fort lauderdale to miami travel time

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Fort Lauderdale to Miami drive

Fort lauderdale to miami road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Fort Lauderdale to Miami. If you're planning a road trip to Miami, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Traveling with a dog or cat? Find pet-friendly stops . Camping along the way? Search for RV campgrounds . Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

11:00 am  start in Fort Lauderdale drive for about 11 minutes

11:11 am   Dania Beach eat at 15th Street Fisheries stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:11 pm drive for about 16 minutes

12:27 pm   The Ancient Spanish Monastery stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:27 pm drive for about 8 minutes

1:35 pm   Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:35 pm drive for about 11 minutes

2:46 pm  eat at Buena Vista Deli stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:46 pm drive for about 9 minutes

3:55 pm  arrive in Miami stay at Fontainebleau Resort

driving ≈ 55 minutes

Fort Lauderdale to Miami questions

Where should I stop along the way?

Dania Beach   (2 answers)     Collins Ave   (7 mentions)     Las Olas Boulevard   (6 mentions)     Las Olas Riverfront   (5 mentions)     Aventura Mall   (4 mentions)     Publix   (3 mentions)     restaurants around Dania Beach:         15th Street Fisheries         Bimini Boatyard Bar & Grill         Le Cafe De Paris     hotels around Dania Beach:         Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six The Ancient Spanish Monastery Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami Buena Vista Deli   (3 mentions)

Where's the best place to stay in Miami?

Are you going straight to a hotel, or looking for a vacation rental or Airbnb?

The best resource on neighborhoods, areas, and hotels is the Trippy page on where to stay in Miami .

If you're looking for a quick answer, you can check out Fontainebleau Resort , which was mentioned 5 times on Trippy.

Here are some more hotels people talk about:

Want to research more popular hotels in Miami? Click the blue button below.

Where's the best place to eat in Miami?

Need some recommendations on somewhere to get food?

Trippy members suggest Versailles , which was mentioned 14 times.

Here are some more restaurants people talk about:

Want to research more popular restaurants in Miami? Click the blue button below.

What are some things to do in Miami?

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

These are some of the places people talk about on Trippy:

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

For example, here are some questions people have asked about Miami. Click on any question to see answers from the community!

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to Miami.

Do I really have to go back home?

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a Miami to Fort Lauderdale drive , or go to the main page to plan a new road trip .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Fort Lauderdale to Miami . Or get a full Fort Lauderdale to Miami flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world.

And if you know Fort Lauderdale well, please help your fellow travelers and answer their questions about Fort Lauderdale!

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Cheap flights from Fort Lauderdale to Miami

Good to know, popular airports near fort lauderdale.

• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) Fort Lauderdale 12 min 5 km
• Miami International Airport (MIA) Miami 46 min 39 km
• Orlando International Airport (MCO) Orlando 3 hr 5 min 281 km
• Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) West Palm Beach 49 min 62 km

Popular airports near Miami

• Miami International Airport (MIA) Miami 23 min 10 km
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) Fort Lauderdale 35 min 34 km
• Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) West Palm Beach 1 hr 11 min 102 km
• Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) Fort Myers 2 hr 15 min 178 km

Frequently asked questions about flying from Fort Lauderdale to Miami

Search more flights, popular trips from fort lauderdale.

These suggestions are based on the cheapest fares to popular destinations in the next six months.

Prices include required taxes + fees for 1 adult. Optional charges and bag fees may apply.

• Las Vegas RUB 8,968 Oct 24 — Oct 28 Nonstop 5 hr 25 min Spirit
• Montreal RUB 9,706 Nov 28 — Dec 2 Nonstop 3 hr 25 min Flair Airlines
• Seattle RUB 11,711 Oct 3 — Oct 7 1 stop 8 hr 51 min Frontier
• New York RUB 6,973 Sep 12 — Sep 15 Nonstop 2 hr 56 min Spirit

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Transportation

Getting to Miami from Fort Lauderdale

By Shayne Benowitz

April 03, 2023

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Fort Lauderdale to Miami

Bus trip from Fort Lauderdale to Miami

If you’ve ever wondered how to get to Florida   cheap , RedCoach is the answer. Buy cheap bus tickets from Fort Lauderdale to Miami for only $21 . Don’t waste all your money in expensive bus transportation and start planning your trip now. Check bus ticket prices and schedules and find the cheapest coach.

