Top 10 Things to Do Near Fort Lauderdale for a Luxury Vacation

Fort Lauderdale gets called "the Venice of America" for a reason — 165 miles of navigable waterways, 300+ restaurants within a few miles, and year-round 75°F weather that makes every day feel like an invitation to explore. Whether you're planning your first visit or your fifth, these are the top 10 things to do near Fort Lauderdale for a luxury vacation, curated by a local waterfront villa host who knows exactly how to spend the days well.

Key Takeaways

• A private captained yacht charter from Bahia Mar — ranging $1,200–$2,500 — is the single best experience Fort Lauderdale offers, covering Millionaire's Row, sandbars, and waterfront dining.
• The Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi day pass lets you restaurant-hop by boat, one of the city's most underrated luxuries.
• A private chef experience at your villa (typically $80–$120 per person) transforms a regular evening into a true multi-course luxury dinner.
• The Everglades are only 90 minutes west — book a private airboat early morning for the best wildlife sightings and cooler temperatures.
• Deep-sea fishing charters from Port Everglades or Hollywood Beach Marina run $800–$1,500 for up to 6 people, targeting mahi-mahi, sailfish, and kingfish.
• Every activity on this list is within 30 minutes of Villa Hollywood, making a waterfront villa the ideal base for the entire itinerary.

1. Private Yacht Charter from Bahia Mar

Start here. A half-day captained yacht charter runs $1,200–$2,500 and cruises you past the megayachts on Millionaire's Row, stops at a sandbar for swimming, and pulls you into Hollywood or South Beach for lunch by water. It's the single best thing you can do in this city.

Pro Tip: Book your charter for a morning departure to secure the best sandbar spots before the afternoon crowd arrives — and ask your captain to route past the Fort Lauderdale Superyacht Show docks if you're visiting in the fall.

2. Cruise Las Olas Boulevard

Fort Lauderdale's main drag. Galleries, boutiques, sidewalk cafés, and an after-dark crowd that keeps the energy high well into the evening. Park once and spend the entire afternoon wandering at your own pace.

3. Everglades Airboat Tour

90 minutes west and you're in alligator country. Book a private airboat — not the crowded tourist versions — at Sawgrass Recreation Park or Everglades Holiday Park. Early morning is best: animals are active, the heat is still manageable, and the light over the sawgrass is genuinely stunning.

4. Hollywood Broadwalk Bike Ride

Rent cruisers from any Broadwalk shop and ride the full 2.5-mile oceanfront promenade. Stop for cortaditos, oceanfront arepas, and Jamaican jerk chicken along the way. This is quintessential South Florida — low-key, colorful, and genuinely fun for any age group.

5. Sunset at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

A barrier island state park tucked between Fort Lauderdale Beach and the Intracoastal Waterway. Nature trails, calm lagoons, and dramatic golden-hour light make this the most underrated sunset spot in the area. Pack a picnic and arrive an hour before dusk.

6. Water Taxi Dinner Hop

Fort Lauderdale's Water Taxi is the best-kept transit secret in South Florida. Grab a day pass, hop from restaurant to restaurant by boat, and let the waterways do the work. Start at Shooters, then end the evening at Boatyard or 15th Street Fisheries — both have excellent docks and even better menus.

Pro Tip: The Water Taxi day pass covers unlimited rides, so there's no need to rush. Buy it online in advance to skip the lines, and check the last departure time from your final stop before you order dessert.

7. Private Chef Night at Your Villa

Our guests regularly book private chefs who arrive with fresh groceries, cook a multi-course seafood dinner on the outdoor grill, and leave the kitchen spotless. Companies like Take a Chef Miami handle the entire experience beautifully, usually at $80–$120 per person. Paired with a sunset over the water from your own dock, it's one of those evenings that people talk about for years.

8. Deep-Sea Fishing

Charters from Port Everglades or Hollywood Beach Marina chase mahi-mahi, sailfish, and kingfish just a few miles offshore. You don't need to be an experienced angler — captains handle the setup and bait. Half-day charters run $800–$1,500 for up to 6 people, making this an excellent group activity that pays for itself in the experience alone.

9. Wynwood Day Trip to Miami

Drive 40 minutes south to Wynwood for the world-famous street-art district, independent coffee shops, and the striking Faena Forum. It's a full sensory experience — vibrant, walkable, and completely different from Fort Lauderdale's waterfront pace. Come back north for sunset at your pool. Best of both worlds.

10. Come Home to a Private Villa

The best thing to do in Fort Lauderdale is end every day the same way: in your own heated pool, with no one else around, at a waterfront villa you didn't have to share with 400 hotel guests. After a day on the water, at the Everglades, or wandering Las Olas, the return to a private space with a dock, a grill, and total stillness is the real luxury of this kind of trip.

The Home Base That Makes It All Better

Every activity on this list is within 30 minutes of Villa Hollywood. You wake up on the water, head out for the day, and come back to grill on the dock. That's the real luxury — not the activities themselves, but the home you return to each night. Explore the villa or see pricing and book direct.

Your Fort Lauderdale Luxury Itinerary Starts Here

Villa Hollywood puts you minutes from every experience on this list — wake up on the water, adventure all day, and return to your own private heated pool and dock each evening. No hotel lobbies. No shared spaces. Just pure waterfront luxury.

Check Availability

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a private yacht charter in Fort Lauderdale cost?

A half-day captained yacht charter from Bahia Mar typically runs between $1,200 and $2,500. The charter includes a stop at a sandbar for swimming and can include a waterfront lunch at Hollywood or South Beach, depending on your itinerary.

What is the best time to do an Everglades airboat tour from Fort Lauderdale?

Early morning is strongly recommended. Wildlife is most active in the cooler hours, the heat is far more manageable, and you'll avoid the larger midday tourist crowds. Top departure points include Sawgrass Recreation Park and Everglades Holiday Park, both about 90 minutes west of Fort Lauderdale.

How does the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi work?

The Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi operates on a day-pass system that allows unlimited hops between stops along the waterway. It's an ideal way to restaurant-hop by boat — a popular route starts at Shooters and ends at Boatyard or 15th Street Fisheries. Passes can be purchased online in advance.

How much does a private chef at a vacation villa cost in Fort Lauderdale?

Private chef experiences in the Fort Lauderdale area typically run $80–$120 per person, all-inclusive of groceries, preparation, a multi-course meal, and cleanup. Services like Take a Chef Miami are frequently used by villa guests and handle the entire experience from start to finish.

Is Wynwood worth a day trip from Fort Lauderdale?

Absolutely. Wynwood in Miami is only about 40 minutes south of Fort Lauderdale and offers a completely different atmosphere — world-famous street murals, independent coffee shops, galleries, and the Faena Forum. It makes for an easy and rewarding day trip, with plenty of time to be back in Fort Lauderdale for a waterfront sunset.