Top 6 Day Cruises In Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Updated 2025

William
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 4 min read

Fort Lauderdale, Florida is home to interesting attraction sites, thrilling events, and a rich way of life. It boasts of attraction sites like Museum of Discovery and Science, Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, Butterfly World, and Snyder Park that are frequented by both locals and tourists. The city’s landscaped beachfront, sandy beaches, and marine ecosystems make the area ideal for fun recreational activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, street tours, swimming, basking, and cruising. Cruising in this town is like killing two birds with one stone as it is educational and adventurous at the same time. You also get to interact with new people and see the city from another angle. Cruises vary in time, vessel, destination, and price but are all aimed to bring out fun, unforgettable moments. The destinations can be other towns, islands, national parks, or docks. So, take a break from your normal routine and sail to a destination of choice. Below are day cruises in Fort Lauderdale, Florida that you can check out.

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1. Experience an interactive pirate-themed cruise

This is a one-hour, vibrant, and adventurous cruise along Fort Lauderdale’s shoreline. It’s never boring on board as there’s live commentary. Relax and see Fort Lauderdale’s real estate and fancy yachts along the cruise as you enjoy the serene environment. You’ll be served by a friendly and energetic crew whose aim is to make the tour worthwhile. The guide teaches you how to talk and dress like a pirate making the trip more exciting. Kids indulge in face painting, temporary tattoo drawing, and a treasure hunt to keep them engaged. They also get a pirate certificate and a bag of loot to take home at the end of the cruise. There’s also a variety of cold beverages on sale that you can enjoy with friends and family. You can hold a special celebration like a birthday party on the vessel and create fun moments. Additionally, it’s an ideal tour for both kids and adults.

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2. Embark on a 90-minute sightseeing tour

For those with limited time in the city but want to take a short adventurous cruise, this trip is ideal for you. Cruise along New River seeing lavish homes, wildlife, and moored luxury yachts, and get to learn about Fort Lauderdale’s history. Get insights into the city’s landmarks and neighborhoods from knowledgeable and helpful tour guides. You’ll also find tasty snacks and beverages on sale that you can enjoy while cruising. The boat is comfortable, well-maintained, and has glass bottoms for seeing the beautiful marine ecosystem. You’re at liberty to select the departure time whether morning, afternoon, or evening.

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3. Try a thrilling airboat tour

day cruises in fort lauderdale | try a thrilling airboat tour

This four-hour trip is from Fort Lauderdale to the Everglades using an airboat. The tour involves walking through swamps, an educational alligator show, and strolling across a pond apple forest where you’ll come face to face with wildlife. You’ll see birds and animals like snakes, alligators, frogs, flamingos, and turtles adding to the trip’s adventures. All through the day trip, you’ll have a knowledgeable and helpful tour guide who gladly shares about the region’s flora and fauna, history, and way of life. The airboat is comfortable and fun making it ideal for people looking to cruise while enjoying the fresh air, stunning scenery, and wildlife. You also get treated to a reptile show where you can hold an alligator and non-poisonous snakes.

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4. Go on a round-trip, high-speed ferry ride to Bimini Island

Are you in search of a day trip to the Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale? If yes, then consider this thrilling tour to Bimini Island, the Bahamas. You’ll cruise aboard an air-conditioned, high-speed ferry with a duty-free gift shop, sun deck, helpful and friendly staff, and a full bar. Upon arrival at Bimini Island, you’ll board a tram to Hilton at World Resorts Bimini for more fun and adventure. The beautiful hotel is endowed with amenities such as beach chairs, a rooftop swimming pool, a pub, sun umbrellas, and water sports equipment to cater to your needs and wants. You’ll also get a day pass that’s used at the hotel’s beach and swimming pool. Get to enjoy the island’s pristine aqua colored clear water and white sandy beaches as you indulge in fun recreational activities. The tour is wheelchair-accessible, too.

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5. Take part in a breathtaking and informative day cruise

Cruise along the New River while seeing Fort Lauderdale’s mansions, yachts, and wildlife. During the three- to four-hour cruise, you’ll be attended to by knowledgeable and welcoming staff. The live commentary will teach you about Fort Lauderdale’s ecosystems, neighborhoods, and history as you sail along the river passing different places of interest. Relax and enjoy the scenery as you interact with the crew, your friends and family, and other visitors on board. You’ll also find snacks and beverages like beer and wine on sale in the spacious and clean boat. On arrival at Tropical Isle, you’ll see birds like peacocks, monkeys, lemurs, and alligators. There’s also a bar that’s a perfect spot for relaxing and grabbing your favorite cold drink.

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6. Enjoy a breathtaking cruise and food tour along Las Olas River

If you’re looking for a day cruise from Fort Lauderdale that also has a food tour, then consider this trip. You get to enjoy a four-hour cruise tour with five food tastings at different food joints and will be accompanied by a seasoned local tour guide. Apart from being breathtaking, it’s also informative as you get to taste a variety of quality food and learn about it - including how to prepare, cook, and preserve the food. Vegetarian food options are also available. One interesting feature of the food tour is its good selection of restaurants. The tour guide also shares details about the local history and attraction sites during stopovers and while sailing.

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Unforgettable day cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Get to experience Fort Lauderdale from a different angle. How do you do that? Indulge in a day cruise that’s not only adventurous but also informative and relaxing. You can also hold special events like anniversaries, birthday parties, and even marriage proposals during these tours and create exciting memories.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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William believes that we should strive to make the world a better place. He's passionate about landscapes, the ocean, and people. When not traveling, he enjoys swimming, hiking, and planning for...Read more

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