No matter if you (rightfully) refer to it as the Water Taxi and/or Water Bus, it is the best way to get acquainted with Fort Lauderdale and all the various tourist traps therein. Now, this company does operate also in Texas and Oklahoma City, but since I’m a Floridian at heart and that’s the only place I’ve ridden the thing, that’s what I will concentrate on. I do assume the other two locations are comparable at any rate.
What this is, is just as the name would imply: a taxi on the water. This one runs up and down Lauderdale’s popular Intracoastal Waterway, and has one trip each Saturday from Lauderdale to Miami and back. The cost for all day (except that Miami run) is a mere $7. Yes, I said seven dollars. That 7 bucks gets you an all-day ticket. You can ride to your heart’s content, getting off at any of their 20 stops and back on as many times as you wish. What a deal, eh? It really is.
The entire circuit, which comprises those 20 stops, will take you 3 hours if you stay on and ride the loop in one go. I’ve actually done this on sunny days when I just wanted to be on the water and hadn’t much cash on me. This is the cheapest entertainment going, and quite pleasant.
These are longish flat bottom enclosed boats with large windows that open up giving you a pleasant breeze. There is one part in back that is open-air if you wish to get the full rays of the sun on your trip. Unfortunately, you can’t smoke on these boats. Not even out on the open deck part. grr argh. But Still… They do not serve snacks or drink either like a lot of the more expensive site-seeing boats, but this is not really mainly a site-seer… that is to say it’s just more of a side effect of the taxi part. You can, however, bring on a picnic basket if you should desire. I usually remember to bring bottled water at the very least. Some of the stops are for up to 10 minutes too, so you can get off and have your cigarette or buy a drink real quick if you wish to continue on with that boat.
Now, besides riding around on the water, why ever would I want to go for a full 3-hour circuit? Because the crew are marvellous and funny. Even though I said this is not mainly a site-seer, they still do a spiel that does, in fact, cover everything the $20 Carry B does, but for ummm 7 bucks… and they do it in a more amusing way here too. Cheaper and better. That’s why right there, folks.
You’ll get to see Millionaire’s row and be awed by Miami Dolphin owner Wayne’s entire island full of houses, see where Lucy called home for many years, groan at the bad Majors & Fawcett jokes, and… If you happen to go around December, see the coolest animatronics display ever in someone’s yard. All the while enjoying the friendly banter between the captain and the crew.
If you plan to be in the area for a bit, you might do well to go on and purchase a 3-day ticket for $10, 7-day for $20, 31-day for a mere $37, six months worth of rides for $87, or go all out if you decide to move down and get a year for $170. They do have reduced fares for youth, disabled, and seniors so do be sure to ask about those. With my disabled ID card I actually get to ride all day for just $3. Unreal. That Lauderdale-to-Miami deal on Saturdays (and now Tuesdays also I see) is just $17.
Just to give an idea of the various stops, you can get on or off at the Barrier Island (the beach); cruise on over to the newest tourist trap, Las Olas Riverfront; head up to Shooters where there are quite a few restaurants right there on the dock and eat on the water; head to the Galleria for a bit of shopping; hit any number of hotels; and well, like I said, there are 20 official stops. What is not advertised, however, is that if you ask nicely the captain is more than willing to drop you anywhere in between any of those regular stops.
I highly recommend the Water Taxi as both a thing to do and as a means of transportation. Please do remember to leave a tip in the jar though. Like most jobs, the folks are not making nearly enough for the fantastic job that they do. Enjoy.
