Just north of the strip in Ft. Lauderdale and east of Wilton Manors, there is a stretch of A1A with on-street parking (used to be free) on the east side of the road, allowing you to park, unload and leave your vehicle about 20 yards from the water's edge. No restrictions on kayak access and there are some showers at the south end of this section. Motorboats come closer to shore here than in Hollywood or John Lloyd. The first reef is still about 1/2 mile offshore but is only in 9-10 feet of water at low tide. Parking is limited, so get there early. Although there is parking south of 14th St, there is also a large sand dune.
Directions: Take Sunrise Blvd. east to A1A and turn left. Go about 1/2 mile, past the Bonnet House (all you see is trees and a fence from A1A), and from NE 14th St to NE 20th St there are parallel parking spaces by the beach (marked in pink). You can also get to A1A via 17th St, Las Olas Blvd (Broward Blvd to US1, turn right and then left on Las Olas) and Oakland Park blvd. Note: Sunrise Blvd merges with US-1 (N Federal Highway) for about a mile. Stay in the right lane to stay on Sunrise, as the left lanes veer off to the north.
You can't launch from Hugh Taylor Birch Rec area, but nearby George English Park has boat ramps to access the intracoastal.
Entrance fee/parking: $1.75 per hour metered parking, takes coins, bills and credit cards. 6 hour maximum.
Facilities: showers
Put-in/Take-out: Sand
Route: Anywhere in the Atlantic Ocean you wish to go.
Map of Ft. Lauderdale Beach (click map for direct link to MapQuest)
Maps from Mapquest.com
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