6 Best Places to Paddle Board in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Welcome to sunny Florida!

Have you ever wondered about the best places to paddle board in Fort Lauderdale?

If not, you should, because this coastal paradise offers top destinations for your next adventure.

Grab your paddle and join us as we uncover Fort Lauderdale’s finest paddle boarding spots. Are you in?

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Planning Your Paddle in Fort Lauderdale

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024, rental counts come from OpenStreetMap. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs stay above 59 °F right through the year, so there is no closed season. August is the warmest month, averaging 88 °F.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.
Rentals nearby: OpenStreetMap lists 2 places within 16 miles that hire out boards, kayaks or canoes: Whiskey Creek Kayak Rentals and Marina at West Lake Park Kayak Rentals. Call ahead, opening times outside the main season are short.

Where to Paddle Board in Fort Lauderdale

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Fort Lauderdale Beach Park

🏖️ ️Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Fort Lauderdale Beach Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate waves, ocean currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Sea turtles, various fish species
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Fort Lauderdale skyline, nearby beach activities
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Stay within designated swimming areas, watch for swimmers

Fort Lauderdale Beach Park is a popular and iconic spot for paddleboarding.

With its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, this location offers the ultimate oceanfront paddleboarding experience while enjoying the beautiful Fort Lauderdale skyline.

#2 Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

🏖️ ️Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Beach (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Mild ocean swells, gentle winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Tropical fish, sea turtles, dolphins
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Anglin’s Fishing Pier, beautiful coral reefs
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Stay clear of the pier and snorkelers, follow local regulations

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea offers a charming oceanfront paddleboarding experience with its colorful reefs and abundant marine life.

The picturesque town is known for its serene beaches and vibrant underwater ecosystem, providing an idyllic setting for a day on the water.

#3 Whiskey Creek Hideout

🏖️ ️Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, shallow waters
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Manatees, fish, shorebirds
🏞️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Mangroves, secluded shoreline
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Maintain distance from manatees, respect park regulations

Whiskey Creek Hideout, located within Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, offers a secluded paddleboarding experience amidst lush Florida mangroves.

The calm and shallow waters of this protected cove create a serene environment for paddlers of all levels, and it’s also popular for sighting manatees.

#4 George English Park

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: George English Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, freshwater lake
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Ducks, freshwater fish
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Fort Lauderdale skyline, park scenery
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Stay within designated areas, watch for other watercraft

George English Park offers a calm and scenic paddleboarding experience on a beautiful freshwater lake.

The park’s lush greenery and a stunning view of the Fort Lauderdale skyline make it an ideal spot for paddleboarding with friends or family.

#5 Middle River

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Colohatchee Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle currents, protected from strong winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Iguanas, fish, birds
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Scenic riverbanks, Florida wildlife
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be cautious of other watercraft, respect private properties

The Middle River flows through Fort Lauderdale and offers paddlers a peaceful, quiet, and scenic river experience.

With its lush banks and abundant wildlife, it’s a perfect location for a leisurely paddleboarding session.

#6 Dania Beach

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Dania Beach Ocean Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate waves, ocean currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Sea turtles, various fish species
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Dania Beach Pier, stunning coastline
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for swimmers, stay within designated areas

Just south of Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach is a hidden gem for paddle boarding. Its pristine shoreline and clear waters make it an ideal location for both beginners and experienced paddlers.

The beautiful beach and stunning coastline create a picture-perfect backdrop for a memorable paddleboarding adventure.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case