We brought our fifth wheel trailer to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea many years ago. The hassle of broken meters or no parking spaces led us to research the many nice Mom-and-Pop hotels along the shoreline. The on-site free parking and short distance to the beach is definitely worth it. We enjoy Beach Apt Hotel, across the street and less than a block from Datura Avenue.
Outlets are Pine (4600 block), Washingtonia, El Prado, Commercial (with Anglin Pier), Datura, Hibiscus, and Palm (4100 block) No bathrooms, alas, but beach showers and seating are at most outlets.
El Mar Drive is beach side / beach view, Ocean Blvd or AIA is a main coastal road, but easy enough to cross with scuba gear. Commercial Avenue crosses the Intercoastal waterway about six blocks from the ocean.
Morning shore dives are calmer and the water is clearer. The current is usually not a problem, but exits north and south of LBTS are at privately owned hotels, and usually gated.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea hotels
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Florida - Hotel Accommodations
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One more thing... if the shore diving at LBTS is too choppy or murks up, head an hour north on I-95 to Riviera Beach and Blue Heron Bridge. Check the Blue Heron Bridge Trolls ongoing posts for more info.
Tide tables are critical and the boating channel is deadly, so plan your BHB dives carefully. That said, it's a blast out there. So is kayaking to Peanut Island for some snorkling... we saw manatees last time!
One of these days we need to check the night diving with Force-E. Phil Foster Park has lovely restrooms, beach showers, a playground, barbeque grills, lots of parking, on-site security... and no diving after dark unless with a group that has a permit. Force-E sponsors night dives on a monthly basis.
Florida Ocean Coast tide tables
http://www.saltwatertides.com/dynamic.dir/floridaatlanticsites.html
Force E night dive information
http://blog.force-e.com/?p=378
Good luck with your diving!
