abrunettetravels Last updated on June 3rd, 2024 at 03:11 pm
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A mere 1 hour from Orlando you will find golden sand beaches and gentle waves. Situated on Florida’s Space Coast, Cocoa Beach offers fun in the sun with a side of relaxation. Whether you choose to lay on the beach and soak up the beautiful sunshine or get out on the water, you want to make sure you visit Cocoa Beach.
With several options on how to spend your time in Cocoa Beach, it can be challenging to narrow down your list. Below is a guide of the 8 things you need to do in Cocoa Beach.
1. Soak Up Some Sun
No trip to Cocoa Beach would be complete without hitting, well, the beach. Lori Wilson Park has a wide beach with golden sand and plenty of room to sprawl out. It is the perfect place to spend the day sitting on the beach, having a picnic or playing in the water. Additionally, there are lifeguards, restrooms and a dog park, which makes it a good choice for families. *Bonus- parking is free!
Located at 1500 Atlantic Avenue
2. Learn to Surf
Have you dreamed of riding the waves, but never tried? Cocoa Beach is a great place to try! With its calm, consistent waves, it is easy to paddle out to catch that perfect wave. All of this makes Cocoa Beach one of the best areas to surf on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. Decide to give it a try? Check out the Cocoa Beach Surf School. They offer 1 hour to 3 hour lessons.
3. Visit the Pier
When you look for pictures of Cocoa Beach, you will almost always see the iconic boardwalk and pier. Stretching over 800 feet over the water, it is home to shops and restaurants as well as beautiful views of the ocean and shoreline. Whether you are looking for a new beach coverup or beach toys for the kids, you will find it in one of the shops here. After you have finished shopping, walk down the pier to the Rikki Tikki Tavern for a tropical drink an ocean view. You can’t miss is–it is located under the huge thatch roof at the end of the pier. If you happen to be there at the right time, you can watch the cruise ships sail away from Port Canaveral.
4. Eat by the Water
Coconuts on the Beach is one of the only beachfront restaurants in Cocoa Beach. The beautiful view coupled with good food make this an excellent choice for lunch or dinner. We like the fish tacos, but you can’t go wrong with whatever you choose. In addition to a good menu, Coconuts also has an ample drink menu with your favorite beers and tropical island drinks.
Located at 2 Minutemen Causeway
5. Get Out on the Water
One of the best ways to experience Cocoa Beach is by getting out on the water. There are multiple options to choose from and is a main reason why it is one of the 8 top things to do in Cocoa Beach. In fact, you may have trouble deciding which to try. Paddleboards, kayaks, jet skis, boat rentals and more are all available to help you spend your day enjoying the waters around Cocoa Beach. Check out Cocoa Beach Jet Ski Rentals or Fin Expeditions for your rental needs. You will see firsthand why Cocoa Beach is worth visiting.
6. Do Some Shopping
You can’t miss the Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach–literally. It’s 52,000 square feet full of all your beach and water sport needs. Complete with an indoor glass elevator, waterfall and koi pond, this isn’t your typical shopping experience. It is checking out even if you aren’t in the market for beach gear. Who knows, you may find that perfect Ron Jon original T-shirt to add to your collection.
Located at 4151 N. Atlantic Avenue
7. Go to Space
Spend the day at Kennedy Space Center. Just 15 miles away you can explore the past, present and future of space travel. With a variety of exhibits and activities, it is easy to spend the day here. It is fun for all ages and a great family activity. Start early to insure you are able to experience everything you want.
For a detailed itinerary on how to spend the day at Kennedy Space Center, read this for 15 Reasons to visit Kennedy Space Center.
8. Visit a National Park
Well, sort of. The Canaveral National Seashore is 35 miles from Cocoa Beach and a wonderful opportunity to visit the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline on the Atlantic Coast. Take this opportunity to enjoy one of the hiking trails or, if water is your thing, go kayaking and enjoy the beauty from the water.
Conclusion
As you can see, Cocoa Beach offers fun, unique activities for the entire family. Whether you are going for a day trip from Orlando or planning a longer beach vacation, you will find wide beaches and gentle waves along with plenty of other places to visit to keep you busy. I hope you enjoy Cocoa Beach as much as Chris and I do. The Space Coast is a vibrant, fun area to visit. Enjoy!
You can also check out this post on how to spend 2 days in Cocoa Beach.
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