Cocoa Beach?

[ktate82]

We are coming down for a longer trip in July. MIL will be joining us for 4 days, so a bit of a whirl wind trip for her (she has never been). One of her requests is to see the ocean, as she has never seen it. Cocoa Beach seems to be the closest, but where would be the best places to access the beach? We have only ever stayed at a hotel that had access to the beach.

 

[mjhtvchick]

We are coming down for a longer trip in July. MIL will be joining us for 4 days, so a bit of a whirl wind trip for her (she has never been). One of her requests is to see the ocean, as she has never seen it. Cocoa Beach seems to be the closest, but where would be the best places to access the beach? We have only ever stayed at a hotel that had access to the beach.

I would recommend checking out this site - these parks have parking and are within a close walk to the beach. I would probably lean towards Alan Shepard park since it is right at the end of the Cocoa Beach Causeway and is closest to the pier (which you can also park near).

How exiting for your MIL!

 

[MissyTX]

I'm not sure if this makes a difference to you, but I saw on the news when we were in Orlando 2 weeks ago that Cocoa Beach has been overrun with tons of seaweed. I'm talking like mounds of it....not just little piles. They are keeping it there because it is good for the wildlife, but will probably deter people from visiting.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We parked at Lori Wilson Park, there are restrooms, outside showers and easy access to the beach.

 

[RabFlmom]

I'm not sure if this makes a difference to you, but I saw on the news when we were in Orlando 2 weeks ago that Cocoa Beach has been overrun with tons of seaweed. I'm talking like mounds of it....not just little piles. They are keeping it there because it is good for the wildlife, but will probably deter people from visiting.

Here in this county we do not remove the sea grass. It is part of nature. It is home to creatures which provides food for other creatures so we do not rake it up for the tourists. We keep the beaches very natural and let the ocean take care of it. We also do not allow chairs and stuff(like slides like they do on the west coast beach hotels ) to be left out overnight during turtle nesting time since we are one of the main turtle nesting sites in the world. With the tropical storm we just had the seaweed has washed back out and the beach was beautiful yesterday.

 

[fla4fun]

I don't know if it makes a difference to your schedule, but Cocoa Beach has their fireworks display scheduled for July 5th if you want to try to see them (or if you want to avoid them).

 

[Tgrgrl]

Literally just walked in the door from a day at Cocoa Beach near the pier and it was beautiful! Just a very thin line of seaweed remaining and the shell hunting was awesome due to the recent storms.

 

[Keels]

We parked at Lori Wilson Park, there are restrooms, outside showers and easy access to the beach.

Second this! It's very much a "locals" stretch of beach, so you'll find it well kept and low-traffic.

 

[Capt_BJ]

assuming you are coming over via SR-528 aka the 'Beachline'

the easiest park - and in the opinion of many the best - is Jetty Park

https://www.portcanaveral.com/Recreation/Jetty-Park-Beach-Pier

when 528 end at the port just follow the signs .... at the south side of the port enterance is Jetty Park. You will find a beach with life guards, concessions, rentals showers and facilities. There is a per vehicle charge to enter. Depending on the day of the week this is also a great place to watch cruise ships depart . . .

This is a popular family beach for the area. Others have mentioned 'the pier' which tends to have a young and surfer crowd.

If you want QUIET BEACH ... pickup I-95 south and go to exit 188, the Pineda Causeway and take this to the beach .... about 7 miles east. here you'll find the beaches around Patrick AFB which ARE publicly accessible and WAY less crowded .... with FREE parking ...

most entrance points have simple restrooms and outside shower. Often when I go to the beach here (near my house) I can look left and right and see fewer than a dozen folks on the beach ..... bring your drinks and snacks and blankets ... no services here. It is PLAIN BEACH ... FOUR MILES of plain beach ....

**********************
OR, do you want to SEE the ocean without getting sand in your toes?

This too is possible. I recommend either going to the pier as others have mentioned. Not for the beach but for the places ON the pier .... http://www.cocoabeachpier.com/

OR Coconuts on the Beach ....

https://www.coconutsonthebeach.com/

 

[1234lucky]

Second this! It's very much a "locals" stretch of beach, so you'll find it well kept and low-traffic.

Lori Wilson was really nice. I wasn’t impressed with the town/sites of Cocoa but we had a great relaxing day at Lori Wilson.

 

[coastgirl]

CaptBJ and others, thanks for the awesome post. I have a kid who HATES sand in his shoes, so the pier info is particularly welcome!

 

[NH-to-FL]

the easiest park - and in the opinion of many the best - is Jetty Park

I'll second Capt_BJ on Jetty Park. When we have visitors who want a view of the Atlantic and the beach we head to Jetty Park. We started going there when we needed handicap access and the walkways and the fishing pier were perfect for our visitor with her ECV. In my opinion worth the per vehicle charge to get in.

 

[coastgirl]

Funny...we went to Jetty Park several years ago to view a shuttle launch. All I remember is crowds and line ups for the bathroom! And a great view of the launch, to be sure. But at least I know we can find it!