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Florida law requires you to be at least 18 to rent a livery vessel other than a human-powered vessel. Florida sets no general minimum age to operate a boat, but a personal watercraft operator must be at least 14.

Under section 327.395, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must carry the required boating safety credentials. An exemption applies when accompanied by a credentialed or exempt person age 18 or older who is attendant to the operation and responsible for safe operation and violations. The rental operator sets its own booking minimum subject to state law, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida does not issue a boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1988, must carry photo ID and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating education card when running a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. There is no general minimum age for boats; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and no one under 18 may rent any vessel other than a human powered one. Exemptions include Coast Guard licensed masters, private lake or pond operators, operators accompanied aboard by someone 18 or older who holds the card or is exempt and is responsible for the vessel, and nonresidents with proof of a NASBLA-approved out of state course. Any non exempt operator may instead pass an FWC approved temporary certificate exam and carry that certificate with photo ID for 90 days.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

From Fort Lauderdale, you can cruise the New River and Intracoastal Waterway, turn into Middle River or Lake Sylvia, or reach Atlantic waters through Port Everglades. The New River is a no-wake city route; Tarpon Bend is narrow, current-prone and busy. The Intracoastal continues through the no-wake Stranahan River. Middle River splits into North and South forks and has a no-wake section upstream. Lake Sylvia is a side basin reached through Mercedes River. Port Everglades has large commercial traffic near its ocean entrance. City launch options include Cooley’s Landing and George English Park.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (nauticalcharts.noaa.gov)

From Fort Lauderdale, boaters commonly head to the New River and Riverwalk, Whiskey Creek, North Lake in Hollywood and the waters off Hillsboro Beach. The New River offers a downtown cruise past high-rises, Riverwalk and Las Olas Boulevard, with city docking nearby. At Whiskey Creek in Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, boats can beach on the sandy bottom for a picnic, beach visit or meal. North Lake draws boaters for anchoring, swimming, paddleboarding and dockside dining. Off Hillsboro Beach, boaters anchor for clear water and views of Hillsboro Lighthouse.

Source: Visit Lauderdale (visitlauderdale.com)