Fort Lauderdale Marinas and Docking Options
Slips and docking options in Fort Lauderdale range from private rental docks tucked behind waterfront homes to well-known resort marinas that can accommodate most yachts. Whether you are arriving for a day visit, planning a longer stay, or preparing for tropical cruising, the area offers a wide variety of facilities and convenient access to city attractions.
City-operated marinas offer a reliable and often more affordable alternative to private facilities. Fort Lauderdale runs multiple marinas and support services, making it straightforward to find slips, transient berths, and day mooring. One of the most popular spots is Las Olas Marina, located by the East Las Olas Bridge on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). This marina sits only a few blocks from the beach, shopping, and many oceanfront dining options, creating an ideal base for both cruising and shore-side exploration. A small mooring field south of the bridge, managed by the city, provides an additional option for visiting vessels.
Up the New River, the city operates two marinas that place you in the cultural heart of Fort Lauderdale. These locations are close to the Broward County Performing Arts Center, the Museum of Discovery and Science, the Historical Society Museum with IMAX presentations, the Las Olas Riverfront Mall and the tree-lined Las Olas Boulevard, renowned for its boutiques and restaurants. The two marinas on the New River—Cooley’s Landing and New River Downtown—offer different dock configurations. Cooley’s Landing features slips perpendicular to the shore and is noted for easier side-tie docking at slack tide; New River Downtown provides convenient access to downtown amenities and events.
In addition to designated marinas, the city maintains floating docks throughout the Arts and Entertainment District on a first-come, first-served basis. These floating docks allow boaters to tie up dinghies and, where space permits, larger craft for short stays during the day at no charge. This walk-on access makes it easy to enjoy nearby theaters, galleries, shops, and restaurants without the need to return to a marina slip.
The Miracle Mile stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway is another major boating hub in Fort Lauderdale. Along this corridor you will find a concentration of full-service marinas and yachting centers. Notable names in the area include Hall of Fame Marina, Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Pier 66 Resort and Marina, and Lauderdale Marina, among others. These destinations serve a broad range of needs—from fueling and provisioning to concierge services and yacht support—making Miracle Mile a preferred stop for many cruisers and transient boaters.
Fort Lauderdale has earned its reputation as a resort destination and a convenient jumping-off port for tropical cruising. The combination of accessible marinas, repair and maintenance services, and a lively shore-side scene means the city is not only a practical place to handle boat business but also a rewarding boating destination in its own right. Many marinas cater to transient guests and visiting yachts, and the local infrastructure supports both leisurely day trips and longer-term cruising plans.
Planning tips: when visiting, consider calling ahead to confirm berth availability and services, especially during peak boating season. Use the city-operated docks for short daytime excursions to take advantage of nearby cultural and dining options, and reserve slips at resort marinas if you require specific amenities or extended stays. For those navigating the ICW or New River, be mindful of bridge schedules, local currents, and tide conditions when approaching perpendicular slips or side-tie docks.
See related article: Venice of America (Soundings Online)
November 2012 issue