Beyond blue waves and golden sands, discover a distinctive vibe at each of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s beaches

Greater Fort Lauderdale claims some of the most pristine, picturesque beaches in America, from the hip, see-and-be-seen oceanfront of Fort Lauderdale to the bustling, family-friendly shores of Pompano Beach and Hollywood. The dedicated stewardship of the region’s miles of golden, palm-shaded sands has not gone unnoticed: the Clean Beaches Council has designated five communities – Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Pompano Beach – as having “blue wave” beaches, recognized for their exemplary water quality, beach conditions and wildlife conservation.

While the area’s stunning beaches share a common beauty and admirable environmental integrity, each stands out for its distinctive vibe and unique nearby accommodations. Here’s a quick primer to help you make the most of your Greater Fort Lauderdale beachcombing.

Fort Lauderdale Beach
Immortalized as a rollicking spring break getaway in the giddy ’60s movie “Where The Boys Are,” Fort Lauderdale, in the early 1990s, decided it needed a makeover to shed its college student following for a more tony clientele. City leaders began pumping $25 million into a major restoration, creating the area’s now famous beachfront wave wall promenade and attracting luxury hotels.

These days, Fort Lauderdale Beach is the epitome of beach chic style, yet with a refreshingly low-keyed friendliness that appeals to all walks of life. For some of the best people-watching in South Florida, plus access to urbane eateries and luxe hotels, Fort Lauderdale Beach can’t be beat.

Play on the family-friendly sands of Deerfield Beach 
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
Breezy, inviting and walker-friendly Lauderdale-By-The-Sea occupies a narrow barrier island with spectacular beaches on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other. A stately wooden pier juts into the sea, an ideal spot for fishing. But this easy-going small town is most famous as the “shore dive capital of South Florida.” Both scuba divers and snorkelers are drawn to an artificial reef just off the coast, consisting partly of disused sunken marine vessels.

Pompano Beach
With one of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s nationally recognized “blue wave” beaches, Pompano Beach lies north of Fort Lauderdale and is popular with fans of picnicking, sun-worshiping, surfing and sport-fishing. (The city didn’t get its fishy name for nothing!) The highly popular Pompano Beach Seafood Festival, held in late April, will celebrate its 25th year in 2009. As you relax on the miles of sugary quartz crystals that fringe this bustling city’s shoreline, keep an eye on the sky in hopes of seeing the Goodyear Blimp. Spirit of Innovation, one of three blimps operated by The Goodyear Tire Company, is based here.

The Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse, honored with a U.S. postage stamp, marks the northern limit of the Florida Reef, an underwater coral formation 
 
Hillsboro Beach
A lesser-known gem near the northern end of Broward County, just north of Pompano Beach, is Hillsboro Beach, home to the most powerful lighthouse on the Eastern Seaboard. The century-old Hillsboro Lighthouse guards this peaceful peninsular paradise. With a population of just 1,500, the beachfront here lacks something many beachcombers can happily do without: crowds.

Deerfield Beach
At the northern tip of the region, Deerfield Beach is renowned for its bustling pier, a top spot for hauling in snapper, king mackerel, pompano and the like. Adjacent to the pier is a clean stretch of sand staffed by lifeguards, where you’ll find volleyball courts and enthusiastic sunbathers basking in the clear Florida skies. Casual beachfront eateries are popular with locals and visitors for lunch, dinner, drinks and dancing. The Deerfield Beach Arboretum and Quiet Waters Park are also inviting for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Dania Beach
Just south of Fort Lauderdale near the region’s international airport, charming Dania Beach is home to some of the prettiest and least crowded stretches of seaside in the county. The municipal Dania Beach Ocean Park has an impressively refurbished fishing pier – at its base you can dine at the Beach Watch restaurant, enjoying panoramic views and fresh seafood. Just north, John U. Lloyd Beach State Park is a favorite destination for recreation enthusiasts. It’s rife with opportunities for canoeing, swimming, kayaking and bird-watching.

By Andrew Collins

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Courtesy of visitflorida.com