Crew House Fort Lauderdale: 8 Houses and Prices (2026)

31 Oct 2026

What is a crew house in Fort Lauderdale?

A crew house in Fort Lauderdale is a shared house that rents beds by the week to yacht crew who are job-hunting, on a course or waiting to join a boat. A bunk costs about $210–$265 a week and a private room $350–$500 (October 2026). Most are in 33315, between Lauderdale Marine Center and the SE 17th Street marinas.

There's no lease. You pay weekly, share the kitchen and bathrooms, and move out when you land a boat. Expect bunk rooms of two to four, a whiteboard of house rules and a house full of people in the same position as you. That matters more than it sounds. Your housemates will know which captain needs a dayworker tomorrow, and some house managers pass on job leads.

New to Florida? Our Fort Lauderdale yacht jobs guide covers the bigger picture.

Canal homes off Las Olas Boulevard: much of Fort Lauderdale's yacht work happens at private docks and yards like these, spread along the New River and the canals, not in one port. Photo: Abujoy, CC BY 3.0.

Which crew houses are in Fort Lauderdale?

These are the crew houses and crew accommodation we could confirm are operating. Prices come from each house's own website as of October 2026. "Ask" means the house doesn't publish a rate, so you'll need to message them.

Rates change with the season, so confirm when you book.

How much does a crew house in Fort Lauderdale cost?

These are the published rates as of October 2026:

• Shared bunk or twin room: $210–$265 a week, or about $30–$38 a night if you stay the full week.
• Private room with a shared bathroom: $350–$425 a week. Fort Lauderdale Crew House's $425 king/queen room takes two people.
• Private bathroom, cottage or studio: $500–$600 a week.
• Your own apartment: $675–$775 a week through Smart Move.

Read the small print on short stays. Fort Lauderdale Crew House doesn't give the weekly rate for stays under seven days, and it takes cash on arrival plus a $50 refundable deposit. Its rates include tax, laundry, cleaning and parking.

For comparison, a weekly bunk in an Antibes crew house runs about €240–305, so Fort Lauderdale costs about the same or a little less. The bigger difference is getting around. You can walk everywhere in Antibes, but in Fort Lauderdale you'll need a bike or rideshares, so add that to your budget. At current day rates of $150–$250, one or two days of daywork pays for a week in a bunk.

How do you choose and book a crew house in Fort Lauderdale?

Location comes first. Yacht work here is spread across the Lauderdale Marine Center yards, the SE 17th Street marinas, the New River and private docks along the canals. If you can walk to LMC, you're well placed for refit daywork. If you're on a course, stay near the school. Dockwalking works differently here, because most yard and marina security won't let you in unless someone aboard has invited you. Plan to get around by bike or rideshare instead. Lauderdale Crew House rents bikes and scooters.

The 17th Street Causeway bridge, between the 17th Street marinas and Harbor Beach. Raised spans are a daily fact of life here, so leave margin if you're walking or cycling to the docks. Photo: Bruin from Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0.

Then check these before you send money:

• Eligibility. Anchored Crew House says every guest must hold yachting certifications and be committed to a yachting career. If you don't have your STCW yet, ask before you book, or book the course first.
• Payment and deposit. Do they take cash, card or transfer? How much is the deposit, when do you get it back, and is there a notice period?
• What's included. Most houses include Wi-Fi, laundry and kitchen use. Check whether cleaning, utilities and tax are extra.
• House rules. Ask about quiet hours, guests and alcohol before you arrive.

Book early around the boat shows. The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) fills the city in late October and early November. Spring is busy too, while boats get ready for summer. Crew Haven says it usually confirms bookings 7–10 days before arrival. Message several houses at once instead of waiting for one to reply.

What are the alternatives to a crew house in Fort Lauderdale?

• Airbnb or a shared rental. This can work if you're travelling with a friend, but it costs more than a bunk and you lose the house job network.
• A whole house. Crew Haven, Smart Move and Lauderdale Crew House rent entire homes. That suits a group of crew, or a boat that needs yacht crew housing during a refit.
• Crew contacts. A sofa at a friend's who already works here is the cheapest option, and they often know who's hiring.

Wherever you stay, sort out your paperwork early. If you still need a medical, book your ENG1 in Fort Lauderdale. Register online with the Fort Lauderdale crew agencies, then ask for an in-person interview while you're in town.

What are the red flags when booking a crew house in Fort Lauderdale?

• No website, no address and no reviews, but they want a deposit by transfer up front
• Photos that don't match the address when you look it up
• No clear answer on refunds or notice

What should you do once you're in a Fort Lauderdale crew house?

• Tell the house manager and your housemates you're looking for work, and which department you want.
• If you're not American, check your visa before you take paid work, because a B1/B2 doesn't cover casual daywork. Once you're cleared, line up daywork at the yards and marinas within cycling distance.
• Check in at Fort Lauderdale on Radius. It's free for crew. Captains and recruiters hiring locally can see you're in town, with your ENG1, STCW and CV already verified, even on days you can't get past a marina gate.

FAQ

What is the cheapest crew house in Fort Lauderdale?

Of the houses that publish rates, Lauderdale Crew House is the cheapest at $210–$240 a week (October 2026). Several others only quote on request, so ask a few.

Do you need STCW to stay in a crew house in Fort Lauderdale?

Not everywhere. Anchored Crew House requires yachting certifications, but Fort Lauderdale Crew House and Crew Haven take students from the local maritime schools.

How long can you stay in a Fort Lauderdale crew house?

Most rent week to week with no lease, so you can keep extending. Smart Move discounts longer stays.

Can couples stay in a crew house?

Yes, if you book a private room for two. Fort Lauderdale Crew House's $425-a-week king/queen room and Smart Move's one-bed apartments both take two people.

Do Fort Lauderdale crew houses take a deposit?

Usually, yes. Fort Lauderdale Crew House takes a $50 refundable deposit plus cash on arrival. Check each house's terms before you pay.