Margaritaville to Riverside Hotel via Water Taxi

Question

Hello! I’ve read up a lot on the water taxi and am still pretty unsure of how the stops work. I’m staying at Margaritaville later this month and would like to use the water taxi to see some of the mansions and have lunch in Fort Lauderdale. It looks like most of the mansions are along the river. I believe I would take the water taxi from Margaritaville to Hilton Marina, but going by the stop numbers, it appears the water taxi would then head north instead of west along the river. Is there not a way to go along the river without going all the way north first, or am I reading it wrong?

Thanks in advance!

Answer

Hi! The Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi can definitely be a bit confusing at first because it has multiple routes and stops along the New River, the Intracoastal Waterway, and connecting canals. Here’s a detailed explanation to help clarify your route from Margaritaville to Riverside Hotel and sightseeing along the mansions.

How the Water Taxi works:

The water taxi operates on a hop-on, hop-off system, with a set route that generally loops through the main stops along the New River and Intracoastal Waterway.
Boats typically run north and south along the main waterway. The stops are numbered but the direction the boat takes depends on the schedule and current location.
Not every boat stops at every private canal or mansion area; the taxis stick to their designated stops along the public waterway.

Regarding your Margaritaville to Riverside Hotel plan:

If you board at Margaritaville, the next major stop heading north is often the Hilton Marina. From there, the boats continue north before looping back south. This can feel counterintuitive if you want to go directly west along the river toward certain mansion areas.
The water taxi primarily follows the New River and Intracoastal Waterway, which may require going north first before reaching certain westward stops, depending on the loop schedule.
There isn’t a direct west route along the private canals from Margaritaville, as the water taxi sticks to public navigable waters and pre-set stops.

Tips to make the most of your trip:

Check the water taxi map and schedule online or at the ticket booth. Some routes are seasonal or operate on slightly different schedules depending on the day.
Ask the captain or crew before boarding which stops best show the mansions you’re interested in, as they can advise on timing and whether you should ride north first or switch boats at a later stop.
For lunch in Fort Lauderdale, stops like Las Olas Riverfront, Riverside Hotel, or Intracoastal dining locations are ideal and conveniently served by the water taxi.
Be mindful of boat frequency; during off-peak hours, waiting times can be longer, so plan for extra time to get back to Margaritaville or your next stop.

In summary, the water taxi route may require going north first to complete the loop before heading west along the river toward certain stops. It does not provide a direct westbound route from Margaritaville to Riverside Hotel, but by planning the stops strategically and consulting the crew, you can still enjoy the mansion views and a leisurely lunch efficiently.

Margaritaville to Riverside Hotel via Water Taxi

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