Jungle Queen Riverboat

Jungle Queen Riverboat: historic cruises along the Fort Lauderdale canals

Jungle Queen Riverboat is a Fort Lauderdale, Florida tourist attraction that has been operating since 1935. The company presents itself as the city's longest running tourist attraction and offers boat rides along the New River canals, known as the "Venice of America."

Two main experiences

The offering is built around two products. On one hand, the 90-minute sightseeing cruise, which travels the canals and lets you see mansions and luxury yachts, including the Millionaire's Row area. On the other, the "Journey to Tropical Isle," an excursion that combines the cruise with a BBQ dinner, a live show and a Polynesian fire dancing show on Tropical Isle.

Schedule and hours

The website shows a summer schedule with departures Wednesday through Sunday. The 90-minute sightseeing cruise departs at 2:30pm, while the dinner and show experience departs at 6:00pm. On Saturdays and Sundays there is also an additional sightseeing departure at NOON. The company also lists departures at 12:30pm and 2:30pm Monday through Sunday, at 4:30pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, and at 10:30am on select days. Cruises run rain or shine.

Groups and private events

Jungle Queen Riverboat serves groups of 15 or more, for which it offers special rates. It also organizes private charters and events, both corporate and family celebrations.

History and fleet

The company's history dates back to 1935, when Captain Al Starts moved to Fort Lauderdale with a 60-foot vessel with a capacity of 50 passengers, built in Jacksonville, which he named Jungle Queen. At that time he acquired land on the New River and created a Seminole Indian trading post, which still stands on the south bank of the New River, west of I-95. The attraction included alligator wrestling shows and the sale of Seminole crafts.

The first Jungle Queen location was on the west side of the Las Olas bridge, at the corner of Las Olas Blvd and Poinciana (S.E. 26 Avenue), until 1949 when the Bahia Mar Yachting Center was built, where it moved as the first commercial tenant. The BBQ dinner and island show were added in the 1940s, and the restaurant pavilion built then still stands.

The fleet has evolved over time: Jungle Queen I became a two-deck boat with a capacity of 115 passengers; Jungle Queen II was built on the New River with a capacity of 250; Jungle Queen III was built in Tampa with a capacity of 175; and Jungle Queen IV was commissioned from Halter Marine in New Orleans with a capacity of 532 passengers. In 1958, comedian Earl Faber and his wife Catherine acquired the company; their son Jerome C. Faber continued at the helm for 50 years, and the third generation still runs the operation today.

Onboard services

During the cruises, passengers can enjoy a boat with a full-service bar and signature cocktails. The island dinner includes BBQ ribs, waffle fries and all the fixings, accompanied by live entertainment. The experience is designed for all ages and is presented as family-friendly.

Embarkation point

Embarkation and the box office are located at Bahia Mar Yachting Center, 801 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316. Parking is available on site.

Location and contact

Bahia Mar Yachting Center, 801 Seabreeze Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL. 33316 · Phone: 954-462-5596 · Email: info@junglequeen.com