Fort Lauderdale has earned its nickname, the “Venice of America,” for good reason. With miles of waterways winding through the city, enormous yachts parked alongside waterfront restaurants, beautiful homes lining the Intracoastal, and the Atlantic just beyond it all, this is a city that really should be experienced from the water.

And one of the easiest—and most fun—ways to do that is the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi.

The Water Taxi is a hop-on, hop-off boat service that operates throughout Fort Lauderdale and connects visitors with restaurants, shopping, beaches, hotels, parks, and other waterfront destinations. The boats also offer narrated sightseeing along the way, so the ride itself becomes part of the experience. (Water Taxi)

How Does the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi Work?

It’s pretty simple.

Purchase an all-day pass, head to any Water Taxi stop, and hop aboard. You can get off wherever you’d like, explore for as long as you want, and then catch another boat when you’re ready to continue.

Fort Lauderdale service currently operates seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with boats generally departing every 35–45 minutes. There’s also a live boat tracker, which I highly recommend using so you’re not standing at a dock wondering where your boat is. (Water Taxi)

And unlike a traditional taxi, you’re not paying for each individual ride. The all-day pass allows you to board as often as you like during operating hours. (Water Taxi)

What Will You See?

This is where the Water Taxi gets really good.

Instead of sitting in traffic, you’re cruising along Fort Lauderdale’s waterways, passing waterfront mansions, marinas, mega-yachts, restaurants, bridges, and some of the city’s most beautiful neighborhoods.

The Fort Lauderdale route currently includes 10 primary stops, stretching from downtown to the northern part of the city. (Water Taxi)

Some of the stops I’d pay particular attention to include:

Riverside Hotel & Stranahan House

This is a great starting point for exploring downtown Fort Lauderdale, the Riverwalk, and Las Olas.

Shops & Restaurants at Las Olas

If you’re looking for shopping, restaurants, cocktails, and people-watching, this is an easy stop to build into your day.

15th Street Fisheries

A particularly fun stop for lunch. It’s a waterfront restaurant and marina where you can enjoy a meal and even watch the tarpon and other fish around the docks.

Hilton Marina & Convention Center

This is a major transfer point and connects the Fort Lauderdale route with the Hollywood route.

Bahia Mar & Fort Lauderdale Beach

If you want to combine your Water Taxi experience with a beach day, this is one of the stops to know.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

This is a wonderful option if you’d like to escape the buildings and boats for a little while and explore one of Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful green spaces. Just remember that this particular stop closes at sunset. (Water Taxi)

Shooters Waterfront

At the northern end of the Fort Lauderdale route, Shooters is another popular waterfront restaurant—and a transfer point for continuing toward Pompano Beach. (Water Taxi)

You Can Even Take It to Hollywood

One of my favorite things about the Water Taxi system is that your day doesn’t necessarily have to stay within Fort Lauderdale.

The all-day pass includes the Hollywood route, with service between Fort Lauderdale’s Hilton Marina and Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. (Water Taxi)

So you could spend the morning exploring Fort Lauderdale, hop on the boat toward Hollywood, spend some time on the beach or Broadwalk, and then return by water.

That’s a pretty fantastic way to turn transportation into part of your vacation.

And Then There’s Pompano Beach

The Water Taxi network also extends north into Pompano Beach and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

The Pompano route has stops at places including Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Pompano Beach’s waterfront parks, the pier, restaurants, and Lighthouse Point. The route offers unlimited rides from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with its own pass. (Water Taxi)

So if you’re staying in the Fort Lauderdale area for several days, it’s worth looking at the entire system rather than thinking of the Water Taxi as just a Fort Lauderdale attraction.

Don’t Confuse It With the Free Water Trolley

There’s another boat service in Fort Lauderdale that can cause a little confusion.

The Water Trolley is a separate, free service operated by the Water Taxi on behalf of the City of Fort Lauderdale. It travels along the Riverwalk with eight downtown stops and operates from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Water Taxi)

The trolley is perfect if you’re simply exploring the downtown Riverwalk area.

The paid Water Taxi is what you’ll want if you’re looking for the larger sightseeing and hop-on, hop-off experience.

What’s It Like to Ride?

Honestly, this is the part that makes the Water Taxi worth considering even if you don’t actually need transportation.

You’re not just getting from one destination to another.

You’re sightseeing while you’re getting there.

The Water Taxi describes its service as narrated tours, and the crew provides information and recommendations along the route. The company also advertises onboard restrooms, beverages, and cocktails. (Water Taxi)

And if you’re visiting Fort Lauderdale for the first time, seeing the city from the water gives you a completely different perspective.

You’ll notice the boats first.

Then the yachts.

Then the houses.

And eventually you’ll find yourself playing the unofficial Fort Lauderdale game of:

“How much do you think THAT house costs?”

It’s surprisingly entertaining.

Is the Water Taxi Worth It?

I think it is—particularly if you’re visiting Fort Lauderdale for the first time or you enjoy exploring a destination at a slower pace.

If you’re only going to take one short ride to get from one stop to another, the value isn’t quite as compelling.

But if you make a day of it?

That’s different.

You can ride for a while, get off for lunch, walk around Las Olas, head toward the beach, grab a drink, hop back on, and simply enjoy being on the water.

