Fort Lauderdale, nicknamed the Venice of America, is known for its stunning beaches. Located along the Florida coast, Fort Lauderdale is famous for its delicious, terrific nightlife along the waterfront, and it is also considered the yachting capital of the world. Once only a popular tourism area, Fort Lauderdale has become more than a destination in recent years. The area boasts a booming economy fueled by both tourists and locals, and plenty of businesses are making their home in this area of Florida, meaning more job opportunities than ever outside of the tourism industry. Fort Lauderdale houses for sale and apartments for rent are popping up left and right as this area continues to grow and thrive.
If you’re planting your roots in Fort Lauderdale or simply visiting for a fun week of aquatic fun, one activity you must try is snorkeling. There’s no better area in the US than Fort Lauderdale, which boasts some of the clearest water full of incredible underwater scenery. Here are some of the best beaches for snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is quite possibly the best place to snorkel in all of Florida, if not the world. The coral reefs are only 100 yards off the beach, much less than other popular snorkeling spots in Florida such as the Keys, where the reefs are over five miles off-shore. The most popular spot to snorkel is Anglin’s Pier Reef, easily accessible from the Datura Avenue beach entrance. Here, you’ll spot some incredible species such as the peacock flounder, the spotted goatfish, and even a potential nurse shark. Even though nurse sharks are not aggressive animals, be sure to take caution during your exploration.
SS Copenhagen
Right in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, you’ll also find the SS Copenhagen, one of the few shipwrecks in Fort Lauderdale that was NOT sunk for snorkeling purposes. The SS Copenhagen is a British shipwreck and Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserve which sank in May of 1900. The ship was visible above the surface of the water for years, until WWII, when it was destroyed. Today, visitors from all over the world come to see the wreck first-hand. Perfect for snorkelers of all skill levels, the SS Copenhagen is a must-see when exploring the ocean around Florida.
Vista Park Reef
Vista Park Reef is perfect for snorkelers who fall somewhere in the middle when it comes to skill level. The area is just a short swim from shore and is completely self-guided. This is the perfect place to explore unique marine life in a not-so-busy area. While Vista Park Reef is popular with locals, it’s not a huge tourist destination, meaning you won’t have to fight off big crowds as you make your way through the water.
Hollywood Beach
One of the deepest sites in the area, Hollywood Beach is a terrific location for advanced and expert snorkelers looking to explore some of the coolest wreck dives in Florida. Here, you’ll find Tenneco Towers, one of the most popular snorkeling areas in Fort Lauderdale, an artificial reef created by five oil platforms. This is not a site for beginners, so take caution and be sure to equip yourself with the right gear and come prepared with a dive flag, as you should with any snorkeling area.
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