A time was had @ Cocoa Beach! The beach was beautiful, & the waves were so much fun. I really…read moreenjoyed being in the water, playing in the waves, & taking in the relaxing beach vibes. The waves were the best part of my day! It was a perfect place to spend some time by the water, relax, & I def enjoyed this beach! I'll be back just to jump in the waves!

Beautiful clean beach. Lifeguard towers, restaurants along the beach, lots of free parking & a…read moreperfect place to spend the day. Cocoa Beach is a city on Florida's Space Coast, known for its beaches, surfing & proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. It offers a variety of attractions, including the Cocoa Beach Pier, massive Ron Jon Surf Shop, Lori Wilson Park & water based activities like kayaking and boat tours, with a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere that attracts tourists & retirees.

My first time going to Cocoa Beach, I was hit with the paid parking, and I didn't like that,…read moreespecially since I planned on spending the whole day at the beach. After doing some research, I found out that there are public parking lots, which was great to know. That's when I came across Lori Wilson Park, which has both North and South parking lots. I decided to go with the North side. It was close to the restrooms, and it was just a quick walk across the bridge straight to the beach. There are three beach entrances on this side, and they also have showers right at the entrance where you can rinse off the sand after leaving the beach. There is also a South side with more parking, but for me, the North side just looked more appealing. As you enter the North side, there's a playground to the left where the kids can play. I thought this was really convenient for parents who want to let their children burn off some energy before heading to the beach. Between the playground and the beach, that sounds like a great day for a kid! On this side, there was also a lifeguard, as well as someone renting sunbeds, umbrellas, and surfboards. It seemed like they had pretty much everything you would need for a great beach day. I brought my own tent and chairs, so that worked out just fine for me. But having the rentals right there is really convenient if you don't want to deal with the hassle of bringing everything yourself. The beach was great! The waves were a little rough, but not so rough that you couldn't get in the water and enjoy yourself. There was also a surfing competition going on while I was there. There seemed to be people of all ages participating, so that was really cool to watch and added something extra to the day. Another great beach day accomplished!

When visiting this beautiful 32.43-acre oceanfront park it is to picture that this was once an…read moreunofficial city dump. Standing among the sea oats and beach, it's almost impossible to imagine that this land was neglected until the mid 1970s. The park owes its transformation to the vision and determination of Lori Wilson, an attorney, Florida State Senator, and passionate environmental advocate. After moving to Florida in 1960, Wilson served in the Florida Senate from 1973 to 1978, becoming only the third woman and the first Independent to hold the office. She was a strong supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment and championed numerous environmental causes, working with organizations such as Save Our Waterways, the National Association of County Officials Environmental Steering Committee, and the Central Florida Zoological Society. Senator Wilson was a visionary and she was determined to restore this stretch of coastline organized a massive community cleanup. Local youth organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs, spent weeks removing trash, planting native vegetation, and restoring it back to its natural condition. In appreciation for her leadership and dedication, the grateful community voted to name the restored park in her honor. Today, Lori Wilson Park is one of Cocoa Beach's most popular beach parks. The Mansfield Maritime Hammock which is stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, features a .6-mile interpretive boardwalk through a protected coastal canopy filled with native plants. It is an important stopover for migratory birds. Dog lovers will appreciate the spacious 32,000-square-foot fenced off-leash dog park, which opened in 2006 through a partnership between Cocoa Beach and Brevard County. More recent improvements include upgraded dune crossovers built with durable composite materials, a renovated dog park, and modernized restrooms and outdoor shower facilities. The park also is where you can find I Dream of Jeannie Lane named in 1996 in honor of the TV show I Dream of Jeannie, a TV show about a genie in love with an astronaut that aired from 1965 to 1970 and was fictionally set in Cocoa Beach. The historical marker was added in 2012. I appreciated that the parking is free and there is easy beach access. I also enjoyed my time exploring the maritime Hammock. Thanks to Lori Wilson residents and visitors can enjoy ocean access, nature walks, and a place for off leash dog play. Lori Wilson Park is an inspiring example of what a community can accomplish when they pull together.