A bus trip to Miami is the perfect opportunity to relax, catch up on a book or start planning your vacation in the City of the Sun. The RedCoach bus station is nearby Miami International Airport, the ideal location if you need to catch a plane to continue your trip.

Whatever the reason for your trip, take advantage of all our bus services and enjoy the RedCoach experience. Forget about driving, stopping for gas or endless airport security checks. Traveling with us is synonym for comfort and calmness. And pocket friendly, obviously!

Bus trip summary from Fort Lauderdale to Miami

Route distance, minimum travel time, maximum travel time, bus ticket price from, daily departures, up to 9 buses.

Buy your ticket from Fort Lauderdale to Miami

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Miami – tampa, tallahassee - miami via orlando, don’t miss out on these plans, what to see in miami.

Miami beach

Get tanned on miles of beaches, walk next to the Atlantic waters or practice any type of water sports. Live Miami to its fullest and don’t forget to ramble along South Beach!

Lose yourself among graffiti and colorful walls painted in downtown Miami. The art district is a must-see in your travelling checklist.

Celebrity houseboat tour

Book your tour and visit the islands of the stars, where you can see the homes of famous celebrities: Star Island, Palm Island and Hibiscus Island.

Check out downtown Miami and its financial district, the most important of the East coast today.

Miami Children Museum

Come and visit this inspiring museum with interactive exhibits and programs related to arts, culture and the community. Surely you will learn and play more than you imagine.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a bus ticket from fort lauderdale to miami cost.

The minimum fare to travel with RedCoach from Fort Lauderdale to Miami is $21. To find cheap bus tickets, it’s best to buy them in advance. RedCoach has three types of buses, so the price may vary depending on your choice.

What types of buses travel from Fort Lauderdale to Miami?

For us, the most important thing is your comfort; that’s why at RedCoach, we have three types of buses: first class, business class, and economy class, so you can choose the option that suits you best

How long does it take to get from Fort Lauderdale to Miami?

The fastest bus from Fort Lauderdale to Miami takes 25 minutes to travel the 39 miles between the two cities. The average travel time from Fort Lauderdale to Miami is 30 minutes.

How many daily bus connections are there between Fort Lauderdale and Miami?

The number of buses from Fort Lauderdale to Miami can vary depending on the day of the week. Approximately 9 buses run on this route. Some offer direct routes, and others include several stops. Use our search engine to compare bus ticket prices and schedules from Fort Lauderdale to Miami. Find the one that best suits your needs and your budget.

What bus services does RedCoach offer?

Our RedCoach buses are perfectly equipped for long journeys. They have reclining seats that offer maximum comfort to travelers, bathrooms, free wifi, and sockets to charge mobile phones, laptops, and any other electronic device you need to use.

Let’s start saving

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The most comfortable and luxurious bus trips are waiting for you

You can start living the redcoach experience from $19.99.

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Home > Ride > Routes > Fort Lauderdale FL to Miami FL

Best way to get from Fort Lauderdale FL to Miami FL

Find the best ways to travel from Fort Lauderdale FL to Miami FL. You can also request a ride directly in the app at the tap of a button.

Looking to travel from Fort Lauderdale to Miami? You have a variety of transportation options available to you. Whether you're looking for something quick and convenient or prefer a more scenic route, there are plenty of ways to make the journey. With up to 5 transportation types to choose from, you're sure to find one that fits your schedule and budget. Let's explore your options and help you plan your trip.

Uber: Request an Uber for a direct ride to Miami, which takes around 45-55 minutes on average and costs approximately $40-$55.

Tri-Rail: The Tri-Rail train is an option for travelers who prefer public transportation. Take the Tri-Rail train from the Fort Lauderdale Station to the Miami Airport Station, then transfer to the Miami Metrorail. Take the Metrorail towards downtown Miami and get off at your final destination. This option costs around $7.25 per person and takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Private shuttle: Private shuttle companies offer shared ride and private ride options from Fort Lauderdale to Miami. The cost and time can vary depending on the company and traffic conditions.

Rental car: Renting a car is an option for travelers who prefer to drive themselves. Many rental car companies are located in Fort Lauderdale. The cost and time can vary depending on the company and traffic conditions.

