Known as the Venice of America, Miami's calmer and more elegant cousin, Fort Lauderdale is best known for its magnificent beaches covering over seven miles and winding intra-coastal waterway. Wanderers from all over the world visit this yachting capital of the world to experience some of Florida's best water activities and adventures, such as kite surfing, snorkeling, and witnessing sea turtle nesting.

This underrated American city has many iconic experiences, from gondola rides to airboat tours, making Fort Lauderdale a unique family getaway. With amazing shorelines, wonderful wave walls, sparkling turquoise water, sun-kissed white sand, and tall waving palms, it is definitely conserving a glimpse of the old Hollywood and the wild west. It can be quite hard to choose from the top beaches in Fort Lauderdale, so here are 16 best beaches in Fort Lauderdale for a memorable experience.

All accommodations suggested in this list were chosen based on a variety of factors after extensive research regarding the magnificent beaches of Fort Lauderdale. All of the recommended hotels have high Kayak ratings, excellent amenities, and a good location.

UPDATE: 2023/09/14 04:05 EST BY REENA JAIN

More Of Magnificent Beaches To Visit in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is known for its breathtaking beaches, which offer a lovely escape from the city's hectic life. This list has been updated with more stunning Fort Lauderdale beaches, including ​​​​Loggerhead Park Beach and Fort Lauderdale Beach Park.

Related: Miami Beach Vs. South Beach: Which Is Worthy Of A Vacation?

16 ​​​​Loggerhead Park Beach

Juno Beach, Fort Lauderdale
Treedfl2680CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Juno Beach close to Loggerhead Park Beach in Fort Lauderdale

One of the best beaches in Fort Lauderdale for families to visit with children is Loggerhead Park Beach, where one can spend quality time together while also educating the youngsters about Loggerhead sea turtles at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center. The beach gets its name from being a nesting ground for Loggerhead sea turtles. Dog owners can play with their pets on the beach because it is dog-friendly. There are picnic spaces as well, allowing parents to spend the day enjoying the crashing waves while children enjoy themselves on the two separate play structures or splashing in the water.

15 Fort Lauderdale Beach Park

Fort Lauderdale Beach Park Entrance
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Fort Lauderdale Beach Park Entrance, Florida

Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, with its seven-mile expanse of white sand, is ideal for couples, families, and solo travelers looking for sand, sun, and fun. From picnics to soaking up the sunset beauty to exploring the boulevard's shopping and dining opportunities to yoga, there is so much to enjoy or simply relax. The beach is dog-friendly, so pet owners can bring their furry companions. For adventure seekers, there are plenty of opportunities for water sports. So, this place has everything to make a visit full of unforgettable memories.

14 Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Fort Lauderdale
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Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is the ideal place in Fort Lauderdale for a tranquil escape from busy city life. Here, guests can take advantage of activities like kayaking through the serene lagoon, hiking through the tall trees, or relaxing at the beach. The on-site Park & Ocean restaurant offers delectable fare to satisfy foodies. Canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding will appeal to thrill-seekers, while bird watching and taking in the sunset views will be popular with nature lovers. Guided tours are available to explore the park's known as well as hidden segments.

13 Delray Beach

Delray Beach, Florida
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Aerial view of Delray Beach, Florida

With crystal-clear turquoise water, soft white sand, and incredible seascape, Delray Beach is the place to get the tan one wants, go shell-hunting or just unwind. Located around 28 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, this stunning beach has several lovely restaurants (like Wood & Fire), candy shops (like IT'SUGAR), and mini golf that can make a visit full of fun and delights for the young and young at heart. Shopaholics will find fantastic deals at the hip boutique stores on Atlantic Avenue. Additionally, its pavilion with long benches allows visitors to sit back and enjoy the bustle of the beach.

12 Deerfield Beach

Deerfield Beach, Florida
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Aerial view of Deerfield Beach, Florida

When it comes to cleanliness, tranquility, water quality, and a commitment to habitat conservation, Deerfield Beach is unquestionably among the best beaches near Fort Lauderdale. It is a wonderful location to spend time with family and children away from crowds. This beach is also a great choice for couples looking for a quiet setting to share some intimate moments. Visitors can indulge in a variety of beach activities here, including fishing and surfing, and there is a water ski park, Ski Rixen, where kids can learn water skiing, knee boarding, and wakeboarding.

11 Dania Beach

Dania Beach after Sunset, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
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Fishing Peer at Dania Beach after Sunset, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

For those who are looking for a peaceful beach trip, Dania Beach is the best beach in Fort Lauderdale. Away from Fort Lauderdale Beach's more boisterous scene, it provides a tranquil and picturesque retreat where guests can enjoy sunbathing, beachcombing, having a family picnic, or simply relaxing and taking in the incredible ocean beauty as the sun sets. Couples will enjoy taking a romantic stroll in the evening while the expansive fishing pier entices anglers to try their luck at catching their lunch. ​​​

10 Fort Lauderdale Beach

Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida
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People enjoying their time at Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida

Home to 4 miles of the cleanest, whitest sand and stunning coastline, Fort Lauderdale is a public beach and one of the most magnificent in Fort Lauderdale. People head to celebrate this beautiful gem on Florida's southeastern coast, swim in the crystal clear and shallow waters, and enjoy water activities like diving, snorkeling, and fishing. For those who want to take a break from the hot sand and experience other exciting entertainments, there is a unique place nearby featuring in-line skaters, cyclists, runners, and walkers, along with a variety of cafés and amusing and exclusive shops.

