Things to do in Cocoa Beach/Port Canaveral

[Northof54]

We are flying in a couple days ahead of our cruise in February. We are staying at the Country Inn and Suites Cocoa Beach and wanted to do some exploring. What are recommended must sees in that area?
Thanks!

 

[Weedy]

Here's a post i wrote awhile back

http://www.disboards.com/threads/fun-things-to-do-in-port-canaveral.3388210/

 

[Capt_BJ]

a sampling

Disclaimer - I do not endorse any of the companies/establishments listed and I have no relationship (personal or business) with them. My list is just a starting point of different activities so please do your own research! However, we’ve had have positive experiences with many of the listings below and are constantly trying new ones! This list is a little old so some places may no longer be around .... verify!

a) Sunward Tours -http://www.sunwardtours.comThey can arrange just about any activity
b) FunDay Tours -https://www.facebook.com/funday.toursWork primarily with pre-formed groups such as shore trips but check them out anyway
c) Segway Tours -http://spacecoastsegwaytours.com/will guide you around the port
d) Airboat rides – There are several but most shore excursions go to Midway -http://www.airboatridesatmidway.com/or Lone Cabbage -http://www.twisterairboatrides.com/. To get away from the crowds, try Grasshopper -http://www.airboatecotours.com/, Old Fashioned Airboat Rides -http://airboatrides.comor Switchgrass -http://switchgrassoutfitters.com
e) Kayaking to see manatees and wildlife - Adventure Kayak -http://kayakcocoabeach.com/, Fin Expeditions -http://www.finexpeditions.comfor Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands. Also Calypso -http://calypsokayaking.comat Manatee Cove not far from Kennedy Space Center. Note – from November to March the Manatees prefer warmer water in other areas and may not be seen regularly aroundCanaveral.
f) Learn to Surf. Cocoa Beach Surf Company -http://cocoabeachsurf.com/surf_lessons_camp.htmlor Ron Jonhttp://www.ronjonsurfschool.comare solid representatives of the surf school companies
g) Air Force Space and Missile History Center –http://www.afspacemuseum.org/historycenter/The history of the launch areas aroundCanaveral. Very informative.
h) Warbird Museum –http://www.vacwarbirds.net/If you love aviation then this is the place to go. Lovingly maintained by volunteers (mostly ex-armed forces). It is an amazing museum.
i) Police Hall of Fame –http://www.aphf.org/museum.htmlMore interesting than most expect. Various exhibits of the history of major crime as well as impressive though very sad memorial.
j) Astronaut Hall of Fame -https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/t...l-of-fame.aspxis part of the Kennedy Space Center experience but in a different location.
k) Brevard Zoo and Treetop Trek -https://brevardzoo.org/
l) Shopping - Dinosaur Store and Museum -http://dinosaurstore.com/and Ron Jon Surf Shop -http://www.ronjonsurfshop.com/Fun for kids old and young!
m) Wildlife Parks - Jungle Adventures –http://www.jungleadventures.com- An old-time Florida animal park. Not fancy but friendly and interesting. Larger than Expected. Shore excursions often combine the Jungle and a Midway Airboat ride in the same package.
n) Boat rides on the Banana River to see wildlife including manatees (not many around during Nov and Apr). Start with Island Boat Lines -http://www.islandboatlines.com/and also Wild Side Tourshttp://wildsidetours.com/
o) Forever Florida -http://foreverflorida.coma really adventurous safari with swamp buggy rides, ziplines, etc! A bit far unless you have car.
p) Cocoa Beach Skatepark -http://cocoabeachskatepark.com/Certainly unusual for cruisers but a seriously fun and safe skatepark for the cool kids in your family if they packed skate boards! Open at 4pm during school days so plan accordingly so they can skate for 2 hours or so before returning to your ship.
q) Brewery – Florida Beer Company -https://www.facebook.com/FloridaBeerCompanya very good tour and tasting arrangement! Close to the Port.r) Sightseeing – Some cruisers prefer more leisurely excursions and most ships offer affordable hourly hop-on, hop-off bus trips to Cocoa Beach and Cocoa Village. Passengers can explore the areas on foot and return to the ship when they want. The beach buses stop between Ron Jon Surf Shop and Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach (for a typical East Coast Florida beach and surf experience). From there they offer constant bus shuttles to the north end of Riverfront Park in Cocoa Village (for a historic downtown experience). You can easily do the same in private using a rental car or taxis/shuttles (watch the costs though). SCAT buses (Route 9 and the 520 connector) will be cheapest but will take much longer.
r) Zipline: http://cocoabeachadventurepark.com/ or https://www.treetoptrek.com/?tab=beginner

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

e) Kayaking to see manatees and wildlife - Fin Expeditions -http://www.finexpeditions.com for Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands
We have done this kayaking excursion twice, once with Tim, and this past summer with Jeremy. We really enjoyed it both times and highly recommend it if you are looking for something to do in Cocoa Beach. This summer there was our family of 5 (2A, 21, 18, 15yo) and five other people on the morning trip. Jeremy was a great guide and took lots of photos on his iPhone for us at no extra cost. We saw a lot of manatee, as well as a wide variety of birds. If you check tripadvisor, you will see that they have a 5 star rating and we think it is well deserved!

 

[lucas]

Has anyone done a river tour with Space Coast River Tours?

 

[DietCokeMommy]

Just an FYI, February in that part of FL may not be very warm. I'm cruising in February also and when we come back to PC I'm hoping it's 60s or 70s, but it could be colder.

 

[bbn1122]

So many great ideas. We stayed at the same hotel, . Definitely the beach, even if it's cool. There is nothing like a stroll along the sand. Check out Rom Jon's Surf Shop, more than just for surfing ....it's huge! And definitely go to Fish Lips for lunch or dinner near the port....great place fun and you can see the ships if they are in.