Sea Ranch Lakes FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Sea Ranch Lakes, Florida.
1. Sea Ranch Lakes Private Beach
EXCLUSIVE RESIDENTS-ONLY SHORE
Sea Ranch Lakes Private Beach is an exclusive oceanfront area accessible only to residents of the gated community. The beach is maintained by the Sea Ranch Lakes Beach Club and offers incredible oceanfront views in a peaceful setting away from tourist crowds. This private enclave embodies the feel of Old Florida with its secluded atmosphere and pristine shoreline.
2. Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Beach
SOUTH FLORIDA'S DIVING CAPITAL
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Beach features a beautiful 2.5-mile stretch of unspoiled shoreline just steps away from Sea Ranch Lakes. Recognized as 'South Florida's Beach Diving Capital,' its near-shore reefs are located just 100 yards off the coastline, making it perfect for snorkeling and diving directly from the beach. The charming beach town atmosphere with low-rise buildings and mid-century style architecture creates a warm, inviting small-town ambiance unlike typical Fort Lauderdale beachside communities.
3. Anglins Fishing Pier
HISTORIC OCEANFRONT LANDMARK
Anglins Fishing Pier extends into the Atlantic Ocean from the shores of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, offering excellent fishing opportunities and panoramic ocean views. Visitors can stroll along the pier to watch anglers in action, enjoy the sea breeze, or catch glimpses of marine life swimming below. The historic pier serves as a central landmark for the beach town and provides a perfect vantage point for sunrise views over the Atlantic.
4. El Prado Park
BEACHSIDE URBAN OASIS
El Prado Park offers a relaxing beachfront green space in the heart of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. This scenic park provides direct beach access, shaded seating areas, and a peaceful atmosphere away from the more crowded beaches. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, people-watching, or simply relaxing with ocean views in this charming community park.
5. SS Copenhagen Underwater Archaeological Preserve
HISTORIC SHIPWRECK DIVE
The SS Copenhagen shipwreck is Florida's most-visited Underwater Archaeological Preserve, located just offshore from Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. This 1900 steamship wreck, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, lies in shallow water approximately 100 yards from shore, making it accessible to snorkelers and divers of various skill levels. Marine life has transformed the historic vessel into an artificial reef teeming with tropical fish, corals, and other sea creatures.
6. Fort Lauderdale Beach
ICONIC PALM-LINED SHORE
Fort Lauderdale Beach stretches for seven miles along the Atlantic Ocean with its signature wave wall and promenade bordered by palm trees. The beach offers pristine white sand, clear blue waters, and excellent facilities including restrooms, showers, and concession stands. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, people-watching, and various water sports while being just steps away from restaurants, shops, and entertainment options along A1A.
7. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
URBAN WILDERNESS WATERFRONT
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park offers a unique natural oasis between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. Visitors can rent canoes or kayaks to explore the park's freshwater lagoon, hike scenic trails through coastal hammock, or access the beach via a pedestrian tunnel under A1A. The 180-acre park provides a refreshing contrast to the urban surroundings with opportunities for picnicking, wildlife viewing, and water recreation.
8. Deerfield Beach
FAMILY-FRIENDLY COASTAL HAVEN
Deerfield Beach boasts a Blue Wave certified beach known for its clean shoreline, excellent water quality, and well-maintained facilities. The beach features a scenic fishing pier, volleyball courts, and a paved path perfect for walking, jogging, or biking along the oceanfront. Families particularly appreciate the lifeguard-protected swimming areas, nearby restaurants, and the relaxed atmosphere away from the more touristy beaches.
9. Pompano Beach
DIVE AND FISH PARADISE
Pompano Beach offers 3.5 miles of pristine shoreline with golden sand and clear waters popular for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. The beach is renowned for its excellent fishing opportunities from shore or the 1,000-foot fishing pier that extends into the Atlantic Ocean. Underwater enthusiasts flock to Pompano for its accessible reef system, featuring over 75 artificial reefs that provide world-class diving and snorkeling experiences just offshore.
10. Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park
HISTORIC SEASIDE SANCTUARY
Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park (formerly John U. Lloyd Beach State Park) encompasses 310 acres of coastal land with 2.5 miles of pristine Atlantic beachfront. The park offers a range of activities including swimming, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and nature trails through mangrove wetlands and coastal hammock. This historically significant site, once the only beach in Broward County open to African Americans during segregation, now welcomes all visitors to enjoy its natural beauty and ecological diversity.