Cocoa Beach: where the vibes are as chill as the drinks are cold! This little slice of heaven on Florida’s Atlantic Coast has been killing it since 1925, thanks to its primo beachfront location and being just a stone’s throw from Cape Canaveral. It’s like the city hit the jackpot when NASA moved in next door – talk about a growth spurt!
These days, Cocoa Beach is all about the three S’s: sun, surf, and space. Tourists flock here to catch some rays, hang ten, and watch rockets blast off into the great beyond. And with over 2,500 hotel rooms and vacation rentals, there’s plenty of space for everyone to crash after a day of soaking up the good vibes.
Sure, the population might only be around 10,000, but don’t let that fool you – when there’s a launch happening, this place is packed to the gills with space enthusiasts. It’s like the whole world wants a front-row seat to the action!
Popular Beaches
Cocoa Beach’s beaches are the real stars of the show, luring in a million sun-seekers yearly. With over 2 miles of sandy goodness and easy access, it’s a beachgoer’s paradise!
Some of the most popular beach spots include:
Cocoa Beach Pier
401 Meade Avenue: This iconic landmark extends 800 feet over the Atlantic Ocean. The pier opened in 1962 and contains gift shops, restaurants and bait and tackle stores. It’s also a popular fishing spot and place to stroll over the waves.
Shepard Park
200 E Cocoa Beach Causeway: The ultimate beach day BFF! With restrooms, volleyball courts, showers, and plenty of parking, it’s got everything you need for a fun-filled family day in the sun. And don’t worry about packing a lunch – the food vendors have got you covered. Just don’t forget to bring your competitive spirit for some epic volleyball matches!
Alan Shepard Park
Alan Shepard Park: Named after the space-exploring legend himself, this park is out of this world! With boardwalks that make beach access a breeze, you can stroll over the dunes like a pro. It’s the perfect spot to soak up some sun and pretend you’re an astronaut on a mission to relax!
Sidney Fischer Park
2 Minutemen Causeway: The largest public beach park in Cocoa Beach, Sidney Fischer Park spans over a half mile of pristine shoreline. It offers ample parking, restrooms, showers, volleyball courts and a playground.
No matter which spot you choose, Cocoa Beach offers convenient public access points to it’s stunning beaches. Lifeguard stands dot the shoreline during summer months for added safety. The clean sand and generally uncrowded waves make Cocoa Beach a relaxing, family-friendly beach destination.
Things to Do
Aside from surf, sand and sun, Cocoa Beach visitors can also explore these top attractions:
Kennedy Space Center
Just 30 minutes from Cocoa Beach, Kennedy Space Center provides an interactive, inspiring look at the United States space program. See launch complexes 39A and 39B, the Rocket Garden, the Saturn V Center, Shuttle Launch Experience and IMAX movies capturing NASA footage and history.
Time a visit to watch a live rocket launch over the Atlantic Ocean for an unforgettable experience. Passes offer access for multiple days so visitors can take their time exploring exhibits and displays.
Cocoa Beach Surf Museum
4 Minutemen Causeway Learn about the history of surfing in Florida through memorabilia, vintage surfboards and exhibits on the legends of the sport who once rode local waves like Kelly Slater and Lisa Andersen. The museum also documents Cocoa Beach’s importance as an early surf destination.
Cape Canaveral Lighthouse
P.O Box 119 Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 Climb to the top of the towering Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, offering panoramic views from it’s observation deck. This lighthouse guided ships safely to shore for over 100 years and remains an iconic local landmark listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The lighthouse sits conveniently right next to the Kennedy Space Center complex.
Cocoa Beach Golf & Country Club
5000 Tom Warriner Boulevard With 36 holes designed by Joe Lee spanning over 200 acres, this semi-private golf club attracts duffers looking to play a round near Cocoa Beach. The layout captures the natural wetlands and woods of the area and presents an enjoyable challenge.
Cocoa Beach Health and Fitness Trail
Stretching for over 15 miles from Port Canaveral to Station Road in Cocoa Beach, this trail offers a scenic spot for walking, running, biking or skating along designated paved paths following the natural environment. Accessible trailheads dot the path with parking available.
