There’s much to like about this Central Florida beach town. This guide shares all the best stuff to do in Cocoa Beach FL, from fun water sports to day trips in the area and family-friendly attractions. Plus, what would be a trip to Florida without beachside dining? Read on to find all my favorite spots for fresh seafood and colorful cocktails.
Cocoa Beach Pier
This is, by far, one of the most visited spots in Cocoa Beach. This beach is the most popular among the many tourists who visit it. Still, this place is well-loved because of the great vibes and fun-filled beach life surrounding it. The pier is packed with restaurants, bars, shops, and sporting activities such as volleyball and surfing. This beach is spacious, making it a perfect place for a beautiful day out in the sun by the ocean with your family. If you’re after one of the best beaches in Florida, then Cocoa Beach Pier is where you need to be.
Ron Jon Surf Shop
Ron Jon Surf Shop & School is a famous spot for fun stuff to do in Cocoa Beach FL. It is known for its beach lifestyle and all things about surfing. It’s located on N Atlantic Ave, close to many more attractions Cocoa Beach has to offer.
This store is enormous and carries everything from surfboards to bathing suits and trinkets. Ron Jon also operates a surf school with camps and classes appropriate for beginners.
Florida Surf Museum15 Ideas for Amazing Stuff to Do in Cocoa Beach FL
The Florida Surf Museum is housed inside the watersports building of Ron Jon, located right next to the main surf shop. If you love surfing, pay a visit to it. It’s small and feels more like an exhibit, but it has old surfboards and other cool items that you would not see elsewhere. This gives it more of a historical/cultural feel to the sport.
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Cocoa Village
Many think of Cocoa Beach as just the barrier island where the beach is located. But less than 10 miles inland, past Merritt Island, is the historic Cocoa Village. I think one of the best things to do is visit Cocoa Village. The charming downtown with vibrant buildings nestled along the Indian River Lagoon hosts uniquely styled shops, great restaurants, the Cocoa Village Playhouse, and much more.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is, believe it or not, even a must-see, regardless of whether you are interested in space. It is quite the place for interesting stuff to do in Cocoa Beach FL.
It has historical and educational displays, like the Space Shuttle Atlantis, interactive simulations, and an IMAX movie theater. But the Kennedy Space Center is much more than a visitor complex—it’s the place where rocket launches occur and even human spaceflight takes place.
This is why the area is called the “Space Coast”. Located about 20 miles north of Cocoa Beach on Merritt Island, this center is a bit pricier than other attractions, and you will need to devote a full day to it. But visiting is one of the best things you can do on a Cocoa Beach vacation—and it’s also a great day trip from Orlando.
A Rocket Launch
Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island has a busy launch center in addition to its visitor complex. Look up the KSC’s launch schedule before you head over to Cocoa Beach—you might be in town for a launch.
You can view these launches from viewing areas at KSC, but they’re visible from miles away. Seeing a launch is an amazing experience. Just remember that launches do sometimes get scrubbed or rescheduled, so don’t forget to make the most of your beach time.
Beach Bars
What visit to the Florida coastline would be complete without seaside dining and drinks? Fortunately, Cocoa Beach does not disappoint when it comes to classic-style Florida beach bars.
Of these, Coconuts on the Beach is one of the best, delivering a full bar and menu just off the sand. Right next door is the Beach Shack, more relaxed and with live music. Just as good as everywhere else is Rikki Tiki Tavern on the Cocoa Beach Pier—up above the water.
Fresh Seafood
The fresh seafood at Cocoa Beach is not to be missed. There are so many good restaurants available, such as Fat Kahuna’s, The Fat Snook, Squid Lips, and Florida’s Seafood Bar & Grill.
They are very popular and offer seafood in season. Locals enjoy snook, speckled sea trout, pompano, and more.
Watersports & Surfing: Most Enjoyable Stuff To Do In Cocoa Beach FL
Cocoa Beach is famous for surfing in Florida. This should be fine if you’re a beginner, as it is shallow waters and gentle waves that are breaking—yet constant.
You can either rent a board and surf independently or take a lesson.
Apart from surfing, watersports can also be done in the form of kite boarding and jet skiing.
Kayak Tour
Banana River Lagoon is inside the barrier island of Cocoa Beach. The water is shallow and calm, scenic, and pulsating with life.
Such an experience can include a fun kayak tour on the Banana River, and observing manatees and dolphins.
You may also take part in a bioluminescence kayak tour or try the sunset tour.
Fishing Tour
Whether deep-sea or inshore fishing, a trip with Fin & Fly Fishing Charters will be memorable. These charters are managed by professional captains at Florida’s Space Coast-rich waters. It’s an interesting experience for all fishing enthusiasts!
Aerial Adventures
Zip through oak trees and take aerial challenges at Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures. Perfect for families and anyone not afraid of heights.
Manatee Sanctuary Park
Want to get away from the busyness and have a quiet place to relax, picnic, and get away from the people? Visit this Park located near Cape Canaveral.
This quiet park has a boardwalk, shaded areas, picnic tables, and a small trail. You might even see manatees or dolphins in the water.
Brevard Zoo
Brevard Zoo is about 30 minutes inland from Cocoa Beach. This 75-acre zoo has over 900 animals from all over the world.
It’s very interactive with lots of hands-on fun. You can feed giraffes and birds, paddle a kayak right next to the Expedition Africa exhibit, zipline through the trees, and a whole lot more. It’s one of the great family-friendly stuff to do in Cocoa Beach FL.
Golf-N-Gator
Golf-N-Gator is the perfect spot for family fun. You can enjoy mini-golf on two exciting 18-hole courses: Gator Mountain and Swamp Cave.
You can also look for treasures such as fossils, shark teeth, and gems. And as the name hints, there are real gators! You can even hold and feed them.
With this guide to the top stuff to do in Cocoa Beach FL, I hope you thoroughly enjoyed exploring here!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is Cocoa Beach so famous?
Being one of the world’s premier surfing locations, Cocoa Beach has earned its status as a place where surfing is inseparable. It’s the ideal location for both novice and expert surfers because of its shallowness and steady, moderate waves.
Is Cocoa Beach Florida worth visiting?
Definitely more than simply a beach alone. Always a lot of fun! The nicest part is relaxing in the sun and beach while watching rockets go off and ferryboats sail out to sea. Cocoa Beach undoubtedly boasts some of the most stunning sunrises I’ve ever seen. Watching Sunset is the most amazing stuff to do in Cocoa Beach FL, if you prefer watching one over the ocean!
Can you swim at Cocoa Beach?
Cocoa Beach is a well-liked location for swimming and surfing. No waves, mild waves, or powerful waves are all impossible. Everything is reliant on the climate. At Cocoa Beach along with other Florida beaches, a lot of divers and surfers enjoy the ocean.
