Cocoa Beach, Florida has beautiful beaches, surfing, fishing, delicious seafood, and more, perfect for family vacations. Cocoa Beach, on Florida’s east coast, just an hour from Orlando, is a charming coastal community with many activities and attractions.
Here are some recommended activities in Cocoa Beach.
Kennedy Space Center
The Cocoa Beach area of Florida is affectionately known as the “Space Coast” due to its rich history of space exploration. For fun activities for the whole family, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a must. The center is the center of human spaceflight and receives more than 1.7 million visitors annually. This sprawling site is he’s on 144,000 acres and features an IMAX theater, exhibits and memorabilia, and he’s one of Cocoa Beach’s top he’s attractions. The complex is part indoor and part outdoor.
The Space Center is the ultimate spot for those interested in the history of famous space missions such as the Apollo moon landings and space shuttle excursions. If you’re traveling with kids, plan to spend a full day here and soak up the whole experience. The center is open daily from 9am and is a great spot to take a break from the beach and summer heat.
Getting to the Space Center is very easy. Located on Merritt Island, 30 minutes drive north of Cocoa Beach, Florida A1A.Also within 1 hour by car East of Orlando.
Cape Canaveral Travel
Cape Canaveral is a 10-15 minute drive north of Cocoa Beach and has plenty of fun activities to do. First, the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse is one of the oldest structures in the area. The lighthouse is 151 feet high and was built to warn ships of dangers offshore. Today, visitors can climb to the top for spectacular views of Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral.
If you want to hit a beach that is largely undeveloped and sparsely populated, head to Cape Canaveral National Seashore. Here you can swim, fish from shore, and observe sea turtles at night during nesting season. Admission is $20 and is valid for 7 days.
As the sun goes down and you’re looking for some evening entertainment, take a casino cruise on Port Canaveral. Join us for a fun night out. Try your luck at a variety of games and enjoy the lively atmosphere. A great way to end your visit to Cape Canaveral.
Go to Ron Jon Surf Shop
The Cocoa Beach area has a rich surfing history, and locals recognized early on the potential for epic waves at this location. As a result, the area is widely considered the surfing capital of the East Coast. One of his prominent figures in the region’s surfing history is Kelly Slater, a living legend who grew up in Cocoa Beach and his 11-time world surfing champion.
The Ron John Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach, Florida is the world’s largest surf shop and a must-visit for surfing enthusiasts. The store embodies the surfing culture and heritage that Slater and others have built. Along with a wide selection of surfboards, apparel and accessories, the Long John Surf Shop has a vibrant energy dedicated to those who are passionate about surfing.
Our knowledgeable staff will help you choose your gear and share your own surf stories. A visit to Ron his John is more than just shopping, it’s an opportunity to pay homage to his Cocoa his beach roots and immerse himself in his surfing community.
Historic Cocoa Village
For unique activities on Cocoa Beach, head to Cocoa Village, a quaint mainland neighborhood about 10 miles west. The area is known for its history and vibrant atmosphere. Cocoa Village offers visitors a unique experience filled with small-town charm, diverse shops, delicious dining options, and fun events. For example, the Cocoa Village Playhouse is a great place to catch a show by local performers.
A variety of specialty stores sell unique clothing, accessories, antiques, art, handmade crafts and more. Additionally, Cocoa Riverfront Park is located on the Indian River just a short walk from the village. The park has a splash pad for kids to cool off and an amphitheater that hosts live events. Finally, the riverside walkway offers beautiful views along the waterfront.
water sports
Watersports enthusiasts will have a great time exploring Florida’s Space Coast.there is Great spot for kayaking, paddleboards, surfing, pontoon boat and jet ski rentals. The Indian River Lagoon and Banana River are great spots for boating and jet skiing.
For epic kayaking and paddleboarding adventures, check out Cocoa Kayak. We offer a variety of guided paddling tours at Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island and Titusville. Alternatively, you can rent equipment and go out on your own.
My wife and I paddleboarded on the Cocoa Kayak and enjoyed a wonderful morning on the water. We saw manatees and many other wildlife.
fishing
Cocoa Beach is surrounded by water and there are many great places for fishing. Your first stop is the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier. The pier stretches 800 feet into the Atlantic Ocean and is a great place to cast your fishing line. Depending on the season, anglers can catch a variety of fish species including redfish, grouper, tarpon and snapper. After catching a big catch, stop for drinks and snacks at the Rikki Tiki Tavern at the end of the pier.