Metromover: The Metromover is a free, automated people mover system that operates in downtown Miami. If your final destination is in downtown Miami, the Metromover is a convenient option. Take the Tri-Rail train from the Fort Lauderdale Station to the Miami Airport Station, then transfer to the Miami Metrorail. Take the Metrorail towards downtown Miami and get off at any of the Metromover stations. This option costs around $2.25 per person and takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Note : Please note that the travel time and cost are approximate and subject to change depending on traffic conditions and other factors. Updated: April 26, 2023.

Reserve a ride in advance to Miami FL

Complete your plans today by reserving a ride with Uber to get from Fort Lauderdale FL to Miami FL. Request a ride up to 90 days before your trip, at any time and on any day of the year.

Reserve may not be available for your pickup location.

Getting from Fort Lauderdale FL to Miami FL

When you ride with Uber on your next trip from Fort Lauderdale FL to Miami FL, you’ve got choices. Whether you’re traveling alone or with others, find a ride option that fits your needs and budget. If you like to plan ahead, consider scheduling a ride to Miami FL in advance. Or you can request a ride on demand from Fort Lauderdale FL in the Uber app.

The route your driver takes might depend on the time of day and other factors, like traffic and how many other riders are making requests. You can have a stress-free ride knowing that the Uber app will suggest the most efficient route to your driver.

Average Travel Time

Average route price, average route distance, how to get from fort lauderdale fl to miami fl.

Compare ride options getting from Fort Lauderdale FL to Miami FL. Check the Uber app for current prices and travel options available.

Affordable rides, all to yourself

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Affordable rides for groups up to 6

Sample rider prices are estimates only and do not reflect variations due to geography, traffic delays, promotions, or other factors. Flat rates and minimum fees may apply. Actual prices for rides and scheduled rides may vary.

Frequently asked questions

The Uber app gives you the power to request a ride from Fort Lauderdale FL anytime, 24/7.

The average price for this trip is $42. Open the Uber app and input Miami FL in the “Where to?” box. The price estimate for each ride option will appear; scroll to see what’s available. Prices will vary based on time of day and how many riders are making requests.

The most affordable ride choice from Fort Lauderdale FL to Miami FL is UberX.

The average duration for this ride is 46 minutes. Before a trip starts, your app gives an estimated time of arrival (ETA) for when your driver is likely to arrive at Fort Lauderdale FL. After your trip starts, your app provides an ETA for when you are likely to arrive at Miami FL. Please note: ETAs are not guaranteed; various factors like heavy traffic or road construction could affect travel time.

The average trip from Fort Lauderdale FL to Miami FL using the Uber app is about 28 miles.

If Uber Reserve is an option in the Uber app at Fort Lauderdale FL, you can request a ride from Fort Lauderdale FL anywhere from 2 hours to 90 days in advance, at any time and on any day of the year. Uber’s ride-scheduling technology and Uber Reserve can help you be on time.

Check in the Uber app to see if car rentals are available at Fort Lauderdale FL. If you see the Rent icon, you can complete your reservation using the Uber app. Then you can rent a car and drive yourself to Miami FL. To get more details, go to uber.com/u/uber-rent.

The data presented on this page represents historical average prices, durations, and distances for routes. Actual prices, durations, and distances may vary based on factors such as location, traffic conditions, and other variables. Information provided here is for reference purposes only and should not be considered as binding.

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The flight time from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Miami, Florida is:

• How long is the trip from Fort Lauderdale to Miami?

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Flight map from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Miami, FL

Open this map directly on Google Maps . For a quick answer, you can use TheDistanceNow.com to get the distance from Fort Lauderdale to Miami .

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Flying time from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Miami, FL

The total flight duration from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Miami, FL is 33 minutes .

This assumes an average flight speed for a commercial airliner of 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. It also adds an extra 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Your exact time may vary depending on wind speeds.

If you're planning a trip, remember to add more time for the plane to taxi between the gate and the airport runway. This measurement is only for the actual flying time. You should also factor in airport wait times and possible equipment or weather delays. If you're trying to figure out what time you'll arrive at the destination, you may want to see if there's a time difference between Fort Lauderdale, FL and Miami, FL .

