8 Things To Do in Cocoa Beach

Sun, sea breeze, and lots of attractions for both outdoorsy and museum-minded folks alike: that describes Cape Canaveral’s Cocoa Beach in a nutshell! Whether you’re driving from afar or flying in for even more convenience, it’s a good idea to have an itinerary ready to go when you arrive so you can enjoy everything Cocoa Beach has to offer in the span of your vacation.

Not sure where to start? Today, let’s break down eight super fun and interesting things to do in the Cocoa Beach area. Many of these are reachable by foot or by renting an affordable vehicle from Advantage. 

Catch Some Surf

Naturally, outdoorsy folks might consider catching some surf in the Atlantic Ocean. Cocoa Beach is a great place to surfboard or just spend some time getting your tan on thanks to its calm and consistent waves. Plus, lots of the water near Cocoa Beach is shallow enough that surfers can wade past the breakers, enjoying some super smooth ocean floating.

Add a surfboard to the mix and it’s clear that Cocoa Beach is a perfect place for beginners to learn how to surf for the first time. Indeed, Cocoa Beach has plenty of surf teaching businesses lining the perimeter, so head out with some friends and learn how to enjoy this seaside activity. 

Just be sure to check the weather report beforehand so you head out on the water while it’s supposed to be sunny and enjoyable rather than windy or stormy. If you’re not a confident surfer, you can always start out with some surf lessons!

Check Out the Pier

Alternatively, you can take a stroll over the Cocoa Beach pier and boardwalk. This stretches out a whopping 800 feet over the Atlantic Ocean in total, giving you excellent oceanic views once you reach the end.

Along the boardwalk, you’ll find lots of boutiques, restaurants, and shops, plus a few carnival-style rides for kids and young adults alike. It’s a perfect place to spend time with friends and family members while soaking up some sunshine and enjoying some outdoor ambiance like nothing else.

One of our favorite Cocoa Beach attractions is the boardwalk. It is one of the best on the East Coast, comparable to some smaller boardwalks like Santa Monica’s in California.

Go Kayaking/Paddling

Thanks to the calm nature of Cocoa Beach’s local waves, it’s also a great place to learn how to kayak or paddle for the first time. Even if you already know how to enjoy these activities, paddling out and enjoying some water and sunshine is never easier than it is here.

You can also check out local small businesses like Adventure Kayak or Fin Expeditions. At these businesses, you’ll find nature tours available; your tour guide will take you to some of the local wildlife reservations along Cocoa Beach. If you’re lucky, you might see species such as dolphins, manatees, and many types of birds sailing through the trees of tropical mangroves.

These tours and paddleboarding in general are great ways to enjoy the nature around Cocoa Beach.

Try the Restaurants

Doing all these activities is sure to work up an appetite! Fortunately, Cocoa Beach is home to some of the best eateries in the area. For example, Coconuts on The Beach is the go-to lunchtime solution for many locals and visitors alike. It’s perfect for fishy foods and ice-cold drinks.

There are plenty of other places to grab a bite to eat as well, including dinner locations and breakfast eateries. Regardless, you’ll be sure to find a snack or drink whenever you need it if you hang out around the Cocoa Beach boardwalk or nearby town.

Take a Segway Tour

Want to check out something a little more unique? Space Coast Segway Tours offers a special tour experience that goes through Port Canaveral. As you roll along, you’ll get to check out the Ron Jon Cape Caribe resort, plus explore naturally beautiful areas by the ocean.

If you’re even luckier, you might see a cruise ship or two sailing about. The luckiest folks might see manatees up close and personal while rolling along with their Segways!

Visit the Skate Park

Want to get your body moving? Cocoa Beach has you covered! The Cocoa Beach Skate Park is a perfect place for adults and kids alike, and local skate shops allow you to rent your own gear if you didn’t bring it with you on vacation.

Regardless, this skate park is friendly, inexpensive, and perfect for skaters of all experience levels. It has two particularly deep bowls, perfect for more experienced skaters, and a half-pipe for those who want to show off some neat tricks.

If you’re less interested in skating or want to give your kids a chance to play, you can hang out in the calm grassy area or on the bleachers. Grab a snack from one of the many nearby eateries and you’ll be set for a relaxing afternoon in no time.

See the Kennedy Space Center

Then there is the Kennedy Space Center. This historic location is the heart of the American space program and one of the busiest sites for NASA. Kennedy Space Center is where the first Americans to land on the moon began their journey into space. Today, you can find an excellent museum and plenty of sites, ranging from restored aircraft to historic rockets to space memorabilia.

Every once in a while, a veteran astronaut arrives. If you time your trip to Cocoa Beach right, you could get yourself an autographed photo with an astronaut celebrity! Kids, in particular, may appreciate visiting Kennedy Space Center for the chance to enjoy astronaut training games and experiences.

See Historic Cocoa Village

Last but not least, you want to give the historic Cocoa Village visit. This refers specifically to Cocoa’s old downtown area, which was originally settled in the mid-19th century. There’s lots to see and do here, ranging from shopping at a variety of antique stores and small businesses to checking out entertaining museums and shows.

This classic, old-fashioned beach town is perfect for walking around while on a day trip. As a riverside community, it’s always cool and delightful and there are plenty of places to get a delicious bite to eat. In particular, we recommend checking out the Florida Historical Society, which has lots to learn about this sunny state. 

Of course, the historic Cocoa Village in central Florida is also a great place to visit if you like to walk around and shop more than anything else! The town features gift shops, beautiful beaches and oceanfront views, beach access, and even deep-sea fishing opportunities. If you’re interested in just hanging out outdoors, you’ll find plenty of pavilions with picnic tables and even volleyball courts.

Other Fun Activities in Cocoa Beach

If you have time for some more activities in Cocoa Beach, check out the following fun things to visit and do during your getaway:

• Lori Wilson Park, a massive 32-acre beach park with nature trails, grills, and more
• Visit nearby Orlando, Titusville, and Melbourne
• Kayak tours of the Banana River or Indian River
• The Brevard Zoo, which features alligators, dolphins, and more
• The Ron Jon Surf Shop and Watersports Rental Shop
• The Ron Jon Surf School
• Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier
• The Dinosaur Store
• Thousand Islands
• Exploration Tower
• Florida Surf Museum
• Merritt Island
• Watch a rocket launch from the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex observation decks
• Shepard Park
• Eco-Tours

Summary

All in all, Cocoa Beach is a great place to visit and there is lots to see and do. Of course, you’ll need to get to Cocoa Beach if you want to enjoy any of the above activities or tourist attractions. That’s where Advantage Rent-a-Car can help.

As the nation’s most convenient rental agency overall, Advantage can help you find the perfect rental car for your upcoming vacation, teenage road trip, or anything else. No matter why you want to go to Cocoa Beach, we can supply you with the perfect vehicle for your cross-country road trip in no time. Our diverse fleet includes affordable vehicles of every make and model, so contact us today for more information!

Sources:

10 Things to Do in Cocoa Beach, FL | VISIT FLORIDA
Cocoa Beach | City of Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach Pier | Cocoabeachpier