Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.floridastateparks.org/lloydbeach
; 6503 North Ocean Dr, Dania Beach; per vehicle/cyclist $6/2;
8am-sundown)
Once an important stop for Prohibition-era bootleggers, lush Whiskey Creek (get it?) is
now a kayaking hot spot. The dense mangrove-lined route meanders 1.5 miles through the
park, and is shallow and calm. There's also 2.5 miles of undisturbed beach to enjoy. At the
northern end is the Port Everglades inlet, where cruise ships and yachts sail past, while at
the southern end you'll find the
Dania Beach fishing pier
. The park also offers some of
the best offshore snorkeling and diving in the county and is an important turtle nesting
area.
The
Loggerhead Cafe
at the north end of the park provides kayak and canoe rentals.
West Lake Park
KAYAKING, HIKING
( 954-357-5161;
www.broward.org/parks/westlakepark
;
1200 Sheridan St, Hollywood; per person/
car $1.50/8; 9am-5pm)
This 1500-acre park is a rarity in Broward County. It's wild. Fortunately, environmentalists
in the 1970s managed to save it from development, forever preserving its tangle of man-
groves, wetlands and wildlife. These days it's one of the most accessible natural places for
kayaking, biking and hiking within a largely built-up area. From Thursday to Friday, ca-
noeists and kayakers can rent boats (1/2/4 hours $14/24/30) from the marina and paddle
through the mangrove trails, maps of which are provided at the gatehouse.
On the north side of Sheridan Street the
Anne Kolb Nature Centre
(751 Sheridan St; ad-
mission $2; 9am-5pm)
encompasses a further 1501 acres of coastal mangroves criss-
crossed with hiking trails and offering views over the lake. A variable schedule of environ-
mental boat trails also departs from here (adult/under-18s $5/3).
Sleeping
Although both Hollywood and Dania abound with characterful period motels and guest-
houses, in 2013 a large chunk of the Broadwalk was signed over in a public-private part-
nership to develop the new Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville Beach Resort. Scheduled for
completion in 2015, the 6-acre, island-themed resort will feature a 350-room hotel, mul-
tiple restaurants, shopping outlets and and an extensive water recreation area.
