Fort Lauderdale Beach is a public beach area in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, served by lifeguards along approximately 3 miles of shoreline. You can plan around the named beach areas, promenade, parking and beach rules, or add a visit to nearby Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.
- Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue covers the beach from the South Beach Picnic Area north to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.
- There are 20 lifeguard towers along the public beach.
- Swimming is permitted only in lifeguard-supervised areas.
For an overnight base in the city, Ocean Mile’s room options are one part of your Fort Lauderdale plans.
Finding Fort Lauderdale Beach access
Fort Lauderdale Beach has public access points along its shoreline, with lifeguard service at designated areas. Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue has served residents and visitors since 1926.
Accessible parking is available at 3031 Sebastian Street. The City lists accessible showers at Sebastian Street on A1A, while Fort Lauderdale Beach Park has accessible parking, picnic tables, grills, restrooms and showers.
Keep to supervised swimming areas, and follow posted beach rules. Swimming is prohibited when the beach is closed because of lightning or other dangerous conditions, more than 50 yards from shore, or when children are not properly supervised by adults.
Las Olas Beach and Sebastian Street Beach
Las Olas Beach and Sebastian Street Beach are named beach areas within Fort Lauderdale’s public shoreline. Sebastian Street is also a useful access point to know if you need accessible parking or showers.
The City prohibits glass containers, alcohol, and digging holes or putting up tents, canopies or fencing on the beach. Dogs and other pets are not allowed on the sandy beach, except for service animals and at the designated Canine Beach area.
The promenade and beach facilities
The Fort Lauderdale Beach promenade runs alongside the coast, with public beach facilities available at designated locations. At Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, you can find restrooms, showers, picnic tables and grills.
Non-resident parking at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, at 700 Seabreeze Boulevard, costs $4 per hour from 5:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.; parking is not allowed there from 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.
North Beach meters on the east side of A1A, between N.E. 13th Street and N.E. 18th Street, cost $4 per hour from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., with no parking allowed there after 11:00 p.m.
Broward County Transit serves Fort Lauderdale Beach, and the Fort Lauderdale Community Shuttle is free. Check the City of Fort Lauderdale’s official site before you go for current parking, transit and beach information.
Nearby Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park offers a beach entrance as well as trails and park facilities. Its address is 3109 E. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304; the park is open from 8:00 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year.
From the park, you can reach the beach through the Beach Gate Entrance, with access available daily from 8:00 a.m. until sunset. Admission is $6 per vehicle for up to eight people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle, and $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists and extra passengers. Parking is covered by park admission, and overnight parking is not permitted.
The park provides a beach wheelchair at its Ranger Station and an accessible quarter-mile Rail Trail. Hugh Taylor Birch purchased the land in 1903 and later gifted it to the city.
Getting there and checking beach conditions
Check the beach’s current conditions before deciding whether to swim. The City’s flag system uses green for low hazard, yellow for medium hazard, red for high hazard and a warning to avoid entering the water, double red for water and/or beach closure, and purple for sea pests.
The City directs beachgoers to its daily conditions page or the Beach Conditions Hotline at 954-828-4597 for updates. Lifeguard coverage follows a seasonal schedule: 9:45 a.m.–7:00 p.m. in spring and summer, and 9:15 a.m.–6:00 p.m. in fall and winter. The City advises you to swim only in supervised areas and prohibits alcohol on the beach.
FAQs
Is Fort Lauderdale Beach free to access?
The beach is public, but parking at some locations has fees. Fort Lauderdale Beach Park charges non-residents $4 per hour during its posted parking period.
Can you reach the beach from Hugh Taylor Birch State Park?
Yes. The park’s Beach Gate Entrance provides access to the beach daily from 8:00 a.m. until sunset.
Is the Fort Lauderdale Community Shuttle free?
Yes. The City identifies the Fort Lauderdale Community Shuttle as a free public transportation option to Fort Lauderdale Beach.
What do the beach warning flags mean?
Green indicates low hazard, yellow medium hazard and red high hazard; double red means the water and/or beach is closed, while purple indicates sea pests.