For more rod bending action, try a charter fishing trip. Companies like Southern Mayhem Fishing Charters will take you to: First class fishing ground.
Charters take you to places like Banana River Lagoon, Indian River Lagoon, or the Atlantic Outback, depending on what you want to do. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced angler, these charters offer expert guidance and all the equipment you need to maximize your chances of catching big catch.
Manatee Sanctuary Park
About 10 minutes north of Cocoa Beach and just south of the Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral, this is a beautiful place to observe seagrass-eating manatees in their natural habitat.
The Manatee Sanctuary Park is located on the banks of the Banana River where manatee habitat is protected. These beautiful creatures prefer warm water and congregate inland during the winter months. There’s no guarantee that you’ll see a manatee, but the 10-acre park offers a great chance.
Lori Wilson Park
This 30-plus-acre park is a popular local spot to unwind, relax, and soak up the Florida sunshine. The main attraction here is the soft white sand on the beautiful beach. Lori Wilson Park is perfect for family gatherings, with three pavilions, sand volleyball courts, restrooms, grills, boardwalks, playgrounds, and over 310 feet of beach to explore.
F.There is lee parking on the north and south sides of the sea hammock. Drive “I Dream of Jeannie Ln” to find your place along Florida’s Space Coast.
golf and gator
The name says it all. Where else can you play mini-golf and take pictures with alligators? Golf N Gator has two 18-hole mini-golf courses to test your skills. Each course has its own obstacles that are difficult to navigate.
After your round, you can feed and take pictures with alligators at Brevard County’s only outdoor alligator habitat. If you’re looking for fun things to do with friends and family, this is the place.
Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures
Fancy something adventurous in Cocoa Beach? Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures is a fun attraction for adventure seekers, with ropes, zip lines, and dangerous trails suspended high above the ground.
There are seven trails and three difficulty levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Once you feel comfortable, you can move on to the next level. The great thing is that you can pay for 2 hours and get access to all the courses. The views from over 40 feet above are also spectacular.
cocoa beach dining
Cocoa Beach has so many great activities to do, but it’s also full of great spots to grab a bite to eat. It was mid afternoon on Saturday when my wife and I first arrived at Cocoa Beach. We took long walks on the beach and talked to the local anglers. After talking about the details of surf fishing, they recommended some places to eat. We love going to local restaurants when we travel, especially recommended local restaurants.
First up is Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster Bar. I highly recommend Rusty’s if you’re in town. It is located on the water’s edge in Port Canaveral. The cruise ship is so close that you could reach out and touch it. Seafood is usually not our favorite, but we love great fish and chips, so we got it. The food is great and the scenery is beautiful.
Next on our list is La Catrina Mexican Restaurant. La Catrina has a beautiful outdoor dining space, and the entire restaurant has a unique and authentic feel, with hand-painted tiles, murals and rustic beams. The food is next level. I had steak fajitas. My wife had chicken and spinach enchiladas. The portions were very generous. We were full and left with some to-go boxes.
Cocoa Beach Accommodation
Cocoa Beach has plenty of options for accommodation. Many vacation rentals and hotels are on the water or within walking distance. Popular hotel chains include Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront and Best Western Cocoa Beach Hotel & Suites. As the name suggests, the Hilton is oceanfront and next to Lori Wilson Park. The Best Western is conveniently located near the Cocoa Beach Pier, with many fun attractions nearby. Both hotels have great amenities such as fitness centers and outdoor pools.
Conclusion
Cocoa Beach, Florida is full of great things to do, from visiting the Kennedy Space Center to exploring its abundant waterways. The beach is beautiful and the people are friendly. Visit Cocoa Beach on your next vacation.
Steve is the owner of Paddle About, a kayaking blog dedicated to helping people get out and enjoy nature. He loves kayaking, camping, hiking and spending time outdoors with his wife and his two children. When he’s not out, he’s exploring the great outdoors. , Steve likes to write about his own adventures and share tips on how to make the most of your outdoor experiences. He has many interesting stories to share and is always happy to help others enjoy life more.