You don’t have to worry about finding parking every time you want to explore somewhere new, and you don’t have to plan every minute of your day.

That’s the appeal.

My Ideal Water Taxi Day

If I were planning a day around the Water Taxi, I’d start downtown near the Riverside Hotel and spend some time exploring the Riverwalk and Las Olas.

Then I’d board the Water Taxi and simply enjoy the ride.

I’d probably get off around 15th Street Fisheries for lunch, continue toward Bahia Mar and Fort Lauderdale Beach, and spend the afternoon exploring before getting back on the boat.

If I still had energy, I’d head toward Las Olas for dinner or drinks and enjoy the waterways again as the sun started to go down.

The key is not to treat it like a checklist.

Pick a few stops and enjoy the ride.

A Few Tips Before You Go

● Check the live boat tracker before heading to your stop. (Water Taxi Tracker)

● Buy your pass ahead of time if you’re traveling on a busy day.

● Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and comfortable walking shoes.

● Don’t schedule your day down to the minute. You’re on a boat, and marine traffic and weather can affect timing.

● If you’re visiting during the hottest part of the year, bring a light layer for the air-conditioned boats.

● Check the current route and operating information before you go because schedules and fares can change.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of ways to get around Fort Lauderdale.

You can drive.

You can take an Uber.

Or you can spend the day cruising through the waterways that helped make the city famous.

For me, that’s what makes the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi so appealing. The journey is actually part of the destination.

You get to see the yachts, waterfront homes, restaurants, beaches, marinas, and neighborhoods from an entirely different perspective—and whenever something catches your eye, you can simply hop off and explore.

So if you’re visiting Fort Lauderdale, don’t just look at the water.

Get on it.

Quick Take:

If you’re visiting Fort Lauderdale, I highly recommend getting out on the water and seeing the city from a different perspective. The Water Taxi makes it easy to slow down, explore and let the journey become part of the adventure.

Forward Always, Shannon

If this is your first time here, welcome to Forward & Fernweh. Explore more travel stories, destination guides, and honest reviews, or visit my About Page to learn more about the journey behind the blog.

Fort Lauderdale has become one of our favorite beach getaways. From its laid back vibe, family friendly atmosphere, to amazing restaurants, and beautiful emerald water, it’s a destination we never get tired of visiting.

There are plenty of beautiful beach destinations in Florida, but we always find ourselves coming back to Fort Lauderdale. With its relaxed pace, family-friendly atmosphere, incredible restaurant scene, and beautiful blue water, it’s become our favorite place to unwind.

Our love for Fort Lauderdale actually started in 2019 after reconnecting with an old coworker and friend. She invited me down for a weekend, and that one invitation was all it took. From that very first trip, I was hooked on South Florida.

Every time I step off the plane at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, something changes. The warm Florida sunshine hits my face, and I instantly feel lighter, happier, and full of energy. It’s hard to explain, but it happens every single time.

Texas has sunshine too, but it feels different. In Texas, the heat can be relentless. In Fort Lauderdale, the sun feels energizing. Maybe it’s the ocean breeze, the salty air, or the sound of the waves rolling onto the beach. Whatever it is, I leave feeling refreshed instead of drained.

While Miami gets most of the attention, Fort Lauderdale is the city we choose every time. The pace is slower, traffic feels more manageable, and the atmosphere is much more relaxed. It feels welcoming for families without sacrificing great restaurants, beautiful beaches, or plenty of things to do.

One of our absolute favorite activities is riding the Water Taxi. It’s one of the best values in the city and doubles as a sightseeing cruise. You can spend the day hopping on and off while cruising through Fort Lauderdale’s scenic waterways, then head downtown before catching a ride back later in the evening. They even serve drinks onboard, making the ride just as enjoyable as the destination. I’ll share a complete guide to the Water Taxi in a future post because it deserves one of its own.

When choosing where to stay, we usually prefer the southern end of Fort Lauderdale Beach near the harbor. It’s within walking distance of several of our favorite restaurants, offers easy access to the Water Taxi, and is just a short trip to Las Olas Boulevard. Everything feels connected, so it’s easy to leave the car parked and simply enjoy the area on foot.

Florida has no shortage of beautiful beaches, and honestly, you could have a wonderful vacation at many of them. For us, though, the deciding factor is the atmosphere. Fort Lauderdale has the easygoing, laid-back vibe we’re looking for. It’s lively without feeling overwhelming, which keeps us coming back year after year.

If you’re planning your first visit, I have one recommendation: go in late May if you can. Spring Break is over, schools are still in session, and the beaches are noticeably quieter. It’s the perfect time to experience Fort Lauderdale more like a local and less like a tourist.

For us, Fort Lauderdale isn’t just another beach destination—it’s the place we look forward to returning to again and again.

Quick Take: Fort Lauderdale is family friendly, laid back, has excellent dining experiences, and beautiful scenery who would want to go anywhere else? It’s a favorite domestic destination for sure.

Forward Always, Shannon

If this is your first time here, welcome to Forward & Fernweh. Explore more travel stories, destination guides, and honest reviews, or visit my About Page to learn more about the journey behind the blog.