Lauderdale-By-The-Sea (Commercial Boulevard)

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea calls itself Florida's beach diving capital: the first of three coral reef tiers lies about 100 yards off the sand, so a short swim puts you over live reef. There are no lifeguards, rocks and reef sit close to shore, and boats pass nearby. Calm mornings are best; tow a bright buoy and swim with a partner.

Directions

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea (Commercial Boulevard)

Photo: Dennis Bernhard · CC BY 2.0

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Latest reading · SwimScore 81/100 (Get in) for a typical swimmer: air 28°C, wind 9 km/h, UV 2. Updated 23 Sept, 22:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Best conditions: Calm mornings, when the nearshore reef is easiest to snorkel.
Getting in: Public beach reached through town beach portals, including Pine Avenue, Washingtonia Avenue, El Prado Park and the Beach Pavilion/Ocean Plaza at Commercial Boulevard.
Parking & transport: All parking in town is metered (PayByPhone); the El Prado lot sits next to El Prado Park, and the free Circuit-By-The-Sea electric shuttle runs around town.
Lifeguards: None; the beach is unguarded.
Water quality: Florida Department of Health Healthy Beaches Program samples the 'Commercial Blvd Pier' site for enterococci bacteria every 1–2 weeks depending on county (Good 0–35, Moderate 36–70, Poor 71+ per 100 mL); an advisory is issued when a sample and its resample both exceed 70.
Season: Year-round.
Who swims here: Promoted as the 'Beach Diving Capital of Florida': a three-tier natural reef starts about 100 yards offshore, and a shipwreck snorkel trail includes a British cargo steamer from 1900, and an SS Copenhagen information sign stands on the beach near Washingtonia Avenue.
Watch for: No lifeguards
Rocks and reef close to shore
Boat traffic passes nearby
Anglin's Pier has been closed as unsafe since storm damage in November 2022
Facilities: Showers at beach portals and the Beach Pavilion · El Prado Park: shower, benches and shade · Beach Pavilion & Ocean Plaza with shade and seating