Fort Lauderdale Lakes

Lakes Around Fort Lauderdale

Every once in a while you just need to gather your family and friends and make time to be near the water. Lucky for you, when you make a trip to Fort Lauderdale there are lots of options when it comes to spending time on the lake.

It doesn’t matter if you’re itching to float in a tube with a book, get active with watersports, swim, or just lounge at the beach, the lakes near Fort Lauderdale provide you with lots of opportunities for outdoor adventures. Take a look at the table below to have a look your options from swimming lakes with beaches to larger lakes for you and the family to enjoy.

Nearby Lakes for Fort Lauderdale

Lake Activities

When you visit a lake near Fort Lauderdale there are many things to do for groups of all types. Whether you’re just looking for a day trip or take a longer vacation at a hotel or AirBnB to make the most of your time unwinding.

Any stay on or in the water offers you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. If paddling is your thing, pack up your board of choice and find yourself a lake near Fort Lauderdale that has a public launch and start paddling around to soak up the scenery in all it’s glory.

Get in the water. The swimming lakes near Fort Lauderdale provide all kinds of fun and excitement for the youngsters, or plenty of exercise for those looking to be active in between working on their tan. If you want to spend time swimming and on the beach you’ll want to be sure your lake has a nice swimming area and a sandy beach to spread out on before you make the trip! Admit it, even the nicest swimming pool just isn’t as much fun as a glorious public beach!

Picnic time. The lakes near Fort Lauderdale provide all sorts of top-notch picnic areas for you to pack up some foods, or just a couple of sandwiches to enjoy by the water. If you’re with that special someone, this plan should put a smile on their face.

How to Prepare for a Day at the Lake

Your plan for a lake getaway can be drastically different when you take into consideration which lake you choose, the season, and the activities on your to-do list. To make things easier we’ve put together a list of some of the most common go-to necessities that you can use as a checklist to make sure you cover your bases.

Common lake items

If you’re going to be on, in, or near the water for the vast majority of the vacation, our list of provisions below is an excellent place to start when it comes to the necessities to have on hand.

  • Travel dinnerware and cups
  • Beach blanket
  • Towels and dry clothes
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • USB charger
  • Dry shirt
  • Eye protection, a hat, or both
  • Sunblock
  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
  • Bug spray

Specialty lake items

The following items could be helpful for getaways to the lake considering your itinerary. You may want to double check for some of these prior to hitting the road.

  • Rafts and floaties
  • Bait
  • Wine key
  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Swimming goggles
  • Tackle box
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Kindle
  • Baby gear (if necessary)

Lake Safety Tips

While it’s easy to get lost in a fun day at a lake near Fort Lauderdale, it’s important that you remember to keep safety top of mind. The following safety measures should ensure that you and your family remains safe on the water.

  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Avoid plants that can sting or cause allergic reactions
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming

Some More Tips

If you’re going to visit the one of a kind lakes around Fort Lauderdale, there are a few things that might make your weekend gameplan far more successful. As an example, each individual lake has their own environment which makes it important to think about what you need to make a memorable trip as you plan yours.

  1. Make the most of the best assets in the area. When you have time for a lengthier trip, find local recreational areas, state parks, and campgrounds that offer the ability to camp near or even on the water for a reasonable price.
  2. Research your beaches. Depending on the time of year, sometimes beaches might be packed with tourists. To find some more peace and quiet, do some digging on a variety of lakes in the area to see if you can find one that’s less crowded to find one with a slower pace. To get in on the party, search out the busiest, most popular sandy party scene!
  3. Rent a boat. Many lakes have nearby marinas where you can rent a boat. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or a day of watersports. Doing a quick Google search can typically help you find a marina that has what you need.