Thousands of spring breakers cut loose as they hit the Florida sands, then each other, when high-energy spirits boiled over into brawls – and it’s only Monday.
Groups of bikini-clad girls and jeering guys flocked to the packed-out Fort Lauderdale Beach where women could be seen brawling with each other in front of frat bros in boozed-fueled wrestling matches which sometimes turned violent.
Florida officials announced plans this year to impose some of the toughest restrictions at Miami Beach earlier this month after two deadly shootings broke out last year.
Curtailments include parking fees reaching $100 and early bar closures at 6pm in an attempt to rein in the chaos.
It means that much of the party has now moved 45 minutes north to Fort Lauderdale where authorities appear to be slightly more relaxed.
Florida beaches witnessed chaotic scenes as spring breakers descended upon the sands, as high-energy spirits boiled over into brawls
Groups of bikini-clad girls and jeering guys flocked to the packed-out beach where women could be seen brawling with each other in front of frat bros in boozed-fueled wrestling matches which sometimes turned violent.
Spring breakers wrestle on Las Olas Beach in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Spring breakers party on Las Olas Beach in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Monday
Spring breakers seize the night at a beach just off Las Olas Beach in Fort Lauderdale
A ramped-up police presence was noticeable along the beach with officers on bicycles, buggies and SUVs seen patrolling the area. Others were seen leading K-9s between sun bathers on the crowded sands.
There was barely a patch of open sand to be had on some stretches of Fort Lauderdale Beach, often dubbed as ‘Spring Break Central.’
Photographs from the first day of the long vacation show bikini-clad girls partying on the beach and cops patrolling the streets in large numbers.
Some girls, leaving little to the imagination, posed for photos in the ocean – presumably to make their pals stuck at home jealous of their tropical vacation.
Elsewhere, swathes of half-dressed youngsters danced at daytime parties on the beach, in the back of pickup trucks, and on boats rented out for the day.
A group of spring breakers pose for the camera, some with a drink in hand
A spring breaker does a backflip on Las Olas Beach in Fort Lauderdale
Spring breakers are see passed out after a long day of beach and night of drinking
The week is only just getting started with one girl receiving a dose of alcohol on Monday night
Despite it being dark, the spring breakers continued to wear their bikini tops into the night
Bars in Fort Lauderdale appeared packed as the party shifted from the beach to the bars
One DJ appeared to be having fun providing the evening’s entertainment
A young couple appeared to be in high spirits as they posed for the camera with a drink
Police were never far away and drove up and down the road with their lights flashing
There was no shortage of alcohol at this open bar in Fort Lauderdale
A group of girls looked to be ready to tackle another day on the sands on Monday
One girl could be seen giving her friends a drink. It is anyone’s guess as to whether it was water
Some managed to wear color coordinating outfits from top to bottom
Spring breakers drink from a beer bong on Las Olas Beach in Fort Lauderdale with sunburns proudly on display
Some alcoholic drinks were delivered by water pistol
Beaches were inundated with people who were seen enjoying a day before night events
The sands were packed as the sun shone for another day of partying in the Sunshine State
Posing for pictures on the beach was a common theme among those partying at Fort Lauderdale
Drivers with their pimped-up rides had captive audiences at nearby bars
Spring Break last year saw 488 arrests in Miami Beach, more than 230 of which were felony offenses, and more than 100 firearms were seized.
In a widely circulated video produced by Miami Beach officials, the aim appeared to put people off coming to the popular beachfront city.
Actors discussed the city’s intention to ‘break up with spring break.’
‘It’s not us, it’s you,’ says one actor to camera.
‘This March you can expect things like curfews, bag checks, and restricted beach access,’ says another.
A third continues the message, saying, ‘DUI checkpoints, $100 parking, and strong police enforcement for drug possession and violence’ are all part of the plan.
There was a greater police presence with officers on bicycles, buggies, and SUVs
Police were even seen on horseback as they patrolled the Florida beaches
Police aimed to maintain order as Fort Lauderdale Beach became a spring break hotspot
Police officers were happy to pose with spring breakers on Fort Lauderdale Beach
There was barely any room on the sands to actually sunbathe such were the swarms of people
There was plenty of people who were behaving well – at least in this picture
Beer pongs were a popular manner to consume as much alcohol as possible
Some people even decided to sunbathe on the sands once standing around became too much
A group of young men look relaxed late afternoon on Monday
A couple of young women are seen hydrating after a day out on the sands
A pair of woman strike a pose and look calm and relaxed following a day on the beach
Others appeared slightly worse for wear after consuming too many beverages
Spring breakers are told to fill in a deep hole that was dug on Las Olas Beach in Ft. Lauderdale
A group of friends are seen enjoying themselves at one of the city’s bars
One bar worker was seen firing a shot of alcohol to those willing to open their mouths
Last year, the former Miami Beach Mayor said he wanted to cancel Spring Break after fatal chaos broke out on more than one occasion.
A midnight curfew went into place following two deadly shootings.
This year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that he and his state level employees are ‘ready to help our local communities maintain order’.
He’s ordered 140 state troopers out to various hot spots, and added that he is willing to send additional backup if necessary.
‘We don’t welcome mayhem,’ he said.
‘The state has a lot going on, it’s a fun place to be at and we want to see people do that, but we also are going to insist that people respect the law.
‘Florida may be popular for Spring Break, but it is inhospitable to criminal activity.’