Cocoa Beach

Travel Guide

Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach

As the gateway to the Kennedy Space Center 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

Beautiful Sunset

Orlando Beach

If you're spending some time in Orlando Beach, South Cocoa Beach and Patrick AFB Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Orlando Beach
Cocoa Beach which includes general coastal views and swimming as well as a couple

Downtown Cocoa Beach

While there might not be top attractions in Downtown Cocoa Beach, you can explore the larger area and discover places like I Dream Of Jeannie Lane and Cocoa Beach Skate Park.

Downtown Cocoa Beach
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Cocoa Isles

Though Cocoa Isles might 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

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

While there might not be top attractions in Crescent Beach, you can explore the larger area and discover places like South Cocoa Beach and Patrick AFB Beach.

Crescent Beach
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Banana River Estates

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

While there might not be top attractions in Banana River Estates, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Cocoa Beach Pier and Cocoa Beach.

Banana River Estates
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River Isles

While River Isles isn't home to many top sights, Cocoa Beach Skate Park and Cocoa Beach Country Club are some notable places to visit nearby.

River Isles
Beachside Hotel & Suites
Beachside Hotel & Suites
3.5 out of 5
3901 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL
The price is CA $219 per night from Jul 2 to Jul 3
CA $219
CA $246 total
Jul 2 - Jul 3
includes taxes & fees
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! (4,427 reviews)
"nice and perfect hotel, we love the breakfast lots of choices"

Reviewed on Jul. 1, 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 CA $133 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
CA $133
CA $161 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
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! (2,951 reviews)
"Room was spacious and clean, nice staff, outside landscaping clean and pretty"

Reviewed on Jun. 28, 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $248 per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
CA $248
CA $277 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
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! (1,266 reviews)
"We love that the property is ocean front, has a pool, and Longboards outside for a quick meal or drink. Service was great. Charging $20/day for parking is a little ridiculous though."

Reviewed on Jun. 26, 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! (646 reviews)
"Relaxing time in a serene tropical environment. Very nice grounds beach just beyond dunes It was a very nice stay and we will be back"

Reviewed on Jun. 30, 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! (562 reviews)
"We thoroughly enjoyed our anniversary celebration trip at the Resort on Cocoa Beach. Our room was ready early. It was clean and spacious, with a lovely ocean view. The pool was clean with plenty of space for adults and families. Both the pool and hot tub were open early and late. We really appreciated ..."

Reviewed on Jun. 19, 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 Jun. 19, 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

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
38
5 - Excellent 43%
4 - Good
42
4 - Good 47%
3 - Okay
8
3 - Okay 9%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We will be coming back . Too little time , so much to do and see

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

A great town, lovely beach and fun places to visit! Recommend getting a bike, they have some you can rent through your phone if your place doesn't have any to use. Motels/hotels are quite pricey for what you get right in Cocoa Beach, a bit run down

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Very relaxing place to vacation.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Can’t wait to come back.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lovely vibe and was nice and quier in ghe morning. Beautiful day.

4/5 - Good

Jonathan

Quality Inn & Suite Port Canaveral Area should train more BREAKFAST SERVING STAFFS to polite theirs customer, should know the customer are KINGS.

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