Cocoa Beach Advice

[Thumper_Man]

Need some advice for Cocoa Beach. My wife and I are going to Orlando next year. We'll be going to WDW, Sea World and Universal Studios. We have some family and friends going along with us. We've been to Orlando, but we've never been to Cocoa Beach. This is the first trip to Orlando, or to Florida for that matter, for our family and friends. One of our friends is really into space exploration, space travel and wants to go see Cape Canaveral. We're happy to go with him and see CC as we've never been their either. We thought we'd make a day trip out of going. After going to CC, we want to relax on the beach for the rest of the day. From other posts I've read, doesn't sound like Cocoa Beach is the best beach for swimming and relaxing; but I feel this will be our closest option after visiting CC. What I would like to know is; where on Cocoa Beach, would be a good spot to go swimming and to just relax on the beach? Where are you permitted to go? Is there a better beach close by that won't take us long to drive to after visiting CC? Any recommendations for night life and dinner?

 

[SNylund]

We usually hit Cocoa Beach for at least a day or 2 on each Orlando trip. The only hotel that I've found that I think is pretty decent is the Holiday Inn on the beach in CB. Its the only H.I. in CB I think. There are a few other choices, but its got a pretty good beach bar/grill, not as nice as some other beach areas IMO, but its good. I honestly couldn't find a hotel that just blows me away like some other beach hotels in other beach towns, but overall I give the area/hotels a B - .

Water is pretty clear there, and the sand is unique, kind of pepper colored (white with pebbles of black sand mixed in). It is a good beach IMO and worth going to. Not as nice as the pan handle area, Destin/Ft. Walton/Pensacola etc., but its only about 40 minutes from Orlando. The space center is there of course and really cool, and if you are into the bar scene there are some pretty cool beach bars in the area.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Cocoa Village is lovely with different restaurants, shops and riverfront park. It is off of 520 on the west side of the river (turn west on 520 by the traffic light at Ron Jon's on A1A). If you google Cocoa Village--you can find the restaurants--lots of good ones. I've only done breakfast at the 2 or 3 I've been to, so don't know much on what would be best for dinner.

As for the Cape--do you mean KSC or the port? KSC itself is probably a 20-30 minute drive from Cocoa Beach.

The ships are in port usually on Thursday, Saturday, Sundays and if you know what you are looking for, you can sort of see the towers from the launching pads--especially if you go to Jetty park and walk out on the jetty.

I find the beach at jetty park to be nice. B/c of the jetty, the shoreline is wide. Lots of people go there, but b/c the shoreline is so big, you should be able to find a nice spot. If you head south on A1A towards Patrick Air Force Base, you will find some more "quiet" spots--not as crowded as jetty park or cocoa beach. It would be about a 20 minute drive from the cruise terminals. Longer if you are starting from KSC.

 

[schmitty]

If you are into BBQ there is a place if you drive south on A1A called Slow and Low. Sebastian Inlet is a great place to sit and swim. Its a bit of a drive at about an hour and half but its real nice. You can also do Satellite Beach or Indialantic. Cocoa is a toursity beach area like any other touristy beach area.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I stand corrected--I did eat a lunch or dinner at Slow and Low and I do agree it is delish. It is after where A1A forks into separate one way northbound and one way southbound lanes. It is on the north bound lane, west side of the road shortly after the fork.

Very yummy!

 

[diznygirl]

I've never been able to fit in anything besides dinner after a trip to Kennedy Space Center - we get there early and stay until it closes.

There are a lot of hotels along the beach in Cocoa. If you were to stay overnight you could enjoy the beach the next day.

 

[golfgal]

If you are into BBQ there is a place if you drive south on A1A called Slow and Low. Sebastian Inlet is a great place to sit and swim. Its a bit of a drive at about an hour and half but its real nice. You can also do Satellite Beach or Indialantic. Cocoa is a toursity beach area like any other touristy beach area.

I was going to recommend this place too-great ribs!!

The beaches around the Kennedy Space Center are like lake beaches around here. The sand isn't the white, powdery sand you get on the gulf coast but the beaches are not bad. We had a blast playing in the ocean when we were there.

I agree that Kennedy Space Center will take a full day. We spend a full day there and didn't get to do everything. There is a great bus tour to take--it is WELL worth taking the insider tour too. You might want to plan a couple days there is you want a beach day.

Here is a picture from the beach we were at-you can see Kennedy Space Center in the distance-one of the launch pads:

 

[cabanafrau]

Have to agree with the previous posters, Cape Canaveral is a full day -- so much so that w/ some types of admissions you can come back the 2nd day free.

As far as beaches go, the National Seashore is very near the space center -- matter of fact, it is part of the buffer zone around it. It's quite large & very beautiful.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Thanks for the info. Sorry I should have been more specific and mentioned that we are planning on going to KSC. We may just stay the night and do the beach the next day, given time permits.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

If you like Mexican food and are looking for an inexpensive dinner, try Taco City...

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If you stay the night--this place has a FABULOUS breakfast and we found the employees to be very hospitable.

http://www.robertoslittlehavana.com/