Florida

Fort Lauderdale vacation rentals

Three hundred miles of canals, a revamped beachfront, and the yachting capital of the world.

Best time to visit

December through May for warm, dry weather; fall offers the year's lowest rates and still-warm ocean.

Rental types

Canal-front homes with docks · Beach condos · Las Olas apartments · Pool villas

Getting there

Fly into Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International (FLL), ten minutes from the beach. Brightline rail links the city to Miami and Orlando.

About Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale earns its 'Venice of America' nickname honestly: the Intracoastal Waterway and hundreds of miles of residential canals thread the city, and the Water Taxi doubles as both transport and sightseeing. The beachfront has been transformed in recent years with a wave-patterned promenade, new hotels, and a wide, clean beach that holds a Blue Wave certification.

Port Everglades makes this one of the world's busiest cruise ports, so the city is also a natural pre- or post-cruise base. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park preserves a slice of coastal hammock right between the Intracoastal and the beach.

Vacation rentals in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale vacation rentals split into two camps: beach condos along A1A and canal-front houses in the finger isles east of downtown. Boaters should look at Las Olas Isles, Rio Vista, and Coral Ridge, where many homes include a dock and quick ocean access via the Intracoastal.

Winter (January–March) is peak season with premium weekly rates; the October–December window before the holidays is the value sweet spot. If you're cruising out of Port Everglades, a week in a canal-front house beats two hotel rooms for pre-cruise groups.

Things to do in Fort Lauderdale

Ride the Water Taxi the length of the Intracoastal, hopping off for lunch
Stroll and dine along Las Olas Boulevard from downtown to the beach
Kayak the mangrove trails in Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Snorkel the shallow reef straight off the beach at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Browse the NSU Art Museum and the historic Stranahan House
Head south for a day in Miami or north to the pier at Pompano Beach

Boating, beaches, and family trips

If your trip revolves around the water, this is the place: fishing charters run from Bahia Mar and the 15th Street Fisheries area, dive boats reach wrecks in 70–100 feet, and sandbar anchoring is a local weekend ritual. Families get a gentler scene than Miami — calmer beach, pirate-themed water taxis, and the Museum of Discovery and Science downtown.

Where to stay in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale Beach

The oceanfront strip — promenade, beach bars, and condos across from the sand.

Las Olas & Downtown

Boutique shopping, sidewalk dining, and galleries along the city's signature boulevard.

Las Olas Isles & Seven Isles

Canal-front vacation homes with private docks, minutes by boat from the ocean.

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

A low-rise, old-Florida beach village just north with a pier and shore-accessible reef.

Fort Lauderdale FAQs

Is Fort Lauderdale good for a family beach vacation?

Yes. The beach is wide and gently sloped, the vibe is relaxed, and attractions like the Water Taxi, Butterfly World, and the Museum of Discovery and Science work well with kids.

Can I rent a house with a boat dock in Fort Lauderdale?

Yes — canal-front homes in Las Olas Isles, Rio Vista, and Coral Ridge commonly include private docks with ocean access. Verify bridge clearances if your boat is tall.

How far is Fort Lauderdale from Miami?

About 30 miles — 35–45 minutes by car, or around 35 minutes on the Brightline train between downtown stations.