The Yachting Capital of the World: Inside Fort Lauderdale’s Fascinating Marine Industry
There is a reason superyacht crews, billionaire owners, and weekend boaters all gravitate to the same stretch of South Florida coastline. Fort Lauderdale isn’t just a city that happens to have boats — it is a city built around them. With more than 300 miles of navigable canals threading through its neighborhoods, an estimated 40,000-plus resident vessels, and a downtown skyline that competes with forests of masts and radar arches, Fort Lauderdale has earned its global nickname: the “Yachting Capital of the World.” This article takes you inside that fascinating industry — the marinas that berth the giants, the brokerage houses that move them, the most fun places to point your bow, and the best waterfront restaurants where you can tie up and step ashore for a meal. Addresses and contact information for every company mentioned are included so you can plan your own day on the water.
An Industry That Floats the Local Economy
Before the fun, it’s worth appreciating the sheer scale of what’s happening here. According to the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF), the recreational marine industry generates roughly $9.9 billion in annual economic output in Broward County alone, and about $18.5 billion across the broader South Florida region of Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. That activity supports an estimated 142,000 middle-class jobs regionally — shipwrights, captains, electricians, varnish specialists, brokers, dockhands, naval architects, and more. Roughly 2,000 megayachts (vessels 80 feet or longer) visit Broward County every year.
The crown jewel of the calendar is the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), the largest in-water boat show on earth, which generates an estimated $1.79 billion in statewide economic impact in a single five-day run each fall. South Florida has also become known as the yacht “refit and repair capital of the world,” meaning the industry isn’t just about selling boats — it’s about the year-round ecosystem of service, storage, and craftsmanship that keeps a global fleet afloat.
What makes Fort Lauderdale uniquely suited to all of this is geography. The Intracoastal Waterway, the New River, Port Everglades, and a dense lattice of residential canals give the city deep, protected water with direct, fast access to the Atlantic. It’s a place where a 200-foot superyacht and a 17-foot center console share the same playground.
The Biggest Players in Marinas
Fort Lauderdale’s marinas range from full-service megayacht resorts to industrial shipyards capable of hauling 200-ton vessels out of the water. Here are the heavyweights.
Bahia Mar Yachting Center
If there’s a single address synonymous with Fort Lauderdale yachting, it’s Bahia Mar. This 40-acre resort-and-marina complex on the barrier island is the longtime home of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, with roughly 250 slips capable of handling vessels up to around 300 feet, miles of floating docks, high-speed fueling, and a Hilton/DoubleTree resort on-site. Now operated by Suntex Marinas, one of the country’s leading premium marina operators, Bahia Mar sits steps from Fort Lauderdale Beach and a short stroll from Las Olas Boulevard. Address: 801 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Phone: (954) 627-6309 Website: bahiamaryachtingcenter.com
Pier Sixty-Six Marina
A South Florida icon reborn. After a sweeping redevelopment, the Pier Sixty-Six marina and resort — anchored by its landmark rotating tower — is one of the most luxurious deep-water destinations on the 17th Street corridor, accommodating yachts up to roughly 400 feet with floating and fixed concrete docks, high-speed fueling, and white-glove concierge service. Address: 2301 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Phone: (954) 728-3578 Website: pier66.com
Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center
This is the industrial powerhouse of the bunch — one of the largest yacht repair and refit facilities in the Western Hemisphere, sprawling along “Marina Mile” (State Road 84). It offers acres of dockage, haul-out capacity for very large vessels, and an on-site campus of independent marine contractors. Major brokerage and service firms cluster here, including the headquarters of Northrop & Johnson. Address: 2029 SW 20th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 Phone: (954) 713-0333 Website: shmarinas.com
Las Olas Marina
Freshly rebuilt and also operated by Suntex, Las Olas Marina sits right at the base of the Las Olas Bridge, putting boaters within walking distance of the beach, restaurants, and downtown. It’s a favored spot for both transient cruisers and large yachts wanting to be in the heart of the action. Address: 151 Las Olas Cir, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Phone: (954) 756-6557
Hall of Fame Marina
A smaller, beautifully run marina near the beach and the Las Olas corridor, Hall of Fame is consistently praised for its staff and location, and it serves as one of the satellite venues for the boat show each year. Address: 435 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Phone: (954) 764-3975
Sunrise Harbor Marina (by Bradford Marine)
A quiet, upscale floating-dock marina with a pool, fitness center, and an enviable location near Sunrise Boulevard and the beach — popular with owners who want resort amenities in a more residential setting. Address: 1030 Seminole Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Phone: (954) 667-6720
Bradford Marine
One of the most respected names in megayacht refit and repair, Bradford Marine operates a large covered-shed shipyard on Marina Mile, capable of hauling and servicing very large vessels under cover — a major node in Fort Lauderdale’s “refit capital” reputation. Address: 3051 W State Rd 84, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 Phone: (954) 791-3800 Website: bradford-marine.com
The Major Yacht Brokerages
If marinas are where yachts live, brokerages are where they change hands. Roughly 30% of the world’s brokerage yacht sales are said to flow through South Florida, and the firms below are among the most significant names operating out of Fort Lauderdale. Most cluster around the 17th Street Causeway and Marina Mile — the city’s yachting business spine.
