The Greater Fort Lauderdale area includes nine different beaches, each with their own unique charm and appeal...

Whether you're a lazy beach bum, a thrill-seeking adventurer, or anything between, Fort Lauderdale's beaches almost certainly have what you are looking for. The Greater Fort Lauderdale area boasts nine sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, with each beach offering a different combination of attractions and things to do.

Many of these beaches also offer access to the Intracoastal Waterway, an ideal location for any type of boating.

Deerfield Beach
The northernmost of Ft. Lauderdale's beaches, Deerfield Beach offers a family playground, beach volleyball, and the Deerfield Beach Fishing Pier. For more excitement, head to Quiet Waters Park, where you'll find a cable water skiing system, mountain bike trails, a skate park, and a campground.

• Parking: Metered parking and garage parking available.
• Amenities: Lifeguards, volleyball courts, pier.

Hillsboro Beach
This 3.2 mile strip of beach is a quiet escape, home to nesting sea turtles and the Hillsboro Lighthouse. The Hillsboro Lighthouse has been the most powerful beam of light on the East coast since it was first lit in 1907, and is currently the most powerful lighthouse in the world.

• Parking: No public parking.
• Amenities: None.

Pompano Beach
Named after the popular sport fish species, Pompano Beach offers great beaches and a wide variety of activities. If you just want to enjoy the water, head to the beach or the intracoastal waterway. If you're looking for a more exciting diversion, Pompano Harness Track offers harness racing, pari-mutuel betting and poker.

• Parking: Metered street and lot parking available.
• Amenities: Lifeguards, picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, soccer courts, restrooms, showers, BBQ grills, childrens' playground.

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
This coastal village and beach is actually a small island, separated from the mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway. In addition to beautiful beaches, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea has a living coral reef just yards off the shore, easily accessible to snorkelers and divers. Diving and snorkeling gear rentals and courses are available. For those who prefer fishing, Anglins Fishing Pier offers sand and reef fishing, plus a great view of the beach.

• Parking: There are over 600 metered parking spaces throughout the town. You can also use the Pelican Hopper, a free shuttle provided by the county.
• Amenities: Undeveloped beach, though there are showers at the end of Commercial Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale Beach
With 7 miles of beaches, extensive dining and great shopping, Fort Lauderdale is the area's chic beach destination. Roam along the beachfront promenade to access beach activities, shops, and dining.

• Parking: There are numerous pay-to-park garages, lots, and on-street parking available.
• Amenities: Lifegaurds, grills, non-motorized boat ramp, showers, restrooms, picnic tables, basketball court, playground, volleyball court, dog beach.

Dania Beach
With it's quaint downtown, nature trails and quiet beaches, Danie Beach is a great beach to head to if you want some R&R. It's also home to the International Game Fishing Hall of Fame, where you can see the big ones that didn't get away! If you're the gambling type, you can place a bet on a game of poker or Dania Jai-Alai, a game that is similar to racquetball(except the ball travels over 170 mph!)

• Parking: Large metered parking lot.
• Amenities: Lifeguards, restrooms, showers, playground, pier.

John U. Lloyd Beach State Park
Nestled next to Hollywood and Dania Beach, this state park offers a wealth of recreational opportunities. In addition to the great beach activities, you'll want to check out Whiskey Creek, which is a manatee sanctuary.

• Parking: Free parking, although entry fee is required.
• Amenities: Lifeguards, restrooms, showers, boat ramp, picnic pavilions, nature trail, refreshment stand, boat rentals.

Hollywood Beach
This vibrant city is a great destination for those who crave an exciting beach vacation full of culture, entertainment and fun. Bike, blade or walk on the 2 mile long broadwalk, chosen as by USA Today as one of America's top ten nostalgic promenades. Or, hit the beach for a game of volleyball, a yoga class, or just a swim in the ocean. When the sun starts to sink in the sky, you can head out for a night on the town, with award-winning restaurants, trendy stores, exciting entertainment and great music galore!

• Parking: Parking garages and metered parking on street.
• Amenities: Lifeguards, showers, 60-foot observation tower (at Hollywood North Beach Park), 2.5 mile broadwalk (with shops, rentals and restaurants), restrooms, beach volleyball, ping pong tables, childrens water play area, picnic pavilions, paddle ball courts.

Hallandale Beach
Home to two world-class racing tracks (the Mardis Gras Casino greyhound racing track and the Gulf Stream Park horse racing track), Hallandale Beach is a perfect destination for the racing or betting enthusiast. When you're ready to hit the beach, head towards the town's Beach Ball Water Tower and you'll find yourself on a lovely beach with restrooms, concessions, a playground and more!

• Parking: Metered parking available.
• Amenities: Lifeguards, showers, bocce ball court.