ALL YOU NEED IS THE BEACH
Ever wondered what it feels like to live along the coast of Florida in a vibrant seaside town with sunkissed shores and a laid-back vibe? Cocoa Beach offers the perfect blend of unique attractions, fun adventures, and relaxation.
We stayed in Cocoa Beach for a month during spring time where the temperatures were perfect, it wasn’t too crowded and it was outside hurricane season. Keep reading if you’re ready to Discover the Magic of Cocoa Beach.
Sunset above the Banana River
The Ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul. – Wyland
Between ocean and river
By the time we reached Florida, we had been on the road for about eight months. Stepping into our beachy two-bedroom apartment in Cocoa Beach, and hearing the calming sound of the ocean, we knew we were in the right place. The Atlantic Ocean stretched endlessly in front of us from large living room windows. In the mornings the waves shimmered, and a golden light flooded the room.
View of the pool and ocean from our balcony
Each night, we witnessed a spectacular fusion of colors when the sun set over the Banana River behind the apartment. The perfect contrast between the peaceful river and the energizing ocean created a sense of balance. Exactly what we needed at that time.
View of the ocean from our balcony
A Lizard
On the first day, as I opened the sliding door to the balcony with a cup of tea, a small lizard startled me by jumping into the living room, right above my head. Wiping matcha from all over the floor, I made peace with the fact that we would now have to share the space with a lizard.
My Daily Routine
Despite the unexpected surprise of the lizard, my mornings soon became a peaceful routine. I would make a cup of matcha and head onto the balcony before work. Ships sailing off to somewhere unknown dotted the horizon and pelicans were dive-bombing for fish. Now and then a military jet or helicopter from the nearby Kennedy Space Center, made a short intrusion in the otherwise peaceful surroundings.
Daily walk along the beach
Every day I would walk along the beach or go down just to let the salty sea breeze stimulate my senses and the rhythmic sound of the waves calm me. There are many amazing things to explore in Florida but this was my favorite part of staying in Cocoa Beach. And even if there had been nothing else, it would have been enough.
During our stay weird translucent creatures washed ashore. They appeared in blue, green, and pink colors and looked harmless. However, this little balloon-like thing is called man o’ war (Physalia physalis) and has long venomous tenacles that remain active even after the animal has died.
Blue man o’ war (Physalia physalis) along the coast
Boat by the shore in Cocoa Beach
Floridas Space Coast
Cocoa Beach is located on a long narrow barrier island on Florida’s Space Coast. As one of the closest beaches to Orlando, Disney World, and Epcot it attracts a lot of people. Besides simply enjoying the long sandy beaches, It’s a great place for surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing. The nearby Banana River and the Indian River Lagoon offer lots of opportunities for exploring mangrove forests and spotting dolphins and manatees.
Manatee resting in shallow water
Surf Vibe
As a beach town, Cocoa Beach is often referred to as the surfing capital of the East Coast. It has a very distinctive surf vibe and offers a little bit of everything. You can spend a lot of time here doing absolutely nothing which is totally acceptable too.
What exactly do I mean by surf vibe? Well, this is a place where you’ll see most people dressed in comfortable casual clothing like board shorts, graphic t-shirts (or no t-shirt at all), bikinis, sunglasses, and flip-flops (or bare feet). Lots of people clearly plan their lives around the tide and direction of the wind. Sun-bleached, two-toned hair that looks cool without even trying, it’s the thing around her. And salt water is a natural substitute for styling products.
Burgers, pizza, and fries served on paper plates and drinks in plastic cups are considered fine dining. No actually, there are several options for seafood but don’t expect real silverware. Most importantly: Stay cool, calm, and collected in all situations.
Murals in Downtown Cocoa Beach
Downtown Cocoa Beach
Downtown Cocoa Beach is within walking distance of the beach. Here we found a little more variety in the dining options. The surf shops, boutiques, and specialty stores have everything from beachwear and souvenirs to unique art pieces and handcrafted goods. It’s a cute little place and throughout town, we found colorful murals reflecting the area’s surf culture, space exploration history, and natural beauty.
Downtown Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach Pier
The Cocoa Beach Pier, a short drive from the heart of downtown, stretches 800 feet over the ocean. It has several restaurants, shops, and fishing opportunities. It’s a lively spot and we enjoyed grabbing a meal with an ocean view while people watching.
Cocoa Beach Pier
Beach Parks
If you’re looking for something a little different than the downtown beach area, which can be quite busy, especially on the weekends, there are two other popular options:
Lori Wilson Park: A more tranquil spot, with unspoiled dunes, wooden boardwalks, and a dog-friendly area. The park also has BBQ grills and picnic facilities.
Alan Shepard Park: Named after the first American astronaut in space. It’s a beachfront park with picnic areas, restrooms, and plenty of open space for beach games and relaxation.
