steppingstonemomma Posted December 12, 2017 #1 Share Posted December 12, 2017 My family (2 adults, 7 kids ages 10-20) will be in FtLaud. for a day before we leave for our cruise Jan 8th. Can anyone recommend a fun activity to do? We will have our own snorkling gear. Is there anywhere we can snorkle for free in FtL? Any other recommendation? First time in FL for us! Tiffany Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted December 12, 2017 #2 Share Posted December 12, 2017 A little reading around the board would find many threads on the Water taxi...certainly a fun thing to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohninDC Posted December 12, 2017 #3 Share Posted December 12, 2017 www.sunny.org has lots of FLL area tourist info. There's always the beach to keep everyone entertained :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brunello22 Posted December 12, 2017 #4 Share Posted December 12, 2017 The best snorkeling in the Fort Lauderdale area is in Lauderdale by the Sea. There is a snorkel trail in addition to the SS Copenhagen wreck. We have taken our paddle boards out there in flat conditions, and when it was clear, we have seen some beautiful fish, sting rays, and turtles. Here is more information: http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/muni/snorkel.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BNBR Posted December 12, 2017 #5 Share Posted December 12, 2017 Lauderdale by the Sea is definitely the best for snorkeling off the beach. It's famous. Fort Lauderdale, in general, has outstanding shore diving. If you do snorkel off the beach, you MUST have a dive flag. Pick up an inflatable one on Amazon and make sure you have the string for it, too! The reef snorkeling is basically just south of the pier - 50 or 100 yards, about 3/4 of the way to the end of the pier. You also have the snorkel trail: http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/muni/snorkel.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueHerons Posted December 12, 2017 #6 Share Posted December 12, 2017 The best snorkeling in the Fort Lauderdale area is in Lauderdale by the Sea. There is a snorkel trail in addition to the SS Copenhagen wreck. We have taken our paddle boards out there in flat conditions, and when it was clear, we have seen some beautiful fish, sting rays, and turtles. Here is more information: http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/muni/snorkel.htm This. However the water may be a bit chilly in January. Check into renting at least a couple of shorties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_BJ Posted December 12, 2017 #7 Share Posted December 12, 2017 Will you have a car? As mentioned, In Jan the water can be quite cool - for we Floridians anyway - and especially off shore but if you can make your way a few miles north there is a fantastic snorkeling site (esp for folks who have not done a lot of snorkeling) at Lake Worth Inlet .... Phil Foster Park - Park 900 Blue Heron Blvd Riviera Beach, FL {BH .. how do you not know this place?????} A 14.7-acre beach park featuring an underwater snorkeling trail, fishing areas & a playground. This is actually on the ICW (Inter Coastal Waterway) so 'protected waters and [potentially] warmer. "UNDERWATER SNORKELING TRAIL The Blue Heron Bridge area is internationally recognized by scientists, scuba divers, underwater photographers, and snorkelers for its abundance of unique marine life. Squid, octopus, spotted rays, and starfish are regularly seen. A snorkel trail made of limestone boulders and prefabricated reef modules spans a two-acre area in 6 to 10 feet of water. 600 tons of rock were used to build this artificial reef!" http://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Locations/Phil-Foster.aspx#philfostersnorkeling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueHerons Posted December 12, 2017 #8 Share Posted December 12, 2017 Will you have a car? As mentioned, In Jan the water can be quite cool - for we Floridians anyway - and especially off shore but if you can make your way a few miles north there is a fantastic snorkeling site (esp for folks who have not done a lot of snorkeling) at Lake Worth Inlet .... Phil Foster Park - Park 900 Blue Heron Blvd Riviera Beach, FL {BH .. how do you not know this place?????} A 14.7-acre beach park featuring an underwater snorkeling trail, fishing areas & a playground. This is actually on the ICW (Inter Coastal Waterway) so 'protected waters and [potentially] warmer. "UNDERWATER SNORKELING TRAIL The Blue Heron Bridge area is internationally recognized by scientists, scuba divers, underwater photographers, and snorkelers for its abundance of unique marine life. Squid, octopus, spotted rays, and starfish are regularly seen. A snorkel trail made of limestone boulders and prefabricated reef modules spans a two-acre area in 6 to 10 feet of water. 600 tons of rock were used to build this artificial reef!" http://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Locations/Phil-Foster.aspx#philfostersnorkeling Are you talking about Peanut Island? It's been a few years since I snorkeled there. Totally love going to Singer Island and having lunch at Sailfish Marina! This time of year is an excellent time to see the Manatees at Riviera Beach at FP&L! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capriccio Posted December 12, 2017 #9 Share Posted December 12, 2017 Will you have a car? As mentioned, In Jan the water can be quite cool - for we Floridians anyway - and especially off shore but if you can make your way a few miles north there is a fantastic snorkeling site (esp for folks who have not done a lot of snorkeling) at Lake Worth Inlet .... Phil Foster Park - Park 900 Blue Heron Blvd Riviera Beach, FL {BH .. how do you not know this place?????} A 14.7-acre beach park featuring an underwater snorkeling trail, fishing areas & a playground. This is actually on the ICW (Inter Coastal Waterway) so 'protected waters and [potentially] warmer. "UNDERWATER SNORKELING TRAIL The Blue Heron Bridge area is internationally recognized by scientists, scuba divers, underwater photographers, and snorkelers for its abundance of unique marine life. Squid, octopus, spotted rays, and starfish are regularly seen. A snorkel trail made of limestone boulders and prefabricated reef modules spans a two-acre area in 6 to 10 feet of water. 600 tons of rock were used to build this artificial reef!" http://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Locations/Phil-Foster.aspx#philfostersnorkeling OP - if you take up this suggestion, make sure you stop en route of on your return at the Manatee Lagoon (http://www.visitmanateelagoon.com/) which is just 5 minutes south of the Park. January is usually a great month to see the manatees. Kids and adults love it. Added - I see that BlueHerons and I made the same recommendation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesr3939 Posted December 13, 2017 #10 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Don't forget the Water Taxi. It's a fun way to see the inter coastal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BNBR Posted December 13, 2017 #11 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Are you talking about Peanut Island? It's been a few years since I snorkeled there. Totally love going to Singer Island and having lunch at Sailfish Marina! This time of year is an excellent time to see the Manatees at Riviera Beach at FP&L! Not Peanut. Phil Foster. It's just kind of funny you aren't familiar with it considering it's the main attraction off the Blue Heron bridge :) I personally wouldn't recommend it to someone in the FLL area because it's a pretty long drive if someone is just wanting to snorkel for the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajathree Posted December 13, 2017 #12 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Another option to the water taxi would be the Carrie B (out of downtown) or Jungle Queen ( Bahia Mar marina). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DISFANS3 Posted December 14, 2017 #13 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Water taxi fun times.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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