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Only 45 minutes from Orlando International Airport and less than an hour from the theme parks in central Florida, the easy highway ride makes visiting Cocoa Beach a nice day or weekend trip. But if you have more time you’ll find plenty of things to do.
Cocoa Beach is located on the eastern coast of Florida in the heart of the Space Coast Highway. This authentic beach town is famous for its beautiful beaches, world class surfing conditions and proximity to major attractions. Although the population grows, thanks to tourism, the town manages to retain a quaint small town feel.
It’s fun and care-free vibe makes it a top vacation spot for families, surfers, nature lovers and snowbirds alike.
We’ve listed the 12 top things to do while staying in Cocoa Beach. Note that some of these attractions will take you a short car ride away to Merritt Island, Port Canaveral or Melbourne.
1. COCOA BEACH
The cocoa-colored soft sand beach, warm ocean water and tropical sunshine is why you travel to the city of Cocoa Beach in the first place.
You’ll find ample open space to sunbathe, relax and watch the Atlantic for frolicking dolphins, and diving birds. On the Pier, as well as surfcasting along the shore, you’ll see fishermen hoping to reel in a big one.
From this beach vantage point you will see cruise ships pass by. Lucky visitors get premium viewing for rocket launches from nearby Cape Canveral. (Check out spaceflightnow.com or Kennedy Space Center or update launch schedule).
Cocoa Beach is the Surfing Capital on the East Coast. It is home to several Surfing Contests and Competitions throughout the year.
Try your skills at Surfing, Paddle Boarding or Kite Surfing. Several places near and on the beach rent equipment and offer lessons.
From rentals and fresh water showers to beach volleyball courts and year-round lifeguards, locals and visitors alike love to spend their beach days here.
See the City of Cocoa Beach website for a complete list of Beach Rules.
2. COCOA BEACH PIER
The Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier is the most notable local landmark. There you’ll find bars, shopping and restaurants offering great eats. Take a stroll out to the end of the pier for fantastic panoramic views.
The Fishing Pier fishing opens at 6 AM daily. Visit cocoabeachpier.com for details
Check out the live weather cam located on the Cocoa Beach Pier. Current weather and surf conditions by surfline.com.
3. WATER SPORTS
Cocoa Beach is home to champion surfers, surfing competitions, world-famous Ron Jon Surf Shop and Florida Surf Museum.
With gentle surf, it’s the perfect place to learn how to hang ten. Or in my case just stay on the board! Ron Jon Surf School is the most well-known and they specialize in helping beginner surfers. For the more daring, try kite surfing or parasailing with certified trainers.
Cocoa Beach is hometown to Kelly Slater, 11-time ASP World Tour Champion and considered one of the greatest surfers of all time. Take your picture next to his bronze statue where State Road A1A splits into one-way north and one-way south in Downtown Cocoa Beach.
You’ll like this post: Splurge-Worthy Gifts for Water Sport Enthusiasts
4. Guided ECO-TOURS
Manatee Tour by A Day Away Kayak Tours
Discover the natural phenomenon of bioluminescence in the waters around Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge on a nighttime kayak tour just north of Cocoa Beach. Offered by A Day Away Kayak Tours
A Day Away also offer a Sunset Bird Tour around Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge.
See the manatees and dolphins of the Indian River up close on this wildlife and sightseeing tour from Cocoa Beach. Group and private tours.
Several companies offer guided kayak and paddle board tours that will teach you about native animals like manatees, dolphins and migratory birds.
If you prefer a less active approach, book charter on a guided boat tour and take lots of pictures.
5. NATURE PRESERVES and PARKS
Egret landing at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
For a quieter and more peaceful respite visit these Cocoa Beach scenic gems.
Alan Shephard Beachfront Park
Nice beach with a variety of soft and hard sand. Between Cocoa Beach Pier and RonJon’s Surf Shop.
Robert P. Murkshe
Memorial Park
This 2-acre ocean-front park is operated by Brevard County. Offers parking, picnic, bathrooms and shower facilities.
Lori Wilson Park
Nice walking area where dogs are allowed. Beach access, pavilions, grills, dunes, a boardwalk and bird-watching. This 32.43-acre beach park is open from just after sunrise until dusk. Free parking and admission.
Gateway site for the Great Florida Birding Trail. Established in 1963 as an overlay of NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center, the Refuge consists of 140,000 acres providing a habitat for more than 1,500 species of plants and animals. See their website for more information.
