One Day in Cocoa Beach, Florida

Located on a barrier island, Cocoa Beach is one of many beach towns that make up the Thousand Islands on the Atlantic coast of Florida. Only about an hour’s drive from Orlando, Cocoa Beach is a popular destination for beach getaways. If this is your first time visiting, continue reading for a list of the best things to do while at Cocoa Beach!

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Rent Surfboards & Hit the Waves

One of the top surf destinations on the east coast of the United States, Cocoa Beach is an awesome spot to catch some waves. With several shops that offer surfboard rentals, you should have no problem finding day-of availability. There are even some board rentals offered on the beach itself if you’re worried about carrying your board to the shore, or if you wait to decide until you get your eyes on the surf.

If surfing is a totally new activity for you, you can even take some lessons locally in Cocoa Beach if you’d like! Private lessons typically last for a couple of hours, include a surfboard rental, and introduce you to the basic fundamentals of surfing. It’s also a good idea to look up the surf forecast so you know what time of day will be best to spend in the water.

Cocoa Beach Surf Lessons

Visit Ron Jon Surf Shop

When you’ve had your fill of surfing, make your way to the Ron Jon Surf Shop to grab yourself a souvenir to remember the occasion! Cocoa Beach is home to the largest Ron Jon Surf Shop in the world – with hats, shirts, surfboards, and more for sale. This location in Cocoa Beach also hosts the Florida Surf Museum in its complex if you’re interested in a tour of vintage boards as well.

The Ron Jon Surf Shop is located at 4151 N Atlantic Avenue in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Go to the Beach

Obviously the main attraction of the area, you don’t want to visit Cocoa Beach without blocking out some time to sit in the sun. Stretching along six miles of the Atlantic coast, Cocoa Beach’s soft sand and warm water makes it a popular choice for beachgoers. There’s also a central historic pier – the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier – right along the beach, with several neighboring restaurants and shops to visit as well.

The Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier is located at 401 Meade Avenue in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Take a Walk in a Park

When you’re done with the beach, there are also several parks along the barrier islands to explore! Some of the parks in Cocoa Beach include Lori Wilson Park, Constitution Bicentennial Park, and Alan Shepard Park – but there are many more to choose from. The photos below are from Gleason Park in Indian Harbor Beach, about a 20 minute drive down the A1A from Cocoa Beach. Gleason features an open lake, fields, playgrounds, public swimming pool, recreation center, and even tortoise crossings!

Visit Cocoa Village

A twenty minute drive inland from Cocoa Beach sits the historic Cocoa Village. This cute & colorful little town features ample shopping opportunities – from clothing boutiques to souvenir shops, and even psychic and “witch craft” stores. If you’re lucky enough to visit during a scheduled event, the village is also home to an outdoor amphitheater and an indoor playhouse!

Situated along the Cocoa Yacht Basin in the Indian River, Cocoa Village also has a beautiful Riverfront Park where you can enjoy a stroll along the water. If you’re a fan of boating, there are also cruises and tours offered on the Indian River as well! If you’re lucky, you’ll enjoy a sunset cruise while searching for local dolphins and manatees in the area!

Enjoy Dinner & A Sunset

After a long day in the sun, enjoy a nice meal by the water. Two popular local spots to eat while taking in the sunset are Squid Lips and the Sunset Waterfront Bar & Grill. Both restaurants feature spacious outdoor areas with covered seating and extensive seafood menus. Branded “where the locals eat,” I personally preferred the atmosphere and menu at Squid Lips a bit more than Sunset, but both are great stops.

Watch a Rocket Launch

Something very unique about Cocoa Beach is it’s proximity to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. So while you’re in the area, check the schedule to see if there are any upcoming launches during your stay! The photo below was taken from Indian Harbor Beach of a nighttime launch, but there are many viewing opportunities from Cape Canaveral itself with closer views (both ticketed and for free).

If you are in Cocoa Beach for more than just a day trip, we would also recommend spending a day at the Kennedy Space Center – only a half hour’s drive away. Here you can enjoy interactive & immersive experiences while learning about space, including a space shuttle simulator and virtual moonwalk!

Where To Stay in Cocoa Beach

Wondering where to stay during your visit to Cocoa Beach? Check out the destinations below based on your preferred travel style.

• Sustainable Stay: The Beachside Hotel and Suites
• Private Apartment: The Spanish Main
• Beachfront Hotel: The Chateau by the Sea

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you get from Orlando to Cocoa Beach? From the heart of Orlando, Cocoa Beach is only about an hour’s drive away – making it a great option for a day trip. If you do not have a car in Orlando, there are also shuttle services offered that take you straight to Cocoa Beach. We recommend comparing all of them to see what works best for your group size & pick-up location. Transportation Options: Cocoa Beach Shuttle, Port Canaveral Connection, Orlando Express Airport Shuttle.
2. Why is Cocoa Beach famous? Cocoa Beach has a few things that put it on the map, including being home to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame, the setting for the 1960’s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie, the Patrick Air Force military base, and the world’s largest Ron Jon Surf Shop.
3. Is Cocoa Beach worth visiting? Definitely! Cocoa Beach is a great oceanside getaway that balances a relaxed beach atmosphere with an active town center.
4. Is Cocoa Beach walkable? If you are staying close to the town center, Cocoa Beach is very walkable – with public access to the beach, restaurants, and shops all within a few blocks of each other. If you are staying a bit further a way, there is also an on-island trolley! The Cocoa Beach Trolley is available to the public and charges only $1.50 for their service.

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