Because water awaits everywhere, yachting is an obvious choice for adventurers in Dania Beach. Spending a day, a weekend, a week or month aboard a privately owned, rented or completely chartered yacht offers recreation and relaxation not available to those fully footed a shore. 

For reliable yacht answers about Dania areas waterways, the best place for questions is a local marina, many of which offer new and use yacht sales, service, dockage and referrals to associated recreational diving and fishing businesses.  

A rather large lifestyle investment, yachts are definitely not one-size fits all. A marine brokerage like those found at top marinas and showrooms can show motor yachts, sport cruisers, walk-arounds, deck boats, bowriders, cuddy cabins, sailboats and everything else for above water journeys. 

Dania marinas 

A few well-known marinas are the Dania Beach Marina, InterMarine, Harbour Towne Marina, Royale Palm Marina, Griffin Marina, Cozy Cove Marina. 

Going beyond being a typical sales showroom or custom boat manufacturer, these marinas typically sell and service a variety of top-name vessels and safely house watercraft when not in use. Most offer a place to charge batteries, re-fuel, fill fresh-water tanks and use laundry, shower facilities.  

Because some even incorporate booms and lifts to accommodate large luxury vessels, it’s best to call to inquire about their precise equipment and trained service staff. 

Here are a few specialties at each: 

Dania Beach Marina is municipal endeavor with welcoming features of a picnic pavilion complete with grills and a fish cleaning station. Harbour Towne holds much statewide recognition, including the Clean Marina award for outstanding environmental clean water practices, the Green Boatyard Award and the Emerald Award for innovative procedures and process improvements. Their ample wetslips accommodate 200-foot-long vessels. 

Royal Palm Marina employs trained technicians for detailed repairs, yet it also caterers to owners who prefer the do-it-yourself maintenance and cleaning. Their Marina is also gated for security. 

Perfectly sized 

When planning water recreation beyond those more traditional marinas, look at a few other  Dania favorites. Dusky Marine, for instance, has developed an extensive list of hand-laid fiberglass tournament-ready rigs, functional bluewater fishing machines and even a walkaround cabin boat. Also in Dania Beach, Nautical Ventures handcrafts and repairs its custom-built sport fishing vessels. 

Yet, Nautical Ventures doesn’t  just manufacture, they’re  also well-versed in sales and service for boats, SUPs, kayaks and other toys at their locations in Dania Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, Tampa Bay and Sarasota.  

While considering amenities, die hard water sport fanatics also frequent Cozy Cove Marina, found mile from the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport by car or taxi. Also nearby is the Royale Palm Marina, boasting its location two miles from Port Everglades and having no fixed bridges to slow travel to the ocean.  

Also at Dania Beach, Griffin Marine Park has a stand-alone boat ramp on Dania Cutoff Canal. This public park offers free use daily of the boat ramp and floating dock. 

Best to Show 

While a marina most likely has an abundant selection of watercraft, a few stand-alone showrooms and manufacturers share specific expertise. In addition to featuring custom crafted sport-specific models like at Dusky’s, Cozy Cove Marina has a showroom and a nearly 5-acre outdoor space featuring new and pre-owned luxury yachts. Yamaha and Suzuki outboards are serviced on-site. 

A Cozy Cove favorite may well be any of the new Stamas models perfect for extended onboard vacations. Locals appreciate the easy access off the Dania Cut-off canal, and all purchasers enjoy seeing hundreds of amenity preferences here and at local boat show rooms.  Choices reach beyond the number and size of windows and inclusion of a hot tub spa.  

Cozy Cove also shows MarLago models with generous sun decks and adventurous sport fishing options.   Visitors notice cleverly engineered details here, notable favorites being integrated storage, conversational sofas and even swiveling seats better for entertaining. 

Before shopping, take note of requirements for a day, or week’s sailing? How many people are coming aboard and what are their favorite activities? 

Handy hangouts 

As water time ends, Dania Beach visitors lay low and relax with two feet on the turf at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park., offering one of Florida’s easiest, entertaining area shore dives. The park’s concession operator entertains guests daily at its Whiskey Creek Hideout, where park officials tell of a “lush mangrove-lined waterway is a scenic place to canoe, experience bike trails, observe bird life and take photographs.” Small water toys are also available to rent.  

For an inclusive experience, consider private beach parties or catered corporate events, all brought together by Whiskey Creek. Their tour operators also set sail every Friday evening for Sunset boat for sunset boat tours that tell about history while pointing out the multitude of animals that reside inside the park’s borders.  

Once monthly, Whiskey Creek holds a memorable night under the full moon as guests come together with glow sticks to walk or float along the Dania Beach waterways. 

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 

Through a check with its website before press time, our magazine verified that that The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is moving forward as planned with its highly attended annual show. Show promoters intend to ensure the health and safety of exhibitors, staff and visitors as Florida recognizes the dangers of Covid 19. 

The show is set for Oct. 27 - 31, 2021 at 801 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.