Thousand Islands Conservation Area
The 338-acre site is a series of islands in the Indian River Lagoon on the south side of Minuteman Causeway. With the exception of a short nature trail along Fourth Street South all access to the islands is by boat.
6. LAND and AIR TOURS
Helicopter Tour by Florida Air Tours
The aerial adventure park will suspend you in the air on 45-foot poles as you navigate through 49 unique challenges and seven 100-foot zip lines set in a canopy of beautiful live oak trees. The park offers seven different trails separated by three levels of difficulty. Pick the adventure that meets your comfortable level.
Sightseeing helicopter tours to Jetty Park Beach. See cruise ships, NASA launch pads, manatees and dolphins from a breathtaking vantage point. Offered by Florida Air Tours.
Rent a Bike
Rent a bike from one of several rental places in the area and see the sites at your own pace. Here are suggested Cocoa Beach cycling trails found on mapmyride.
Segway Tours
Take a personal transporter through warm and sunny Port Canaveral with Space Coast Segway Tours.
Food Tours
Yummy Florida and Village Food Tours take you on a leisurely stroll to sample the freshest and most delicious foods that Florida has to offer.
7. WATCH A ROCKET LAUNCH
Rocket Launch photo courtesy SpaceX on Unsplash
Rockets launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, but Cocoa Beach offers some of the best rocket launch viewing spots on Florida’s Space Coast.
My first Space Shuttle Launch experienced by happy accident. We took a break from the June heat in Orlando. Cooling off on Cocoa Beach we caught the buzz happening around us.
I’ll never forget the enormous flames of lift-off, the thunderous roar of the engines and the trembling sand below our feet as we watched the shuttle break through the clouds and disappear into the atmosphere.
In 2013, without a plan, we were at Ron Jon’s picking up some t-shirts and got a call to head to the beach, fast.
We watched the space shuttle Endeavor riding piggyback on a 747 did a beach fly-over prior to landing. Still takes my breath away. Not a rocket launch but pretty freakin’ cool. The pictures are lost forever in an old iPhone. For the sake of your history, print your pictures!
ROCKET LAUNCH SCHEDULE: Check spaceflightnow.com or Kennedy Space Center for current launch schedule. You don’t want to miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience.
8. MUSEUMS
Dinosaur Store and Museum
Dinosaur Store and Museum
Housing one of the most incredible collections of fossils and minerals in the world, visitors will have loads of fun exploring The Dinosaur Store’s adventure zone. Kids will love the digging area as they uncover fossils and pan for minerals. Don’t miss the all-new Museum of Dinosaurs and Ancient Cultures.
Located across from Ron Jon Surf Shop, this museum traces the sport’s local history. The museum continues to add to its exhibits that feature the history and lore that defines Florida’s unique status in the world of surfing.
Located at Cape Canaveral on the way to the Kennedy Space Center. Free admission. Visit their website for more information.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex or American Space Museum & Space Walk of Fame are less than 30 minutes from Cocoa Beach. Lots of interactive exhibits. “Ride” the Shuttle Launch Experience. View the Space Shuttle Atlantis and Exhibit. Take the bus tour to get an up close look at the space program’s launch pads. Okay, eat some space ice-cream!
9. EAT ON THE WATERFRONT
Patio dining at the Sunset Grill and Bar
C’mon you’re in Cocoa Beach…have dinner at one of the many eateries along the water. Catch a gorgeous sunset, or moon rise, while you sip a cocktail and feast on local seafood.
There’s great food offerings for every taste including fresh-caught seafood, Mexican, Italian, Indian and more. Some of my favorites are Sunset Waterfront Grill & Bar, Coconuts on the Water, Fat Snook, Florida’s Fresh Grill and Fat Kahunas.
Many restaurants accept reservations so make them early in the day to avoid long waiting lines in the evening. Lots of great options for lunch and cocktail specials.
Here’s a listing of restaurants in Cocoa Beach from TripAdvisor. You’ll get hungry trying to choose one.
A highlight to your visit is feeding the Giraffes
I love this zoo. Visit it (with kiddos) often. It’s well-maintained, super-walkable, clean and friendly. Explore the world of animals at Brevard Zoo, an internationally accredited facility home to giraffe, rhinos, big cats and hundreds of colorful parrots. Interactive experiences include giraffe and bird feedings, adorable children’s water play area and kayaking around animal habitats.
