12 Boat Tours in Fort Lauderdale Worth Booking

1.Water Taxi All Day hop-on hop-off Venice of America Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,932 reviews · 1 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $38Our pick

Use a $38 mobile pass from 10am to 10pm on Fort Lauderdale’s Water Taxi. Cruise the Intracoastal Waterway, hear live narration from the captain and crew, and hop off at Las Olas, the beach, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Hollywood, and more. Captain Bob and narrator Jeff have earned special praise for their entertaining local insight.

“The taxi schedule was pretty easy to figure out and the trip up and down the waterway was really cool. The guys with the mics were funny and informative. If we knew the area better we’d have hopped on and off more to go do things but we didn’t so we just rode up and down and that was pretty fun for a cheap ticket.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Jungle Queen Riverboat 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Cruise in Fort Lauderdale

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,753 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $31Best value

Spend 90 minutes with guides such as Mason, Monica, Steve, or Nick cruising Fort Lauderdale’s New River. You’ll pass Millionaire’s Row, waterfront estates, mega yachts, and possibly downtown or Port Everglades while enjoying jokes, local facts, snacks, and drinks available onboard.

“Was fun. Commentary was fun. Cocktails were good. Mason was a superstar. Easy on and off boat. Worth the money”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.1-Hour Interactive Pirate Cruise (arrive 30 minutes early)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,483 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $35Top rated

Board the Bluefoot at Dania Beach Marina for a one-hour pirate show on the Intracoastal Waterway. Captain Moe, Black Sparrow, Captain Crawfish, Sandy Bones, and crew teach pirate talk, lead a treasure hunt, and stage a water-cannon battle. Kids leave with a certificate and treasure bag.

“My grandson (8) had the best time thanks to Captain Crawfish and Sandy Bones. The interactive play was what made the experience special for the kiddos. Maybe incorporate a splash of a mermaid’s tale to complete the story.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.All You Can Eat BBQ Dinner and Show at Tropical Isle with Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,158 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $80

Spend about four hours cruising Fort Lauderdale’s New River, passing Millionaire’s Row and mega-yachts before docking at Tropical Isle for barbecue ribs, chicken, live dinner music, and a variety show with comedy, magic, juggling, singing, and Polynesian dancers. Monica and Nate are among the hosts praised for lively narration.

“Very informative, fantastic tour guide, incredible food, friendly staff and wonderful show. Worth every dollar .”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Evening Boat Cruise through Downtown Ft. Lauderdale

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 902 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $55

Spend about two hours cruising Fort Lauderdale’s waterways from Bahia Mar, with party music, skyline views, yachts, mansions, and a possible tarpon-feeding stop. Bring your own food and drinks, use the onboard coolers, and expect a social ride led by a rotating crew that has included Ross, BJ, Jennifer, and Captain Mike.

“Ross and Micheal did an outstanding job of informing the crew about the history of Fort Lauderdale river, boats and houses. We really enjoyed the night ride and the music as well as the opportunity to feed the fish. I would recommend this boat ride to anyone who wants to fun while learning.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Sunset Catamaran Cruise in Ft. Lauderdale

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 692 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99

Set out from Spirit of Lauderdale at 5 pm for a two-hour catamaran cruise past waterfront mansions and Port Everglades. The crew, including captains Jim and Joe and mate Justin, guides you toward open water, where the sails rise and a complimentary champagne toast meets the sunset.

“The cruise was very relaxing and informative, guided by shipmate Justin and Captain Jim. Great views of mansions and narration while heading out to sea. The cruise was motorized until we reached the sea, then sails went up and it was a very peaceful, calm ride. Great views toward the city and the sunset. I would note two things--finding the boat was a bit unclear. We initially overshot the walkway to the boat and ended up several boats further, then had to ask for directions and backtracked to correct boat. Also, the boat was smaller and not as new as we had expected from the photos. However, after leaving the…”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Everglades National Park Biologist Led Adventure: Cruise, Hike + Airboat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 685 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes to 10 hours (approx.) · from $295

Spend nearly 10 hours with Wild Lime Adventures exploring the Everglades by airboat, skiff, and easy nature walk. Guides such as Ryan, Addie, Lindsay, and Stacey explain wildlife, plants, Miccosukee culture, and Florida history. Lunch, snacks, hotel pickup, and luggage storage are included.

“Enoch treated us to an amazing say crossing south Florida. We thought the highlight was going to be the airboat, but that was just the beginning! We were able to see so many big honkin' alligators in the cypress forest, had a great lunch, and got to see a mom dolphin and her child play in our wake in the ten thousands islands. Wild Lime Adventures went out of their way to adjust the plan when on portion wasn't going to work for my wheelchairbound kid. Seriously can't imagine the day could have been better.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Ft. Lauderdale Mini Powerboat Rental. Canal, Yacht, Mansion Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 494 reviews · 1 hour (approx.)

Drive your own mini powerboat from Las Olas Paddle Boards through Fort Lauderdale’s canals and Intracoastal Waterway. Staff members such as Elizabeth and Taylor provide clear instruction, a map, and safety guidance. Boats fit two people, require no prior boating experience, and offer a relaxed, self-guided look at yachts, mansions, and mangroves.

“Go on a warm day- you may get wet!! It was fun and easy- definitely recommend this mini-boat ride!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Island Time Boat Cruise in Fort Lauderdale

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 482 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $55

Cruise Fort Lauderdale’s canals with a lively captain and crew such as John, Ryan, Ross, or Damien. Bring your own food and drinks, use the onboard coolers, admire yachts and Las Olas mansions, then swim from the boat at a shallow local sandbar.

“Very good and fun experience. My teenage daughter even enjoyed herself! The crew engaged with each guest”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Fort Lauderdale Sailing Charter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 387 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $150

Captain Dan takes your private group from a Fort Lauderdale residence along the New River, past grand homes and yachts, then toward the Atlantic. Bring your own food and drinks, learn basic sailing, swim or snorkel when conditions allow, and enjoy a flexible four-hour outing for up to six people.

“A great wat to spend the day on the water with a knowledgeable and seasoned Captain Dan. Would 100% recommend this tour. You won't be disappointed!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Millionaire’s Row Cruise with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 372 reviews · 1h 15m · from $45

Cruise Fort Lauderdale’s New River, Intracoastal Waterway, Las Olas Isles, and Port Everglades for 75 minutes. Your Coast Guard licensed captain and tour host share local stories as you sip beer, wine, or soda and view mansions, mega yachts, and the skyline.

“It was awesome highly recommend it the captain and crew were friendly and helpful it was was fun and great time”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Private tour for 12 people on a 40 ft Yacht, Ft Lauderdale bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 341 reviews · 2 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $184

Take a private yacht from Bahia Mar Yachting Center for 2, 4, or 6 hours. Cruise the Intracoastal Waterway, pass mansions and mega-yachts, stop at a sandbar if time allows, and bring your own food and drinks. Captains Andre, Simon, and Luis are noted options.

“The boat was really clean and the captain was very friendly and explained everything we were doing and we were watching”

Check availability →Read our full review