Butterfly World in Coconut Creek

What Butterfly World is

Butterfly World is a butterfly park and garden in Coconut Creek, inland from Pompano Beach. Most of the experience is walking through screened, open-air aviaries where butterflies fly around you and land on the flowers, and sometimes on you.

It sits inside Tradewinds Park, a large Broward County park, at 3600 West Sample Road. That makes it a short drive west of the beach, and an easy half day that fits between a morning swim and an afternoon at the pool.

Hours and planning

According to Butterfly World, the park is open seven days a week: Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. Last entry is at 4 PM, and the park recommends arriving by 3 PM to see everything. The butterfly areas and the lorikeet encounter close at 4:30 PM. It is closed on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Tradewinds Park charges a small vehicle gate fee on weekends and county holidays, separate from your Butterfly World ticket. Admission prices change, so check the official site for current rates before you go.

Hours, admission and gate fees are set by Butterfly World and Broward County Parks and can change, including for weather. Check before you go.

What to see

The butterfly aviaries are the main event. Walk slowly, and you will see butterflies feeding on flowers and fruit, resting on leaves and drifting between the plants. Wear bright colors if you want them to land on you; stay still and let them come. There is no need to reach out and touch them.

The lorikeet encounter is a favorite with kids. You buy a small cup of nectar (cash only, a couple of dollars) and the lorikeets fly in to drink from it, often landing on hands, arms and shoulders. It opens later in the morning than the park, at 10:30 AM most days and 11 AM on Sundays, and feeding ends at 4:15 PM.

• Go in the morning, when the park is cooler and butterflies are active.
• Bring cash for the lorikeet nectar.
• Wear comfortable shoes; the park is mostly outdoors.
• Bring sunscreen, a hat and bottled water.

Food and drink

There is a café on site. Outside drinks are not allowed, except bottled water and liquids needed for infant feeding, so finish your coffee in the car. If you would rather picnic, pack lunch in your kitchen at home base and eat in Tradewinds Park before or after your visit.

When it rains

Butterfly World is mostly outdoors, so weather matters. During heavy rain or thunderstorms, the butterfly aviaries may close temporarily, and the park can close early in bad weather. Rain checks are at the park’s discretion. On a summer day, go in the morning before the afternoon storms build, and call the park if the forecast is uncertain.

If the day turns wet, the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale is an indoor alternative. See rainy-day ideas for more.

Who it suits

Butterfly World works for almost everyone. Young children love the lorikeets. Grandparents enjoy the slower pace and the gardens. Photographers can spend hours with a macro lens. Plan on a few hours, which makes it a natural morning outing for families and snowbirds alike.

For more ideas for kids, see family activities. If your group is splitting up for the day, the golfers can head to the city’s courses while everyone else visits the butterflies.

Tips for a better visit

• Check the official site the night before for hours, prices and any weather closures.
• Arrive near opening to beat the heat and the crowds.
• Move slowly in the aviaries. Butterflies are easy to miss if you hurry.
• Watch where you step; butterflies sometimes rest on the paths.
• Check your clothes and bag before you leave an aviary, so no butterfly hitches a ride out.

Bring a camera with a good zoom or macro setting if you have one, and a fully charged phone if you do not. The lorikeet encounter makes for good photos too, though it is easier with one adult taking pictures and another helping the kids with the nectar cup.

Weekends bring the Tradewinds Park gate fee and usually more visitors, so a weekday morning is the calmest time to go. If you are visiting in summer, it is worth checking the forecast the evening before and planning to be finished by early afternoon.

Back to the beach

The best part of a morning inland is coming back to the coast. Be back by early afternoon for a swim in the courtyard pool, then walk the 2 minutes to the beach in the late afternoon when the sun softens. Our suites sleep 4 to 5 with a full kitchen; our studios suit couples. Browse more things to do in Pompano Beach.