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What to pack for a pool-house week in Fort Lauderdale
The most common packing mistake for the nest is bringing things the house already has. The second is forgetting how strong the sun is in February. Here is the list, with the weather that explains it. Climate figures are the 1991-2020 normals for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.
Check the month first
| Season | Typical high / low | Rain | Pack for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec to Feb | 76 to 78 F / 61 to 65 F | Driest months, about 2.4 to 2.9 in | Warm days, cool evenings; one light layer |
| Mar to May | 80 to 86 F / 66 to 74 F | Rising, 2.4 to 5.6 in | Full sun; swimwear from day one |
| Jun to Sep | 88 to 90 F / 77 to 78 F | Wettest; June about 9.6 in | Afternoon storms, humidity, bugs at dusk |
| Oct to Nov | 81 to 85 F / 68 to 74 F | Easing, 7.4 to 3.7 in | Warm, occasional storm early on |
Already at the house
Leave these at home: beach towels, a beach umbrella and blanket, snorkeling gear, four bicycles, board games and children's toys, a Pack 'n Play, a hair dryer, an iron, a washer and dryer, and two kitchens with the basics. The full inventory is on the amenities page.
Bring
- Sunscreen, broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. Reef-safe formulas are a good choice for the snorkel reef, but they are a choice, not a law: a 2020 Florida statute overrode local sunscreen bans, including Key West's. Bring a full bottle; the TSA's 3-1-1 rule limits carry-on liquids to 3.4 oz containers, so check it or buy it here.
- Two swimsuits per person. One dries while the other is in the pool.
- Rash guards for children and anyone who burns; hours in the pool add up.
- Water shoes for the snorkel reef at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and rocky spots.
- A hat and sunglasses. The UV index here is high most of the year.
- Insect repellent that is EPA-registered (DEET or picaridin). Mosquitoes are year-round in South Florida and peak in the rainy season.
- A light rain shell in summer; storms are short and warm, umbrellas are awkward on a bike.
- One warm layer in winter for evenings by the fire pit, and in summer for restaurant and movie-theater air conditioning.
- Flip-flops for the pool and real shoes for the city. Las Olas at night is a stroll, not a hike.
- A refillable water bottle. Tap water is safe; the house has a kettle, a blender and plenty of glasses.
- Your prescriptions and any specialty foods. Supermarkets and pharmacies are minutes away, but the exact brand may not be.
For the group
If you are ten people, assign the car snacks, the cooler-day plan and the playlist before you land. The house has a Bluetooth sound system, a griddle and a gas grill; bring the recipe, not the equipment. Our group travel tips cover the rest.