If you happen to berth at the City of Fort Lauderdale Las Olas piers, or stay at one of the other nearby private marinas such as Bahia Mar or Hall Of Fame Marina, be sure NOT to walk your dog on nearby Beach Avenue! Read on.

Can’t say that I enjoyed my stay in Lauderdale last time I visited. I stayed on my 40 foot boat at the City Marina right near the beach, and took my three dogs walking on the main drag along the sand. I saw the signs banning dogs from the beach, so I kept them on the sidewalk. About 3/4 of the way through the walk, a cop stopped me, demanded to see ID, and told me that I was violating the dog walk ordinance since the beach included the street and sidewalks. I asked him how I was supposed to know that, and he gave me the ignorance is no excuse lecture.
I wouldn’t have minded if he politely asked me to move over a couple of streets, but the cop held me up for 15 minutes as he did a record check, and thorough interrogation. FYI, I looked like a clean-cut, educated 40 y/o who gave him no lip or attitude.
When he finally finished with me, I abandoned plans to find a restaurant and do some shopping, returned to the boat, and made plans to continue north the next day. I spent nothing during my stay aside from marina rates for one night’s berthing.
Amazing difference between Lauderdale and most other places along my trip.
On the plus side, when I came through the next time, I anchored for a week in Lake Sylvia, and had no problem from neighbors, cops, Natural resource officers or other boaters. Kept a low profile, and had a nicely maintained boat. Must depend on how many dirt dwellers complain to the city as to whether you get bothered or not.
Bob Martinson

I know, I know, we cruisers have plenty of grudges we could hold against Fort Lauderdale’s sometimes lack of hospitality to anchoring cruisers, however…

Water Taxi "tour" and transportation around Ft. Lauderdale

You could have a really good visit here at one of the local marinas. Some years ago, we stayed at Bahia Mar, partly because it figured so prominently in John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee novels… however, it is seriously pricey and after its recent renovation, does not seem to offer any recession appeal. This season, we briefly flirted with Bahia Mar but left it to the mega-yachts for whom the dockage is probably the equivalent of a tip to the fellow who fills their fuel tanks and returned to the more gently priced and very affable Hall of Fame Marina next door.
Hall of Fame marina is as good as we remembered it, clean, efficient and with friendly staff. The location is excellent — a variety of restaurants and the beach are an easy walk. The heads and showers are clean, but alas, during the brutal winter of 2009/2010 they were not heated — not something usually a concern for Florida cruising. The Hall of Fame Marina is adjacent to the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex. If there are no swim meets going on, the Hall of Fame marina will give you free passes to swim there. So far, we’ve only managed to show up during swim meet times (we are two for two on this), but have enjoyed the sound effects of the swim meets and the excitement of the college students competing there.
Also in the Aquatic complex is the Museum of Swimming at the International Swimming Hall of Fame. If you have any interest in the sport, this would make a worthy visit. Monitors show memorable moments of Mark Spitz going for and getting the gold medal in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City and include his commentary on his strategy for those races — I’m not a sports-focused person, so the strategies he employed were news to me.
We did walk over to Las Olas City Marina, about a fifteen minute walk from Hall of Fame Marina and check it out. It looks good and the rates are competitive with Hall of Fame, except, Boat US members get an impressive 25% off for up to 3 consecutive days and for up to 6 days per calendar year. While you are closer to a water taxi here, it is a much longer, perhaps even deterring, walk to restaurants and the beach.

Dining a short walk away.
Luckily for us, a professional captain and his partner were aboard the mega-yacht beside us and, in addition to offering us extra heaters (this was early January) gave us better dining advice than we were getting from our iPhone Urban Spoon app. They steered us away from our planned restaurant and recommended Coconuts next door to the marina. For the exercise (and I admit, to see for ourselves,) we walked to the sports bar where we were hoping to get a good fish sandwich, took one look at the seedy crowd and a whiff of the cigarettes and walked back to Coconuts where outside the entrance door a chef was cooking up a fantastic looking paella on an open fire.
The Captain and partner happened to be sitting at the table adjacent to ours and we followed their good advice to share an order of the paella (plenty and delicious!) and to take advantage of the Monday and Tuesday night half price on any bottle of wine. The paella is a special that was initially supposed to be a once a week or once in a while thing, but customer enthusiasm has made it a several nights a week special. They do sell out — and for good reason — so call ahead and come early if you want some.
Other dining advice from the Captain, who is of Greek heritage, is Greek Express, a Greek diner by the beach, also only a short walk from the Hall of Fame Marina. We had excellent falafel and souvlaki there for lunch one afternoon. The place doesn’t look like much, but the food really is good.
One more suggestion — if you like bratwurst, the Biergarten is on the way to the beach. Good, inexpensive and can hit the spot if it’s your thing.

