Best Waterfront Developments for Yachting Enthusiasts in Fort Lauderdale
Quick Summary
- Curated overview of Fort Lauderdale’s best yachting-oriented residences
- What to know about marina slips, inlet access, and bridge clearances
- Flagship picks span Bahia Mar, boutique Intracoastal, and riverfront living
- Practical selection checklist for matching your yacht and lifestyle
A city built for life at the helm
Fort Lauderdale did not stumble into its nautical fame. The city’s grid of sunlit canals, the navigational ease of the Intracoastal Waterway, proximity to Port Everglades, and an unrivaled ecosystem of marinas, shipyards, and service providers make daily cruising feel effortless. For buyers who would rather step from an elevator onto a promenade than across a driveway to a mooring, the latest wave of luxury residences now folds serious boating utility into architecturally refined homes. The result is a rare fusion: lock-and-leave condominium living with immediate access to blue water, concierge-grade services, and the social world of fellow yachtsmen. In listings nomenclature you may even see the shorthand Fort-lauderdale, a reminder that this market is its own global search category.
The addresses below are chosen for practical reasons that matter at the helm. We look at whether dockage is on-site or next door, how quickly you can reach the inlet, whether your flybridge clears the nearest spans at mean high water, and whether the amenity program suits extended stays or quick weekend turnarounds. Where timelines or final counts are evolving, we note them as planned or anticipated. The aim is simple: point you toward the places that make owning and operating a yacht in Fort Lauderdale feel like second nature.
Flagship marina living at Bahia Mar
For yachting households who want the marina underfoot, Bahia Mar’s storied waterfront is the insider’s baseline. St. Regis® Residences Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale is planned as a modern reimagining of this 40-acre homeport, pairing a five-star hotel component with private residences and an expansive, festival-ready waterfront. Expect contemporary glass architecture with sweeping terraces that read like decks in the sky, a service culture tuned to high-touch arrivals, and an amenity matrix calibrated for owners who split time between continents and islands.
At the marina itself, slip counts are envisioned to accommodate a broad spectrum of vessels, including large-format yachts, with direct access to the Intracoastal and a short run to the inlet. The bigger idea is choreography: valet and drop-off for provisioning, discreet loading zones, fitness and spa spaces that actually get used, and dining that works as well for a post-crossing celebration as for a last-minute crew dinner. If you want the prestige of a branded address with the practical upside of on-site berthing and year-round marine action, Bahia Mar will be your north star.
Prospective owners should also weigh the macro advantages: the site’s tradition of hosting major yachting events, the broad waterfront promenade that turns daily walks into boat-spotting tours, and the optics of living within Fort Lauderdale’s most recognized marine address. When you are ready to go from shortlist to site visit, the dedicated project page is the most efficient starting point: explore St. Regis Bahia Mar Residences for floor plans, services, and release timing.
Boutique and branded on the Intracoastal
Not every yachtsman wants the theater of a resort-scale community. Some prefer a smaller house count, quieter lobbies, and the intimacy of a boutique building where staff know your crew by name. Two Fort Lauderdale offerings stand out for this sensibility, each with a distinct approach to waterside living.
Riva Residenze Fort Lauderdale is a yacht-referential address conceived for owners who want their daily ritual to feel like stepping aboard. The architecture reads sleek and purposeful, with glass and sculptural lines that nod to Italian performance boats. More importantly, the lifestyle brief centers on boating practicality: residents have access to an on-site marina with slips sized for substantial tenders and mid-size yachts, a waterfront pool deck for après-cruise downtime, and club-like lounges that make it easy to gather a few friends before a late-afternoon run to Lighthouse Point. The official page, Riva Residenze Fort Lauderdale, is the best place to gauge availability, residence scale, and amenity details.
For owners who like the intimacy of boutique scale but want to balance it with an urbane hotel sensibility, a branded Intracoastal project in Central Beach offers a curated program of services, temporary yacht pickup and drop-off, and a leisurely waterfront promenade that turns spur-of-the-moment sunset cruises into an easy habit. Think fully finished interiors, hospitality-trained staff, and amenity decks that function like a private beach club without the sand. The advantage here is lifestyle calibration: fewer neighbors sharing each facility, shorter elevator wait times, and a quietly glamorous foyer that feels like a private members’ lounge.
