Unlock spectacular travel destinations with your Palmera Vacation Club membership.
Often called “The Heart of the Gold Coast,” Pompano Beach is an ideal warm weather getaway for those looking to bask in the Florida sun and get out on the water. Located between Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Hollywood, this city is not only easy to get to, but is known to be more affordable than its surrounding areas.
The fifth oldest city in South Florida, this area essentially came to be after Henry Flagler, founder of Standard Oil, chose to extend the Florida East Coast Railway from West Palm Beach to Miami. Better connected to the rest of the United States, farming communities began to sprout along the rail lines, Pompano included.
So, why does the city share its name with a fish? Although Pompano can be caught in the surf of Broward County, that’s only part of the infamous story. Legend goes that upon surveying the land ahead of the railroad extension, a man by the name of Frank Sheen dined on a delicious seafood dish, and in an effort to remember the name of the fish that he’d enjoyed so much, he jotted down the name on his survey notes. Whether he meant to call the area Pompano, or he just didn’t have any spare paper on him at the time, Sheen is credited for the name.
What was once a farming town, is now a beautiful coastal vacation destination. Tourism became more prevalent after the Florida Land Boom in the 1920s, and even more so when visionary, William L. Kester, decided to construct vacation cottages. The Kester Cottages were the first vacation rentals in the area, and from there, the city only grew into a dream destination for travelers looking for beach days as well as great fishing and boating.
This family-friendly destination has plenty of outdoor activities and landmarks to see. Activities for all ages and interests can be found within the city and surrounding region, and depending on the time of year, annual special events draw in visitors from across the country.
The beach can be the highlight for many visitors. Pompano Beach has 3 miles of beautiful beachfront that’s over 100 yards wide, wider than most beaches in the area, making this beach seem a lot less crowded than others. The Clean Beaches Coalition, a group promoting clean beaches throughout the world, gave Pompano Beach a Blue Wave Beach certification, acknowledging how clean the beach and clear the water is.
It should be no surprise that watersports and scuba diving in particular are some of the most popular activities here. Rent your own jet ski or boat to captain yourself, or book a charter for your group. From waterskiing to tubing, or even hopping aboard an airboat, you’ll find plenty of guided opportunities that will only enhance your trip.
Those wanting to scuba dive or even snorkel will find plenty of shipwreck sites and coral reefs to explore. For an easy outing, drift diving allows you to see more marine life while the Gulfstream moves you parallel to the shoreline. There’s no time wasted on a boat getting you to your diving location. If you wish to learn how to dive while in Pompano Beach, there are lessons that allow you to complete online training at home, and complete your water training in less time upon arrival. You’ll want to look into diving at Shipwreck Park, a major dive site where you can explore wrecks and sunken artwork.
A great spot that both visitors and locals enjoy is the Fisher Family Pier. The newly rebuilt pier is great for—you guessed it—fishing! Buy a pass to cast a line or just enjoy a nice walk over the Atlantic, as the pier is 900 ft. in length. At the beginning of the pier, you’ll find the Fishing Village. A full 6 acres along the water, you’ll enjoy shopping and dining with lots of live music in store. This is a great place to end your day right on the water while keeping the family entertained.
Other places of interest in Pompano Beach include Butterfly World, the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse, and Sample-McDougald House. The Pompano Beach Amphitheater is a great place to catch a concert or attend one of the festivals and events hosted there.
The best time to visit Pompano Beach normally coincides with when the water is warmest for the best swimming conditions. Even the coolest water temperatures dip only to about 73 degrees Fahrenheit, so your visits during winter won’t be a total bust if you still decide to scuba dive.
If you’re looking to enjoy nonstop outdoor activities, hold off on booking your vacation during the rainy season which lasts from May to October. That’s also about when hurricane season is, so if you are booking a summer vacation to Pompano Beach, make sure to get travel insurance!
Another reason you might want to hold off visiting during fall or early spring is the cooler temperatures are still pretty warm and there’s less humidity, meaning that outdoor activities will be extremely comfortable and enjoyable.
RCI Exchange
Palmera Travel Club members will want to take advantage of the large inventory of rental weeks available in Pompano Beach on the RCI Exchange. This specific region in Florida in general is easy to find on RCI, especially during popular times to visit throughout the year. To the right, is a screenshot of the currently available resorts when this article was published. Below, we’ve listed a few resorts in Pompano Beach on the RCI Exchange at random. Point values are subject to change.
Quest Travel Club
Palmera Vacation Club members also have access to Quest Travel Club, a resource that allows you to plan your entire vacation from one spot. Flying into the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport? Find discounted airfare on Quest. Need a rental car during your stay? Quest has you covered! You’ll also find great rates on hotels and activities in and around Pompano Beach.
