Anglins Pier Webcam — Live Stream from Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
History of Anglins Pier
Anglins Pier (Anglin's Fishing Pier) is a wooden structure that has become a symbol of the small coastal town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea in southeast Florida. Its history began in 1941 when Melvin Anglin, the founder and first mayor of the town, decided to build a pier to attract tourists. He himself was not a fisherman, but his son Tom persuaded his father to take on this project. Anglin had arrived in these parts back in 1918 and spent ten years driving wooden pilings, forming the foundation of the future town.
The pier quickly became a magnet for anglers and vacationers. In 1963, it was officially opened to the public — November 24, 1963 is considered the date of the grand opening. Since then, the pier has been reconstructed multiple times but has retained its historical appearance and significance for the town.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea — Florida's Beach Diving Capital
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a tiny town in Broward County, located 33 miles north of Miami. With a population of about 6,200 people (as of 2024), it surprised many when in 2016 the Florida Legislature officially recognized it as "Florida's Beach Diving Capital". The town earned this title for its unique coastal coral reefs and efforts to promote underwater diving.
In 2001, the town doubled its area by annexing the unincorporated Intracoastal Beach Area to the north. Today, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a compact resort town where you can walk between Highway A1A and the ocean, and there are almost no tall buildings, preserving the atmosphere of old Florida.
Underwater World at Anglins Pier
The main reason Anglins Pier became a diving hub is the coral reef located just 100 yards (about 90 meters) from shore. This is one of the closest reefs to the surf line in all of Florida, making it an ideal spot for shore diving and snorkeling. Swimmers can simply enter the water from the beach and swim a few dozen meters to the reef.
Anglin Reef — the reef named after the pier — stretches north to south parallel to the shoreline. Its distinctive feature is a 10-12 foot (about 3-3.5 meter) ledge that creates structure and shelter for numerous marine inhabitants. Here you can find black margate, spade fish, various species of snappers, angelfish, grunts, parrotfish, nurse sharks, butterflyfish, sea turtles, cuttlefish, and barracudas.
South of the pier lies the sunken cargo steamer SS Copenhagen, which is an underwater archaeological preserve of Florida and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For divers, this is an additional attraction that can be reached by swimming from shore.
Diving and Snorkeling at the Pier
Anglins Pier is one of the few places in the USA where you don't need a boat to dive to a coral reef. Simply put on a mask and snorkel, enter the water from the beach, and swim about 100 meters south of the pier. The depth at the reef is shallow — from 3 to 6 meters, making it suitable even for beginner swimmers.
The red signal flags often seen in the water near the pier are diver down flags, indicating an area where underwater swimmers are present. This is a standard safety measure in the USA: boats must stay at least 300 feet (about 90 meters) away from such flags. If you're watching the stream and see red flags — it means someone is exploring the reef right now.
Local dive centers offer organized dives to the reef and the sunken steamer. But many experienced divers prefer to enter the water independently from the beach south of the pier — it's free and accessible around the clock.
Fishing from the Pier
Anglins Pier remains a popular fishing spot. Its length allows you to cast your line far enough from shore where snook, Spanish mackerel, pompano, and other fish species are caught. No marine fishing license is required to fish from the pier — the pier has its own group license that covers all anglers.
The pier has special fish cleaning stations, benches, and shelters. Local anglers often spend entire days here, watching the waves and waiting for a bite. Tourists also love to sit on the pier with a fishing rod — it's part of the local charm.
How to Get to Anglins Pier
The pier is located at 2 Commercial Boulevard, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL 33308. It is in the very center of town, at the intersection of Commercial Boulevard and State Road A1A. If you're driving on I-95, take exit 39 (Commercial Boulevard) and head east to the ocean.
From Fort Lauderdale, you can get there by bus #11 along Commercial Boulevard. From Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) — about 20 minutes by car or taxi. Parking in town is paid, but there are free spots on neighboring streets.
The pier itself is open to the public around the clock, and entry is free. Nearby there are restaurants, cafes, and shops — all within walking distance.
What You Can See on the Camera
The webcam at Anglins Pier shows a view of the ocean waters from the height of the pier. In the foreground is the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, where red diver signal flags are often visible, indicating the presence of underwater swimmers. In the distance is the ocean horizon and occasionally passing boats.
The camera operates in real time, allowing you to observe sea conditions, waves, and activity on the water. If red flags are visible — it means divers are exploring the coral reef located just 100 meters from shore right now. This is a unique opportunity to see what one of the best shore diving spots in the USA looks like without leaving home.
Anglins Pier is not just a fishing spot, but a center for water activities in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Watching it via the online camera gives you a glimpse into the life of a small Florida town where the ocean is the main attraction, and the coral reef begins just steps from the beach.