Robert P. Murkshe served as mayor from 1963 to 1972. During that time he guided the city through an…read moreextraordinary period of growth and transformation. At the beginning of his tenure, Cocoa Beach was a small community of just 3,475 residents and lacked many essential public facilities, including a hospital, high school, junior high school, and municipal recreation facilities. it lacked the infrastructure you would find in a modern city. By the time he left office, the population had grown to more than 12,000. He established and expanded these important community resources and his leadership also helped lay the groundwork for the environmental preservation efforts that continue to protect Cocoa Beach's natural resources and coastal beauty. Named in his honor, Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park is a 2.5 acre beachfront park located at 16th Street South. A paved walkway leads from the parking area and restrooms over the dunes to the beach. Amenities include an outdoor shower, a covered picnic pavilion with tables and a grill, and free parking. A cool find in this park was the artwork that Guy Harvey lent to the Creative Cans in the Sand project, a not-for-profit with the mission to help encourage beach goers to dispose of their trash responsibly. Guy Harvey is an artist, scientist, diver, angler, conservationist, explorer and entrepreneur who is famous for his coastal artwork. The cans bring art to the park in the hopes that it will encourage visitors to dispose of garbage in the cans, not on the beach. When I visited the park I noticed that this beach is popular with surfers and saltwater fishermen. I appreciated the convenient beach access and relaxed vibe. When you are looking looking for a quieter stretch of Cocoa Beach to enjoy the waves, Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park is a great choice.

This has moved up to our go to beach. There's free parking, showers, and bathroom…read more If you go to the left when u get to the beach, that is the dog side in the morning and after 6 pm. If you go to the right of the life guard side, you can go there with your dog. It's so spacious and nice and clean. The water feels amazing during the summer. We live by Tampa and come this way. We have been here almost a handful of times now. It's never packed to the rim with people. It's pretty awesome to see the cruise ship in the far back. I was just saying can't believe I found another fave beach after living here for just over ten years. Love it here!!

beautiful and clean, amazing experience for my little ones n husband. You must stop n check out the…read morearea.

The Canaveral National Seashore is located between Titusville and New Smyrna Beach…read more It is a favorite beach for many locals because of the gorgeous blue water and white sand. The atmosphere is relaxing and tranquil. It has something for everyone..... Bird watching, sea turtles and lots of beach combing opportunities.

Coming back to Cocoa Beach as an adult brought back a lot of memories…read more It's timeless. The beach is just as relaxed and welcoming as I remember, but now I appreciate the little things more: the breeze, the waves, and grabbing a snack by the pier. It's simple, familiar, and still one of my favorite spots to unwind.

Beautiful beach!!! We stopped both by the pier and simply further out at Cocoa Beach which is a bit…read moreaway from all the hustle and bustle. There were lots of rip currents when we visited the beach and we were grateful for the life guard that was stationed at the beach. Beach rentals are available. Only thing I didn't see was a public restroom. Overall - this beautiful beach invites for a relaxing day.

Hangar's Beach is one of several beaches with free parking along Florida's Space Coast located on…read morePatrick Space Force Base. The beach gets its name from its proximity to historic military aircraft hangars. The area has a lot of military history. What is now Patrick Space Force Base was originally established as Naval Air Station Banana River in 1939 as an anti-submarine patrol and training base. During World War II, this stretch of coastline was actively patrolled to guard against the threat of German U-boats operating off the Atlantic coast. Today this secluded, uncrowded strip of coastline is known for its great surfing conditions and excellent vantage point for viewing Cape Canaveral rocket launches. Beach amenities include an observation deck, wheelchair-accessible dune crossover, and outdoor shower. The planes from Patrick Space Force Base approach from just north of Hangars Beach, giving people on this beach a great view.

Nice, beautiful beach right on A1A across from Patrick's Air Force base...during regular days, you…read morecan see planes coming in or taking off while you enjoy the sandy beaches. During the Air Show dates in mid April, you can enjoy the dozens of planes that fly around the area. The easiest way to get here is to drive north on A1A from SR404 since the free parking lot is right on your right..if you are coming from Cocoa Beach, you can get in the median and drive over to the beach side for parking. A really nice, unspoiled beach....not too busy as some of the other ones closer to Cocoa Beach downtown.