Getting around without a car.

Sneak peek at the Museum of Swimming at the International Swimming Hall of Fame

Friday through Sunday, there is a low-cost and sometimes free trolley that can get you to many places in Lauderdale, including the Publix supermarket. The website http://suntrolley.com says it’s daily, but when we were there, we were told it’s only Friday through Sunday. We were not there on the weekend, so we cannot confirm this.
We can confirm the Water Taxi, however. From Hall of Fame Marina, two stops are equidistant. One at Las Olas and one near Bahia Mar in the other direction. The water taxi runs daily and at $15 per adult ($11 for Seniors and children and a less expensive evening only rate) we think it’s pricey unless you plan to use it for a whole day’s touring. The driver generally gives entertaining schtick about the houses and megayachts you pass and local lore — my favorite is that we’re not supposed to know which yacht belongs to Mayor Bloomberg of NYC. You can think of it as an entertaining guided tour of Lauderdale that happens to get you to somewhere you’d like to go…
We managed to get to West Marine by getting out at water taxi stop number 7 via the water taxi. It was a little more walking than we wanted but we got there and snagged a good lunch on our way back to the water taxi stop. We also stumbled upon the International Market & Wine Depot where we did a little provisioning. Proprietor Robert Pastura said he is happy to bring orders or purchases to your boat at Bahia Mar, Hall of Fame Marina and Las Olas City Marina as it’s on the way home for, if I’m remembering correctly, his sister. They have a good selection of nuts, grains, meat, cheeses, wine, etc. Their address is 1428 S. #. 17th Street and the phone number is (954) 523-1400.
Jane Tigar

For the latest information on the Fort Lauderdale Sun Trolley go to /fort-lauderdales-sun-trolley-captain-jane-reports/
Jane Tigar

As usual, Captain Jane, our fearless roving reporter, has done a wonderful job! This time, she lays bare all the mysteries surrounding Fort Lauderdale’s “Sun Trolley.” This city service can be a real boon for crusiers, particulary if you are docked at the Las Olas city marina. However, to take advantage of this service, you will need the keys to the kingdom described so ably below!

Sun Trolley approaching the Hall of Fame Marina stop

Now we know why all the information we got from marinas, hotels and the Internet was conflicting about the still wonderful but sadly diminished Sun Trolley system in Fort Lauderdale. Even the guy at the Fort Lauderdale Welcome wagon, in his trolley-like hut, didn’t have it exactly right.
So here is the scoop direct from the mouths of two trolley drivers, one of whom tore down the out of date sign as we began asking about the daily schedule and free Fridays it heralded.
Yes, the Sun Trolley exists and we rode the one you see to the right to a huge shopping center with just about anything you could need for provisioning, starting with a huge Publix supermarket.
The trolley seems to run every half hour. The return trolley stop at the shopping center is at Publix.

Myth: The Sun Trolley is free on Friday.
Fact: Every ride costs 50 cents; you can pay for two with a paper dollar and conserve those laundry machine quarters. There are no free days any more.

Myth: The Sun Trolley runs every day.
Fact: The Sun Trolley runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. 10 AM to 10 PM for the 17th street bridge route that goes from near the Las Olas Marina across the 17th Street Bridge to the shopping center with the Publix.
Fridays, the Las Olas route to downtown theaters, restaurants, the art museum: 6 PM to midnight. Saturday and Sunday the Las Olas route is 10
AM to midnight.

Myth: you can hail the trolley anywhere by waving.
Fact: The driver said if she happens to see you and you wave, she will stop. However, she promises to stop if you wave and are at a bus stop.
The bus stops are along A1A and Seabreeze Boulevard. For example, there is a stop at the Hall of Fame Marina, right in front of the Aquatic Center.

Fact without a Myth: This is a fantastic public service. Please take advantage of it — it’s a use it or lose it kind of amenity and we saw signs for public meetings in February and March to discuss how to keep the Sun Trolley viable.
Jane Tigar
S/V Lady Jane

Fact: The Sun Trolley IS free on Friday. We rode to Publix on a Friday and the driver told us every Friday is free.
Doug

Sun Trolley is 50 cents on both the A1A and Las Olas routes every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Passengers are a mix of residents and visitors to Fort Lauderdale Beach. The agency plans to expand the A1A route from Harbor Shops to the Galleria Mall on Sunrise Blvd. by October 1, 2010. Sun Trolley is the community bus service for the City of Fort Lauderdale and is managed by the Downtown Fort Lauderdale TMA, a nonprofit agency incorporated in 1992.
Patricia, submitted 9/9/2010

The glowing recommendation below comes from Captain Milt Baker, founder and former owner of Bluewater Books and Charts in Fort Lauderdale, and, I might add, good friend of yours truly and mariner extraordinnaire! Thanks Milt!