Denison Yachting
A true Florida yachting dynasty, Denison traces its roots back generations and has grown into one of the largest brokerage and new-yacht sales operations in the country, now part of the OneWater Marine family. Its global headquarters sits right on the 17th Street Causeway, a hub for slips, service, sales, and charter. Address: 1550 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Phone: (954) 763-3971 Website: denisonyachting.com
Northrop & Johnson
Founded in 1949 and once known as the “gentlemen brokers of New York,” Northrop & Johnson is one of the most recognized names in large-yacht sales, charter, and management, with a worldwide office network. Its headquarters is positioned inside Lauderdale Marine Center. The firm is part of the MarineMax group. Address: 2015 SW 20th St, Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 Phone: (954) 522-3344 Website: northropandjohnson.com
Fraser Yachts
Often described as the world’s largest full-service superyacht brokerage, Fraser fields hundreds of specialists across sales, charter, management, new-build, and crew placement, with a listed portfolio valued in the billions. Originally rooted in Monaco and now part of the MarineMax group, its Fort Lauderdale office bridges Europe’s shipyards and Florida’s market. Address: 1800 SE 10th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Phone: (954) 463-0600 Website: fraseryachts.com
IYC (International Yacht Collection)
A major force in sales, charter, management, and new construction, IYC has long been a Fort Lauderdale fixture and a connector between U.S. buyers and the global market. Address: 110 E Broward Blvd #1650, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Phone: (954) 522-2323 Website: iyc.com
HMY Yachts
A powerhouse in the sportfishing and motoryacht world, HMY is a favorite among serious anglers and cruisers, with a strong dealership lineup and a large brokerage presence just south of the city in Dania Beach. Address: 817 NE 3rd St, Dania Beach, FL 33004 Phone: (954) 926-0400 Website: hmy.com
Worth Avenue Yachts
Launched in 2011 as a challenger to the traditional one-broker-per-client model, Worth Avenue Yachts pools whole teams behind each client and built a reputation for moving large yachts faster than the industry average. Address: 866 NE 20th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Phone: (954) 703-5737 Website: worthavenueyachts.com
Allied Marine
The brokerage arm associated with Italy’s Ferretti Group, Allied Marine has decades of South Florida history in sales, charter, and new construction of luxury motoryachts. Address: 1445 SE 16th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Phone: (954) 462-5557 Website: alliedmarine.com
Gilman Yachts of Fort Lauderdale
A family-owned brokerage known for personalized, attentive service across a wide range of price points, Gilman has been a trusted local name for buyers and sellers for years. Address: 1510 SE 17th St #300, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Phone: (954) 525-8112 Website: gilmanyachts.com
MarineMax
The world’s largest recreational boat and yacht retailer, MarineMax has a significant South Florida service and sales footprint (and owns brokerage brands Fraser and Northrop & Johnson). Its Dania Beach yacht service center handles large-vessel work. Address (Yacht Service Center): 490 Taylor Ln, Dania Beach, FL 33004 Phone: (954) 926-0308 Website: marinemax.com
The Funnest Places to Go
Owning or chartering a yacht here is only half the story. The other half is where you take it — and you don’t need a captain’s license to enjoy most of these.
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS)
Held each fall (typically late October into early November), FLIBS is the Super Bowl of the yachting world. Spread across roughly three million square feet of exhibit space at seven waterfront venues — Bahia Mar, Hall of Fame Marina, Las Olas Marina, the Broward County Convention Center, Pier Sixty-Six, the 17th Street Yacht Basin, and the Superyacht Village — and connected by water taxis, the show draws more than 100,000 visitors from 50-plus countries to gawk at everything from tenders to 300-foot superyachts. Even if you’re not buying, it’s an unforgettable spectacle. The show is owned by MIASF and produced by Informa Markets. Website: flibs.com Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF): 221 SW 3rd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 · (954) 524-2733 · miasf.org
The Jungle Queen Riverboat
A Fort Lauderdale institution for more than 80 years, the Jungle Queen is a classic riverboat offering narrated sightseeing cruises and famous all-you-can-eat barbecue dinner cruises up the New River, passing “Millionaires Row” mansions and megayachts along the way. It departs from Bahia Mar and is a beloved, budget-friendly way to experience the waterways. Address: 801 Seabreeze Blvd (Bahia Mar), Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Phone: (954) 462-5596 Website: junglequeen.com
The Water Taxi and LauderGO!
