Things to do at Cocoa Beach

[slg]

We have a NYE cruise booked for Dec. 29, and we will be in Cocoa beach for 1.5 days before the cruise and for 1.5 days after the cruise.

We'd like to do Kennedy Space Centre, but not sure what else to do. We don't want to go to WDW this time, and we aren't going to rent a car.

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[sue]

Cocoa Beach has some nice restaurants on the beach and easy access to their beaches. There is also Ron Jon's Surf shop. It's a huge shop in Cocoa with tons of great stuff to buy. Kennedy Space Center is lots of fun too. Port Canaveral has Fishlips and Grills restaurant right along the port where they have live bands and you can watch the ships leave port.

 

[Capt_BJ]

Brevard Zoo

Tree Top Trek (zip line) at Brevard Zoo (but seperate)

Air Boat Rides

Kayak Eco Tours

Surfing lessons

Ron Jon (you are not allowed to leave Brevard County unless you have one Ron Jon item in your possession ... there ARE inspection stations)

"Adult go karts" at Andretti in Melbourne . .

Google is your friend

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

We did a 2 hour kayak tour with FinExpeditions last summer with our three kids. They are quite reasonable ($30 per person) and I would highly recommend them. It was really neat to see the manatees up close!

 

[LindaBabe]

Without a car, exploring Cocoa Beach & Environs is going to be tough.

Brevard Zoo is FABULOUS but it's a good half hour from the Port area hotels. Depending on exactly where you stay, almost nothing is in walking distance.

 

[MowgliFan]

Yes, you have to go to Ron Jons! They are open 24/7. We were at KSC over Labor Day weekend, and had Sunday free. We ate a late lunch at Fish Lips, then walked down to the park at the end of the street and hung out with everyone else and watched the ships leave. It was really nice.

 

[asemaria]

We loved Cocoa Beach!
Our favourite thing was to just hang out on the beach!
The waves were amazing, and the kids loved it!
But, we went in April, so it was really warm in the water.
Kennedy Space Center is really great and you do need a full day here. There is so much to see and learn. We really liked the wildlife reserve (or what you call it in english) It is on Merrit Island, (same as Kennedy Space Center) But, we had a rental car, and I am not sure how you can see it without a car .

 

[Rogillio]

Drive east to Merritt Island and to Cocoa (not Cocoa Beach, the town of Cocoa).

 

[slg]

What about the cocoa beach taxi? Can't it drive us everywhere?

 

[Capt_BJ]

you CAN take taxi most places discussed, but you'll save by renting a car.

This is pretty much 'small town' area, driving is a piece of cake so long as you stay close to the beach and don't head to Orlando

even the drive from Orlando airport TO the beach is easy . . .

 

[slg]

I just took a quick look at the cost of renting a car and keeping it at the hotel...its $1200 from Hertz and that is a toyota corolla. I guess its high season so the cost is super high.

I don't even know what the parking would cost, but I think it'll be cheaper to take a cab.

 

[MND]

I just took a quick look at the cost of renting a car and keeping it at the hotel...its $1200 from Hertz and that is a toyota corolla. I guess its high season so the cost is super high.

I don't even know what the parking would cost, but I think it'll be cheaper to take a cab.

You don't necessarily want to keep the rental car while you're on the cruise. Look at renting it for the time before the cruise and a separate rental for the time after the cruise.

Mike

 

[slg]

Can we pick up at airport and drop off at Cocoa beach? And the pick up at cocoa beach and drop off at airport?

 

[asemaria]

Can we pick up at airport and drop off at Cocoa beach? And the pick up at cocoa beach and drop off at airport?

Absolutely!
Many people do this instead of paying for transportation to and from port. Most (all?) of the rental car places have a free shuttle to and from port when you leave/pick up your rental. We got a great deal from Budget. Look at Mousesavers, they always have codes for discounts on different companys.

 

[ChristineandLiv]

We rented a car for one day. I think it was roughly $36. We took a taxi to church, and it was $20 round trip, so the car was worth it. The car dealership was right near our hotel (the Radisson).

 

[slg]

I checked several places and since we are arriving Dec. 27 the rates are really high...about $90 a day. It will cost over $200 for just under 48 hours. I think we'll do better with the shuttle.