Outdoors and on the water across Broward County, from Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach and beyond, nearest first.
22 things to do · Updated September 2026
22 places in Broward County
Swimming hole · Fort Lauderdale
South Florida has no natural springs — they all sit north of Orlando. Local stand-ins: the spring-fed Venetian Pool in Coral Gables (1924 lagoon pool, $23, closed Mondays), the atoll pool at Matheson Hammock, the Snyder Park dog lake, and Peanut Island's snorkel lagoon.
Swimming hole · Fort Lauderdale
The one 'spring' on the southwest coast: 85°F mineral pool, spa vibe. Closest true spring to Fort Lauderdale.
Beach · Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
The only Broward town with a reef within easy swim (~100 yd); the SS Copenhagen wreck is a longer swim or kayak. Flat, low-wind days.
Beach · Dania Beach
Rock ledges and jetty; lobstering at night in season (permit + gauge).
Beach · Free · Deerfield Beach
Deerfield is the Broward standard and where the free lessons happen.
Beach · Pompano Beach
The local checks; small, uncrowded, learner-friendly on windswell.
Beach · Deerfield Beach
Island Water Sports runs FREE group lessons every Saturday 7–9 am at Deerfield Pier (register online, gear included). Also Ocean Magic and Blueline (Jupiter), EZride and Living Water (Broward), South Beach Surf Lessons (Miami).
Beach · Deerfield Beach
Fall is the season: Sept–Oct tropical systems send groundswell; November's first cold fronts bring 2–4 days of NE windswell each. Surfline cams at Juno Pier, Reef Road, Deerfield and South Beach; NOAA buoy 41114 (Fort Pierce) for incoming swell; the National Hurricane Center for swell-producing storms.
On the water · Pompano Beach
'Wreck capital of Florida': Lady Luck (324-ft tanker with underwater art), Captain Dan, Guy Harvey, Rodeo 25, Tenneco Towers, SS Copenhagen. South Florida Diving Headquarters (night dives, lobster trips, a Halloween dive), Pompano Dive Center, Scuba Monkey.
On the water · Fort Lauderdale
The easy one: 2-hr glass-bottom boat + snorkel trip and two-tank dives off Fort Lauderdale beach; Discover Scuba for first-timers. Walkable from Coral Ridge.
On the water · Pompano Beach
Regular season open through Mar 31; 6/person/day, 3-inch carapace, saltwater license + lobster permit. Night lobster dives out of Pompano and Boynton are a fall staple.
On the water · Fort Lauderdale
Minutes from Coral Ridge. SUP/kayak plus mini powerboats; sunset paddles past the yachts in Oct–Nov are the sweet spot. Many outfitters allow dogs on boards on request.
On the water · Fort Lauderdale
The Grove rentals, 9 am–8 pm. Calm freshwater lagoon inside the park.
On the water · Deerfield Beach
Ski Rixen (Quiet Waters Park, Deerfield — the original US cable park, Wibit aqua park), Miami Watersports Complex (Amelia Earhart Park), Shark Wake Park (Okeeheelee, WPB).
On the water · Kids · Pompano Beach
Fort Lauderdale Watersports / Splash Watersports (Pompano & FTL), Boucher Brothers (Hollywood & South Beach).
On the water · Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale Community Sailing / LYC (basic keelboat, Wednesday-night racing), Blue Water Sailing School (Bahia Mar; ASA liveaboard courses incl. Bahamas passages — Nov is prime), Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Palm Beach Sailing Club.
On the water · Deerfield Beach
Sept–Oct mullet run: snook, tarpon and sharks blitzing bait off every pier and inlet (Anglin's, Juno, Deerfield, Pompano, Dania piers, $5–7; Juno Pier allows leashed dogs). November: sailfish season opens with the first fronts — Jupiter/Palm Beach is 'Sailfish Alley.' Drift boats (Sailfish Marina, Lady Pamela II, Kelley/Reward Fleet); private half-day ~$700–1,000.
On the water · Pompano Beach
The easy way to bar-hop the Intracoastal. Dog policy conflicts between sources (site says service animals only) — call.
On the water · Fort Lauderdale
90-min narrated New River / Millionaire's Row cruise; 4-hr BBQ dinner & show cruise ~$70–80. Touristy, fun once.
On the water · Fort Lauderdale
2-hr catamaran sunset sails and snorkel-sail combos; November sunsets with cool air are the best of the year.
