“Is Cocoa Beach Worth Visiting?” If you are planning a vacation to Florida’s famed Space Coast and looking for some seaside bliss within a few miles of driving distance from Orlando, then you are bound to have this question.
At first glance, Cocoa Beach may seem like your average beach town. But don’t let the small size fool you! There’s something special surrounding its crystal waters and sandy shores — a plethora of fun activities that make it worth a visit.
Whether it’s the epic surfing waves, vibrant boardwalk scene, or amazing restaurants to explore, there is something here for everyone to enjoy.
Here are amazing reasons why Cocoa Beach makes for a perfect escape for families, couples, or friends looking for a fun spring break destination.
Is Cocoa Beach Worth Visiting?
The Beaches 🏖
How can we not begin with the most obvious reason that makes Cocoa Beach worth visiting, the pristine white sand beaches?
Cocoa Beach is home to some of the best surfing beaches in the US known for their family-friendly vibe. In fact, due to the spectacular surf breaks with steady and consistent waves that Cocoa enjoys year round it has earned the title of “Surfing Capital of America 🏄🏼♂️”.
This lively beach town is home to some of the best beaches in Florida known for their pristine white sands and turquoise blue waters of the Gulf.
From the lively beaches like Cocoa Beach, and Lori Wilson Park with plenty of activities to enjoy from swimming, surfing, and paddleboarding to an amazing Pier for fishing and sunset viewing to the tranquil and picturesque beaches like Playalinda Beach and Sidney Fisher Park with amazing wildlife, Cocoa Beach has a beach for every kind to the traveler.
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Surfing Capital of America 🏄🏼♂️
Cocoa Beah’s popularity as the “Surfing Capital of America” should suffice as the reason why it is worth visiting, especially if you’re a surfing enthusiast.
As we said earlier, Cocoa Beach is a haven for surfing enthusiasts. But what makes Cocoa Beach such a great surfing destination?
There are three reasons.
Firstly, due to Cocoa Beach’s unique orientation, its pristine shoreline is bestowed with spectacular surf breaks with over 100 surf spots on the east coast alone.
With consistent and steady waves year-round, Cocoa Beach makes for an excellent place for surfing for people of all ages and skills.
Whether you’re looking for small and steady waves to kickstart your surfing journey or looking to test your skills as a pro surfer, you can find waves of every kind.
The average wave height on Cocoa Beach ranges from three feet to five feet, with some peaks reaching up to seven feet in size, great for advanced surfers to test their skills.
Not just waves but there are several points along the beach where longboarders will find their ideal wave shape while short boarders can carve out some serious turns further down the beach.
Secondly, the weather. Cocoa Beach enjoys year-round tropical weather with plenty of sunshine and clear sky which makes it an ideal condition for surfing.
With an average temperature of around 23°C and 31°C even during winters, you can rest sure that you can enjoy surfing without having the need for a full wetsuit.
And finally, being known as the “Surfing Capital of America”, Cocoa Beach welcomes thousands of surfers, of all ages and skill levels from around the US and the world, who come to Cocoa Beach to enjoy and test their surfing skills and spend quality time chatting and keeping up with their surf friends.
You won’t have any trouble finding someone willing to share tips or just chat about their latest adventures out on the water.
Not just that, the surfing capital of America is also home to the largest surf shop in the world- The Ron Jon Surf Shop, encompassing 52,000 of total area.
Avid surfers will have a hard time leaving this place and for those who aren’t much into surfing, visiting this shop is a big treat in itself.
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The Spectacular Sunsets 🌄
The Sunshine State is home to some of the most breathtaking and spectacular sunsets in the world and Cocoa Beach is one such example of a Florida beach town with several amazing sunset points.
Seeing a sunset in Cocoa Beach is sure to take your breath away. With vast stretches of white-sand beaches, the sun descending towards the placid waters of the Atlantic provides a beautiful backdrop.
It’s an unforgettable experience to see fiery oranges and pinks gently fading into the horizon while listening to the soft rustle of nearby palm trees swaying in the light breeze.
And with warm weather year-round, you don’t have to wait for season-long summer days to behold this stunning show!
A sunset in Cocoa Beach offers all kinds of delights that will light up your spirit and put a smile on even the most grumpy face.