One of the most charming ways to experience Fort Lauderdale is to hop the Water Taxi, which connects dozens of stops along the Intracoastal and New River — restaurants, hotels, shopping, and nightlife — with friendly, narrated rides. For an unbeatable price (free), the city’s LauderGO! Water Trolley runs a downtown loop along the New River near Riverwalk. Water Taxi: (954) 467-6677 · watertaxi.com LauderGO! Water Trolley: departs Riverwalk, downtown Fort Lauderdale · (954) 828-8000
The Sandbar and Lake Sylvia
For boaters, the social heart of a sunny weekend is rafting up at a sandbar or dropping the hook in Lake Sylvia, a protected residential anchorage off the Intracoastal near the beach. It’s where Fort Lauderdale’s boating community gathers to swim, socialize, and watch the sunset — no reservation required, just local knowledge and a respect for your neighbors.
Las Olas Boulevard and the Beach
After a day on the water, Las Olas Boulevard delivers the shopping, galleries, and nightlife, while the beachfront promenade across from Bahia Mar offers that classic palm-lined stroll. With marinas like Las Olas, Hall of Fame, and Bahia Mar all within walking distance, you can step off the dock and straight into the city’s best evening scene.
The Best Waterfront Restaurants With Boat Access
Fort Lauderdale invented “dock and dine.” Here, a dinner reservation can come with a slip. These standouts all sit directly on the water, and most welcome arrivals by boat — though dockage is typically first-come, first-served, so it’s smart to call ahead.
15th Street Fisheries
The quintessential Fort Lauderdale dock-and-dine experience. Tucked inside historic Lauderdale Marina on the Intracoastal, this two-story institution pairs Old Florida charm with fresh seafood — and its famous dockside tarpon feeding is a must-do that delights kids and adults alike. The casual downstairs bar and the upscale upstairs dining room offer two distinct vibes, both with knockout water views. Address: 1900 SE 15th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Phone: (954) 763-2777 Website: 15streetfisheries.com
Boatyard
Upscale-casual and consistently buzzy, Boatyard sits right on the 17th Street waterway with gorgeous marina views, a raw bar, wood-fired steaks, grilled lobster, and daily fresh catches. Its photogenic cocktails and lively patio make it a favorite for celebrations. Address: 1555 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Phone: (954) 525-7400 Website: boatyard.restaurant
Coconuts
A laid-back, dog-friendly local legend near the beach, Coconuts serves coconut shrimp, fish tacos, and tropical cocktails with uninterrupted views of the Intracoastal. Pull up by boat, grab a seat on the deck, and watch the parade of vessels cruise by. Address: 429 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Phone: (954) 525-2421 Website: coconutsfortlauderdale.com
Shooters Waterfront
A South Florida cornerstone since 1982, Shooters offers a sprawling dockside layout, live music, weekend bottomless brunch, and complimentary docking when you arrive by water. It’s the classic Intracoastal party-with-a-view spot. Address: 3033 NE 32nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 Phone: (954) 566-2855 Website: shooterswaterfront.com
Southport Raw Bar
Unpretentious and beloved, Southport is the oldest raw bar in Fort Lauderdale and reportedly sells more oysters than anyone else in town. With its no-frills patio, cold beer, and “you can’t sink our prices” vibe, it’s peak Old Lauderdale — and there’s no docking fee. Address: 1536 Cordova Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Phone: (954) 525-2526 Website: southportrawbar.com
Kaluz Restaurant
For a more polished waterfront evening, Kaluz delivers elevated New American fare — ahi tuna, cedar-plank salmon, crab salad — with an inviting patio overlooking the Intracoastal up near Commercial Boulevard. It’s a reliable choice for an upscale dock-and-dine dinner. Address: 3300 E Commercial Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 Phone: (954) 772-2209 Website: kaluzrestaurant.com
Lobster Bar Sea Grille
When the occasion calls for fine dining, this Las Olas showpiece — set in a soaring, elegant room — pairs premium seafood and steaks with one of the city’s most impressive interiors. It’s a special-occasion favorite in the heart of downtown’s dining district. Address: 450 E Las Olas Blvd, Suite 190, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Phone: (954) 772-2675 Website: lobsterbarseagrille.com
A Few Practical Tips for Navigating Fort Lauderdale by Water
Fort Lauderdale’s waterways are wonderful but busy, so a little preparation goes a long way. Many of the area’s bridges are on fixed opening schedules, so build extra time into your cruise and monitor VHF Channel 16 (and the appropriate working channels) to communicate with bridge tenders and marina dockmasters. Manatee zones and no-wake areas are strictly enforced throughout the canals and the Intracoastal — mind your speed, both for safety and for the wildlife. When planning a dock-and-dine outing, call the restaurant ahead; dockage is usually first-come, first-served and can fill quickly on weekends and at sunset. And if you’re new to the area or chartering, hiring a local captain for your first outing is the fastest way to learn the channels, the etiquette at the sandbar, and the best spots that don’t show up on any map.