Contact Bruce Melius, in my experience the best small engine diesel mechanic in Florida. He’s based in Fort Lauderdale and he’s been my mechanic for about 25 years and four different yachts. He is thorough, methodical, professional, and extremely reliable. He has his own shop and all the tools one would ever need. Only problem is he’s a one-man shop and sometimes has trouble fitting you into his schedule. Still, Bruce is well worth waiting for and he knows Lehmans, Cats, Cummins, and Luggers like the back of his hand.
Call him at (mobile) 954-646-0283 or (office) 954-565-9143.
Milt Baker

Marina Bay Resort is located well upstream on New River, above the downtown Fort Lauderdale municipal facilities. It has been around for many years, as I remember reviewing it in the late 1980’s. From Captain Bevely’s description below, it sounds like this facility is more desirable than ever!

We have been to this marina many times over the years, even with a sailboat with a 53 foot mast, and have always been pleased, even as it was going through its transition from old, to what is now a new, first class facility. It is like being at a country club, with a beautiful pool, hot tub area, exercise room, internet room, movie room, lounge with coffee always available, monthly parties, and new floating docks. Staff is friendly, and the location, at the intersection of 95 and 84, couldn’t be more convenient. Downside is the exhaust particles from the traffic and nearby airport that coat the boat, as in most big cities, and the long passage up the New River, which is fine for longer stays, but not for a night or two. We usually rent a car, and we are minutes away from all the marine places of business, restaurants, Costco, everything you could possibly need. Highly recommend this place.
Beverly Feiges

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Marina Bay Resort

Cooleys Landing is one of the city of Fort Laudedale’s fine marina. It is the most upstream of the municipal marinas on New River. As Captain Ellis notes below, there is tons of good dining and shopping within easy walking distance. In short, this is a superior city marina in every way!

Cooley’s Landing Marina on the New River in Ft. Lauderdale rates a ten as a place to stop. Megayachts with a tug at the bow and another at the stern pass by regularly. The downtown and the riverwalk area are all within walking distance. There is a multiplex theater nearby, and there is an Imax theater even closer. Further, the Imax shows first run pictures. There is no better way to see a movie. There is a Publix nearby, as well as drug store, etc.
Ellis Simon

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Cooleys Landing Marina

Both the city of Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Marina, and the city anchorage lie just south of the Las Olas Bridge. I have always liked this marina, but I’m sorry to hear that their Wi-Fi has not been repaired. That service is almost mandatory these days!

Subject: Las Olas anchorage/marina
Cruising News: 2 comments regarding above facility. As of my visit to the marina last year wi-fi had not been repaired from hurricane damage, and the anchorage/buoys are at the SW corner of the bridge, not SE
Colin Brewer

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Las Olas City Marina

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Fort Lauderdale City Anchorage

Another good report from Admiral Laura! I spent more than a few days during my early years hanging around the downtown Fort Lauderdale New River docks. But, then again, Fort Lauderdale was a pleasant “village” in those days. Oh, how times have changed!

The Las Olas mooring field in Ft. Lauderdale offers no free nights but the showers, laundry room, etc., is available with your mooring fee for $30. We were there one night then went to the wall on the New River for 3 weeks! The guys are wonderful and so accommodating~~Matt, the harbormaster, Kevin, and Joe, in particular. It was a cocophany of sounds and sights with a constant parade of people on one side and boats on the other. We were across the river from the jail—right in the middle of downtown and a couple miles to the beach. Everything we needed’”Sailorman, West Marine, Boat Owner’s Warehouse, was within bike riding distance. We were also walking distance to the Broward Performing Arts Center (which we took advantage of one evening) and museum and discovery center. For your next guide’”a tiny little convenience store, My Market, has the most incredible subs we’ve ever tasted!!! It’s on 17th, just a block or two across the tracks. They also have salads, etc., for take-out.
Thanks for all your help.
Laura Bender
Kindred Spirit III

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Fort Lauderdale’s Municipal New River Docks

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For City of Fort Laudredale Anchorage/Mooring Field

Cooleys Landing is one of three marinas run by the city of Fort Lauderdale, It is located well upstream on New River, near the heart of the downtown section. From my own observations, it is a superior marina in every way!

We stayed at Cooley¹s Landing on the New River in Ft Lauderdale. It¹s clean, secure, has a nice laundry room and it is relatively close to a large Publix for stocking up. The price is $1.25 per foot so reasonable in Ft Lauderdale. If you come, fuel up before you leave the Keys as fuel is more expensive here. We paid $3.06 for diesel at Lauderdale Marina.
Jim & Lisa Favors – Kismet

Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Cooleys Landing Marina