Last Updated on April 3, 2025 by Marybeth
With coral reefs just 100 feet from the beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is one of the few shore diving towns in the US. “Florida’s Beach Diving Capital” offers a tank rack for gear setup and easy access to great diving and snorkeling experiences.
No need to haul your own boat, figure out where to launch it, and motor miles out with a packed lunch, plenty of sunscreen, diving gear and beverages. You don’t have to book a charter and have someone else tell you where to launch into your first giant stride.
Divers will want to check out the wreck of the SS Copenhagen, 3/4 of a mile offshore, a shipwreck preserve on the National Register of Historic Places. For this dive an experienced dive operator charter is a good idea; more details can be found at Florida Scuba Diving.
Entering from the beach, as you finswim out you’ll find Shipwreck Snorkel Trail first. This artificial reef was created by the Marine Archaeological Council and dedicated by underwater explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau in 2002. Shipwreck Snorkel Trail recreates the remains of an early wooden shipwreck, including a ballast stone pile, replica cannons, and an authentic anchor. This area is called “first reef” or “first ledge” (there are two more further out) and here you’ll see spiny lobster, sea fans, barrel sponges, hard and soft corals, and tropical fish.
Being able to put our gear on and easily swim to coral reefs sounded novel and exciting for us. We’re not divers, but have snorkeled in some pretty epic places (Dry Tortugas, BVIs) and the ease offered in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea was a big draw. Topped off with the promise of a nostalgic vibe, Miami Modern (MiMo) style architecture, and a charming walkable downtown put this destination on the top of our list.
If you’re a regular visitors here and to our Instagram, you’ll know what we spent most of our time doing: strolling, shopping, feasting our eyes on the cool architecture, and visiting as many restaurants as we could squeeze into our visit. The opportunity to snorkel right off the beach brought us here, and the small town charm, colorful retro vibe, and great food encouraged us to stay.
Relax – you’re here. Might be one of my favorite town mottos of all time.
Some Lauderdale-by-the-Sea fun history and quirky facts:
- When the town was first developed some residents swam out to the reefs to chip off blocks of living coral (yikes!) to use as decoration, until collection of coral was prohibited.
- In the late 40s when the town still bordered primitive wetlands, organized gator hunts lassoed 15 gators a day. The gators were later released unharmed into marshes west of the town.
- Founder and first mayor of the town, Melvin Anglin, took 10 years to build the pier himself – with the help of his teenaged son, Bill – using a handmade pile driver. Finished in 1941, the pier has since been totally rebuilt twice.
STAY
You’ve heard us say where you stay sets the tone for your whole trip, encouraging you to first consider lodging options when planning your visit. Once that all-important decision is made, the town is your oyster!
“Bungalow” is more of a feeling than a precise architectural term (sorry, you style purists.) Room to spread out with family and friends (under a palm tree preferred) and spaces that are small enough to feel cozy. That “THIS is all we need” feeling. And as always we only recommend independently owned businesses.
We’ve rounded up several options: with so many cool spots to call home, we couldn’t choose just one.
Built in 1958 and totally and thoughtfully renovated in 2019, The Elmar will be your oasis that feels like home. Airy, light-filled rooms with modern decor offer space for three guests (ages 12 and up), with several choices of room types.
The Elmar is located just across the street from the beach and within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants, the beach pavilion and the colorful shaded chairs perfect for people-watching. You’ll see the coolest aerial video shot from the beach to the hotel on The Elmar’s Instagram. Watch and you’ll find out why we not only love this hotel, but why we love this small beach town. No high rises in sight! (Well, a few to the south, in the distance.)
Privately owned and family operated (always music to our ears) for over 60 years, award-winning High Noon Beach Resort consists of four buildings directly on the ocean. Room types are many: choose from hotel rooms, efficiency apartments, one and two bedroom apartments, or The Beach House; a 2/2 separate home with its own terrace complete with a tiki hut. High Noon is just a 2-minute walk to the beach pavilion, shops and restaurants. View a plethora of tropical escape photos of the resort on their Instagram.
The best part of their website, for us, is this:
If you are looking for a beautiful South Florida boutique property directly on the ocean in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, and want to share rest, peace, and tranquility with like-minded people then you have found the right place. If you are looking for a property with constant action, lots of people in the pool, loud music, smoking, big groups, and a party atmosphere, this is not your place. We welcome all, but ask that you help us preserve the relaxed vibes our guests love.
