Ft Lauderdale Harbor Tours

[cruiseaway7522]

Will be staying at the Embassy Suites in April and leaving on the Oasis Saturday. Arriving two days before and want to spend some time in FL. Driving down and parking at ES and don't want to have to drive around so what's close by that we can walk to? How far is the walk to the harbor cruises from ES? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[capriccio]

Will be staying at the Embassy Suites in April and leaving on the Oasis Saturday. Arriving two days before and want to spend some time in FL. Driving down and parking at ES and don't want to have to drive around so what's close by that we can walk to? How far is the walk to the harbor cruises from ES? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

The Embassy Suites is located right in front of the Harbor Shops and that is the terminus for the Sun Trolley (http://www.suntrolley.com) which can take you down 17th Street to the Beach and to Las Olas Blvd (http://www.lasolasboulevard.com) for $1/ride or $3/day pass. The closest water taxi stop (http://www.watertaxi.com) is at the Hilton Marina which is a 1 mile walk down 17th Street from the ES or a few minute ride on the Sun Trolley. The water taxi isn't a harbor cruise per se - it is a hop on/hop off boat that includes narration by the captain. It really is the best of both worlds - great sightseeing and a unique means of transportation.

[cruiseaway7522]

So would you say this is an easy walk and the water taxi is the best way to get to everything? My wife and I don't have any problems with walking.

[CruiserBruce]

The walk from Embassy Suites is flat city streets.

 

Whether the water taxi- you want the northern route- is the "best" way to see Ft Lauderdale is a totally personal opinion. It is certainly a great way to see many aspects of Ft Lauderdale. Plus it is hop on, hop off, all day ticket, so it is what you make of it.

[cruiseaway7522]

Thanks for the information

[BlueHerons]

There is no 'Harbor tour' because you cannot get near our actual harbor.

 

That said, Fort Lauderdale is a city built on water and you want to see it by water and not by land. The front of homes here face the water and not the street.

 

The very best way to see Fort Lauderdale is by water taxi. It is great transportation and a great tour.

 

Make sure you stay on after the sun sets. It is spectacular.

[CruiserBruce]

There is no 'Harbor tour' because you cannot get near our actual harbor.

 

 

The southern water taxi route goes right through the port. Unfortunately that is all there is to see on that route, as opposed to the far better scenery on the northern route.

Edited November 1, 2015 by CruiserBruce

[DanJ]

We are considering taking a tour on the Jungle Queen, since we are staying at the Bahia Mar, and it's docked right there. They have several options for sightseeing and dinner cruises. Looks like a Mississippi river boat. http://www.junglequeen.com

[BlueHerons]

The southern water taxi route goes right through the port. Unfortunately that is all there is to see on that route, as opposed to the far better scenery on the northern route.

 

Technically it does not. The channel is outside the port which is patrolled by gun boats to keep recreational boaters out.

 

Heading south on the Intracoastal Waterway, the Port Everglades is starboard.

[cruiseaway7522]

Looking at Google Earth it looks like there is parking under the bridge. Anyone know how much?

[capriccio]

Looking at Google Earth it looks like there is parking under the bridge. Anyone know how much?

 

Fort Lauderdale's parking website (http://gis.fortlauderdale.gov/PDFs/TAM/Parking%20Facilities%20Beach%20Region%20South%20%288x11%29%20-%20Fort%20Lauderdale.pdf) identifies it as E Clay Shaw Lot West and the cost is $1.25/hour maximum 10 hours (overnight parking not allowed). http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/departments/transportation-and-mobility/parking/public-parking-lots-and-on-street-parking

[CruiserBruce]

Technically it does not. The channel is outside the port which is patrolled by gun boats to keep recreational boaters out.

 

Heading south on the Intracoastal Waterway, the Port Everglades is starboard.

 

This maybe true, but having done the southbound route, you can see everything in the port quite well from the water taxi. It may not technically go in the harbor, but nothing is hidden from view.

[DanJ]

This maybe true, but having done the southbound route, you can see everything in the port quite well from the water taxi. It may not technically go in the harbor, but nothing is hidden from view.

 

Their may be an invisible line on a map saying this side is Port Everglades and this side is not, but in reality, if their are cruise ships in port, especially at terminal 2 and 25, 26, 27, the water taxi goes right beside the ships.

[CruiserBruce]

Their may be an invisible line on a map saying this side is Port Everglades and this side is not, but in reality, if their are cruise ships in port, especially at terminal 2 and 25, 26, 27, the water taxi goes right beside the ships.

 

Absolutely correct.

[lax19]

 

Here's a picture of the Caribbean Princess I took today from the water taxi. The southbound route heads down to Hollywood Beach.

[Straitlover]

My sis and I did the Carrie B boat tour and enjoyed it. You could take the Sun Trolley over to Las Olas and walk to the Carrie B dock. Not sure where on Las Olas you would need to get off, so i'd call and ask.

 

 

http://www.carriebcruises.com/index.html

[setsail]

Their may be an invisible line on a map saying this side is Port Everglades and this side is not, but in reality, if their are cruise ships in port, especially at terminal 2 and 25, 26, 27, the water taxi goes right beside the ships.

 

Yep, you can see the yellow water taxi on the port cam making its rounds

[BlueHerons]

One more time for the short bus.

 

The Intracoastal Waterway is the channel that runs alongside the harbor.

 

It is not part of the harbor.

 

The water taxi route is in the ICW.

 

I boat this area at least once a week. There are military/police boats that patrol the harbor 24/7 to keep boats out of the area.