to head back! Turn around to back track. Lucky for you, you’ll be with the river current this time!

Rest Stops During the Paddle:

Unfortunately, no where can you get out of your kayak or SUP without getting wet. However, a good place to rest is the small dock in front of the Secret Woods Nature Center. It jets out into the river and you can grab ahold or tie to the railing.

Additionally, stopping in the mangroves along the canal in Pond Apple Slough is a great halfway point to eat a snack and get some water.

What you may see while paddling Fort Lauderdale:

The nature is lacking until you get to Pond Apple Slough but, as always, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing interesting to look at!

Some highlights are:

• Yachts and boats! Some of the most ambitious machines known to man!
• Mangroves! Common in subtropical climates, these trees are the only known species to survive in salt water.
• Unfortunately, trash, and lots of it. Typically, stuck in the mangroves or floating down the river. Do your part and clean as you see! Or take the step to do even more.
• Birds! Surprisingly, I saw a nice wood stork poking around in the mangroves.
• Iguanas everywhere! Which are actually invasive and cause A LOT of harm to our natural vegetation (and people’s gardens).
• If you’re lucky…a manatee! Be on the lookout as you can hear/see them come up for air!
• Beautiful canal homes we can all dream of owning some day.
• MORE Yachts and boats! (seriously, where do these people get their money?!)

Where to Rent Kayaks and Paddles:

To our knowledge, and as of this writing, no outdoor outfitters rent gear for this paddle route. Some popular shops in the area that may are:

• Riverwalk Activities in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
• Adventure Sports just south of downtown on US-1.

Stay tuned, maybe we’ll provide rentals for this paddle in the future?

Other Considerations:

• Safe Boating Practices! This is a high traffic boat area. Stay SAFE by hugging to the sides to allow bigger boats to pass through. Practice common sense boating!
• Check tide charts before you go! This won’t make or break the trip but it will certainly give you a hand if you time it out right!
• Keep in mind: water is rushing inland during high tide, water is rushing out to sea during low tide. Plan accordingly.
• Put your finger to the wind! Again this is not make or break, but paddling into gusty winds can certainly add some extra strain on those arms of yours.
• Bring a bucket! For what? For all the trash you might find! Plastic bottles, wrappers, and cups can be quite common, unfortunately. Do your part and clean trash you see as it’ll eventually make its way to our oceans! Related: 10 Alternatives to Single-Use Plastic.
• Download Google Maps. Just so you’re sure to stay on the right track. Keeping your map pulled up will prevent any accidental strokes in the wrong direction!

Don’t forget the necessities:

• An eco-friendly water bottle? Check.
• A dry bag for clothes, towel, and snacks? Check.
• Waterproof case for your phone so you can access the map? Check.
• Coral reef and ocean safe sunscreen? Check.

Looks like you’re ready to go! Have fun and happy kayaking!

Traveling to Fort Lauderdale?

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How was the trip?

Let us know how the trip was! What were some highlights? How many yachts did you see on the marina mile? What wildlife did you see? Any suggestions on what we should include or take out of this guide? Let us know in a comment below or contact us!