Things to do in Cocoa Beach

Things to do in  Cocoa Beach

We’re all surfers here

Surf breaks and sandy beaches draw travelers to Cocoa Beach, a city located south of Cape Canaveral on Florida’s Space Coast. While Cocoa Beach is a gateway to the nearby Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, it also has plenty of its own attractions including Lori Wilson Park, the Cocoa Beach Boardwalk, and the Florida Surf Museum. There are many things to do in Cocoa Beach that involve fun in the sun, too, including surf lessons, kayaking tours to see manatees, paddleboard rentals, sunset sails, and biking along nature trails.

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Top 1 attractions in Cocoa Beach

#1

Kennedy Space Center

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The Kennedy Space Center has been hurtling humans and shuttles into space since 1968 and is still a primary site for NASA launches. Parts of the sprawling campus are open to the public. On daily tours, you can interact with astronauts, try simulated space flights and an astronaut training experience, and see artifacts from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.More
Tours & Tickets

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Top activities in Cocoa Beach

Florida Bioluminescence Kayaking Tour | Haulover canal (Titusville)

Florida Bioluminescence Kayaking Tour | Haulover canal (Titusville)

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$80.00
Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking
Special Offer

Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking

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$47.50
$50.00  $2.50 savings
Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour of Cocoa Beach

Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour of Cocoa Beach

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$49.00
Wildlife Refuge Manatee, Dolphin & Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboarding Tour!
Special Offer

Wildlife Refuge Manatee, Dolphin & Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboarding Tour!

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$47.50
$50.00  $2.50 savings
Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

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$80.00
Manatee and Dolphin Kayaking | Haulover Canal (Titusville)
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Manatee and Dolphin Kayaking | Haulover Canal (Titusville)

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$55.00
Mangrove Tunnels, Manatee, and Dolphin Sunset Kayak Tour with Fin Expeditions
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Mangrove Tunnels, Manatee, and Dolphin Sunset Kayak Tour with Fin Expeditions

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$54.00
Manatee and Dolphin Kayaking Encounter

Manatee and Dolphin Kayaking Encounter

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$55.00
Sunset Bioluminescent Comb Jelly & Dolphin Tour

Sunset Bioluminescent Comb Jelly & Dolphin Tour

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$79.00
Thousand Islands Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour with Cocoa Kayaking!

Thousand Islands Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour with Cocoa Kayaking!

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$50.00
Private Transfer from Melbourne to Orlando (MCO) Airport

Private Transfer from Melbourne to Orlando (MCO) Airport

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$277.52
per group
Thousand Islands Bioluminescent Kayak Tour with Cocoa Kayaking!
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Thousand Islands Bioluminescent Kayak Tour with Cocoa Kayaking!

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$75.00
Clear Kayak Florida Bioluminescence Tour | Beacon 42 (Titusville)

Clear Kayak Florida Bioluminescence Tour | Beacon 42 (Titusville)

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$85.00
Dolphin & Manatee Kayaking Tour in Orlando Area

Dolphin & Manatee Kayaking Tour in Orlando Area

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$65.00
Electric Bike Group Tour - Port Canaveral & Cocoa Beach

Electric Bike Group Tour - Port Canaveral & Cocoa Beach

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$85.00
Bioluminescent Clear Kayak Tours in Titusville
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Bioluminescent Clear Kayak Tours in Titusville

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$120.00
One Single Kayak Rental for 2 hours with Manatee & Dolphin sightings!

One Single Kayak Rental for 2 hours with Manatee & Dolphin sightings!

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$35.00
Guided Kayak Tour with Manatee & Dolphin Sightings

Guided Kayak Tour with Manatee & Dolphin Sightings

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$50.00
One Tandem Kayak Rental for 2 hours with Manatee & Dolphin sightings!

One Tandem Kayak Rental for 2 hours with Manatee & Dolphin sightings!

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$45.00
per group
Bicycle Tours and Rentals Throughout the Space Coast

Bicycle Tours and Rentals Throughout the Space Coast

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$50.00
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All about Cocoa Beach

When to visit

Surf’s up in Cocoa Beach year-round, but you don’t need to be a wave rider to hang ten with them. Annual surfing competitions like the NKF Rich Salick Pro-Am Surf Festival offer a reason to skip summer and visit in September. When the spring breakers leave, you can also enjoy cooler weather alongside family-friendly fun during the Cocoa Village’s Children’s Festival and Earth Day Family Fun Fest. Both in April, these events cater to relaxed visits that the whole family will love.

Getting around

Cocoa Beach is a barrier island stretching 6 miles (9.7 kilometers) between Cape Canaveral and Satellite Beach. The good news is that Cocoa Beach is under a mile (1.6 kilometers) from east to west, so you can easily walk from your hotel to the beach and nearby restaurants or attractions. There’s also a trolley running from Port Canaveral to Cocoa Beach daily. Unless you’re an avid cyclist or relying on rideshare, a car rental is needed to explore beyond the island.

Traveler tips

Everyone heads north toward Cape Canaveral during their visit to Cocoa Beach—and for good reason. Watching the NASA rocket launches is an unbelievable experience, but many visitors don’t realize that the Patrick Space Force Base is just south of Cocoa, where you can occasionally see military jets take to the skies. Hangar’s Beach (Satellite Beach) and Tables Beach near the base are also less crowded than Cocoa’s shoreline.

Local Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
EDT (UTC -5)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English
Attractions
1
Tours
109
Reviews
6,634
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People Also Ask

What is Cocoa Beach known for?

Cocoa Beach is known for being one of the best spots for surfing on Central Florida’s Atlantic Coast. The waves are consistent yet calm throughout the year, offering both beginning and experienced surfers an opportunity to enjoy a day on the water. There are also surf shops and instructors in Cocoa Beach.

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Is Cocoa Beach a nice beach?

Yes, Cocoa Beach boasts a stunning shoreline with glistening waves and warm sand that draws vacationers throughout the year. This family-friendly beach is ideal for surfing, skimboarding, swimming, and sunbathing. Throughout the year, it’s also possible to see rocket launches from nearby Kennedy Space Center from Cocoa Beach.

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Is there a lot to do in Cocoa Beach?

Yes, you can expect hours of fun at Cocoa Beach. Stop at the Ron Jon Surf Shop to get a new swimsuit, and then enjoy swimming, skimboarding, and surfing Cocoa Beach. Cast a line or enjoy live music at the Cocoa Beach Pier and kayak with manatees in the Banana River.

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Do you have to pay to go on Cocoa Beach Pier?

No, you don’t have to pay to go on the Cocoa Beach Pier, but there may be costs associated with your visit. It does cost to park at the Cocoa Beach Pier, with discounted rates for Florida residents. You’ll also pay if you want to fish off the Pier.

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Can you swim at Cocoa Beach?

Yes, you can swim at Cocoa Beach year-round. There are six miles of shoreline for swimming within the city limits alone. Some of the beachfront includes other amenities, such as recreational parks, picnic tables, and public showers. There are four areas of the beach that also feature lifeguard stations.

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Does Cocoa Beach have a boardwalk?

Cocoa Beach doesn’t have a traditional boardwalk that runs parallel to the shoreline; however, there is a popular pier on the north end of the city. The Cocoa Beach Pier is 800 feet long. It’s lined with shopping and dining establishments, including the Boardwalk Bar at Cocoa Beach Pier.

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