We couldn’t have said it better when describing the solitude that we seek, and why we’re here to help you find it too!
Sea Spray Inn is a small, private family-owned hotel with 19 units: studio, one bedroom, two bedrooms, and a spacious penthouse spread out over three buildings. All have fully equipped kitchens.
Rated #1 of five Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Inns on TripAdvisor, Sea Spray is across the street from the beach and fronts a lovely tree-lined median in a part of town that has a mostly residential feel, yet is only a 4-minute walk to the vibrant main street area and beach pavilion. Sea Spray Inn was built in 1953 and its clean lines and focus on functionality shone back then (we’re imagining; we weren’t born quite yet) as it does today.
As I researched 30+ hotels for this article, almost all of them mid-century small boutique properties that have been renovated, I considered renaming this post “For the Mid-century / Miami Modern Hotel Enthusiast: This Town Will Have You Choice-Paralyzed.” But that didn’t sound great, and of course Lauderdale-by-the-Sea offers way more than just a myriad of cool-looking 50s and 60s locally owned hotels. Just know I was in mid-mod heaven. Architecture isn’t why we travel (we’ve been told it’s actually food. “We travel to eat” – John T. Edge) but how a place looks, and the time the owners put into making it great for us modern travelers is what elevates our experience.
A few other places to consider that are cool-looking and have good reviews:
Blue Seas Courtyard – built in 1946, this colorful hacienda-style retreat underwent major renovations including the addition of a swimming pool. The current owners managed the property for the husband’s parents for twelve years before saving up to buy the property themselves in the 70s. True preservationists for the town, the couple has served on town boards, held elective offices, and formed citizen’s organizations to preserve the small town quality of life. Choose from efficiency apartments or one-bedroom suites. 50 steps to the beach and a 5-minute walk to downtown.
La Mer Suites – Perfect for a week’s stay or longer (discounts for 4 weeks or more) La Mer Suites offers mini-suites, parent suites (2nd bedroom designed for kids), and couples’ suites. All have kitchens or kitchenettes. Located a block from the beach and two blocks from the pier. Pet friendly for animals under 25 pounds.
Sea Cliff Resort – Winner of a Traveler’s Choice Best of the Best award in 2023. Frank Myatt helped rebuild Anglin Pier in 1960, and built Sea Cliff Resort as well. The property remains in the family; Frank Myatt Jr. is the current owner. At Sea Cliff you can reserve a one bedroom suite, or a deluxe one bedroom suite that faces the ocean (across the street.) All have kitchens.
PLAY
After experiencing some epic snorkeling, our thoughts turned to food + drinks. Almost all the restaurants in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea are concentrated in a two-block area by the Anglin Pier, Commercial Boulevard and Elmar Drive, the section we’ve been calling “downtown.”
MiMo Style Architecture
Full transparency: I had never heard of Miami Modern architecture. As a hobbyist architecture enthusiast, I am continuously learning. While we’re on this topic, does anyone REALLY like the Brutalist style? Even the name….
Miami Modern was a regional expression of Mid-Century Modern, with tropical adaptations geared toward Florida’s climate. Meant as a playful response to the “less is more” post-WWII Bauhaus style, MiMo incorporated streamlined shapes, clean lines and curved surfaces, bright colors, butterfly rooflines, wall cut-outs, open courtyards and catwalks.
Often cited as a prime example of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea’s Miami Modern style, the Driftwood Beach Club, above, showcases contrasting textures of stone, whimsical porthole shaped windows, a center courtyard, and catwalks. I was captivated and took multiple photos, not knowing at the time that it exemplifies the town’s officially adopted preferred architectural style. The High Noon Beach Resort is also often featured in articles, with its curved canopies echoing the waves of the ocean, decorative tilework, and brise-soleil (french for sun-breaker) graphic cut-outs.
Whether you come here to explore the coral reefs directly from the beach (we’re still amazed that this is such an easy way to see so much sea life!) or soak in the sun, the exuberant design aesthetic, and welcoming hospitality, you’ll be glad you put Lauderdale-by-the-Sea on your list.
Relax – you’re here.
For more information about beach diving and snorkeling: Discover Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Live Free Diving.
Much of the history was found in a fascinating and comprehensive article written in 1989 by local resident Martha E. Munzer, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, A Living History.
