? for FLL locals - where can we watch ships sail away?

[kcparrothead]

We will be in Ft. Lauderdale on a Sunday in August and would like to watch the ships sail out of the port. We know we want to go to the spot at the end of the beach where others gather, but where could we park? Thanks in advance!!

[Corby114]

John U Lloyd State Park is located just south of Port Everglades. You can acess the park by taking US Highway 1 (Federal Highway) south past the Hollywood/ Fort Lauderdale International Airport to Dania Beach Boulevard. The entrance to the park is just north of Dania Beach Blvd. Travel to the north end of the park and walk towards the jetty. You can't get closer than that. Last August parking was six dollars per car. The beach is nice if you plan on taking a dip.

[kcparrothead]

Thank you! We were wanting to watch them from the north side, but this is a good Plan B. :)

[Oviedo32765]

Thank you! We were wanting to watch them from the north side, but this is a good Plan B. :)

 

Click HERE for a map of the port area.

 

You can see the channel that leads out to open waters. You can get there by using SE 17th Street / 1A. I understand public parking may be a problem, so get there early and be prepared to walk a bit back to the beach that is just North of the channel.

 

You can zoom in and out of the map and move it around too.

 

Hope this helps.

[DanJ]

I think the closest public parking is up by the Sheraton hotel, which would mean something like a mile or more walk down the beach to the channel. There is public transit that goes into that neighbourhood which would mean a couple blocks walk to the beach through the condos south of the Lago Mar. Being the summer, there aren't a lot of ships coming and going, and I wouldn't be surprised that the Allure is the only ship in port that day, unless you also want to see cargo ships which can be coming and going at any time of day. You'll have to decide how much it's worth to you to see possibly only one cruise ship from the channel.

[cuted126]

John U Lloyd State Park is located just south of Port Everglades. You can acess the park by taking US Highway 1 (Federal Highway) south past the Hollywood/ Fort Lauderdale International Airport to Dania Beach Boulevard. The entrance to the park is just north of Dania Beach Blvd. Travel to the north end of the park and walk towards the jetty. You can't get closer than that. Last August parking was six dollars per car. The beach is nice if you plan on taking a dip.

 

 

Yes,that's what we did and it was great! Here are some pics I took of the Oasis

 

 

 

[ragtiki2004]

Wow, those are some great pics! You got up very close! Good job. Bob:)

[kcparrothead]

Well, it looks like we might go south of the port, then. Your pics and the beach look good! In addition to the Allure, the Freedom will also be leaving that day. We were on her last month and will be on her again in January so it will be fun to watch her sail away in person, rather than on the Port Everglades web-cam! :) Side note: we contacted the P.E. web-cam with a wave request prior to our cruise and they "filmed" us waving! That was very cool to watch!