Outdoors and on the water within 15 miles of Fort Lauderdale — Dania Beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and North Miami Beach included — nearest first.
18 things to do · Updated September 2026
18 places within 15 mi
Swimming hole
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
The one 'spring' on the southwest coast: 85°F mineral pool, spa vibe. Closest true spring to Fort Lauderdale.
Beach
The local checks; small, uncrowded, learner-friendly on windswell.
On the water
'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
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
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
The Grove rentals, 9 am–8 pm. Calm freshwater lagoon inside the park.
On the water
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
The easy way to bar-hop the Intracoastal. Dog policy conflicts between sources (site says service animals only) — call.
On the water
90-min narrated New River / Millionaire's Row cruise; 4-hr BBQ dinner & show cruise ~$70–80. Touristy, fun once.
On the water
2-hr catamaran sunset sails and snorkel-sail combos; November sunsets with cool air are the best of the year.
Beach · Dania Beach · 4.9 mi
Rock ledges and jetty; lobstering at night in season (permit + gauge).
Beach · Lauderdale-by-the-Sea · 5.4 mi
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.
On the water · North Miami Beach · 13 mi
Mangrove trails to the Sandspur Island sandbar; Friday sunset paddles, monthly full-moon tours, Sunday SUP yoga.
Beach · Free · Deerfield Beach · 14 mi
Deerfield is the Broward standard and where the free lessons happen.
On the water · Deerfield Beach · 14 mi
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).
Beach · Free · Boca Raton · 17 mi
Artificial reef 20–50 yd out in 2–12 ft — the easiest beginner snorkel. Park free at Gumbo Limbo.
Beach · Miami Beach · 23 mi
Fires only on strong N-NE swell after fronts, but it's a scene when it does.
On the water · Miami Beach · 23 mi
Private boats to Nixon Sandbar / Stiltsville; Getmyboat lists pet-friendly rentals.
On the water · Delray Beach · 24 mi
2-hr Intracoastal sightseeing and sunset cruises.
On the water · Miami · 25 mi
Underwater 'Atlantis' cemetery-reef in 40 ft via Tarpoon Lagoon or Divers Paradise (Crandon Marina; also shallow snorkel trips).
On the water · Miami · 25 mi
90-min Star Island / Millionaire's Row bay cruise.
On the water · Miami · 25 mi
Fast ferry ~2 hr each way, roughly Wed/Fri/Sun; passport required. Snorkel the Sapona wreck and Radio Beach. Book November for the smoothest crossings.
Beach · Boynton Beach · 28 mi
Mellow sandbars north of the pier; Boynton's south jetty is a classic.
On the water · Kids · Boynton Beach · 28 mi
Splashdown Divers / Loggerhead — 40–60 ft drift with the county's most turtles; snorkelers ride the same boat.
On the water · Boynton Beach · 28 mi
Marsh loop with gators; mangrove islands with manatees and rays.
On the water · Coral Gables · 29 mi
Miami Kiteboarding (IKO; $200/hr private, 3-hr $650) and Miami Kiting. Season starts with November's fronts (steady 15–25 kt); Sept–Oct are for light-wind lessons and foiling. Adventure Sports USA teaches on Pompano/Hillsboro beaches — closest to home.
On the water · Coconut Grove · 29 mi
Reef snorkel $115; sail-paddle-snorkel $209; Boca Chita lighthouse cruise $83; Stiltsville tour $70; evening bay cruise $65 from Nov. The best-value way to see the park.