The calculation of flight time is based on the straight line distance from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Miami, FL ("as the crow flies"), which is about 25 miles or 40 kilometers .

Your trip begins in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It ends in Miami, Florida.

Your flight direction from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Miami, FL is South (-172 degrees from North).

The flight time calculator measures the average flight duration between points. It uses the great circle formula to compute the travel mileage.

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Flight time calculator

Travelmath provides an online flight time calculator for all types of travel routes. You can enter airports, cities, states, countries, or zip codes to find the flying time between any two points. The database uses the great circle distance and the average airspeed of a commercial airliner to figure out how long a typical flight would take. Find your travel time to estimate the length of a flight between airports, or ask how long it takes to fly from one city to another.

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This South Florida airport has the longest TSA wait times in the U.S.

Hint: It’s not Miami International Airport.

Have you flown out of Fort Lauderdale lately? If so, you probably won’t be shocked to learn that although it’s smaller and easier to navigate than Miami International , South Florida’s second-largest airport is much slower when it comes to getting through security. In fact, it’s the slowest in the nation.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport—a major hub for Allegiant Air, JetBlue and Spirit Airlines—has the longest TSA security line of any large airport hub in the country, according to a new study. Travelers are spending an average of 15 minutes and 27 seconds ambling through the line before they can finally kick back and relax at their gate (or the Air Margaritaville bar).

That’s a whopping 13 minutes and 19 seconds longer than O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, which had the fastest average TSA lines in the study. Another Florida airport, Tampa International, came in at No. 11 with a snail-like average TSA wait time of 10 minutes and 20 seconds.

The study was conducted by data collection experts SOAX , who analyzed data from Qsensor on security wait times at America's 31 largest airport hubs (over 10 million passengers in 2023). TSA wait times were gathered for each hour of each day of the week, creating an average for each airport and highlighting the busiest and least busy times to go through security.

RECOMMENDED: I took a ferry to the Bahamas for a quick getaway from Miami. Here’s what it was like

Wednesday is the busiest day to go through security at Fort Lauderdale Airport, the study found, and Monday is the quietest. If you must fly through FLL, avoid arriving at 5am at all costs—that’s when average wait times peak at 24 minutes and 51 seconds. Unsurprisingly, 2am is the quietest time, with an average wait of 34 seconds.

There is some good news for Fort Lauderdale and its sad airport security lines: Earlier this year, the Federal Aviation Administration allocated $50 million in funding to FLL, the largest portion granted to any airport in the country. These funds will be used to help improve connectivity between terminals, making it easier to move through secured areas without exiting and re-entering a security checkpoint.

Check out which other major airports in the country have clogged up security lines below.

America’s largest airport hubs with the longest TSA security lines

• Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport: 15:27
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport: 15:06
• Los Angeles International Airport: 14:29
• San Diego International Airport: 14:14
• John F. Kennedy International Airport: 12:54
• Harry Reid International Airport: 12:01
• Austin–Bergstrom International Airport: 11:49
• Salt Lake City International Airport: 11:39
• San Francisco International Airport: 11:23
• Baltimore/Washington International Airport: 10:31

Despite having 10 million more passengers in 2023 than any other airport in America, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport has one of the shortest security lines on average, at six minutes and five seconds. Another major hub, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, had the second-fastest wait times at three minutes and 49 seconds.

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• Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport, FLL About 6 km SSW of Fort Lauderdale
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Don't Say Gay Beach? Here are the top 10 LGBTQ+ beaches Florida used to promote

Aug. 30 is National Beach Day , and Florida has some of the best beaches in the country. We're kinda famous for it.

And until recently, Florida was happy to provide a list of the best LGBTQ+ beaches in the state until sometime earlier this year when the "LGBTQ TRAVEL IN FLORIDA" section vanished from the official tourism site, VisitFlorida.com without warning or explanation.

Officials have not commented on the change, but the GOP-led state has been gradually removing LGBTQ+ recognition from public education and government policy where it hasn't been banned outright.

However, there are still plenty of LGBTQ+ people living in or visiting the Sunshine State, despite the state's efforts and several travel advisories from civil rights groups, and a guide to the best beaches is still a useful thing. So, thanks to the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, let's see which beaches Florida used to promote in " Out in the Sun: Florida's Top 10 Gay Beaches ."

