Deerfield Beach Pier

This peaceful location to fish, swim and sunbathe also caters to those who like to dine in a buzzing restaurant precinct.

Deerfield Beach Pier is a 976-foot (287-meter) wooden pier jutting out from the coast at Deerfield Beach. Take a seat on the pier and enjoy the sea breeze or rent a rod and cast a line. Snapper, bluefish and king mackerel are common catches.

Deerfield Beach is a small strip of sand popular with locals. It has a “Blue Wave” status from the Clean Beach Coalition, which means it satisfies criteria such as excellent water quality, cleanliness and conservation efforts. A one-mile (1.6 kilometer) stretch is patrolled by lifeguards daily, making this a relaxing spot for families to tan and swim. Experienced surfers should head to the waves on the north side of the pier, while beginners should stick to the area south of Tower 9. There are several volleyball nets set up on the sand. They’re free to use and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

After a morning on the beach, find a place for lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants along busy NE Second Street. A portion of it runs parallel to the ocean, so you’re bound to have a water vista while dining. Choose from a range of cuisines, from Mexican favorites and fresh seafood to classic steak and ribs. At night, some restaurants have live jazz and other music.

The pier is open daily as well as evenings for night-time fishing. There’s a two-tier admission fee: sightseers and walkers pay less than fishermen. Fishing prices are reasonable and there is a concession stand on the pier that stocks bait. There are also stations for cutting bait and rinsing freshly-caught fish in fresh water. Fishing classes for beginners are held at the pier every second Saturday. Classes are limited to the first 25 applicants, so you need to get in early to take part and learn about sea fishing from the experts.

Deerfield Beach Pier is about a 25-minute drive north of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Free parking is available.