Fort Lauderdale Beaches - Florida

Fort Lauderdale Beaches

A visitors introduction to the beaches at Fort Lauderdale and surrounds.

By Kevin Stith

Florida has a Clean Beaches Council that grades beaches as per a few criteria. Twenty two parameters are tested and compared for grading.

Some of these criteria are periodic water quality tests, easy access to emergency care, environment preservation and the like. Beaches that meet all the twenty two criteria are designated as "Blue Wave Beaches."

Fort Lauderdale Beach, Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, Hollywood Beach and Pompano Beach are all certified "Blue Wave Beaches." Lauderdale- By-The-Sea is a pristine town located just across the Intracoastal Waterway. Its clean and quiet beach is good for relaxation. Access to good restaurants takes care of necessities.

The Northern Beach Area is located between Oakland Park Boulevard and Sunrise Boulevard. This is mainly a quiet area and is a favorite spot for treks, picnics and the like. There is an underground pathway beneath the A1A to this beach.

The South Beach Area is the more active portion of Fort Lauderdale beaches. Numerous beachfront shops, restaurants, nightclubs and the like, present avenues for enjoying time on the beach.

The natural coral reef system is one of the most attractive features of Fort Lauderdale's beaches. Face to face with such natural wonders tends to leave one speechless.

In 1986 Fort Lauderdale beach was renovated at a cost of $26 million. A complete redesign of coastal roadway A1A, the elimination of diagonal beach front parking, the addition of landscaped medians, pullout lanes, bicycle lanes, new traffic signals, brick paved pedestrian crosswalks, expanded sidewalks and a pedestrian beachfront promenade made a lot of difference.