Look for local birds and wildlife as you traverse bridges, palms, pines and mangrove forests. Site markers denote the plants and environments along the way for self-guided learning.
Cocoa Beach Skate Park
Built by Team Pain, this 20,000 square foot concrete skate park challenges local skaters with it’s many bowls, ramps, stair sets and rails scattered throughout the park. All skill levels can test their abilities at this free, unsupervised city park.
Minutemen Causeway Fishing Pier
2 Minutemen Causeway At the end of Minutemen Causeway sits a 700-foot public fishing pier with convenient parking. Anglers can be spotted along the pier fishing for snook, bluefish, mackerel, sea trout and more. Licenses are required for age 16 and over. Rod rentals and bait are available on-site.
Dining
Visitors can fuel up in between beach sessions at these top local eateries:
- Fat Kahuna’s Beach Side Grill: 2 Minutemen Causeway Featuring Polynesian fusion eats, Fat Kahuna’s colorful beach shack sits right along the sand just steps from the Minutemen Causeway fishing pier. Dine on Kahlua pork fries, macadamia nut mahi, bowls and more best enjoyed on their pet-friendly outdoor patio.
- Florida Key Lime Pie Company: 166 N Orlando Ave True to it’s name, this restaurant bakes their famous key lime pie fresh daily along with other Florida classics like grouper sandwiches, coconut shrimp and gator tail. The vegetarian options and unique ambiance centered around a banyan tree make this eatery a quintessential Cocoa Beach experience.
- Slow and Low BBQ: 306 N Orlando Ave Suite 101 For finger-licking barbecue in Cocoa Beach, head to Slow and Low. The locally-owned spot smokes brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken and sausage on site and piles it high on sandwiches or plates. Live music several nights a week makes it a popular neighborhood hangout.
- Paisano’s Pizza: 205 E Cocoa Beach Causeway Craving pizza by the slice near the beach? Stop into this cozy pizzeria dishing up New York-style pies, calzones, stromboli, subs and pasta. Toppings like barbecue chicken and Greek additions put a fun twist on classics.
Annual Events
Cocoa Beach visitors timing their stay around these beloved annual happenings won’t be disappointed:
| Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival | January Bird watching enthusiasts flock to Cocoa Beach every year for this 5-day event featuring seminars, keynotes, exhibitions and a wide array of guided trips. Past festival themes have covered Florida’s history, cultural heritage and ecology. |
| Thunder on Cocoa Beach | May Thunder on Cocoa Beach gives visitors an up-close look at vintage aircraft from days past. The two-day air show brings formations, flight demos, pyrotechnics and a Wall of Fire over the Atlantic Ocean along Cocoa Beach. |
| Freedom 5K on the Fourth | July 4 Racers can participate in this annual Independence Day tradition starting at Sidney Fischer Park. Runners enjoy the scenic course with ocean breezes and views. A fireworks show lights up the sky that evening for all to enjoy. |
| Southern Fried Comic Con | July Comic book lovers assemble at the Cocoa Beach convention center for this 3-day event. Southern Fried Comic Con offers celebrity guests, voice actors, artists, cosplay contests, afterparties, photo ops and plenty of fandom fun. |
| NKF Rich Salick Pro-Am Surf Festival | August Hosted by the National Kidney Foundation, this surf competition and beach bash raises funds and awareness for kidney disease. It honors surfing legend Rich Salick and combines professional and amateur surf contests with live music and other beach activities over 2 days. |
Cocoa Beach at Night
The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down in Cocoa Beach. Cool evening breezes draw crowds out to area bars, restaurants and attractions to continue enjoying Florida’s Space Coast region after dark.
Dining
Many favorite local eateries like Florida Key Lime Pie Company, Slow and Low BBQ and Fat Kahuna’s Beachside Grill keep their kitchens open to serve dinner nightly. Enjoy a relaxing meal on outdoor patios dotted with twinkly lights.
Several establishments also offer live music acts ranging from classic rock cover bands to acoustic artists setting the mood over cocktails.
