Fort Lauderdale: where to swim, splash in the sea and eat superb shellfish

With its aquatic complex, beautiful beach and relaxed seafood restaurant, Simon Calder takes to the water for his third video looking at this south-east Florida city

Make a splash at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex, embracing the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

The creation of this magnificent Sixties celebration of bathing was partly championed by swimmer-turned-Tarzan-star, Johnny Weissmuller. Many records have been broken here — including by the most successful Olympian ever, Michael Phelps. Just $5 buys all-day admission to the complex and a dip into aquatic history.

A couple of lengths from the pool takes you to the beach that blesses Fort Lauderdale. Thanks to some benign currents, the water is comfortably warm for bathing right through the year.

After working up an appetite, refuel at one of south Florida’s most enticing restaurants, Naked Crab. The address: 1140 Seabreeze Boulevard; the ambiance: “stripped down, dressed up”.

Corporate chef Julia Ning says: “We have an easy, breezing beachside attitude, we can be a bit more playful.” Try the tower of pancakes with bacon and banana jam for breakfast, or lobster knuckle sandwich later in the day.

Some of the satisfied and suddenly slightly heavier customers at Naked Crab are among the millions who come to Fort Lauderdale each year to board a cruise ship. It’s a base for adventure: for voyages across to the Bahamas, around the Caribbean or over the Atlantic to Europe.

Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, says: “We’re the Venice of America. We have so many waterways, we have a wonderful port. There’s so much to see and do here. How could you not love this place?”

My America Holidays offers holidays to Fort Lauderdale from £599 per person*. Visit myamericaholiday.co.uk or call 020 8290 9751. Hertz car hire in Florida starts from just £21 per day. Visit Hertz.co.uk

Discover more at visitflorida.com @VisitFlorida #LoveFlorida

*Price includes flights and accommodation and is based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing on a room only basis with selected travel dates and departure airports. Prices may vary, are subject to availability and correct as of 15 January 2018. Book today with deposits from £59 per person (exclusions and terms and conditions apply)