North Beach and the New River: alternative paths to the ocean
Some buyers prioritize wide-water views and fresh-contemporary amenity decks over in-house marinas, choosing buildings that sit directly on the Intracoastal or the New River yet keep bigger-boat berthing at a nearby facility. If that sounds like your ideal mix, this cluster of addresses is worth close study.
In North Beach, a contemporary tower facing the Intracoastal pairs resort-style amenities with a compact count of resident-only boat slips, creating a practical option for owners of day cruisers and mid-size weekenders. The virtue here is simplicity: pull in after a morning run, hand lines to staff, and be upstairs for lunch without the logistics of a sprawling marina complex. You still enjoy the long-horizon views, roof decks with hot tubs and fire pits, and lounges that make it easy to host after-dinner drinks as the waterway sparkles below.
Downtown on the New River, Sixth & Rio Fort Lauderdale scales to neighborhood life with a riverfront stance that rewards walkers and boaters alike. This refined, mid-rise format sets you within minutes of Las Olas dining, the Riverwalk, and a city-run trolley stop that puts an easyboat mindset into everyday errands. It is also a favorite for owners who commute to the ocean by tender, keeping larger yachts in professional marinas near the inlet. If you prefer a quieter residential building with serious design credentials and quick access to downtown culture, start with the official page for residence and amenity specifics: Sixth & Rio.
Oceanfront purists who still want an on-the-water scene often look to established hotels-with-residences where beach life and yacht life intersect naturally. Auberge Beach Residences & Spa Fort Lauderdale sits directly on a deep stretch of sand, with ocean-view residences and a spa and dining program that made it an instant classic for seasonal and year-round owners. While you will keep larger boats at nearby marinas, the daily rhythm is unmistakably aquatic. To survey current offerings and building details, visit Auberge Beach Residences & Spa.
A few blocks south, Four Seasons Hotel & Private Residences Fort Lauderdale sharpens the paradigm with a service culture that reads like a well-run superyacht and interiors that favor quiet, confident materials. Owners here typically pair oceanfront living with slip arrangements along the Intracoastal or at full-service facilities closer to the inlet. The calculus is compelling: wake to the Atlantic, hand the valet your overnight duffel, and be underway toward Bimini by late morning.
Finally, if you are assembling a forward-looking portfolio and want pre-construction timing, a new contemporary entry is positioning itself as a fresh North Beach option with modern lines and a service program that leans into refined simplicity. Keep an eye on Andare Residences Fort Lauderdale for official updates as the neighborhood continues its evolution around parks, cafes, and water-centric leisure.
How to choose the right yachting address
Every captain has a different brief. Use the checklist below to align your vessel, routines, and expectations with the realities of a given property.
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Dockage and dimensions: If you run a larger yacht, prioritize addresses with on-site or immediately adjacent slips sized for your LOA, beam, and draft. Confirm tidal depth at mean low water, piling spacing, and any shore power specifics your systems demand. If you keep a larger yacht in a professional marina and a smaller day boat at home, confirm there is a practical tender solution on-site.
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Inlet logistics: Distance and time to the inlet matter on windy days. Addresses closer to Port Everglades reduce bridge cycles and maximize time in open water. If you are cruising to the Bahamas often, calculate round-trip fuel and provisioning convenience when comparing sites.
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Bridge clearances: Measure your air draft with antennas in their underway positions and compare against the nearest spans at mean high water. If you regularly return at night or at spring tides, give yourself margin.
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Marina culture: A resort-scale property can be energizing, with restaurants, a promenade, and year-round events that keep the scene lively. Boutique buildings trade that spectacle for intimacy, lower resident counts, and a club-like rhythm. Decide which cadence will make you happiest in February and in July.
