The Best of Cocoa Beach! Cocoa Beach is a family-friendly destination and is easily the most recognized city on Florida’s Space Coast. This authentic beach town has the perfect combination of sun, sea and space for you to explore. Families can find attractions that are fun for everyone, such as outer space adventures at Kennedy Space Center, the tastiest beach grub this side of the coast, and endless activities on the shore and in the water. Couples can visit Cocoa Beach for the ultimate romantic beach getaway with spa days, comfortable hotel rooms, exciting excursions and more. Cocoa Beach has something for everyone, so head to Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast of Florida! Visit the beautiful beaches of Florida’s East Coast or visit us on Pinterest.
Cocoa Beach Weather – When to Visit
The best time to go to Cocoa Beach is in April when temperatures are still warm but accommodations are more affordable. Most people visit Cocoa Beach during the early spring. This is the busiest time so you can expect to pay more for your hotel accommodations. The Spring Break week (March 11th – 24th) and the Easter week (March 31st to April 8th) are also popular dates, and Cocoa Beach is very crowded during these times. In Cocoa Beach, it rains most days in July – September, so make sure to bring an umbrella if you decide to visit during that time.
Best Cocoa Beach Area Beaches
Sydney Fischer Park
Sydney Fischer ParkThis 10-acre, oceanfront park is a family favorite, an ideal place for a picnic and a swim in the Atlantic. The park was named after Sidney Fischer, who served as the mayor of Cocoa Beach from 1956 to 1960. There are picnic pavilions, showers and restrooms.
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Cocoa Beach Pier
Cocoa Beach PierThis pier is a historical landmark of Florida’s Space Coast, and this stretch of beaches in Cocoa Beach is famous for surfing and sunning. This is a good spot to people-watch because the beach teems with excitement. You can take a surf lesson on the gentle, consistent waves, or just watch the pros. The pier also features restaurants and shops.
Cherie Down Park
Cherie Down ParkDappled with sand dunes and sea grasses, Cherie Down Park is a seven-acre community beach park in a neighborhood setting. If you’re looking for a place for a picnic, stop here. There’s a 200-foot boardwalk that winds along the dunes, and on the beach you can take a swim, play volleyball, build a sandcastle or fish in the surf.
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Jetty Park at Port Canaveral
Jetty Park at Port CanaveralThe 35-acre park features a 1,500-foot fishing pier and three acres of sandy beach. It’s one of the busiest parks in the county, but that’s only because it offers something for everyone. There are covered pavilions, picnic areas, campsites, showers and restrooms. It’s a good spot to try some fishing or to just relax and watch the kids play.
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Playalinda Beach
Playalinda BeachPlayalinda Beach is one of the most beautiful, quiet beaches in Cocoa Beach to spend your time. The beachfront here is a secluded 24-mile stretch where sea and space meet. This is an undeveloped beach, without vendors or stores, so be sure to bring any supplies you may need for the day.
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Best Cocoa Beach Restaurants
Florida’s Fresh Grill
They specialize in Fresh Seafood, Steaks, Salads, Homemade Sauces, Award Winning Soups, and Desserts all in a ” Florida Upscale Casual ” atmosphere. With many years of restaurant experience, they understand the importance of being more than a restaurant you can celebrate life’s special moments, but also the everyday dining occasion restaurant. Their goal at Florida’s Fresh Grill is to be your favorite restaurant! Telephone: 321-613-5649 Web: Florida’s Fresh Grill.
Fat Kahunas
Fat Kahuna’s Beachside Grille offers seafood, steak, chicken, pulled pork, gourmet burgers, soft tacos, jumbo shrimp, and many more dishes to delight any appetite. From their “sushi-grade” tuna, to their coconut shrimp, shark au-poivre, bacon cheddar burger, to their melt in your mouth calamari, they have it all. All of their sauces are original, and made from scratch, and they prep their food fresh to order, with unique and original recipes. Top this off with a kiss of aloha and this will be a meal to remember. Telephone: 321-783-6858 Web: Fat Kahunas.
Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster & Seafood Company $11 – 30
Jazzy’s Market is the premier fresh seafood market in Cocoa Beach. Featuring Live Maine Lobsters, Mussels, Clams, Fresh Catches, and whatever they think is the best tasting seafood on the planet. Call them to see what’s in today or check Facebook for updates. Telephone: 321-613-3993 Web: Jazzy’s Mainely Lobster & Seafood Company.
The Fat Snook $31 – 60
They are a casual beachside restaurant packed with a tremendous passion for fresh, local seafood, top quality seasonal ingredients, and hand selected boutique-style wines and craft beers from across the world. Telephone: 321-784-1190 Web: The Fat Snook.
