Boating & Things to Do in Southeast Florida
Discover 8 amazing destinations, from hidden anchorages to lively sandbars.
Best Time to Visit
Subtropical climate featuring mild, dry winters and warm, active summers perfect for sandbar rafting and reef snorkeling. Boaters generally favor the November to May window for the most stable cruising conditions.
Winter (Dec – Feb)
Air: 74°F – 78°FWater: 71°F – 73°F
Cool offshore breezes, excellent visibility for reef snorkeling.
Spring (Mar – May)
Air: 81°F – 85°FWater: 76°F – 78°F
Sandbar season begins, prime offshore sportfishing conditions.
Summer (Jun – Aug)
Air: 88°F – 92°FWater: 83°F – 86°F
Warm waters, afternoon thunder showers, lobster season opens in late July.
Autumn (Sep – Nov)
Air: 82°F – 86°FWater: 79°F – 82°F
Tropical season transitions to pleasant autumn cooling.
Events Calendar
🐢
Sea Turtle Nesting Season
seasonal · Month 3
Florida's sea turtle nesting season. Beaches along the Atlantic coast become nesting grounds for loggerhead, green, and leatherback turtles.
🎊
Boca Bash
Last Sunday of April
A massive, unsanctioned, and hugely popular seasonal raft-up party in Lake Boca Raton. Thousands of boaters gather at Lake Wyman and the Lake Boca sandbar to party with live music blasting from floating stages. Roughly 6,000–10,000 revelers on boats and floaties with no tickets, you just show up. Expect a heavy law-enforcement presence.
🦞
Lobster Mini-Season
annual · Month 7
The two-day sport lobster season, held the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July. One of the busiest boating days of the year in the Keys and SE Florida. July 29–30, 2026.
🏝️
Bimini Boating Fling
annual · Month 7
A guided group crossing to Bimini, just a short hop from South Florida. A lead boat charts the course for a flotilla of up to 30 vessels, making the crossing smooth and confidence-building for first-timers. Legendary fishing, crystal-clear turquoise waters, welcoming marinas, and iconic waterfront hangouts. Two departure dates: July 23 and July 30, 2026.
🌴
The Exumas Boating Fling
annual · Month 7
Join a spirited group of South Florida boaters for a summertime voyage en masse to The Exumas. A lead boat charts the course for a flotilla of up to 30 vessels, ensuring a smooth, confidence-building crossing for first-timers and fresh adventure for seasoned captains. Miles of crystal-clear shallow turquoise waters, countless cays, secluded anchorages, and pristine marine scenery. July 8, 2026.
🎆
July 4th on the Water
annual · Month 7
The biggest boating day of the year. Every sandbar, anchorage, and waterfront spot is packed. Fireworks displays visible from the water across Florida.
🦞
Regular Lobster Season
seasonal · Month 8
The full commercial and recreational lobster season in Florida. August 6 through March 31. Less intense than mini-season but still a draw for diving boaters in the Keys.
🌊
Labor Day Weekend
annual · Month 9
The last big boating weekend of summer. A favorite for multi-day Keys trips and sandbar sendoffs before the fall.
🦀
Stone Crab Season
seasonal · Month 10
Florida stone crab season, the best time for dock-and-dine restaurants serving fresh claws. Peak season is October through January.
⛵
Columbus Day Weekend Raft-Up
annual · Month 10
The biggest, wildest open-water boat party of the year in Southeast Florida. While the historic Columbus Day Regatta races take place on Biscayne Bay, thousands of powerboats anchor and tie up together at nearby Elliott Key for a massive, high-energy floating party. October 10–12, 2026. Known for its adult-oriented atmosphere, not recommended for anyone under 21.
🚤
Pompano Beach / Lighthouse Point Holiday Boat Parade
annual · Month 12
A long-running family-friendly holiday boat parade held in the evening in December, usually the weekend after Winterfest. A more intimate alternative to the big Fort Lauderdale parade.
🎄
Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
annual · Month 12
Known as the "Best Show on H2O," Fort Lauderdale's Winterfest Boat Parade is the traditional kickoff to the South Florida holiday season, drawing over a million viewers along a 12-mile route from downtown Fort Lauderdale along the New River and up the Intracoastal to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. December 12, 2026.
⛱️
Nixon Sandbar Weekend Scene
Saturdays & Sundays
A popular weekend gathering spot in Biscayne Bay. Not as intense as Haulover but still draws a lively crowd of local boaters, especially on holiday weekends.
🎉
Haulover Sandbar Sundays
Every Sunday, year-round
The biggest weekly sandbar party in South Florida. Hundreds of boats anchor at Haulover Sandbar every Sunday for music, food vendors on boats, and an all-day party atmosphere. Especially packed on holiday weekends (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day).