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Service and staffing: True five-star service makes ownership frictionless. Look for well-staffed lobbies, experienced concierges who can coordinate last-minute provisioning and crew hospitality, and discreet security protocols. Properties with a hotel component often excel at this, making it easier to host guests and to transition from sea days to dinner reservations without missing a beat.
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Family and multi-generational use: If grandkids or friends will be frequent, prioritize addresses with children’s rooms, flexible lounges, and protected shallow-water areas nearby for paddleboarding and swimming. Some buildings integrate kids’ clubs and media rooms that keep non-boating days just as enjoyable.
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Resale optics: Recognizable brand names and marina adjacency historically broaden buyer pools. Even if you expect to hold long term, a strong story around slip access, views, and services tends to preserve liquidity when life changes.
Other noteworthy names for boaters
No single lane defines waterfront living here, and your shortlist should reflect that nuance. Beyond the flagship and boutique entries above, the city continues to refine offerings that intersect gracefully with time on the water. Select owners gravitate to St. Regis® Residences Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale for its marina-first DNA, to Riva Residenze Fort Lauderdale for its tailored intimacy, to Sixth & Rio Fort Lauderdale for riverfront calm, and to iconic oceanfronts like Auberge Beach Residences & Spa Fort Lauderdale and Four Seasons Hotel & Private Residences Fort Lauderdale for beach-forward living paired with professional dockage nearby. For a fresh architectural note in North Beach, monitor Andare Residences Fort Lauderdale as that corridor matures with new dining and park life.
If you are moving from a single-family residence with a private dock, the shift to a managed environment will feel like a relief. Your maintenance footprint shrinks to a well-run HOA and a professional marina team. You still get the sunrise over the Intracoastal, the dinner runs to Lighthouse Point, the quick crossings to Cat Cay, and the after-hours walk along the promenade, just with less friction and fewer moving parts.
When you are ready to translate preferences into a private short list and timed site visits, our team can organize a sequence that aligns with bridge openings, marina appointments, and your cruising calendar. For curated guidance and confidential previews, connect with us at MILLION Luxury.
FAQs
Which Fort Lauderdale buildings let me keep a larger yacht directly on-site?
Addresses with purpose-built marina programs or immediate adjacency to full-service marinas are best if your vessel is above mid-size dimensions. Bahia Mar’s reimagined plan is the flagship template, and select boutique entries provide resident slips for smaller yachts and tenders.
How quickly can I reach open water from these properties?
Anything near Port Everglades typically offers the shortest run to the inlet. Intracoastal addresses north and along the New River add scenic cruising time but may involve additional bridge timing. Your air draft and typical departure window should guide selection.
Are boutique buildings practical for active yachting families?
Yes, particularly if you plan to keep a larger yacht at a nearby professional marina and a day boat or tender at home. Boutique buildings trade spectacle for privacy and often deliver faster service, quieter amenity decks, and easier guest logistics.
What should I verify before committing to a slip?
Confirm LOA, beam, draft, pile spacing, shore power compatibility, tidal depths at MLW, and prevailing wind protection. Ask about waitlists, assignment policies, and whether slips are deeded, licensed, or leased. Review hurricane protocols and insurance requirements.
Is oceanfront better than the Intracoastal for boaters?
They serve different priorities. Oceanfront delivers sand and sunrise with dockage arranged nearby, while Intracoastal and riverfront addresses deliver immediate waterway access and a daily parade of boats. Many owners choose based on typical cruising patterns and family routines.
Million Luxury
Million Luxury
Welcome to MILLION, an exclusive luxury real estate boutique nestled in the heart of South Florida’s most desirable locations. Specializing in high-end properties, we provide a sanctuary for discerning clients including top Fortune 500 executives, affluent families, celebrities, and professional athletes from across the globe. At MILLION, we understand the unique demands of our elite clientele and offer a seamless blend of confidentiality and personalized attention. Our commitment to privacy is unwavering; we ensure that every transaction and interaction is handled with the utmost discretion and according to stringent confidentiality protocols. Our concierge service embodies the pinnacle of white-glove care, offering tailored assistance that transcends traditional real estate support.
