Beaches on Thanksgiving Day

[dmanwi]

What are the beaches like on Thanksgiving Day? I am wondering if they are crowded? Are restaurants open that day? Thinking of Coco Beach or Siesta Key. Any other thoughts with our plan?

Here is our plan so far with a condo at Windsor Hills.
Nov 23 Arrive early, food shopping, Downtown Disney
Nov 24 Beaches
Nov 25 Visit Resorts
Nov 26 Universal IOA (mostly Potter things)
Nov 27 sleep in then MVMCP
Nov 28 ? Typhoon Lagoon, visit resorts, maybe another beach?
Nov 29 Leave early

 

[NinaBella]

Beaches are not crowded in November since the water is too cold to swim. It will be hit and miss with local resturants.

 

[RabFlmom]

As long as we don't get a NorthEaster, the beach is a good option. At Thanksgiving usually water is still warmer than the summer Pacific in California or the NE USA summer beaches Often you can even swim on Christmas i depending on how many cold fronts actually make it here. Water temps in winter (January Feb) are usually around 65-70.. Last year my son didn't put a wet suit on to surf until January and then not the full one on most days. Cocoa Beach will have people; but not crowded. Northerners will definitely be playing in the water etc. Some of us Floridians will be tool Local families usually do the traditional Thanksgiving dinner and watch football games like up North but sometimes we hit the beaches early morn if the waves are good or we have Northern visitors. There will be restaurants open because of the tourists needing to eat even on the holiday Closer to TD do a search of open restaurants in CB and possibly make a reservation. MacDonald's etc. will also be open. There are restaurants right on the CB Pier, too.

 

[haPevraftr]

Last year, we took visited Cocoa Beach for one night over Thanksgiving. I was shocked at how few people were there. The rates at the Hilton were half the price of what they were when we went back the first week of April. You should be able to get some good deals over Thanksgiving.