Kayaking in North Andrews Gardens

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Family Fun Week's planners fill their weeklong celebration with dozens of activities designed to delight all members of the family. The sound of live music soars over parklands during free concerts, local artists teach watercolor techniques, and scavenger hunts take families on brain-teasing adventures. Out on the ocean, scuba lessons plunge into ocean depths and fisherman feel the tug of a deep-sea catch on the end of the line. The weeklong celebration also boasts more laid-back possibilities, such as shopping, spa treatments, and mouthwatering food from local eateries. Despite their diversity, all activities have one thing in common: they pay tribute to their hometown. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and intercoastal waterways, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea fuses the atmosphere of a small town with a beachside resort. The city's laws limit building heights, allowing for unencumbered views of warm ocean sunrises and the Man in The Moon's ever-changing facial expressions.

Frothy seawater jumps skyward as the churn of high-powered, 110-horsepower jet skis launches the droplets from behind their watery tails. Among the many sea-gliding offerings of American Watersports, the company's fleet of speedy jet skis juxtaposes to its man-powered offerings of single or double kayaks and upright paddleboards that calmly cut through waves and wakes or assist in minnow herding along the coast. Groups can man 13- and 16-foot sailboats that await gentle offshore winds to start their journeys, or take in the ocean from a sandy perch with a day rental of beach furniture. The Pompano Beach area reveals its natural beauty on guided tours of the area via jet ski or paddleboat, wherein visitors take in local gems such as the Hillsboro Lighthouse or the area's exclusive hermit-crab resorts.

On the Beach's owners, Ken "The Sun Tan Man" and Captain Tony, provide all the gear needed for a relaxing and adventurous day at the beach. Behind the Royal Vista Resort, the beachside shop rents out maritime toys—Wave Runners, sailboats, kayaks, and boogie boards— to help tourists and locals to soak up sun, skim across waves, and lounge on the sand. The shop’s seasoned mariners—all with at least 25 years of experience—pull from their stores of knowledge and Old Bay seafood rub to devise custom lessons for sailors of any ability. Ken and Tony recognize that some people and all wicked witches might rather gaze at the water than be dampened by it. To cater to this landlubbing demographic, On the Beach rents out bicycles or shaded stays underneath beachside cabanas.

Each staff member at Life's A Beach Watersports is certified by NACWO, the National Association of Commercial Watersports Operators. The team uses its expertise to safely dole out adrenaline rushes, whether in the water or the air, to locals and tourists alike. Atop waverunners, ocean kayaks, or standup paddleboards, guests can finally help their goldfish find its deadbeat dad. The shop also rents out cabanas, chairs, and umbrellas for relaxing days on the beach, and package rentals grant their purchasers everything required to enjoy a day on the water.

Skimming Florida’s blue water atop rental standup paddleboards inspired the founders of Precision Paddleboards to open their own shop. Hoping to make the sport accessible to everyone, they stock up on retail boards and paddles and also offer their customers rentals and lessons. Their boards come from brands such as Boga and Fanatic, which are each easy to navigate and designed for a range of activities from sightseeing to on-water yoga to tickling Poseidon's back. Because it specializes exclusively in paddleboards, Precision Paddleboards feels uniquely qualified to address its customers' needs and questions. During lessons along Florida's rivers, canals, and coastal waters staff members instruct proper paddling techniques that paddlers can then test out during group tours.

Dean "Mr. Everything" Lavelle earned his nickname as one of the top athletes in the watersports world. After achieving six world championships, among other titles, he focused his energy on coaching and started his own wakeboard and waterski school in 2000. Lavelle Training School offers wakeboarding, wakeskating, wakesurfing, waterskiing, fly-boarding, and paddleboarding lessons for riders of all ages and experience levels. LTS also runs a kids watersports summer camp, offers parties for kids and adults, and hosts corporate events.