Cocoa Beach

Travel Guide

Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach

As the gateway to the Kennedy Space Centre and home to cruisey beach piers and parks, this coastal playground is a great place to escape to from bustling Orlando.

The Florida city of Cocoa Beach is just an hour from the theme parks of Orlando, but feels like a world away. That’s mainly because it’s all about sea, sun and sand here. Oh, and about space travel, of course.

Before you aim for the moon and stars, enjoy a quiet morning at the beach in Lori Wilson Park with its shallow waters and gentle waves. Swim, learn how to surf or have a picnic in one of the beachside pavilions. The park is part of theGreat Florida Birding Trail, so bring your binoculars to look for the colorful painted buntings and other species as you follow the boardwalk through the hammock forest.

The surf around the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier is also consistent and fishing here can be pretty rewarding too. The pier with shops and restaurants has brightly painted rocking chairs to relax on and a Hawaiian-style tavern at its end. Rent surfing gear or beach umbrellas from the beach below the pier.

Get into the surfing spirit at the Florida Surf Museum inside the famous Ron Jon Surf Shop in town. The museum is partly dedicated to local surfing legend Kelly Slater. While in the area, treat the kids to a tour of the Museum of Dinosaurs and Ancient Cultures and the next-door Dinosaur Store. Have fun in its Adventure Zone, discover skeletons and other treasure from the Jurassic period and delve into the ancient cultures of Egypt, China and MesoAmerica.

Cocoa Beach city sits just south of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Spend a day in the interactive Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on nearby Merritt Island. Learn how to fly a space shuttle in a simulator and partake in other fun and educational training sessions as a “space cadet.” See the spot where the Apollo 11 spaceflight took off for the moon in 1969 and visit its hall of fame to commemorate the astronauts who lost their lives aboard the fateful Challenger space journey in 1986.

If you are the adventurous type, don’t leave Cocoa Beach before you’ve played mini golf with the alligators at Golf N Gator or have conquered the elevated trails of the adjacent Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures play park.

Where to stay in Cocoa Beach

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Orlando Beach

While visiting Orlando Beach, you might make a stop by sights like South Cocoa Beach and Patrick AFB Beach.

Orlando Beach
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Downtown Cocoa Beach

Downtown Cocoa Beach might not have many top sights, but Thousand Island Conservation Area and I Dream Of Jeannie Lane are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Downtown Cocoa Beach
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Cocoa Isles

Though Cocoa Isles may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like I Dream Of Jeannie Lane and Ron Jon Surf Shop.

Cocoa Isles
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Crescent Beach

While Crescent Beach isn't home to many top sights, South Cocoa Beach and Patrick AFB Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.

Crescent Beach
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Banana River Estates

While Banana River Estates isn't home to many top sights, Cocoa Beach Pier and Cocoa Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.

Banana River Estates
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River Isles

River Isles might not have many top sights, but Thousand Island Conservation Area and Cocoa Beach Skate Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

River Isles
Beachside Hotel & Suites

Beachside Hotel & Suites

3.5 out of 5
3901 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified hotel in Cocoa Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,496 reviews)
"I love this place. Beautiful, clean, fun"

Reviewed on 14 Jul, 2025

Beachside Hotel & Suites
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Cocoa Beach-Port Canaveral

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Cocoa Beach-Port Canaveral

3 out of 5
1275 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL
The price is S$157 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
S$157
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Cocoa Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,979 reviews)
Dirty feet
"I think the floors could be mopped better. I forgot my shoes and was barefoot for a short time and my feet were dirtier than they should be. I didn't like the way they had the microwave and coffee maker set up was not user friendly for us. Over all we had a nice stay, beautiful pool area."

Reviewed on 14 Jul, 2025

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Cocoa Beach-Port Canaveral
Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront

Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront

3.5 out of 5
1550 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL
The price is S$243 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
S$243
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Cocoa Beach. Enjoy 2 restaurants, a beach locale, and 2 beach bars. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,278 reviews)
"Nice place"

Reviewed on 14 Jul, 2025

Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Beach Place Guesthouses

Beach Place Guesthouses

3 out of 5
1445 South Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL
Stay at this 3-star beach cottage in Cocoa Beach. Enjoy a beach locale, a business center, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (654 reviews)
"Absolutely loved this place. Was there with my daughter and grandchildren for my birthday. Great place if you have small children because of the location and being right on the beach, you don’t have to drag all of your things very far. The owner Is so friendly and welcoming she definitely makes you ..."

Reviewed on 13 Jul, 2025

Beach Place Guesthouses
The Resort on Cocoa Beach

The Resort on Cocoa Beach

3.5 out of 5
1600 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Cocoa Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (565 reviews)
"Great staff, amazing amenities."

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

The Resort on Cocoa Beach
Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort

Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort

4 out of 5
3550 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL
Stay at this 4-star beach condo in Cocoa Beach. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and free water park access. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (478 reviews)
"Great place very friendly and awesome amenities"

Reviewed on 19 Jun, 2025

Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Cocoa Beach

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
9
5 - Excellent 38%
4 - Good
11
4 - Good 46%
3 - Okay
4
3 - Okay 17%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Dinner at the pier is worthwhile for the spectacular views, and the beach is vast and beautiful. I personally feel there could be more recreational activities brought into the area (being used to British seaside resorts).

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Nice beach and general area nice but the hotel location wasn't too good.