The Tiny Turtle Under $10
Inspired by his Grandmother’s and Mother’s cooking, the flavorful Sofrito base of Puerto Rico, and his own restaurant experiences, Chef Moises has created a menu and environment that will transport you to an island experience full of flavor and a laid back feeling. Opening during the famed Art Show that happens every year in Downtown Cocoa Beach as what was called Food Truck Style, being just a kitchen on the back of a building with a patio and picnic tables for seating, it has now evolved into a full service restaurant but still giving that feeling of a small local “Hidden Gem”. Telephone: 321-446-7361 Web: The Tiny Turtle
Best Cocoa Beach Bars & Nightlife
Nolan’s Irish Pub
A Traditional Irish Pub in Cocoa Beach, complete with 3 cozy snugs and the warmth and hospitality you’d expect from the Irish. Irish Entertainment, restaurant, and pub. Great Irish food and Beers. Large selection of craft beers, imported and domestic. Try the Shepherds Pie and Bangers and Mash. Telephone: 321-783-8499 Web: Nolan’s Irish Pub.
Longboards Tiki Beach Grille
Sit back and relax on their oceanfront tiki deck with one of their delicious signature cocktails. Even your tiniest turtles will find something they love like their cheeseburger sliders and fries. Try the Ahi Tuna, Peel n Shrimp and Hang Ten Beef Sliders….all favorites! Telephone: 321-799-0003 Web: Longboards Tiki Beach Grille.
Hogan’s Irish Bar
Serving the finest selection of craft beer since 2012, Hogan’s Irish Bar is a melting pot of locals and those just passing through the Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral area. Conversation flows about just as steady as the beer. Shoot some pool or shoot some darts. The warm atmosphere at Hogan’s resonates from each antique piece of furniture, which Paudie Hogan, the owner of this fine establishment, had shipped across the pond from his previous pub in Ballina, Co. Mayo in Ireland. Some antiques are over 200 years old, all have their own unique story. Telephone: 321-613-3854 Web: Hogan’s Irish Bar.
Sandbar Sports Grill
For over ten years, Cocoa Beach’s Sandbar Sports Grill has been the must-stop-destination for both locals and visitors to grab a fish taco, enjoy a cold beverage, and hear stellar live music–all within view of the beach. Located adjacent to Alan Shepard Park where 520 meets the beach and right on the ocean behind Ron Jon Surf Shop and the Cocoa Beach Surf Company, Sandbar Sports Grill is the perfect piece of paradise to start your day on the Space Coast. You can go to catch a game on one of ther 20 HDTVs or just taking a break from the sun, their come-as-you-are beachside location is family friendly until 10pm. Fill up here or take it with you, either way you’ll love their amazing menu. Telephone: 321-799-2577 Web: Sandbar Sports Grill.
Preacher Bar
Preacher Bar’s atmosphere is casual and family friendly yet upscale with handmade cocktails and a mouthwatering menu unlike any establishment on the Space Coast. The funky mix of background music is kept low enough to converse over and ranges from classics like the Eurythmics to current pop and electronic dance. They have over 40 craft, import and domestic beers both on tap and in bottles. Their selection of beer changes monthly which means there’s almost always a new beer new to tempt your taste buds. Their extensive wine selection includes reds, whites, sparkling wines and blends from California to Italy, Argentina and New Zealand. No matter your preference, there is sure to be a wine selection you’ll fall in love with. Telephone: 321-613-4629 Web: Preacher Bar.
Best Cocoa Beach Hotels
Wow what a site it is full of information that you would need in booking a holiday of a lifetime, i love the fact that you even put airfares and hotels and restaurants and also bars irish bars as well, the guild to activities is brilliant very informative, you have captured the serenity of cocoa beach. As it is my wedding anniversary this year i am looking for something special, i would follow your recommendations,
I will bookmark this site for future reference
Thank you so much Gareth, and if you need any help in planning, just let me know. Florida is a great destination with wonderful beaches and chalk full of things to do. Plus you can’t beat the climate or the fact that it is very reasonable pricewise to travel to.
Thank you for your article!
Your tips are very informative!
Next week I will go for vacation! I will definitely follow some of your tips and recommendation!
Jayden
Glad you enjoyed Jayden and glad you can use my information on Cocoa Beach!
Great article Leahre! When I make my way to the States next time Cocoa Bay will definitely be on my list to visit. I wonder if there is actually a thousands islands out there? It would be cool to visit some of them! Definitely interested in learning how to surf, been meaning to try if for the longest time!
No, there is not thousands of islands dang it…but thank goodness because then I would have to review all of them 🙂 Cocoa Beach is a wonderful area, the whole Space Coast is awesome!
Hi Leahrae,
Sounds like a great place for a holiday, weather sounds amazing! The kayaking and surfing look like they’d be great fun too!
Happy new year!
Sean
Happy New Year Sean and thanks for visiting Cocoa Beach Vacations. Yes, I’d say it is an amazing place!
You had me at deep sea fishing and wind and water sports! What a fun filled destination. I may have to rethink the family’s yearly Hawaii trip and plan a visit to Cocoa Beach instead. With all the information you have provided, I know we can find plenty of things to keep us busy. You have done all the heavy lifting for us. I always find great vacation ideas here at your site. Keep up the great work.
