Four days built around diving the reef, kayaking the intercoastal mangroves, day trip to Miami, and the NSB art scene.
Get in, drop bags, and get on the water taxi before dinner. The intercoastal is best understood from the water.
Asian-American dinner spot in Flagler Village — the lamb ramen and steamed buns are the move. Low-lit, small, good cocktail list. Wilton Manors next door for after-dinner drinks if you want a livelier scene.
Free (or $1.50) trolley runs along Broward Blvd connecting downtown to the beach. Runs 11 AM–10 PM most days. The Las Olas connector runs east-west. Not a substitute for a car but useful for beach access without parking.
The closest thing Fort Lauderdale has to a boutique city hotel — rooftop bar with city views, design-forward rooms, and a good restaurant. Downtown location, 10 minutes from the beach. Rates $150–250/night.
Early wakeup for the 8 AM dive boat. Two-tank dive is finished by noon. Afternoon at the beach — salt water, nap, repeat.
The Fort Lauderdale reef system runs parallel to the beach 1–3 miles offshore. Visibility is typically 30–60 feet. Divers Direct and Force E both run morning two-tank boat dives. ~$90–120/person with gear. Wreck diving on the artificial reef sites is excellent.
This 180-acre state park sits between A1A and the intercoastal — a rare chunk of natural hammock forest in the middle of the city. $6 entry, worth it just to walk the trail and forget you're in a beach resort town.
Rent a kayak at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park and paddle into the mangrove tunnel system that connects to the intercoastal. The tunnels block out noise and light — you'll see blue crabs, tarpon, and shorebirds. ~$20/hour.
The drive to Miami is 35 minutes with no traffic. Wynwood Walls are free to walk through; the galleries charge separately. The Design District is for looking unless you're buying Hermès. Lunch at KYU Wynwood — Asian-inspired wood-fire grill. Book it.
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