1. South Beach’s 12 th  Street Beach, Miami Beach

"Just look for the rainbow flags flying amid the rental chairs and lifeguard stations," VisitFlorida.com once said.

Considered the most popular gay beach in Miami, it's across the street from the Palace Restaurant & Bar, a legendary LGBTQ+ hangout.

• WHERE: 12th St. and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
• BEST TIME TO VISIT: In March, for the Winter Party, the biggest gay beach party in North America
• INFO: Miami Beach LGBTQ Visitor Center

2. Smathers Beach, Key West

Smathers Beach is the largest public beach on the tiny island of Key West and is one of the "nation’s top destinations for gay travelers," Visit Florida said. The beach is on the island's south side and begins at mile marker zero, where State Road A1A begins.

• WHERE: Along South Roosevelt Boulevard
• BEST TIME TO VISIT: March for the Winter Party Festival, September for Womenfest, October for Bear Fest or June for Key West Pride
• INFO: Gay Key West Visitor Center

3. Sebastian Street Beach, Fort Lauderdale

"The most popular gay beach in Fort Lauderdale is across the street from the Ritz-Carlton and within blocks of some of the city’s gay resorts and guesthouses," Visit Florida said earlier this year. While you're in the area, check out the Stonewall National Museum & Archives , which houses the largest circulating LGBTQ+ book and film program in the country.

• WHERE: Sebastian Street and North Fort Lauderdale Beach Drive (A1A).
• BEST TIME TO VISIT: March for PrideFest Week, October for the OUTShine Film Festival takes place or in June for Stonewall Summer Pride
• INFO: Visit Lauderdale 

4. Sunset Beach, St. Petersburg

Visit Florida called Sunset Beach "one of the west coast’s premiere gay beaches" and according to St. Pete's tourism site, it's been nicknamed "the gay beach" for its "mostly LGBTQ+ beachgoers."

The white-sand beach loaded with tiki huts is on the southern tip of St. Pete's Treasure Island in the string of barrier islands in the Gulf of Mexico west of St. Petersburg.

• WHERE: 9000 W. Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island
• BEST TIME TO VISIT: October for the Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, or June for St. Pete Pride
• INFO: VisitStPeteClearwater.com, Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Films Festival,   St. Pete Pride .

5. Pass-a-Grille Beach, St. Pete Beach

Pass-a-Grille is on the southern end of St. Pete Beach south of the Don Cesar Hotel. "Quiet and narrow – it’s only one-block wide – the island is charming, with white sand and pink shells," Visit Florida said.

If you time your visit right, you can hit St. Pete Pride, which organizers say is Florida's largest Pride celebration. St. Pete Pride had its 20th anniversary this year.

• WHERE: Along Gulf Way, from 22nd Avenue to the end of the island
• BEST TIME TO VISIT: October for the Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival or in June for St. Pete Pride
• INFO: Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Films Festival,   St. Pete Pride .

6. Fort De Soto Park, Tierra Verde

Don't just believe us (or Visit Florida), the beach at Fort De Soto Park is so good it was named No. 1 in the entire country in Dr. Beach's “America’s Best Beaches” in 2005. The park, located at the southern tip of Pinellas County near St. Pete Beach, covers five islands and 1,136 acres and offers miles of peaceful coastline. LGBTQ+ visitors hang out in the northern expanse near the end of the island, Visit Florida said.

• WHERE: 3500 Pinellas Bayway
• BEST TIME TO VISIT: June for St. Pete Pride
• INFO: VisitStPeteClearwater.com

Dr. Beach''s 2024 best beaches: Did Dr. Beach pick Florida again in 2024 for best beach in the US? Here's the new list

7. North Lido Beach, Sarasota

Sarasota has a strong LGBTQ+ community with multiple events happening in Pride Month including the Big Gay Beach Party at North Lido Beach. The white sand key is quiet and secluded, with the 22-acre North Lido Park nearby, and is "popular with gay sunbathers in Sarasota," Visit Florida previously said.

• WHERE: 400 Ben Franklin Dr.
• BEST TIME TO VISIT: October for Sarasota Pride
• INFO: Sarasota County Parks

8. Guana Tolomato Reserve, Ponte Vedra Beach

The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve includes more than 73,000 acres between Jacksonville and St. Augustine and some of that is Old Florida beaches, sand dunes, lagoons and more.

