NASA – Cocoa Beach, Florida – Beach Heaven!
What do you want when looking for a beach? Cocoa Beach has it all.
On an Island, check! Great restaurants on the beach, Cocoa Beach FL, check! Perhaps some surfing, check! How about a great pier and tiki bar, check! How about NASA and Cocoa Beach together? Now you have a world-class destination!
Cocoa Beach, Florida is truly an option if you want one of Florida’s best beaches.
Where is Cocoa Beach Florida?
Cocoa Beach is on Florida’s east coast on the Atlantic Ocean. The Beach is 200 miles north of Miami and 60 miles east of Orlando. It is also just 5 miles south of Cape Canaveral, near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral.
Cocoa Beach is on a barrier island along Route A1A and is considered part of the Space Coast of Florida.
What is Cocoa Beach Florida Known For?
The first thing that attracted us to this beach was a tiki bar way out on the end of a pier called the Rikki Tiki Tavern. Nothing can compare to the warm Atlantic Ocean breezes while holding a refreshment sitting 100 yards out in the sea.
Of course, Cocoa Beach is known for much more. Did you know Cocoa Beach is one of the top surfing destinations on the East Coast?
Cocoa Beach is the home to the Florida Surf Museum located in the largest Ron Jon Surf Shop in the world!
Perhaps the thing Cocoa Beach is known for the most is the NASA connection with Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center just a few miles away.
Since the town fronts the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Banana River on the west, water sports abound everywhere. Jet ski rentals, parasailing, paddle boards and boat rentals are available.
If you are a fisherman, world-class sport fishing can be found just a few miles offshore. That also may account for the great seafood served by many beachfront restaurants.
One of Florida’s Best Beaches for Families with Orlando Nearby
There is nothing not to like about family fun in Cocoa Beach. The island caters to every whim a tourist could want. Many hotels have exceptional views.
Watching the sun come up over the Atlantic is mesmerizing. Walking the beach from one end to the other can get your heart pumping and the views of nature are a visual delight.
Cocoa Beach is easy to travel to from Orlando. The 60-mile trip can be a great addition to a Disney or Universal Studios adventure.
Traveling south from Jacksonville, Florida the beach is only about 2 1/2 hours and north from Miami it is about 3 hours to Cocoa Beach.
Near Cape Canaveral
We also can’t forget one of the biggest attractions on the island – Cape Canaveral. Who can forget the beginning of our space program with landings on the moon, the launching of satellites, and the notion of a space station, all originating here? Nearby is Port Canaveral, one of Florida’s busy cruise ports.
Pier at Cocoa Beach
Few attractions in Cocoa Beach draw more visitors than The Cocoa Beach Pier. Located within walking distance to several major hotels, this Pier is the place for beach sunning, good restaurants and walking along the ocean.
When looking for one of Florida’s best beaches, Cocoa Beach has to be on your agenda. Few beach towns have the allure of the ocean, numerous attractions and an active surfer destination.
Best Beach in Cocoa Beach
No matter if you’re looking to ride the waves, relax under the sun, or explore natural landscapes, Cocoa Beach offers a diverse range of beach experiences to suit every preference.
With miles and miles of beach in Cocoa Beach, it is had to choose the best one.
In our opinion, the best beach is the one that skirts the Cocoa Beach Pier. There is easy public acess, plenty of parking and a great view of Cape Canaveral to the north when rocket launches occur.
The Pier provides bathrooms, food and a lively bar.
Map of Cocoa Beach
Directions to Cocoa Beach from Orlando
To get to Cocoa Beach, Florida, from Disney World and Orlando, you’ll be traveling eastward toward the Atlantic coast. Here are the directions:
1. **Head east on FL-528 E**: Departing from Orlando, start by heading east on FL-528 E, also known as the Beachline Expressway or Martin Andersen Beachline Expressway. This toll road will take you toward the coast and provides a direct route to Cocoa Beach.
2. **Continue on FL-528 E**: Stay on FL-528 E for approximately 40 miles. You’ll be passing through suburban areas and eventually transitioning into more rural landscapes as you approach the coast.
3. **Merge onto FL-520 E via exit 49 toward Cocoa**: After traveling on FL-528 E for about 40 miles, take exit 49 toward Cocoa. Merge onto FL-520 E, also known as the Beachline West, heading eastward toward Cocoa and Merritt Island.
4. **Continue on FL-520 E**: Stay on FL-520 E for approximately 10 miles. You’ll be passing through Merritt Island as you approach Cocoa Beach.
5. **Turn right onto FL-A1A S/N Atlantic Ave**: Once you reach Cocoa Beach, turn right onto FL-A1A S/N Atlantic Ave. This road runs parallel to the coastline and will take you directly to the heart of Cocoa Beach and its beaches, shops, and restaurants.
6. **Arrive at Cocoa Beach**: Follow FL-A1A S/N Atlantic Ave until you reach your destination in Cocoa Beach. You’ll find public beach access points, parking areas, and various amenities along the coastline.
Make sure to check current traffic conditions and any road closures before starting your journey, and consider using a GPS or map app for real-time navigation assistance. Enjoy your visit to Cocoa Beach and its beautiful Atlantic coast!
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