Plus, many of the local restaurants offer sunset specials so that you can enjoy a delicious meal while taking in one of nature’s greatest shows.
Explore the rich history and culture 🏛️
The state of Florida is not just known for its pristine beaches, amazing natural springs, and rich wildlife but it’s also full of some of the most fascinating history of the US.
Cocoa Beach is one such integral part of Florida’s history as one of the places of early Native American settlers to its transformation today as the lively beach town and Surfing Capital of the East Coast.
Cocoa’s rich history dates back to the days when the early Native American tribes of Timucua and Ais lived here in central Florida.
Coco’s modern history dates back to the 1800s when several large families of ranchers and farmers settled along its coast to make their living.
During the early 1930s at the start of the second World War, Cocoa Beach became home to a major U.S Air Force Base drawing tourists to the area.
Its town’s first shot to fame was when bomber pilots from nearby Patrick Air Force Base would come here for R&R- and it hasn’t slowed down since then.
You can take a glimpse of Cocoa’s fascinating history at one of the many museums in the town including the Florida Surf Museum, Brevard Zoo and the Sands Space History Center.
With its impressive range of professional sport fishing, guided tours, annual surfing festivals and world-famous landmarks such as Ron Jon’s Surf Shop and Pier; Cocoa beach remains both an unforgettable tourist destination as well as a thriving surfing community for its locals year-round.
Amazing Wildlife 🐊
Cocoa Beach isn’t just famous for its pristine beaches, excellent surf breaks and museums, but is also home to diverse wildlife, which Florida is known for.
The Space Coast is gifted with rich wildlife and natural resources featuring sandy turtle nesting beaches, rich lagoons and numerous nature parks that offer excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation.
From alligators, manatees, bottleneck dolphins, and leatherback sea turtles to bald eagles, Cocoa Beach is an eco-tourists dream come true.
Whether you looking to spot dolphins and endangered Florida manatees at the Indian River Lagoon, watch wading birds and majestic cranes soaking up the sun at Merrit Island National Wildlife Refuge, or get up close with the famous Florida alligators, the possibilities and list of activities to do are endless.
Delicious Local Cuisine 🍤
Cocoa Beach is one of the best places in Florida to experience warm and welcoming southern hospitality. And what better way to immerse yourself and enjoy your Cocoa Beach vacation than to treat yourself to some delicious cuisines from rich local culinary traditions?
Cocoa Beach is home to some of the best seafood restaurants in the state, offering everything from freshly caught fish tacos to oysters served with cocktail sauce and toadfish.
Looking for a fine steak, black sesame seared Tuna, Lobster, or vegetarian options with outdoor seating and an oceanside view then head to Fat Kahuna’s Beach Side Grille, an amazing seafood restaurant that is popular among tourists and locals alike.
Looking for a romantic dinner with your loved one, Fat Snook in Cocoa Beach offers a perfect romantic ambiance with freshly caught seafood paired with fine wines and cocktails.
How about a great evening of food, fun, dance, and drinks? The 4th Street Fillin’ Station truly offers a unique Cocoa Beach experience with style.
This amazing restaurant features an open restaurant and an inviting patio area with handcrafted cocktails, over 150 beer taps, a thoughtfully curated menu, and to top it all live music that will make you wanna burn the dance floor.
And of course, no visit to Cocoa Beach would be complete without visiting the Happy Hour: Coconut on the Beach which as the name suggests is actually on the beach.
This small and quirky restaurant offers a slice of paradise with delicious Carribean-inspired seafood dishes, traditional burgers, and a wide selection of tropical drinks.
If you looking to enjoy the mesmerizing views of the ocean with delicious meals and tropical drinks then put this tiny restaurant on the top of your to-do list.
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Fun Activities For All Ages 🤿
If you thought Cocoa Beach was only about lounging on the beach and enjoying the spectacular scenery, then you are in for a ride.
Whether you want to spend your days fishing off the pier or surfing in the waves, there are plenty of activities for everyone in your family at Cocoa Beach!
Kids will love playing at one of our local parks or building sandcastles on the beach; adults can enjoy kayaking or paddleboarding, and everyone can take part in some exciting nightlife activities like live music or karaoke at one of our local bars and restaurants.
