BeachFree; bring your own mask, fins and dive flag; metered parking Water play
Shipwreck Snorkel Trail
Datura Ave & El Mar Dr, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL 333088 yr–18 yrs
60–150 min
morning
A free underwater trail you swim to from the beach, just south of the pier: an anchor, five concrete cannons, and a ballast pile in about 10 feet of water, dedicated by Jean-Michel Cousteau in 2002. Enter at the Datura Avenue beach portal, which has a dive bench for gearing up. The town's first coral reef is about 100 yards offshore.
Why kids love it
Not a toddler outing — this one is for confident swimmers, roughly 8 and up, with an adult in the water. Little ones can play on the sand at the same beach entrance while the big kids snorkel.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea · Coastal Broward
🎒 Packing list
- • Swim diaper
- • Sunscreen (reapply!)
- • Beach tent or umbrella
- • Towels
- • Sand toys
- • Water bottles
- • Snacks
- • Dry clothes
- • Mask, snorkel and fins
- • Dive flag and float
Safety notes
- ! Stay within arm's reach at the waterline — always
- ! Check flag conditions before letting toddler near water
- ! Reapply sunscreen every 60–90 min
- ! No lifeguard on the trail — an adult swims with the kids the whole time
- ! Tow a dive flag: Florida requires one when you snorkel outside a swim area
- ! Go on a calm, clear morning and skip it if there's surf or a rip current warning
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