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.

Blockhouse Beach is one of several beaches with free parking along Florida's Space Coast, located…read moreon Patrick Space Force Base. The beach takes its name from the heavily fortified concrete-and-steel blockhouses used during the early Space Race. Throughout the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, these structures served as protected observation and control points for monitoring rocket launches from Cape Canaveral. Afterward, the surrounding area was designated as a recreational beach for military personnel and their families. The area is also steeped in military history. What is now Patrick Space Force Base began as Naval Air Station Banana River, established in 1939 as an anti-submarine patrol and training base. During World War II, this stretch of Florida's Atlantic coastline was actively patrolled to defend against German U-boats operating offshore. Today, Blockhouse Beach offers free public parking directly across from the entrance to Patrick Space Force Base. A wooden boardwalk crosses the coastal dunes and leads to a wide, uncrowded stretch of sandy beach. It's a favorite destination for surfing, fishing, swimming, and is known for a quieter beach experience. The beach is also one of the area's popular spots for watching air shows and rocket launches from nearby Cape Canaveral.

This location may not be as popular as all the other beaches, but it's quiet and super convenient…read morefor bird and nature enthusiast. There's no fee to get in and there are showers available. It's really cool inconvenience how it's located across the street from Patrick Air Force Base, which is the current location for the United States space force

This is Spessard Holland North Beach Park. Two miles away is Spessard Holland South Beach Park…read more Both beach parks and the Spessard Holland Golf course were named in honor of Spessard Lindsey Holland, a prominent Florida politician and lawyer. He served as the 28th Governor of Florida and later as a U.S. Senator from 1946 to 1971. The beach park and golf course are among a number of places named in his honor across the state. Beyond the beach and park in Melbourne, his name is attached to various locations, including the Spessard Holland Expressway in Orlando and the Spessard Holland Elementary School in his hometown of Bartow. This 6.5-acre community beach park is a lovely spot to enjoy the ocean In Melbourne Beach. The beach is monitored by seasonal lifeguards. This park is popular with beachgoers and those who enjoy surf fishing and surfing. The park has a 100 foot dune boardwalk and two small pavilions. Other amenities include restrooms, drinking fountain, and outdoor showers. I always appreciate a beach with free parking like this one.

Spessard Holland Beach is a pleasant enough beach and it was a great place to chill for a bit…read more Parking was free and it was well-maintained. I would definitely recommend heading here if you want to chill and be around the water.

My family and I are fans of this beach. Although it is an hour ride from home, the ride is…read morecomfortable, barely any traffic and it is easy to get to. This beach is accessible & near to eateries, a CVS & small beach shops in case you forgot something, it comes in handy, since we forgot to get water. There is a small parking lot that can fill quickly if you don't arrive early enough. There is a clean bathroom. There is also a gazebo area with picnic tables and a grill. The sand is clean. The water blue and wonderful. We loved that it was not packed & that everyone was being cognizant of keeping their distance. We had an AMAZING time. We sunbathed for hours, listened to music, took in the view, the sun and slight breeze, undisturbed. Before we left, we planned our next visit. Great way to spend my mother's day.

Riding on A1A there is not too many free places anymore to access the beach besides just to sit and…read moreenjoy the view. While visiting Florida I just wanted to go spend a few minutes looking at the ocean and smell the air. This beach access is free and there is bathrooms too which makes it nice if you need to change for the beach. A nice boardwalk up to a deck area with a couple of picnic tables if you wanted to come eat and enjoy the beach view. It's under cover too which made it nice for my Mom who can't be in the sun long. This is a nice spot if your looking to sit off the beach. The only down fall was a "bum" sleeping on one of the picnic tables. That made it a bit uncomfortable while sitting there. A great spot for photos. I would for sure go back and get my ocean fix here. Plenty of parking.

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.

Cocoa Beach was a great way to spend the day with the family. The beach was clean, there was plenty…read moreof room to spread out, and the water was nice. We brought our beach wagon and tent, which made everything a lot easier. The kids had an absolute blast playing in the sand and splashing in the waves. Parking was convenient, and overall it was just a relaxing, fun beach day. We'd definitely come back the next time we're in the area.

We stopped here briefly on a visit to Florida with my brother, who likes this beach. The beach is…read morelovely: a long, white sandy expanse. It was pretty empty on this weekday, a few scattered beachgoers; lots of parking (but probably not at peak times). Much of the vegetation had unfortunately been killed by the recent hard freeze, and patience will be required to see if it comes back. A walkway leads to the beach from the parking lot, and a wooden structure at the end overlooks the beach. A great beach for area visitors.

Another fabulous beach along the space coast. This park has roughly 20 free parking spots. It has…read morea station to wash off your body/sandy feet after a wonderful day at the beach. We found a spot with no issues and plenty of space on the beach. These beaches are never crowded! Love love love! Waves, finding fun shells and fun are all you need here.

In March of 2024 Brevard County Commissioners renamed Coconut Point Park Val M. Steele Park in…read morerecognition of his lifelong dedication to public service and community improvement. Steele served a total of four years as Melbourne Beach Council Member, town commissioner, and later as the mayor of Melbourne Beach. Some if his accomplishments included moving the main county courthouse to Viera, the building of the Spessard Holland Golf Course, and the creation of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. He volunteered on the St. Johns Water Management District Board during which he was instrumental in protecting and restoring hundreds of thousands of acres of marshland. He contributed to the economic growth of Brevard as a director of the Bank of Brevard, Atlantic Bank, American Bank of the South, American Mortgage Corporation and Holmes Regional Hospital. Steele passed away on October 12, 2020, at the age of 79. Val M. Steele Park is a 36.9 acre beach park located within the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge complex. I love that the parking is free. It is a popular spot for surfing, beachcombing, and fishing. Park amenities include a picnic shelter, restrooms, and outside showers. One of the two dune crossovers is wheelchair accessible. If you are looing for a beach day, it doesn't get much better than this. This beach park is also a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail. The primary habitats here are beach dune and coastal strand. Shorebirds on the beach include Black-bellied Plovers, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Red Knots, Northern Gannets, Bonaparte's Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls in fall and winter. From late summer through winter look for Magnificent Frigatebirds, and Parasitic and Pomarine Jaegers. In the surf are Common Loons and Lesser Scaup. In addition to the birds this beach area is also an important sea turtle nesting site preserve from spring to fall.

Great covered bbq area with tables. Little beach area so bring a chair and relax for a while too.read more

This place is great for everyone. Great place to fish,swim,play in the sand, catch crabs and bait…read morefish. There is a beach side and another side that has less waves for the smaller kids likings but super fun for everyone. Also a long pier for fishing. They have a bait shop and bathrooms and showers on the board walk to the beach. Nice clear water and lots of fun. I really enjoy coming here on the weekends for fun in the sun.

Sebastian inlet has an awesome tidal pool that is clear water and only goes up to about chest deep…read moreon me (6'4"). Great place to cool off in the ocean waters and be semi-safe from any predators as the tidal pool is only open about 50' at the end and you can anything that comes in. Almost every time we are here manatees come in to play. There's also a fishing pier off the jetty and front side beach access to the actual ocean beach as well. $8 to get in per car, we'll worth it. Always a great time here. PS if going to enjoy the tidal pool...don't go during low tide...no water