Nightlife
The Cocoa Beach Pier becomes an ideal spot for drinks and socializing as bars like Marlins, Keith’s Oyster Bar and Shark’s remain lively late into the evening. Patrons packed around high-top tables enjoy ocean views with their cold beers and fruity cocktails.
Coconutz on the Beach draws big crowds with it’s tropical theme and live bands cranking out hits old and new. Other popular bars like Juice N’ Java Café, Rockledge Pub and Village Idiot Pub offer cozy atmospheres to chat over regional craft brews.
Stargazing
Thanks to less light pollution away from major metro areas, Cocoa Beach provides optimal stargazing opportunities for astronomy enthusiasts. Award-winning Sidney Fischer Park even earned the International Dark Sky Association’s Urban Night Sky Place designation.
Bring blankets to spread out on the sand or spot constellations from scenic overlooks along walking and biking trails. Download helpful mobile apps to identify stars, planets, satellites and even the International Space Station orbiting by overhead.
Night Surfing
Thrill-seeking surfers often grab their boards to take advantage of calmer winds and wave conditions at night. Bioluminescence microorganisms present in the waters surrounding Cocoa Beach create a magical glowing sea sparkling with each wave.
For optimal lighting, surfers should look for minimal moonlight during new moon cycles bringing darker skies. Popular bio-glow surfing locations include spots like Ron Jon’s, The Pier, Shepard Park and nearby Playalinda Beach.
Between the music, drinks, food and views, Cocoa Beach proves just as enticing after sunset once vibrant nightlife entertainment gets underway. Visitors can choose to lounge casually or live it up late into the evening enjoying Florida’s Space Coast region.
Accommodations
Cocoa Beach visitors can choose from an array of hotel and vacation rental options to suit their travel needs and budget. Options range from major chains to locally-owned lodges and bungalows.
Some top-rated picks include:
- Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront: 1550 N Atlantic Ave This upscale high-rise sits right on the beach, offering oceanview rooms and suites, multiple pools, on-site dining and amenities like watersports rentals through it’s Hawaii Ocean Activities hut.
- Inn at Cocoa Beach: 4300 Ocean Beach Blvd This charming oceanfront inn contains spacious rooms and suites, some with full kitchens. Relax by the pool and complimentary breakfast served daily before strolling to the beach via their private walkway.
- Beach Place Guesthouses: 1445 State Road A1A For a cozy, cottage vibe, these colorful Key West-style bungalows sit just across the street from the beach. Each guesthouse comes with a full kitchen and private courtyard.
- Almar’s Bed and Breakfast Retreat: 293 W Cocoa Beach Cswy Built in 1924, Cocoa Beach’s first hotel today operates as a charming mission-style B&B just a block from the beach. Guests especially love the delicious full breakfasts utilizing fresh, local ingredients.
- Discovery Beach Resort: 300 Barlow Ave Stretching between the Banana River and Atlantic Ocean, this resort offers condos with 1 to 3 bedrooms to accommodate families and groups. Onsite amenities include two pools, boat docks, a gym and private beach access with included chairs and umbrellas.
No matter your budget or needs, Cocoa Beach offers accommodations sure to enhance time spent on Florida’s lovely Space Coast.
Transportation
Visitors can access Cocoa Beach by air, car or cruise ship:
- Orlando International Airport Just under an hour drive from Cocoa Beach, Orlando International (MCO) provides the most convenient flight access via major domestic airlines and rental car facilities.
- Melbourne Orlando International Airport Located 30 minutes south, Melbourne (MLB) Airport services Delta, American Airlines, Elite Airways and more with a smaller regional terminal. Rental cars, taxis and shuttles offer transport to Cocoa Beach.
- Cruise Ship Port Canaveral sits just 15 minutes from downtown Cocoa Beach, making Florida’s busy cruise port a convenient access point. Cruise lines like Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean and more dock ships there that visit the Caribbean, Bahamas and other tropical destinations.
- Driving Cocoa Beach sits conveniently located off I-95, Florida’s major north/south interstate highway. Visitors can easily drive straight to shore from cities across the Southeast U.S. without navigating congested city centers.
