What to do at Cocoa Beach?

[niklynn1]

Okay, so I'm planning to rent a car and head to Cocoa Beach during our Disney stay--my Iowa kids want to see ocean! I wanted to take one of those boat tours to see dolphins, but can't really seem to find anything that looks good out of Cocoa Beach (suggestions from anyone who has done this before?). So, I'm wondering what else is there to do at Cocoa Beach and how much time I should allow for? I thought we could just play on the beach for a bit (are there lots of other families doing this too?), walk out on the pier and check out Ron Jons if these places are close together? Any advice?
Thanks

 

[rluey29]

We did Cocoa Beach last year and it was fun. Not a whole lot of things to do there other than the beach and Ron Jons. Cool little beach community though.

 

[pktbMouse]

ohh dont forget the Dinosaur shop..very very cool..!!!!
www.dinosaurstore.com
Also watch your little ones in the sea...Cocoa beach side has a very rough tide and strong undercurrents as it on the Atlantic side. I love Cocoa beach but mostly take the kids to the gulf side (clearwater/st petes side) as the water is alot calmer and safer for kids. Also clearwater has the "seascreamer"...a big fast boat that the dolphins just love to follow in its wake...we got awesome up close shots of them at the end of the boat.

 

[niklynn1]

How much time do you plan for at Cocoa? If we get up in the morning and drive (I believe it is about 45 min according to Google), so we're there by 9 or 10, can we eat lunch and come back mid afternoon? Is this enough time? Also, is there any good places to eat lunch right on or near the beach?

 

[momofoneplustwinz]

This post is so me! I am from Iowa too!! My dd(12) wants to see a real beach, and the ocean as well. I am planning a day trip to Cocoa Beach too. I haven't decided exactly what we are doing either.

 

[wishing4PA]

I feel like I'm missing something.

The kids wouldn't be interested in going to the Space Center?

 

[maslex]

Make sure you stop by Slow & Low BBQ.

 

[EstherS]

we are thinking of stopping at Cocoa Beach before we head home. Just trying to decide if this is the best option.

 

[Time Traveler]

I feel like I'm missing something.

The kids wouldn't be interested in going to the Space Center?

I'm 16 and grew up in Rockledge (a bit south of Cocoa Beach) and personally I couldn't stand going to Kennedy Space Center. Just...bleh. Not too many fun things to do there although they've been trying to improve it.

For lunch I advise trying Sonny's, its a BBQ chain in the southeast. Very fast service and good food Was one of our favorite places to eat when we lived in Florida.

Half a day is generally good enough for Cocoa Beach, to be honest there isn't a ton to do over there. The Brevard Zoo is very nice but its not really nearby Cocoa Beach and you can see your fair share of animals back at Animal Kingdom.

 

[wishing4PA]

I'm 16 and grew up in Rockledge (a bit south of Cocoa Beach) and personally I couldn't stand going to Kennedy Space Center. Just...bleh. Not too many fun things to do there although they've been trying to improve it.

For lunch I advise trying Sonny's, its a BBQ chain in the southeast. Very fast service and good food Was one of our favorite places to eat when we lived in Florida.

Half a day is generally good enough for Cocoa Beach, to be honest there isn't a ton to do over there. The Brevard Zoo is very nice but its not really nearby Cocoa Beach and you can see your fair share of animals back at Animal Kingdom.

OK. I may be a little weird in this regard, since I was a kid living in South Daytona during the moon launches. Close enough to watch the rockets go up, but not so close to the Space Center as to get bored with it, and wowed by the concept of landing on the moon. But that was a different era, and I date myself (though the siggie does that, too.)

 

[CTmommyx3]

We made a last minute trip to there before heading to Nick Hotel a few weeks ago. We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites. Happened to havea rocket launch that night we saw.
We were told to go to Jetty Park beach. It was so fun! the kids had a blast. Then we went to Ron Jons to look around. that was it for us. But It seems there was more shops and stuff if you had time.

 

[niklynn1]

How are was Jetty Park from the Cocoa Beach pier and Ron Jons, do you remember?
Also, does anyone know if there is a worthwhile "dolphin tour" in Cocoa Beach? Just hoping for a couple of hours out on the water with some dolphins nearby? I think this is part of the "vision" my kids have that is driving them to want to see ocean so bad.

 

[Time Traveler]

How are was Jetty Park from the Cocoa Beach pier and Ron Jons, do you remember?
Also, does anyone know if there is a worthwhile "dolphin tour" in Cocoa Beach? Just hoping for a couple of hours out on the water with some dolphins nearby? I think this is part of the "vision" my kids have that is driving them to want to see ocean so bad.

Ron Jon's is about 5 miles south of Jetty Park, not too far at all! Jetty park recently opened up a new pavillion and various other things, its pretty nice.
http://www.jettypark.org/

400 Jetty Road, Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920 is the address for Jetty Park
and
4151 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 is the address for Ron Jon's (the beach/pier is right nearby)
Just plug them in on Google Maps, its a pretty simple drive between the 2.

Not too sure about dolphin tours in Cocoa Beach but if you happen to have plenty of excess money you'd like to get rid of (Orlando is the place for it!) you can always spend a day at Discovery Cove right by SeaWorld.

 

[dioxide45]

The distance from the pier to RonJons is a bit of a distance. You could walk it maybe but I would suggest driving. There is free parking at RonJons but pay parking at the pier. There are a couple of restaurants on the pier but they may be pricy due to their location.

 

[lindsroc]

I used to live down there, and there really isnt too much to do at cocoa beach. But, just being on the beach is nice. Maybe go to ron jons 1st and pick up some beach toys/boogie boards. The water can be kind of rough sometimes so just be careful. Its nice to walk out on the pier and see the surfers - but I dont think theres a ton of stuff. Last time we went to Disney we went to Clearwater after and that was just gorgeous...unfortunately its a far drive.