The Bottom Line
Fort Lauderdale’s yachting industry is a rare thing: simultaneously a multibillion-dollar economic engine, a global capital of craftsmanship and commerce, and an accessible playground for anyone who loves the water. The same waterways that host 300-foot superyachts and the world’s largest boat show also welcome a family in a runabout heading to Coconuts for fish tacos, or a couple riding the free water trolley past the mansions of Millionaires Row. Whether you’re shopping for a vessel through Denison or Fraser, booking a slip at Bahia Mar or Pier Sixty-Six, feeding tarpon at 15th Street Fisheries, or simply soaking up the spectacle of the boat show each fall, the “Yachting Capital of the World” lives up to its name — and it’s remarkably easy to dive in.
Quick Contact Directory
Marinas
- Bahia Mar Yachting Center — 801 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 · (954) 627-6309 · bahiamaryachtingcenter.com
- Pier Sixty-Six Marina — 2301 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 · (954) 728-3578 · pier66.com
- Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center — 2029 SW 20th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 · (954) 713-0333 · shmarinas.com
- Las Olas Marina — 151 Las Olas Cir, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 · (954) 756-6557
- Hall of Fame Marina — 435 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 · (954) 764-3975
- Sunrise Harbor Marina — 1030 Seminole Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 · (954) 667-6720
- Bradford Marine — 3051 W State Rd 84, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 · (954) 791-3800 · bradford-marine.com
Yacht Brokerages
- Denison Yachting — 1550 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 · (954) 763-3971 · denisonyachting.com
- Northrop & Johnson — 2015 SW 20th St, Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 · (954) 522-3344 · northropandjohnson.com
- Fraser Yachts — 1800 SE 10th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 · (954) 463-0600 · fraseryachts.com
- IYC — 110 E Broward Blvd #1650, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 · (954) 522-2323 · iyc.com
- HMY Yachts — 817 NE 3rd St, Dania Beach, FL 33004 · (954) 926-0400 · hmy.com
- Worth Avenue Yachts — 866 NE 20th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 · (954) 703-5737 · worthavenueyachts.com
- Allied Marine — 1445 SE 16th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 · (954) 462-5557 · alliedmarine.com
- Gilman Yachts — 1510 SE 17th St #300, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 · (954) 525-8112 · gilmanyachts.com
- MarineMax (Yacht Service Center) — 490 Taylor Ln, Dania Beach, FL 33004 · (954) 926-0308 · marinemax.com
Attractions & Getting Around
- Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show / MIASF — 221 SW 3rd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 · (954) 524-2733 · flibs.com · miasf.org
- Jungle Queen Riverboat — 801 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 · (954) 462-5596 · junglequeen.com
- Water Taxi — (954) 467-6677 · watertaxi.com
- LauderGO! Water Trolley — Riverwalk, downtown Fort Lauderdale · (954) 828-8000
Waterfront Restaurants
- 15th Street Fisheries — 1900 SE 15th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 · (954) 763-2777 · 15streetfisheries.com
- Boatyard — 1555 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 · (954) 525-7400 · boatyard.restaurant
- Coconuts — 429 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 · (954) 525-2421 · coconutsfortlauderdale.com
- Shooters Waterfront — 3033 NE 32nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 · (954) 566-2855 · shooterswaterfront.com
- Southport Raw Bar — 1536 Cordova Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 · (954) 525-2526 · southportrawbar.com
- Kaluz — 3300 E Commercial Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 · (954) 772-2209 · kaluzrestaurant.com
- Lobster Bar Sea Grille — 450 E Las Olas Blvd, Suite 190, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 · (954) 772-2675 · lobsterbarseagrille.com
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