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New River in Las Olas, where the Jungle Queen sails – Sean Pavone\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n
One of the best ways to tour Fort Lauderdale, aka the\u00a0“Venice of America,” is by sailing on a hop-on, hop-off water taxi<\/a>, with a cocktail in hand.\u00a0The Jungle Queen<\/a>, billed as the city’s “longest-running boat ride river tour,” per Zoom Info,\u00a0offers scenic cruising with a full bar and \u2014 on select sailings \u2014 an all-you-can-eat dinner on a private island.\u00a0I’m a local who strolls the Riverwalk often, and I still see a steady queue boarding the vessel more than 90 years later.<\/p>\n Operating since 1935, the iconic double-decker vessel glides past palm-lined canals and some of\u00a0Fort Lauderdale’s most fashionable streets<\/a>. Passengers can view affluent mansions and mega-yachts along the Intracoastal\u00a0Waterway, including a stretch known as the\u00a0“Millionaire’s Row,”\u00a0some of which belong to red-carpet-worthy icons, like Steven Spielberg.<\/p>\n The Jungle Queen offers a\u00a090-minute guided sightseeing tour with morning and afternoon options for under $35 (as of this writing),\u00a0as well as a sailing with an evening visit to a\u00a0private island for $75 to $80, depending on the day.\u00a0The island experience features a traditional Polynesian-style performance paired with an all-you-can-eat dinner. The menu centers on\u00a0barbecue cuisine, complete with baby back ribs, chicken tenders, potatoes, coleslaw, and cornbread. Only one ticket option includes dinner, but both journeys come with a full liquor bar on board. No matter the route, sipping on a tropical signature cocktail while admiring Michael Mann’s mansion (an executive producer of “Miami Vice”) is a must. Even after decades, travelers leave with a gleam in their eye, grateful for the scenic views, spirits, and private island retreat.<\/p>\n Read more: Florida Beach Towns That Could Pass For The Caribbean<\/a><\/p>\n Jungle Queen’s private island tour experience The Jungle Queen sailing along the intracoastal – travelview\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n As mentioned, sailing the Intracoastal Waterway brings you surprisingly close to multi-million dollar homes owned by some of Hollywood’s\u00a0biggest legends.\u00a0Fort Lauderdale is also often referred to as the “Yachting Capital of the World,” making a boat tour something of a local rite of passage.\u00a0The Jungle Queen offers a simple, historical way to check both boxes. While it is a tourist attraction, I can attest that it isn’t a gimmick. Boats, yachts, and kayaks are always trailing the same routes as the Jungle Queen, providing a local-style adventure \u2014 with the added benefit of a bar and a private island stop.<\/p>\n The private island tour is a 4-hour excursion that includes a voyage to the island and a transfer\u00a0to a Polynesian-style property.\u00a0The shoreside decor sets the scene for the live performance that follows. With bamboo railings, tiki overhangs, and a zoo with exotic birds, guests witness a different side to Fort Lauderdale’s sophisticated downtown. The performance includes Hula dancers, fire breathers, and fire eaters dressed in traditional costumes.\u00a0Meals are served buffet-style, with barbecue dishes and sides available throughout the evening. Afterward, the Jungle Queen returns to the Bahia Mar Yachting Center to complete the journey\u00a0near Florida’s most walkable street art-filled streets by the beach<\/a>.<\/p>\n More than 6,100 Google<\/a> reviewers have rated their experience over 4 stars, proving it’s appropriate for any occasion. Some groups have spent it on work events, while others have spent\u00a0it on a romantic\u00a0date night. Travelers interested can book directly on the Jungle Queen’s website<\/a>. It might be built as a tourist attraction, but it’s the type of activity that locals don’t completely overlook \u2014 and it’s an easy way to get on the water.<\/p>\n Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter<\/a> and add us as a preferred search source<\/a> for access to the world’s best-kept travel secrets.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c96f049a35ecb830eacc1672a0e28341.jpeg\"\/)
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