Safety
As with any tourist destination, visitors should exercise reasonable caution in Cocoa Beach by following these general safety tips:
- Leave valuables in hotel safe deposit boxes when heading to the beach
- Don’t leave purses, phones or bags unattended on the beach while swimming
- Stay hydrated and use sun protection to avoid heat illness and sunburn
- Supervise children around the water and clarify safe boundaries for kids playing or swimming
- Follow all beach warning flags and check on surf conditions for rip currents that can pull swimmers out
- Look both ways for oncoming traffic when crossing streets from beach public parking areas
- Follow local laws and avoid disorderly conduct during any excessive drinking situations
- Seek medical care immediately if injured, stung or feeling overly ill
By taking basic precautions for beach and road safety, Cocoa Beach visitors can fully enjoy their coastal Florida vacation without incident. As a popular tourism hub and residential community, Cocoa Beach stays relatively safe and secure for guests.
Why Visit Cocoa Beach?
Cocoa Beach is like the VIP seating for rocket launches from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. You can watch humankind’s greatest adventures blast off right in front of your eyes! And if you want to geek out even more, hit up the Kennedy Space Center for some mind-blowing space exhibits.
Now, if you’re looking for the ultimate beach vacay, Cocoa Beach has got you covered. You can go all-out with a swanky oceanfront resort, complete with pools, bars, and restaurants. Or, if you’re more of a low-key traveler, snag a cozy vacation rental or inn tucked away among the palm trees. The best part? Cocoa Beach is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Orlando’s theme parks and attractions. So, you can get your thrills on roller coasters and then chill out on the beach, all in the same day!
When to Visit
Cocoa Beach sees pleasant weather for beachgoing and outdoor exploration year-round thanks to it’s Sunshine State location. While Florida stays relatively mild all year, the dry season between November and April draws the most visitors.
Peak tourist season runs January through March. Expect higher lodging rates and larger beach crowds, especially when area schools have winter break. Weather stays enjoyable with average highs around 72°F dropping to average lows of 50°F, comfortable for strolling the beach and catching rays.
As spring transitions to summer between April and June, temperatures and humidity begin to climb though still tolerable for beach days. Increased rain chances tend to drive hotel rates down. Surfers take advantage of storm wave swells rolling in off the Atlantic Ocean.
FAQs
While not a necessity, having a car allows easy access to beaches, attractions, restaurants and area destinations. Without one, visitors rely on rideshares, taxis or local shuttles which can limit flexibility.
Beaches in Cocoa Beach are public, so no beach passes or documentation is necessary, just find parking or access walkways. Beach-front hotels provide chairs and amenities for guests only.
Yes, major beach parks like Shepard Park, Sidney Fischer Park and Alan Shepard Park offer public restrooms and beach showers. Most hotels and condos only allow guest use of amenities.
Street parking can be found along routes A1A and 520 near beach crosswalks. Large paid lots sit near Shepard Park, Sidney Fischer Park and the Pier, typically $5-$10 per day. Free parking sometimes available off-season.
Beaches ban pets, glass containers and littering. Tents, oversized umbrellas, kites, metal shovels, music without headphones and alcohol may also be prohibited in certain areas.
Major beach parks contain boardwalk routes across dunes and designated wheelchair beach mats that allow access nearer to the surf. Beach wheelchairs are also available for rent or use free of charge.
Conclution
Whether you dream of sunny skies, salty air and sandy shores or gaze longingly at the stars hoping to catch a rocket launch, Cocoa Beach offers an irresistible lure for travelers. The small surf town packs plenty to do from beach lounging and watersports to golf, fishing, birding and beyond, with nearby Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center expanding offerings further.
Relaxed cafes, fresh seafood restaurants and bustling beach bars capture the quintessential Florida lifestyle enhanced by vibrant sunrises and sunsets over the Atlantic coastline. Miles of public beaches grant access for all to enjoy stretches of sand big enough to stake out the perfect spot.
Close proximity to Orlando’s theme parks and attractions adds to Cocoa Beach’s visitor appeal for family vacations. Adventurers seeking active endeavors can challenge local breaks on a surfboard or set off to sea on a deep sea fishing charter when a beach day no longer suffices.