national parks and beach

Question

We are flying into fort lauderdale, with the goal of some beach, and then visiting biscayne np, and hopefully everglades. Any recommendations for beaches in the fort lauderdale are which are great for shelling. Would you then move to be closer to everglades, or could we keep fort lauderdale as home base?

thanks

Answer

Flying into Fort Lauderdale gives you a good central base for exploring both beaches and nearby national parks, though your exact itinerary may affect whether you want to stay put or move closer to certain attractions. Fort Lauderdale itself offers some nice beaches, but shelling tends to be better further north or on barrier islands.

Beaches near Fort Lauderdale for shelling:

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park Beach: Smaller, quieter beach with opportunities for spotting shells along the shoreline; also offers kayaking and walking trails.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea: About 15 minutes north of central Fort Lauderdale, this beach is known for good shelling, snorkeling off the pier, and a relaxed, small-town vibe.
Delray Beach (a bit further north): Great for shelling and often less crowded than more central beaches; a scenic drive along A1A makes it easy to explore multiple beaches in one day.
Hillsboro Inlet and Pompano Beach: Both offer good shelling opportunities and are only a short drive from Fort Lauderdale.

Regarding national parks:

Biscayne National Park: Located just south of Miami, this park is largely water-based, so you’ll likely be taking boat tours or snorkeling trips. It’s about a 45-60 minute drive from Fort Lauderdale, so staying in Fort Lauderdale is feasible for a day trip.
Everglades National Park: The main visitor areas like Shark Valley or the Ernest Coe Visitor Center are further west and south. Driving from Fort Lauderdale is around 1.5-2 hours depending on the area you choose. If you want a longer Everglades experience, staying one or two nights closer to the park (Homestead or Florida City) can save travel time.

Recommendation:

If you prefer a single home base, Fort Lauderdale works fine for beaches and a day trip to Biscayne NP. For the Everglades, plan a full day and start early.
If you want to minimize driving and fully explore both Biscayne and Everglades without feeling rushed, you could split your stay: a few nights in Fort Lauderdale for beaches, then a night or two closer to the Everglades.

Overall, it depends on whether you want more relaxed beach days or more time exploring the parks. Fort Lauderdale is convenient for a mix of both but be prepared for longer drives to reach different national park areas.