Tables Beach is one of several lovely beaches along Florida's Space Coast. Located just north of…read morePatrick Space Force Base, the beach gets its name from the distinctive concrete picnic tables found in the park area beside the sand. The history of this stretch of coastline is especially interesting. Following the Civil War, the area became home to a settlement of newly freed slaves seeking to build new lives. However, a devastating hurricane in 1885 discouraged further development. During World War II, the beach served as part of a military coastal patrol zone, and by the 1960s it had gained popularity as a local surfing destination. Today, Tables Beach provides a peaceful alternative to the areas busier beaches. Visitors can enjoy a quiet, uncrowded shoreline along with amenities, including restrooms, outdoor showers, a picnic pavilion, a wooden boardwalk leading to the beach, and a sand volleyball court. Note that there are no lifeguards on duty. While parking is free, it can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays.

It is about 10mins south of the usual beach area we go to (Alan Shepard, Lori Wilson) but well…read moreworth the drive starting with the fact that the beach is closer to parking area. This means less steps to take loaded with a cooler, a tent, a beach bag, a chair, a beach ball and your kid in tow. But take note there's limited "FREE" parking. I'd mentally estimate 40 parking spaces. There's a shower to wash off the sand on your way back to the car. There's a gazebo by the parking lot good for groups with benches and tables. Now for the beach...they're as Cocoa Beach in look, feel as it is compared to Alan Shepard & Lori Wilson.

Quiet and peaceful beach, really nice to relax and listen to the sound of the massive waves…read morecrashing. Also a good spot to watch the surfers. There is a decent amount of parking with overflow across the street. The facilities are kept pretty clean and there are public restrooms.

A convenient place to take a beach day! Or, simply stop by the top of the steps to check the waves…read more It's a spacious beach for a good time with your friends and family to enjoy. I've gone so many times and it's so pretty!! Always a beach girl...forever a beach girl. Five Stars! It's even worth the sort of difficult time parking , to get on that beach for a few. Cheers.

Our stay at Beach Island Resort was excellent from beginning to end…read more The resort is located directly on the beach in Cocoa Beach, which made it easy to enjoy the ocean throughout the day. We stayed in a two-bedroom unit, and it felt much more like a beach cottage or apartment than a traditional hotel room. The space included a full kitchen, a comfortable living area, and separate bedrooms and bathrooms, which made it ideal for relaxing and spreading out. The property was quiet, clean, and well maintained. Having a full kitchen and multiple bedrooms made the stay especially convenient and comfortable, and it worked perfectly for our group. Penny, who manages the resort, was a pleasure to work with. She was friendly, responsive, and clearly takes pride in the property. Her attention and professionalism really stood out and added to the overall experience. If you're looking for a beachfront hotel in Cocoa Beach with two-bedroom accommodations, full kitchens, and a more laid-back feel than large resorts, this is a great option. It's a wonderful choice for families or anyone wanting more space right on the beach. We would definitely stay here again. -- Charlie I.

Beach Island Resort is not a high rise surrounded by a parking lot, it is a Fantastic small resort…read moredirectly on the beach with pool and hot tub. The units provide everything and have kitchens, living rooms and one or two bedrooms. I've been coming here for over 20 years and it always gives me my best relaxation & rewind time!

Absolutely incredible! 5 star experience! We loaded up and within one minute were already…read moreencountering wildlife. The entire ride was just full of wildlife activity. We saw it all, alligators, manatees, dolphins with their babies!! Every bird you can imagine, turtles, snakes just everything out there. We also got some great views of some incredible homes and local architecture along the water which was really neat. Our captains Andrew and Pat were very knowledgeable and professional! We learned so much. The real highlight of the day was that as we were due to dock Andrew let us know that there was about to be a spaceX launch and if everyone agreed we could extend the ride a bit so we could all watch it. To our delight everyone did. My husband came down here 30 years ago at the age of 10 to see a launch that ended up getting scrubbed so for him to see his first ever real launch on our 19th anniversary was pure magic! It brought tears to both our eyes and I will forever be grateful to them for giving us that experience. Fantastic memories made and worth every penny and more! Also want to note that the boats bathroom was very clean and easy to use. They provided beverages both adult and regular refreshments. The shade kept us pretty cool but I do recommend bringing "chilly towels" and a hand fan if it's over 90 degrees. We will absolutely be returning with our kiddos on our next trip to take them as well.

Excellent experience and enjoyable tour! The captain and guide were both warm, friendly and…read moreknowledgeable. We learned a lot about the local area and wildlife! We saw several dolphins, a quick manatee sighting and several types of birds! The captain made sure everyone could see and both were quick to be on the watch and point out sightings!