9 North Ocean Park

Pompano Beach, Florida
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Pompano Beach near Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Lying about 12 miles north of Fort Lauderdale and located in Pompano Beach, the North Ocean Park is a lesser-popular beach than the others in FL but is perfect for fishing, relaxing, and swimming in the clear water. People will spot colored kites lining the water of North Ocean Park since it is famous for wind-driven sports such as kite surfing. This pretty beach is calmer than others and ideal for enjoying a tranquil getaway away from the crowds.

Related: 10 Beautiful Hotels In Fort Lauderdale Worth Staying At

8 Lauderdale By The Sea

Lauderdale By The Sea Fishing Pier
Dennis BernhardCC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lauderdale By The Sea Fishing Pier, Florida

Charming Lauderdale by the Sea is one of the easily walkable and worth-visiting beach towns located on an island only five miles away from Fort Lauderdale. From every section of the beach, people can see the famous Anglins Fishing Pier, which offers fishing experiences, snorkeling, and a spectacular setting for a sunrise. It's also home to a low-key restaurant, the Beach Café, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Visitors usually grab dinner nearby and enjoy live music in a fun, entertaining ambiance every Friday night.

7 Hillsboro Beach

Hillsboro Beach, Florida
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Sunset over Hillsboro Beach, Florida

Located in Broward County, Hillsboro Beach is a magnificent spot situated south of Pompano Beach. Lined by the Hillsboro Lighthouse, this charming, tranquil place is perfect for vacation pictures and water adventures, such as watching nesting turtles. Near the lighthouse lies the region's most popular tourist attraction, the famous Barefoot Mailman, which is a Florida iconic symbol represented by a statue in memory of the barefoot mail carriers who walked for miles to deliver mail from Palm Beach to Miami.

6 Sebastian Street Beach

Sebastian Street Beach Fort Lauderdale
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Sebastian Street Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Located between Sebastian Street and the A1A, this unique spot features the most beautiful white sand and fancy boardwalk anyone could expect from a Fort Lauderdale beach. Named the area's "gay beach," the crowd is cool, free, fun, and exciting, and of course, open to every visitor wishing to park their beach chairs and enjoy the sun in this section. It is also easy to find equipment to rent, like chairs and umbrellas. A whole new, fun, and practical experience!

5 Palm Beach

Palm Beach, Florida
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Stunning Palm Beach, Florida

Only 45 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach is a luxurious destination, lined with insane mansions and frequented by rich and famous elites such as Kennedy, Trump, and Pulitzer. Visitors enjoy the white-colored sand and the clear and warm water and walk along the large expanse of the beach. Since it is difficult to gain access to Palm's private beaches, it is recommended to visit one of the two "public" sections of the beach at Phipps Ocean Park and Midtown.

4 Hollywood Beach

Lovely panorama of Hollywood Beach, Florida
Photo by Anibal Paradisi on Unsplash
Lovely panorama of Hollywood Beach, Florida

Voted one of the 10 best beaches in the area, Hollywood Beach offers a glitz and glam experience to its guests. This elegant, wide South Florida beach is lined with tall palms waving beautifully in the ocean breezes and features silk sand and blue sky. People pack their beach chairs and umbrellas and stay for the day. The boardwalk is where people find the most entertainment, from rollerbladers, dog walkers, runners, and stroller pushers.

3 Las Olas Beach

Las Olas Beach, Fort Lauderdale
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Las Olas Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Lining Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Beach is a busy section just off Las Olas Boulevard. This beautiful beach is close to beach resorts, restaurants, and shops. Since it can get busy during weekends and high seasons, it is recommended to arrive in the early morning. The beach has fewer high-rise buildings, which makes the experience more authentic. People have facilities at the shores like beach chairs, umbrellas, and water sports equipment rentals, which makes the overall journey very agreeable.

Related: Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale By Water: Boat Tours, Water Taxis, & River Cruises With A View

2 Hallandale Beach

Hallandale Beach, Fort Lauderdale
Image by Jesse Popover from Pixabay 
Hallandale Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Lying 13 miles south of Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach is a popular giant and colorful beach-ball-shaped water tower featuring fishing and outdoor sports, like boating, swimming, kite surfing, SUPing, and kayaking. At Hallandale Beach, one will meet pleasant and friendly people from different backgrounds. Those who are not into sports can enjoy luxurious and calm sand comforts, swim in the warm and calm water, and chill by the beach under the tall, shady trees. Also, restaurants, shops, and malls are also close by.

1 Pompano Beach

Pompano Beach Lighthouse, Fort Lauderdale
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Pompano Beach Lighthouse, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Located 10 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach is a dream vacation spot. The area features incredible views, warm and clear water, and a tranquil environment for fishing spotting sea turtles, and marine life from the shores. This spot is great for families but also perfect for couples' romantic photos. The journey to Pompano Beach wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Lucky Fish restaurant situated on the south side of the pier and overlooking spectacular views, where visitors can enjoy fresh seafood and other treats. They also offer food to go for those who’d rather enjoy lunch from their beach chair.