Recommended Voyages & Itineraries
Curated Route4 Days
Biscayne Bay to Key Largo Cruise
Cruise south from Miami's high-energy sandbars through Biscayne National Park. Stop at Elliott Key, snorkel Carysfort Reef Lighthouse, and dock-and-dine in Key Largo.
Planned Stops
Miami→
Nixon Sandbar→
Elliott Key→
Carysfort Reef→
Key Largo
Public VoyageFull Day
Southeast Florida Powerboat Adventure
Experience the vibrant waters of Southeast Florida with a thrilling powerboat adventure. Departing from the iconic Miami Beach Marina, this full-day itinerary promises a mix of relaxation and excitement as you explore the best of Miami's aquatic playgrounds.
Public VoyageFull Day
Southeast Florida Powerboat Adventure
Experience the vibrant marine life and stunning vistas of Southeast Florida on this full-day powerboat adventure. Perfect for those who love the thrill of speed and the serenity of the sea, this itinerary offers a mix of relaxation and excitement.
Browse by Activity
All Southeast Florida Destinations
SCUBA
The Caves
Fort Lauderdale
The Caves, located along the 2nd Reef line off Broward County, offers an intriguing underwater adventure with its series of small caves nestled at a depth of around 20 feet. This drift dive is perfect for spotting elusive lobsters and the occasional nurse shark, making it a favorite second dive after exploring nearby wrecks. The vibrant marine life and unique cave formations provide divers with an unforgettable experience beneath the waves.
🐠
SCUBA
Emerald Reef
Miami
Emerald Reef, Miami's largest natural reef, offers divers an enchanting underwater landscape filled with large rocks that serve as hideouts for a variety of fascinating marine creatures. This vibrant ecosystem is a haven for lobsters, especially at the start of the season, and provides excellent opportunities for close-up and macro photography. Divers can expect to encounter a diverse array of Atlantic marine life, making it a must-visit spot for underwater enthusiasts.
🐠
SCUBA
Jim Atria
Fort Lauderdale
The Jim Atria wreck, resting at a depth of 135 feet off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, offers an exhilarating dive experience for advanced divers. Originally a vessel named Poinciana, it was righted by Hurricane Andrew and now stands upright, adorned with vibrant gorgonians and orange cup coral. This site is a haven for marine life, providing divers with the chance to encounter a variety of fish species and other sea creatures that have made this wreck their home.
🐠
SCUBA
Proteus
Key Biscayne
Dive into the captivating underwater world of the Proteus, a 220-foot steel-hulled freighter nestled within the Key Biscayne reef site. This wreck, with its 18 feet of relief, is a haven for diverse marine life, offering a spectacular display of coral and sponge growth. Perfect for underwater photography, the Proteus is easily accessible at a shallow depth, providing excellent visibility. Keep an eye out for large pelagic fish that often glide by, adding to the allure of this dive site.
🐠
SCUBA
Tracy / Ken Vitale
Fort Lauderdale
Dive into the depths of the Tracy, also known as the Ken Vitale, a fascinating wreck that rests upright at 70 feet beneath the waves. This former offshore supply vessel, now an artificial reef, is part of a captivating underwater cluster that includes the Jay Scutti and Merci Jesus. Divers can explore the ship's structure, which teems with marine life, offering an unforgettable experience for intermediate divers.
🐠
SCUBA
Rainbow Reef
Key Biscayne
Rainbow Reef is a vibrant underwater paradise located just south of Patty's Reef, offering an ideal setting for beginner divers. With its medium profile and shallow depths, this site is perfect for those new to diving, providing a safe and colorful introduction to the underwater world. The reef is teeming with tropical fish and adorned with both hard and soft corals, creating a stunning visual spectacle. Calm waters and easy access make it a popular choice for divers looking to build confidence while enjoying the rich marine biodiversity.
🐠
SCUBA
Jay Scutti
Fort Lauderdale
The Jay Scutti dive site offers an enthralling underwater adventure with its sunken tugboat resting at a depth of approximately 70 feet. This artificial reef, created in 1986, is a tribute to an avid diver and is surrounded by a fascinating cluster of wrecks, including the Moonshot and the Ken Vitale. Divers can expect to encounter a vibrant array of marine life, from colorful corals to schools of tropical fish, making it a captivating spot for underwater photography and exploration.
NATURE
Biscayne National Park
Miami
Biscayne National Park is a hidden gem located just south of Miami, offering a unique blend of turquoise waters, coral reefs, and mangrove forests. This park is predominantly underwater, making it a haven for boaters, snorkelers, and nature enthusiasts. Visitors can explore historic shipwrecks, enjoy stunning views across Biscayne Bay, and experience the tranquility of Florida's coastal environment. The park is well-maintained with a visitor center and knowledgeable rangers, providing an enriching experience for those seeking natural beauty and serenity.