The Brevard Zoo offers three ropes courses of varying degrees of challenges and zip lines. You’ll trek and sail through lush Florida landscape with incredible views.
11. DOWNTOWN COCOA BEACH
Enjoy music and a pint at Nolan’s Irish Pub
Shopping, dining and nightlife await you in Downtown Cocoa Beach. Looking for that perfect cup of coffee, unique souvenir or sweet treat?
The Main Street Festival is an on-going event. Join the locals in Downtown Cocoa Beach on the third Friday of every month. There’s live music, food, vendors and fun for the whole family.
NIGHTLIFE
Gregory’s Upstairs Comedy Club
Adult comedy. Performances every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Dinner seating before the show. Purchase tickets online or at the door.
Bars and Pubs
At night you have lots of choices to grab a drink and listen to music. Go upstairs at Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grille for casual bar and entertainment. There are a few Irish Pubs, like Nolan’s. Into beer? Check out the Cocoa Beach Brewing Company, a nano-brewery.
12. SHOP FOR SOUVENIRS
World Famous Ron Jon Surf Shop
Gift and specialty shops abound in Cocoa Beach. You’ll find a variety of shops for clothing, t-shirts, sunglasses, beach gear and more. Spend time wandering around to look for that perfect take home souvenir or gift.
No trip to Cocoa Beach is complete without a stop at the world’s largest surf shop – Ron Jon Surf Shop. Everything you need for your beach vacation is available here, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The hubs has more RJ tee shirts than any other shirts. No lie. They’re in various wearable stages from new with tags to ready for the rag pile grunge. Because we hang in the area most winters and visit family often, no trip is complete with an armful of new tee shirts.
Scoot on over next door to the Cocoa Beach Surf Company too. I always get great deals on sandals. The kids will love the big round fish tank in the middle of the store.
Hungry for a snack? Walk about the main and side streets in search of ice-cream, smoothies, coffee and candy. Try the Key Lime Pie Company for pie, of course, and homemade ice-cream.
…but wait, there’s more
Play Mini Golf
Step off the beach and hit the mini golf links. Lighthouse Cove Adventure Golf is a beach-themed, 36-hole miniature golf course a block from the beach. Grab an ice-cream or craft beer from the pro-shop before you get tee off.
For more info on park rules and hours of operation visit the City of Cocoa Beach website.
Sails twice daily out of Port Canaveral. Slot machines, live Sportsbook, and table games. Free entertainment. I know non-gamblers who enjoy the cruise and buffet. For more information and reservations check their website.
Cute quaint town about 7 miles from Cocoa Beach. Lots of shops and restaurants. Nice waterfront park with walking trail. Visit their website for things to do, restaurants, shopping and more.
Cocoa Village Playhouse
A few years ago I saw a fabulous production of CATS! The playhouse is run by a team of dedicated and talented volunteers and staff. It’s considered one of the highest quality community theatres in the country. See what’s playing while you’re in town. Get tickets in advance.
Port Canaveral
Watch the cruise ships. Grab a bite to eat at one of waterfront restaurants. Check out a few of my favorite eateries like Sonnys and Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar.
Exploration Tower
Stunning architectural landmark providing visitors seven floors of exhibits and interactive play.
Go Fishing
Group and private charters. Fishing and Fishing Charters
Look out for Eagles, Alligators and other local critters
Traveling the area from Cocoa Beach to Cape Canaveral you might be surprised to see American Bald Eagles, alligators in the street gulleys and other native critters like armadillos.
The Kennedy Space Center sits in the middle of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge adjacent to Canaveral National Seashore, one of the largest and most diverse wildlife preserves in Florida. So keep your eyes open and cameras ready.
Why you should visit Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is a family-friendly destination conveniently located 45 minutes east of Orlando on Florida’s Space Coast. This truly is one of the most charming beach towns in the country.
It offers the perfect combination of warm sun, gentle sea waves and natural habitats. You’ll fall in love with cocoa-colored soft sandy beaches and the friendly locals. To appease your senses further you’ll dine on delicious food and take in vibrant sunsets at happy hour.
With world-famous surfing, regular rocket launches from the Kennedy Space Center and acres of nature preserves, you’ll never search far to have your breath taken away.
Whether your vacation time is a day, long weekend or you’re lucky enough to extend your stay, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Cocoa Beach.
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Cocoa Beach Tours, Tickets & Activities
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