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Whether you’re planning a dedicated yachting trip to Fort Lauderdale or just looking for a convenient stop along your route, the New River offers a great way to experience the city from the water. This New River yacht guide covers the must-haves for navigating the river, finding marinas & anchorages, accessing the shore, enjoying sightseeing, and planning an overnight stay. From New River yachting and New River boating to nearby yacht clubs, docks, and waterfront attractions, you’ll find all the info you need to make your time on the New River easier to plan.

And Yacht Haven Resort offers the perfect waterfront home base.

 

Getting to Know the New River

The New River winds through the heart of Fort Lauderdale, creating a unique boating corridor that connects residential neighborhoods, downtown attractions, waterfront restaurants, marinas, and the Intracoastal Waterway. Its location makes it a popular route for both local boaters and visitors exploring South Florida by yacht.

Maps and navigation tools can be extremely useful to boaters and charter passengers. You can familiarize yourself with the river’s features such as bridges, channels, waterfront developments, and potential places to explore or stop along the way. Once on the river, conditions may change, so be sure to check updated charts, bridge openings, weather, and local navigational regulations before departure.

 

New River Boating: What to Expect

New River boating can be a very different experience from cruising offshore. The river is an active urban waterway, with recreational boats, commercial vessels, water taxis, sightseeing cruises, and other traffic sharing the route.

Watch your channel markers, and heed posted restrictions near bridges and shallow or narrow parts of the river. Planning your route ahead of time will pay off, especially if you’re not familiar with the Ft. Lauderdale waterways.

 

Sightseeing Along the River

One of the biggest advantages of New River yachting is that the journey itself becomes part of the experience. Cruising the New River provides views of downtown Fort Lauderdale, waterfront homes, boats, restaurants, parks, and some of the city’s most recognizable scenery.

Take time for sightseeing if you’re traveling with visitors. Don’t think of the New River only as a means to get somewhere. It’s a great way to show them Fort Lauderdale at a slower pace.

 

Docks, Marinas & Anchorages

Finding the right place to stop is important when planning a New River trip. The area includes a variety of docks, marinas & anchorages, but availability, vessel requirements, fees, and rules can vary.

Make sure that prior to arrival, you’ll fit at a facility based on your boat’s size and type. Check whether reservations are needed. Also confirm fuel, electricity, water, pump out, and any other amenities you may require.

If you plan on spending more time at the dock, pick a full-service waterfront property. This allows you to drop the hook and kick back without having to head right back out.

 

Yacht Clubs and Waterfront Stops

Fort Lauderdale is home to many boating communities and yacht clubs, making it easy for visitors to find the right nautical spaces in the area. Depending on your itinerary, you may want to plan stops around restaurants, waterfront entertainment, shopping, or other attractions accessible from the river.

Some locations are geared toward members, while others may offer visitor access or transient services. Check directly with individual facilities before making them part of your itinerary.

 

Shore Access and Things to Do

A successful boating trip doesn’t have to end when you tie up. Convenient shore access lets you step off the boat and explore Fort Lauderdale on foot, dine at a nearby restaurant, run errands, or simply take a break from the water.

When planning an extended stay in the region, create a loose itinerary that allows you to split your time between your yacht and exploring on land. Thanks to Ft. Lauderdale’s riverside location, you can do both without venturing too far from the water.

 

River Jet Boats and Other Ways to Explore

Yachts aren’t the only way to experience the New River. Visitors can also find opportunities involving river jet boats and other water-based excursions. These experiences can be a fun addition for guests who want to see the river from a different perspective.

For a longer stay, combining your own vessel or charter with a sightseeing excursion can give everyone in your group more ways to experience Fort Lauderdale’s waterways.

 

Staying Near the New River

For boaters who need lodging, location matters. Staying close to the water can reduce unnecessary travel and make it easier to build your itinerary around your vessel.

Though there are many marinas along the river to choose from, Yacht Haven Park & Marina is truly unique. Unlike most marinas, Yacht Haven offers access to a full array of luxurious amenities:

• A laundry room with 16 machines
• A newly-updated fitness center
• A large swimming pool with tanning deck and lounge chairs
• The Tiki bar, fit with TVs, ping pong, cornhole, grill islands, and shade
• Pontoon rentals
• An A1 staff and maintenance team
• Storm protection in a natural “hurricane hole”
• Access to a friendly community
• Accommodates yachts up to 150′

Think of your lodging as an extension of your vacation: somewhere to relax, socialize, and enjoy your surroundings when you aren’t out exploring on the water.

 

Planning Your New River Yacht Trip

A little preparation goes a long way when navigating a busy urban waterway. Before departing, consider:

• Checking current marine weather and water conditions.
• Reviewing charts, maps, and navigation information.
• Confirming bridge locations and operating schedules when applicable.
• Reserving a transient slip or confirming docking availability.
• Checking marina rules and vessel-size restrictions.
• Planning where you’ll find fuel, water, and other services.
• Building in extra time for sightseeing and shore excursions.
• Confirming your lodging arrangements before arrival.

These simple steps can help you spend less time solving logistics and more time enjoying Fort Lauderdale.

 

New River Yacht Guide FAQ

Is the New River good for yacht cruising?

Yes. The New River provides access to Fort Lauderdale’s downtown waterfront and surrounding boating areas. However, boaters should prepare for an active urban waterway and follow posted navigation rules.

Where can I dock on the New River?

There are several docks located on and near the New River. Each has different availabilities and regulations.  Please contact the docks directly prior to arrival to ensure transient docking is available for your vessel type and to learn about any additional amenities. Yacht Haven is a unique place to tie up, with resort-style amenities like laundry, a fitness center, and a swimming pool. Yacht Haven can also accommodate vessels up to 150′ long and is situated upriver in a hurricane hole and is considered “as storm safe as it gets”.

Can I stay overnight near the New River?

Yes. Fort Lauderdale offers plenty of accommodation options near its waterways, like Yacht Haven. For boaters, choosing waterfront lodging can make it easier to combine boating with sightseeing and time on shore.

Is the New River suitable for first-time visitors to Fort Lauderdale?

Yes, but be sure to know your course, navigation rules, bridges, boat traffic, and docking areas prior to setting out. When in doubt, check with your local boating outlets or other marine professionals.

What makes New River yachting different from other Fort Lauderdale boating?

The New River combines a navigable urban waterway with downtown scenery, waterfront properties, restaurants, marinas, and attractions. That combination makes New River yachting as much about experiencing Fort Lauderdale as it is about getting from one point to another.

 

Start Planning Your New River Adventure

Whether Fort Lauderdale is your final destination or one stop on a longer journey, the New River gives you an opportunity to experience the city from the water. With advance planning for navigation, docking, shore access, and lodging, you can create a trip that works for both your vessel and your passengers.

When you’re ready to make Fort Lauderdale part of your itinerary, Yacht Haven Resort offers a waterfront place to stay and unwind between days on the water. Book your stay now!