Boating

Boating from Central Beach: the Intracoastal, Bridges, Marinas & the Inlet

By Glen Primak, GLEN PRIMAK GROUP · Updated October 24, 2026

The short answer

Central Beach is the barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), from Sunrise Boulevard south to Bahia Mar. Its whole west side is ICW frontage, so buildings on the Intracoastal side (Bayshore Dr, Las Olas Cir, Seabreeze Blvd and the streets between them) can have docks right on the waterway, with no canal run to the ICW. Ocean-side buildings along A1A have no boat access of their own.

The way to the ocean is south to Port Everglades. From north of Las Olas Boulevard you pass two bascule (opening) bridges; from Bahia Mar or anywhere south of Las Olas, only one. There are no fixed bridges on that route.

North of the neighborhood, the East Sunrise Boulevard bascule bridges (ICW mile 1062.6) have a minimum closed clearance of 25 feet at center (Coast Pilot 4). They open on the hour and half-hour.

On the first weekend in May, the Sunrise and Las Olas bridges need not open from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and from 9:45 to 10:45 p.m. on that Saturday (33 CFR 117.261). Check the Coast Guard’s Local Notice to Mariners for any temporary deviations.

Sources: 33 CFR 117.261 (eCFR, current); Federal Register 2026-00932; Coast Pilot 4, Ch. 12 (Oct 18, 2026 ed.); USCG Federal Register 2012-8873 (Las Olas 24 ft).

Marinas in the neighborhood

• Bahia Mar, at the south end of Central Beach on Seabreeze Boulevard, is a large marina and hotel property and one of the venues of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show each fall. Ask the marina about slips and transient dockage.
• Las Olas Marina, on the Intracoastal just south of the Las Olas bridge. Ask the marina about slip sizes and whether it takes transient or annual boats.
• Smaller private docks line the Intracoastal side of Bayshore Drive and the Las Olas Circle area. Most belong to condominium associations or hotels.

Slips on condo property

In Central Beach, a dock is a building amenity, not a given. Many buildings away from the Intracoastal have no dock at all. Intracoastal-front buildings may have slips that are assigned as limited common elements, leased by the association, rented to non-residents, or recorded as separate parcels. The building’s declaration, rules and slip agreements control length limits, liveaboard rules and who may use a slip. Ask each building whether it has slips, how they are held, any length limits and any waitlist.

City dock and seawall rules

From the City of Fort Lauderdale Unified Land Development Regulations (ULDR) as amended by Ordinance C-23-05. This is a summary, not legal or engineering advice; confirm current code and permit requirements with the City.

• Seawall height (Sec. 47-19.13): a new or substantially repaired seawall must work as a tidal flood barrier with a top elevation of at least 5 feet NAVD88 (4 feet NAVD88 allowed for applications before January 1, 2035 if designed to reach 5 feet by 2050). For a condominium, the association usually owns and maintains the seawall as a common element, so its cost shows up in the budget, reserves or a special assessment.
• How far docks extend (Sec. 47-19.3): docks, lifts and similar structures may not extend into the waterway more than 25% of its width or 25 feet, whichever is less. Mooring or dolphin piles may extend up to 30% of the waterway width or 25 feet, whichever is less. Federal channel limits may also apply on the Intracoastal side; check with the City before you plan a dock or lift.

Boat Show week

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show takes over Bahia Mar and the Las Olas area each fall, with temporary docks on the Intracoastal, road closures and heavy traffic on A1A and Seabreeze Boulevard. If you own near the south end, plan around it; check flibs.com for the dates and venues.

Questions to ask about a specific building

• Does the building have slips? Does this unit come with one, and is it deeded, assigned or leased? What length and beam fit?
• What is the depth at mean low water at the slip, by survey, and how exposed is it to ICW wakes?
• When was the seawall last inspected or rebuilt, and is it in the reserve study?
• Are there lifts or davits, and who maintains them?

Glen can pull the building’s documents and the City’s permit history as part of a showing. Ask about a specific building →