Everything You Need to Know About Riding the Water Taxi
In Greater Fort Lauderdale, the best seat in town is on the water. Step aboard the Water Taxi and cruise the Intracoastal Waterway and New River as captains point out mega yachts, waterfront mansions, hidden gems, restaurants, parks, and iconic landmarks along the way.
Often considered one of the best ways to explore Greater Fort Lauderdale, the Water Taxi offers a fun, flexible sightseeing experience connecting Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach. Whether you're planning a full day of hop-on, hop-off adventures or simply want a scenic boat ride through the Venice of America, this guide will help you make the most of your journey.
How the Hop-On, Hop-Off Water Taxi Works
Water Taxi runs seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., rain or shine, making it easy to explore Greater Fort Lauderdale by boat. With all-day access, narrated sightseeing, onboard beverages, and more than 30 scheduled stops across Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Hollywood, it turns transportation into a sightseeing experience.
You don’t need to start at a specific place or ride the full loop. Water Taxis travel from stop to stop in both directions, so you can board wherever is most convenient, whether that’s near your hotel, a restaurant, the beach, or wherever the day takes you. In addition to scheduled stops along each route, Water Taxi also offers on-demand whistle stops.
Boat timing depends on the route. In Fort Lauderdale, boats typically arrive every 30 to 45 minutes. In Pompano Beach, they run about every hour to 90 minutes. In Hollywood, boats follow a set schedule, departing every two hours from Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina and the Broward County Convention Center starting at 9 a.m. and every two hours from Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort starting at 10 a.m.
Before heading to the dock, use Water Taxi’s boat tracker to check the next arrival and plan your ride in real time. Passes are valid for unlimited stops on the selected route, so you can hop on and off instead of buying point-to-point tickets.
Water Taxi Ticket Prices
Water Taxi offers several pass options for its hop-on, hop-off service. The all-route pass includes Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach and costs $38 for adults, $18 for children ages 5 to 11, and is free for children under 5. If you’re riding after 5 p.m., the evening all-route pass is $25 for adults. Staying longer? A 30-day multi-day pass is $140.
The Pompano Beach-only pass costs $30 for adults, $10 for children ages 5 to 11, and is free for children under 5. Evening Pompano Beach-only passes are $15 for adults.
Pricing may change, so check Water Taxi’s current fares before you book.
Best Water Taxi Cruises and Sightseeing Tours
For travelers who want the ride itself to be the main event, Water Taxi also offers four Signature Cruises. Each one gives you a different way to see Greater Fort Lauderdale from the water, from quiet morning scenes to music-filled evenings and glowing holiday displays.
The summer Sunset Music Cruise brings together live music, good drinks, and chill vibes every Friday. It’s a strong pick for couples, friend groups, happy hour enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to ease into the weekend with a little rhythm.
The Premier Sightseeing Cruise is made for first-time visitors and curious locals. You’ll see sleek boats, marinas, tropical scenery, and the waterfront landmarks that helped make Fort Lauderdale the Venice of America.
The Early-Bird Cruise starts the day at a softer pace, with cooler air, calmer canals, and morning light moving across the water. It’s ideal for families, couples, and visitors who want a peaceful start before the day gets busy.
During the holiday season, the Holiday Lights Cruise turns the area’s canals into a festive night out, with decorated homes, seasonal music, and glowing reflections on the water. Bring family, friends, or out-of-town guests for a celebration that’s distinctly Fort Lauderdale.
Plan Your Water Taxi Adventure
A Water Taxi day can be as easygoing or as planned as you want it to be. Boats are covered, so you can ride comfortably while still taking in the views, and some boats offer heated or air-conditioned cabins depending on the season. Beverages are available on board, and many rides include narrated sightseeing, giving you a closer look at the homes, yachts, bridges, and stories along the route.
A full loop around the main Fort Lauderdale route takes about three hours, but you can make the experience as short or as long as you like. Stay on board for a leisurely ride, hop off at a restaurant, visit the beach, or use the Water Taxi to connect different parts of your day.
Traveling before hotel check-in, after check-out, or ahead of a cruise? Water Taxi offers luggage storage at its corporate office at 1366 SE 17th St. in Fort Lauderdale. Drop-off and pick-up are available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for $10 per bag, with a $15 late fee for bags picked up after 7 p.m.