Fort Lauderdale Beach is a roughly 7-mile stretch of public beach along Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard (State Road A1A) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This guide covers hours, parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips for planning your trip.
This guide was last updated in August 2026. A new 77-space public beach lot opened at 725 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, charging $4 an hour for non-residents and $1.50 for residents with the approved rate, so guides listing only the older lots along the beach may be missing this option.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Beach generally accessible around the clock; Fort Lauderdale Beach Park facilities open 5 am to midnight |
| Entry fee | Free |
| Parking | Around $4 per hour for non-residents at most city lots and meters; $1.50 per hour for registered residents |
| Address | Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, 1100 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 |
| Nearest transport | Free LauderGo shuttle and Broward County Transit serve the beach; Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is about 15 to 20 minutes away |
| Typical visit length | 3 to 5 hours |
Fort Lauderdale Beach opening hours
The beach itself has no gate and is generally accessible at any time, though Fort Lauderdale Beach Park’s facilities, including its grills, courts, and playground, are available daily from 5 am to midnight.
Lifeguards are on duty every single day of the year, including holidays, from Fort Lauderdale Beach Park north to N.E. 18th Street, with 20 towers spaced along the shoreline and extra stations added during peak periods.
Fort Lauderdale Beach ticket prices
There is no fee to enter Fort Lauderdale Beach. This was checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026: City of Fort Lauderdale Parking Services.
Parking is a separate cost, generally running around $4 per hour for non-residents at city beach lots and meters, most enforced from around 5 am to 2 am. Fort Lauderdale residents can apply for a Residential Beach Parking Permit for $75 plus tax per year, which unlocks a discounted rate of about $1.50 per hour. Fort Lauderdale Beach is not included in any bundled city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPASS.
How to get to Fort Lauderdale Beach
Fort Lauderdale Beach runs along Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard (A1A), a short drive east of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is roughly 15 to 20 minutes away by car, depending on traffic.
The free LauderGo shuttle provides regular service to and from the beach throughout the day, and Broward County Transit buses also serve the area for those who’d rather not drive.
Parking at Fort Lauderdale Beach
City-operated lots, garages, and metered on-street spaces line the beach corridor, split into pricing zones across Fort Lauderdale. The large Fort Lauderdale Beach Park lot stretches right along the sand near Seabreeze Boulevard, while a newer 77-space lot at 725 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, near Vistamar Street, offers ADA-compliant, well-lit parking open 24 hours a day.
Vehicles with a disabled parking permit can park free in designated handicap spaces, or in any space at some facilities for up to four hours. Rates and enforcement windows vary slightly by lot, so check signage or the Pay By Phone app for the specific location.
How long to spend at Fort Lauderdale Beach
Most visitors spend 3 to 5 hours at Fort Lauderdale Beach, enough time for swimming, a walk along the promenade, and a meal at one of the many nearby restaurants. Its length and range of amenities make it easy to fill a full day.
Visitors combining the beach with shopping or dining along Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, or a stop at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park’s courts and playground, often turn it into an all-day outing.
Accessibility at Fort Lauderdale Beach
The newer public parking lot at 725 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard was built to be ADA compliant, with ample lighting and paved walkways. Accessible parking spaces are also available at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park and other city lots along the corridor.
Vehicles displaying a valid disabled parking permit can park free of charge in designated spaces at participating facilities.
At Fort Lauderdale Beach
Fort Lauderdale Beach stretches roughly 7 miles along the Atlantic, backed by a landscaped promenade lined with hotels, restaurants, and boutiques. Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, at the southern end near Seabreeze Boulevard, adds a full basketball court, sand volleyball, a non-motorized boat ramp, grills, outdoor showers, picnic tables, restrooms, and a children’s playground.
The central, patrolled stretch of beach is the safest place to swim, with lifeguard towers spaced along the shoreline year-round. Nearby, Las Olas Oceanside Park and the designated Canine Beach offer alternative stretches of sand for a quieter visit or a dog-friendly outing.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arrive early on weekends and holidays, since beachfront parking fills quickly. |
| Crowds | Spring break weeks and summer weekends bring the largest crowds to the central beach. |
| Layout | Fort Lauderdale Beach Park anchors the southern end; the promenade runs north along A1A. |
| Entry process | There is no gate or ticket; pay only for parking, using an app or the meter directly. |
| On-site logistics | Swim near a staffed lifeguard tower and check flag warnings before entering the water. |
Frequently asked questions about Fort Lauderdale Beach
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Fort Lauderdale Beach free to visit? | Yes, entry is free; only parking carries a charge. |
| Are there lifeguards every day? | Yes, year-round, including holidays, along the main patrolled stretch. |
| Are dogs allowed on the beach? | Only at the designated Canine Beach; check current rules for other sections. |
| How much does parking cost? | Around $4 an hour for non-residents at most city lots, less for registered residents. |
| Is there a free way to reach the beach? | Yes, the free LauderGo shuttle serves the beach corridor throughout the day. |
Things to do near Fort Lauderdale Beach
- Las Olas Boulevard: a shopping and dining street a short drive from the beach.
- Bonnet House Museum & Gardens: a historic estate and gardens, a few minutes’ drive north.
- Hugh Taylor Birch State Park: a coastal park with trails just across A1A from the beach.
- Bahia Mar Marina: a marina with charter boats and waterfront dining, near the beach’s southern end.
- Riverwalk: a scenic path along the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, about 10 minutes away.
What to visit tomorrow
- Hollywood Beach Broadwalk: a beachfront promenade in Hollywood, roughly 20 to 25 minutes away.
- John U. Lloyd Beach State Park: a quieter beach near Dania Beach, about 20 minutes’ drive.
- Deerfield Beach: a family-friendly beach with a fishing pier, roughly 30 minutes away.
- Haulover Beach Park: a 1.4-mile county beach north of Miami Beach, about 40 minutes’ drive.
- Delray Beach Public Beach: a lively beach near the Atlantic Avenue shopping district, roughly 40 to 45 minutes away.
More Florida travel
Other Florida travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to expect at the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach and the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach.
- What to see at Flamingo Gardens near Fort Lauderdale.
- Miami Beach guides: Virginia Key Beach Park, Crandon Park Beach, Haulover Beach Park, Matheson Hammock Park, Oleta River State Park.
- How to go inside the Cape Florida Lighthouse on Key Biscayne.
- What’s worth seeing at South Pointe Park in Miami Beach.