"There’s an unofficial gay meet-up at Guana’s first beach access point," Visit Florida helpfully advised as of earlier this year, "reached by a boardwalk that winds down a 40-foot-tall dune system to a pristine stretch of secluded sand."

• WHERE: Along A1A
• BEST TIME TO VISIT: October for River City Pride in Jacksonville
• INFO: VisitSt.Augustine.com

9. Pensacola Beach

"Pensacola Beach City near the Alabama border may not seem like the most gay-friendly spot," Visit Florida once said, "but it’s been a beach getaway for LGBTQ folks from the South for a long time, particularly for Gay Memorial Day Weekend."

"The eastern end of Pensacola Beach is awash with tents, kites and rainbow flags," read a description on Pensacola's tourism site . "The sides of the beach road are stuffed with cars that bear tags from all over the South – Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee – as well as Florida."

• WHERE: The friendliest beach, according to Visit Florida, is on County Road 399, two miles past the Gulf Islands National Seashore sign
• BEST TIME TO VISIT: May for the Pensacola Gay Memorial Day Weekend
• INFO: VisitPensacola.com

10. Haulover Park Beach, Sunny Isles

"If you really want to sun your buns, this nude beach in northern Miami-Dade County is your choice," Visit Florida said. Gay-friendly Haulover Park Beach, a 1 ½-mile stretch about 20 minutes north of South Beach, is one of the better-known clothing-optional beaches in Florida.

But just the north part of the beach. LGBTQ+ sunbathers head north of the lifeguard tower, the site said.

• WHERE: 10800 Collins Ave.
• BEST TIME TO VISIT: When it's warm
• INFO: MiamiAndBeaches.com

If you're looking for more suggestions, some cities such as  Orlando ,  Fort Lauderdale ,  Miami , St. Petersburg , and  Key West  still have vibrant LGBTQ+ sections on their own tourism sites, and websites such as outcoast.com and gaytravel.com still have Florida guides.

‘It was just chaotic': Passengers don life vests on Fort Lauderdale-bound Spirit flight

The incident happened sunday on spirit airlines flight 270 from montego bay to fort lauderdale-hollywood international airport, by amanda plasencia and brian hamacher • published may 28, 2024 • updated on may 28, 2024 at 5:27 pm.

Travelers on a flight to Fort Lauderdale received quite a scare when they were told to put on their life vests after a suspected mechanical issue forced their plane to return to Jamaica.

The incident happened Sunday on Spirit Airlines flight 270 from Montego Bay to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

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A Spirit spokesperson said the plane suffered a suspected mechanical issue and returned to Montego Bay out of an abundance of caution.

But during the incident, travelers were instructed to don their life vests.

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Video posted on social media showed passengers sporting the yellow life vests as a member of the flight crew can be heard giving instructions.

Passengers said they were in the air for about 10 minutes when the pilot told everyone to prepare for a water landing. Over 200 passengers were then told to put on the life vests.

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“He told us exactly that we needed to make an emergency water landing and at that point, fear ran through my bones. Everyone on the plane panicked," passenger Will Smith said. “When I looked out of the window, all I saw was blue, so I’m thinking this is real. We’re about to go in the ocean. I’m saying my prayers to die at this point, seriously. It was that traumatizing. I thought I was not going to make it.”

Shancy Faison was on the flight with her husband and said her life jacket wouldn't open at first, causing some momentary panic.

“They didn’t specify what was wrong," Faison said. "We were returning back, making a U-turn back into the island, to the airport. Then shortly, I would say 10 to 15 minutes into landing before we arrived, he made an announcement saying that we were going to have an emergency water landing. That’s when everyone freaked out. It was just chaotic. Everyone started grabbing their emergency vests under their seats. We saw the flight attendants running back and forth on the plane. Some were saying put on our vests, some were saying do not put on our vests. I then reached under my seat to try to try and retrieve my water vest and the case the vest was in would not open.”

The plane landed safely and guests deplaned. No injuries were reported.

"Safety is our top priority, and the aircraft will be thoroughly evaluated by our maintenance team," Spirit said in a statement. "We apologize to our Guests for any inconvenience, and we arranged a new aircraft to complete the flight to Fort Lauderdale."

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