Scenic Boardwalk to the beach
Squid Lips
Across from our apartment, we found the popular waterfront restaurant, Squid Lips. The place is known for fresh seafood and cocktails and has a very casual and inviting atmosphere. A huge outdoor deck, with tiki-style décor and a tropical feel is one of the best features of Squid Lips.
The deck sits above the water and gave us a close-up view of the river. While waiting for food we had fun watching a large group of bright orange and black koi fish in the river. We typically went around sunset, where the colors reflected on the river and created a spectacular view and a serene atmosphere.
Sunset above Banana River from Squid Lips
Cocoa – the town
While on the Space Coast, we had lots of plans for trips we wanted to make. In reality, we never made it beyond the Village of Cocoa on the mainland. This quaint little town is located by the Banana River right where you cross over the Indian River Lagoon to Cocoa Beach. Whereas Cocoa Beach has an unmistakable surf vibe, Cocoa is filled with historic buildings, boutique shops, local eateries, and beautiful waterfront parks.
There are many food options, from seafood and Thai to French cuisine and even a traditional English Tavern. However, Allan talked me into having lunch at Village Bier Garten, an authentic German restaurant serving German specialties such as sauerbraten, schnitzel, and currywurst. And beer, of course! Not really my cup of tea (or beer), but this is one thing, Allan and I agree to disagree on.
Mural in Cocoa Village
Kennedy Space Center
One thing that makes Cocoa Beach unique is its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. The world-famous launch site has been the gateway to space since the early days of NASA’s space programs. Cocoa Beach is a perfect base for exploring NASA’s rich history and its current missions.
The Visitor Complex is a popular attraction offering interactive exhibits, a space shuttle simulator, and opportunities to meet astronauts. We didn’t visit the space center this time around, but we brought our kids back in 2005 and it was a memorable experience. At that time we were trying to escape Hurricane Wilma that was heading westward across Florida.
Space mural
A DAytime Rocket Launch
On April 8, 2022, we witnessed Axiom Mission successfully launch four private astronauts into orbit from nearby Peacock Beach. Surrounded by hundreds of spectators we saw a bright point of light as the rocket took off. A long, white plume trailed behind, stretching further and further as the rocket ascended into space. It was a little underwhelming, to be honest. I’m sure it would have been more exciting with a close viewing from the space center itself. Check out future launch dates and tickets here.
Axiom mission launch from nearby Kennedy Space Center
Upon leaving we learned why the beach is called Peacock Beach. Roaming the lawns of the nearby community we saw more than a handful of majestic peacocks. Despite their long, heavy tail feathers some could be seen on the rooftops. One peacock even had its tail fanned out so the eye-like colorings were on full display. We left Peacock Beach in awe of this unexpected experience followed by the loud, piercing calls from the peacocks.
Peacock in the Peacock Beach neighborhood
A nighttime Rocket Launch
On April 27, 2022, the SpaceX Crew-4 was launched. from the space center. This launch was in the middle of the night and Allan decided to walk down to the beach as I stayed on the balcony. From my phone, I listened to the live launch commentary from space experts when all of a sudden, the sky was illuminated by an intense explosion of light.
The glow of the engines cut through the quiet darkness like a streak of light. The thick, fiery orange and yellow plume gradually faded into a pale bluish haze as the rocket disappeared into the atmosphere. This launch was really something compared to the previous daytime launch.
Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge
The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is located near the Kennedy Space Center and is a sanctuary of wetlands, lagoons, and mangrove forests. We booked a kayaking tour at the refuge, and it was a fun and memorable way to explore the wilder side of Florida. As we paddled through the winding waterways, we were surrounded by lush greenery and the clear water created a mirror-like effect.
Kayaking at Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge
During our tour, we spotted a variety of birds like herons and egrets. We saw several turtles and even a raccoon playing along the banks. The most memorable experience was getting close to the iconic Manatees. These gentle giants, often called “sea cows” were found in the warmer more shallow parts of the lagoons. Slowly and gracefully, they passed our kayaks just below the surface as they fed on seagrass.
Kayaking at Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge
Ride a Slingshot
I did not know what a “Slingshot” was before we came to Cocoa Beach. I had seen the little three-wheeled, open-air roadsters before, but I didn’t know what they were called. We rented a Slingshot for a few hours one day, and it was the perfect way to experience the beauty of the coast. With a 360-degree view, wind in our hair (mine anyway), and sun in our face it was such a thrilling and immersive way to explore the Space Coast.
Slingshot ride along the Space Coast
Fancy a Cruise?
Still wondering if a visit to Cocoa Beach is the right thing for you? Just 20 minutes north of Cocoa Beach, one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, Port Canaveral, is located. Several major cruise lines depart from this port and is a gateway for tropical islands in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and beyond. You can do short 3 or 4-day cruises, week-long cruises, or specialty cruises, such as a Disney-themed cruise.
To celebrate our 23rd anniversary, we went on a 3-day cruise to the Bahamas. Perfect quick tropical island adventure, as if you need it when you’re in Florida?! More on our trip to the Bahamas will follow.
Cruise ship in the Bahamas
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