Top Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale — 2026
The Venice of America — sun-soaked canals and Atlantic breezes
Get a Free Quote for Fort LauderdaleFort Lauderdale Boat & Water Cruises
Fort Lauderdale calls itself the Venice of America — more than 300 miles of navigable canals and waterways behind the beach — and the best way to see it is from the water. Sightseeing cruises run the New River and the Intracoastal past Millionaire's Row, where the mega-yachts and waterfront mansions line the channel, and out along Las Olas Isles, with the history of the city and its yachting scene narrated as you go. The lineup runs from relaxed narrated riverboat and water-taxi cruises to faster speedboat and private-charter runs, and jet-ski and dolphin trips for the more active. Most cruises run several times a day; the late-afternoon departures catch the light on the water best, and weekends book up first.
Guided tour slot
Duration · Pricing from FareHarbor
Guided tour slot
Duration · Pricing from FareHarbor
Guided tour slot
Duration · Pricing from FareHarbor
Fort Lauderdale Snorkeling & Diving Tours
The reef starts close to shore here — Fort Lauderdale sits on a three-tiered coral reef system that runs just off the beach, some of it shallow enough to reach on a short boat ride or even from the sand. Guided snorkeling trips run out to the inner reef and its wrecks, where the warm, clear water and the marine life make for easy, rewarding snorkeling for first-timers and families, and dive operators run the deeper ledges and the artificial reefs offshore. Half-day trips are the standard, gear included. Morning trips usually have the calmest water and the best visibility, and it's worth checking recent conditions before you book.
Guided tour slot
Duration · Pricing from FareHarbor
Guided tour slot
Duration · Pricing from FareHarbor
Fort Lauderdale Food & Wine Tours
Fort Lauderdale's dining has grown up well past the beach-bar cliche, and a guided food tour is the fastest way into it — most walk the Las Olas Boulevard and downtown scene, pacing tastings on foot across a handful of kitchens with the neighborhood's history filled in between stops. The mix leans coastal and international, from fresh Florida seafood to Latin and Caribbean cooking. Wine-tasting tours round out the drink side for a more relaxed afternoon. Tours are small-group and best booked ahead on weekends; most run midday or early evening.
Guided tour slot
Duration · Pricing from FareHarbor
Guided tour slot
Duration · Pricing from FareHarbor
Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale
Beyond the guided tours, Fort Lauderdale packs the Venice of America canals and their mega-yacht cruises, a coral reef that starts close to shore, a wide beach and the walkable Las Olas dining scene, and the Everglades a short drive west into one easygoing coastal city. Here is how to make the most of a trip — from the water and the reef to Las Olas and the day trips.
On the Water
The water is the whole point in Fort Lauderdale — the Venice of America, with 300-plus miles of canals behind the beach. A sightseeing cruise up the New River and the Intracoastal past Millionaire's Row and Las Olas is the signature outing, on anything from a narrated riverboat or water taxi to a fast speedboat charter. Offshore, the coral reef starts close to the beach for easy snorkeling and diving, and jet-ski and dolphin trips round out the active side.
Everglades Day Trips
The Everglades are the big day trip from Fort Lauderdale — guided airboat tours run out to the sawgrass and the alligators at the parks west of the city, usually as a half-day with hotel transport. Note the largest airboat operators sit farther west and south toward Everglades City and Miami, so a trip with transportation included is the easy way to do it. Miami itself is a short drive south and makes its own full-day trip.
The Beach, Las Olas & After Dark
Back on land, the wide Fort Lauderdale Beach and its promenade are the draw by day, and Las Olas Boulevard is the walkable heart of downtown for dining, galleries, and a food or wine tour. After dark, ghost and history walks work the older downtown, and for a different angle, helicopter tours run short flights over the beach, the yachts, and the coastline.
Best Time to Visit
Winter and spring (December–April) are peak — warm, dry, and the calmest, clearest water for the reef and the cruises, but the busiest. Late spring and early summer are quieter with good water before the summer heat and afternoon storms set in. Fall is hurricane season and the quietest. Boat cruises and snorkeling run year-round but are best on the calmer mornings, and high-season weekends book up ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best tour to do in Fort Lauderdale?
For most visitors it's a sightseeing boat cruise — Fort Lauderdale is the Venice of America, and a narrated cruise up the New River and the Intracoastal past Millionaire's Row and the Las Olas mansions is the signature way to see it. Close behind is a snorkeling trip, since the coral reef starts close to shore and is easy for first-timers. If you'd rather stay on land, a Las Olas food tour is the best way into the downtown dining scene, and the Everglades make an easy airboat day trip west of the city.
What is a Millionaire's Row or Venice of America cruise?
It's the classic Fort Lauderdale sightseeing cruise. The city has more than 300 miles of navigable canals behind the beach, and the tour runs the New River and the Intracoastal Waterway past 'Millionaire's Row' — the stretch lined with mega-yachts and waterfront mansions — and around the Las Olas Isles, with the history of the city and its yachting scene narrated along the way. It runs from relaxed riverboat and water-taxi cruises to faster speedboat runs, several times a day, and the late-afternoon departures catch the best light.
Can I snorkel or dive in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes — this is one of the easiest places in Florida to reach a reef. Fort Lauderdale sits on a three-tiered coral reef system that runs just off the beach, with the inner reef shallow enough for a short boat trip or even a swim from shore. Guided snorkeling trips run out to the reef and its wrecks with gear included, and dive operators work the deeper ledges and artificial reefs offshore. Half-day trips are standard, and the calmer morning water usually has the best visibility.
Can I do an Everglades airboat trip from Fort Lauderdale?
Yes — the Everglades are the main day trip from the city. Guided airboat tours run out to the sawgrass and the alligators at the parks west of Fort Lauderdale, usually as a half-day with hotel transport. The largest airboat operators actually sit farther west and south toward Everglades City and Miami, so the simplest way to do it is a tour that includes transportation. It pairs naturally with the water cruises and beach that Fort Lauderdale itself is known for.
Planning a Group Trip to Fort Lauderdale?
Custom private tours for groups of any size. Tell us what you need and we'll build the perfect itinerary.
Request a Private Tour Quote