SOUTH ELEUTHERA, BAHAMAS DEVELOPMENT

Stops

Stop number one is at the Riverside Hotel and historic Stranahan House, just off Las Olas Boulevard. At the Stranahan House, you will learn more about the history of Fort Lauderdale which dates to the late 1800s when Governor Broward dredged some canals to drain part of the Everglades, creating farmlands and residential areas to support the growing new city of Fort Lauderdale. Frank Stranahan was one of the founding fathers of Fort Lauderdale. He built a trading post and ferry service on the site where he ultimately built the house you see standing directly behind this water taxi stop. You can transfer to the water trolley route from this stop.

Margaritaville Beach Resort where you can wander down the Hollywood Beach boardwalk, enjoy a casual meal at Landshark Bar & Grill, the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill, or indulge in a splurge dinner at JWB Prime Steak House. Return boats leave Hollywood every two hours between 10am and 10pm.

Heading north to stop number five, you have a prime view of some of Fort Lauderdale’s most stunning, waterfront homes and mega yachts. The water taxi crew will entertain you with stories of their owners. The south end of Bahia Mar and the Doubletree Hotel are located at this stop. This is the first of the beach access stops. Simply walk across A1A to enjoy the sandy shore of the Atlantic Ocean.

Just north of stop five is stop six. Also on Fort Lauderdale Beach, this stop is closest to Beach Place. A multi-storey complex, it offers restaurants, shops,

Stop number two is three blocks east of the first stop. This stop gives you access to large public parking lots along SE 9th Ave. From this stop, it is a short walk to Las Olas Boulevard. Las Olas has a wide variety of restaurants at all price points and some of the best shopping in South Florida.

Cruising east along the New River, then south in the intracoastal, takes you to stop number three at 15th Street Fisheries Restaurant in the Lauderdale Marina. You will cruise by stunning multi-million-dollar mansions and the Lauderdale Yacht Club to reach this stop. If you are interested in fresh fish for lunch or dinner, this makes a great stop.

The southernmost stop on the main route is the Hilton Marina & Convention Center. This stop gives you panoramic views of Port Everglades and her massive cruise ships. This is where you pick up the Hollywood Express Route vessel. It leaves every two hours, between 9:00am and 9:00pm. The route ends at the entertainment, and cocktail lounges. After taking a swim in the ocean, you can enjoy some time there before hopping on the next bright yellow water taxi and heading farther north.

Seville Street is a whistle stop. For pickup here, you must call the office and request a stop. On busy weekends, the water taxis almost always stop here. This stop is the closest stop to Las Olas Beach. This is the iconic beach with bath houses, restrooms, and a paved promenade.

Continuing north is the Gallery One Doubletree stop seven. If you are interested in shopping, this is your stop. The Galleria Mall is attached to the Doubletree. You can walk straight through the lobby to one of the best shopping venues in Fort Lauderdale.

Continuing north to stop number eight is Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. This peaceful sanctuary gives you a natural Florida experience. Bird watchers can view more than 200 species of birds. Hikers may see turtles, snakes, and possums. There are bike rentals and canoe rentals on the fresh water inland lagoon. Across A1A, you will find 1.5 miles of pristine beaches and a walk-up snack bar.

The two northernmost stops will appeal to the foodies in your group. Stop nine is Shooters Waterfront Restaurant. With waterfront views and a diverse menu, this eatery has something for everyone. If you are interested in exploring the International Swimming Hall of Fame, this is the stop. You can check out the swimming memorabilia in the front building, then head out to the Olympic-size swimming pool and the newly installed diving platform. The diving platform is one of the largest in the world.

Bokampers Sports Bar & Grill is stop number ten. This upscale sports bar offers delicious bites for lunch and dinner as well as brunch on the weekends. There is indoor and outdoor dining with views of the intracoastal and giant TVs, in case you want to catch a sporting event on television.

After the Bokampers, the water taxi heads south and makes the stops in reverse order. You are treated to views and commentary about the celebrities and captains of industry that own the incredible structures along the intracoastal also known as Millionaires Row. The water taxis all have a snack bar that offers beer, wine, cocktails, water, and soft drinks. You can sip on an icy libation and watch the mega yachts glide by as you return to your starting point.

There are multiple tour companies that run cruises along the intracoastal in Fort Lauderdale. None of them are as economical or offer the “hop on, hop off” feature that water taxis offer. Without making any shore trips, the entire loop takes about three hours to complete. Add in a couple stops for sightseeing, shopping, a beach visit, or a meal, and you can enjoy an entire day on the water. UA