It's important to know if your boat can fit under the bridges so you can go where you want.
Nicknamed the "Venice of America," Fort Lauderdale is known for its scenic canals, waterfront homes, and boating lifestyle. But for every yacht cruising the Intracoastal or docked at Las Olas, there’s one constant obstacle to navigate: the bridges.
Bridges in Fort Lauderdale don’t just connect the roads — they shape the boating experience. And if you're captaining a vessel, knowing which bridges open and what their clearance is could make or break your trip.
Let’s break it down.
There are two main types of bridges boaters deal with:
Fixed Bridges
These do not open and have a set clearance height. If your boat is too tall, you’re not going under.
Bascule (Draw) Bridges
These open on a schedule or on demand for taller vessels. Most are double-leaf bascule bridges with large counterweights that lift the road span.
Most fixed bridges in Fort Lauderdale have vertical clearances of around 14 to 17 feet at mean high water. That means:
Many of the bascule bridges open for vessels taller than 14–18 feet, and most will open on the quarter hour and three-quarter hour during daylight.
Here are some key bridges in the area, especially along the New River and Intracoastal Waterway:
Intracoastal Waterway Bridges (North to South)
New River Bridges (heading west through downtown)
Further west:
The Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad Bridge, near the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, is low and slow to open. Clearance is only about 4–5 feet when closed, so most boats can't get under it. Since it’s operated by Brightline and freight rail, it's not always predictable — which causes backups.
If you’re heading up the New River with a tall boat, factor in delays here.
Here's a general idea of what you can get through Fort Lauderdale’s waterways:
Height (air draft):
Length (LOA):
Fort Lauderdale’s boating culture thrives alongside its urban design. The city’s 165 miles of waterways are both playground and commute route for boaters. But it comes with a dance — timing your trip, planning for bridges, and sometimes waiting patiently.
In return, you get something few cities offer: the ability to cruise from your backyard to the Bahamas without ever hitting a highway.
Keep reading other bits of knowledge from our team.
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