You know Cocoa Beach is much cheaper than Hawaii and has so much to offer. It is a very laid back great place. There are so many beaches in the area, not to mention things to do. You and your family would really enjoy it.
I’ve only ever visited a beach on the west coast of the US (a really cute place called Seaside). To be honest I wished that I had visited more areas of the US over the last 10 years and I think Florida is an interesting start. The list of seafood restaurants almost made my mouth water and as here in the UK we are currently languishing with very cold weather and thick fog (I hate damp fog) I can sit and dream about far off beaches and warm weather.
Yes you can Evie 🙂 Florida beaches are actually quite awesome, and they have the largest coastline in the U.S.
Great info. I’ve never been to the USA, but my brother lives in Chicago. So sometime in the future, I hope I will make it. The Cocoa Kayaking sounds exciting for me. I once went kayaking somewhere in Austria and it was so much fun. Also I’ve lived in Vietnam for over 9 years and should you ever intend going there, let me know and I’ll tell you some cool places.
I must commend you for the quality of information you have got. Great research I suppose. Thanks for the knowledge transfer.
Thank you Santosh and I am glad you enjoyed reading about Cocoa Beach.
Hi Leahrae! The beach looks beautiful. I haven’t been to Florida but seeing this makes me want to add this to my bucket list. I love beaches and we try to make it a point to go to every so often if our vacation schedules permit. And I love it that you’ve written a complete guide to Cocoa Beach. Makes planning the itinerary easier. I have bookmarked your site to reference later on. Can I contact you later when we have firmed up our plans? Thanks.
Most definitely Kathy. I would love to help 🙂 Let me know when you are ready!
I love Cocoa Beach. I have been there many times. I went to college at Florida Tech in Melbourne so I was lucky enough to spend four wonderful years on the Space Coast. It was fabulous. I love the restaurants and activities that are available to you. In addition to Cocoa Beach, another great beach on the Space Coast is Vero Beach. Do you have an article about Vero Beach?
I am actually doing an article right now on Vero Beach 🙂 You are right, it is also a wonderful Florida beach!
Hi Leahrae,
Thank you for this extremely thorough post. I think Fat Kahunas has my vote, after a spot of glass bottom kayaking. I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Florida, but the beaches do appear to have a distinctly different feel to those we have here in Australia. I look forward to visiting a number of destinations in the US very soon and your site is an excellent resource.
Cheers,
Adam.
Thank you so much Adam, and please come back again 🙂 If I can help you in any way just let me know. Florida beaches are pretty awesome!
A great site with lots of information!! I’ve never been to the States before but I’m planning on going to Florida in the near future. I have booked this website as a reference!!!
Thank you Jackie. If you need any assistance or have any further questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Cocoa Beach is awesome!
nice article and complete, i love traveling, and i wish i could see the entire world, i didn’t knew about this place but it seems very nice, thank you for all these details, you are doing a great job
Thank you so much Roxen 🙂 Yes, Cocoa Beach in Florida is wonderful! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
Hi Leahrae,
Some great tips here and a wonderful insight into Cocoa Beach. I have never been but we are considering it for our next trip. I was at Daytona Beach but that was a long time ago. The town itself was a bit of a dump but I’m guessing that’s because it’s effectively built around the race track.
Coca Beach reminds me a bit of South Padre island in the Gulf of Mexico, near the Mexican border. It’s a long strip like that and just a wonderful place. Nothing like Daytona.
I see you have listed Flipkey as a place to find vacation homes. Would this option be more expensive than renting a hotel for 2 weeks? We would likely be planning a trip around June.
I live in Texas so I know all about South Padre Island 🙂 Hands down no comparison in Florida. Once I started going, I never went back to any Texas beaches 🙂 And no, Flip Key is the BEST alternative and you can find some really great rates. I recently stayed in Clearwater, Florida (high rent area) using a Flip Key reservation, and it was way way less 🙂
Hi there,
I am quite curious as to whether there is a strong Irish connection historically with regards to the pubs over there. I am guessing there are quite a handful number of European tourists relaxing, having a pint or two over there.
I also would like to know if there is any heat wave occurred over there? Probably in August as you mentioned it. I believe there are people prefer the hottest time as they enjoy sipping a very cold cocktail while sunbathing.
Yes, I for one love the heat and enjoy a good margarita while lounging around. I don’t know what more you could ask for 🙂 I don’t know about the Irish connection, and I did some research. There just appears to be a lot of Irish places there, and they are all good! Thanks for visiting Cocoa Beach Tar.
This is truly an awesome post and site that shows your research and passion for beach travel. You have done an excellent job. From describing the area to providing commentary on sites, restaurants, things to do, hotels and car rentals, you cover all the points any traveler needs. How long have you been running this site and what got you interested in beach travel? I have bookmarked your site for reference for when I travel.
Hi Leita, thank you for the very nice comments. I guess my love for the beach is what got me started. I wanted to share my experiences and help people have everything they need. I know with my first trip, I could have used information like this. Thank you for reading Cocoa Beach Vacations!
I love your site and all your excellent research.
Thank you Leita!