Cocoa Beach

Came after our Segway tour! Eric our tour guide told us to park behind Ron Jon’s surf shop because parking is free! He didn’t lie! We stopped at 7 eleven grabbed some snacks and drinks and walked across to the beach. It was nice out. We rented a lil beach cabana for $ 15 for 3hours. It was worth it. This beach is small, but chill. It was wasn’t too crowded and we had a relaxing time there!

OK, can I just say how much I love this little, old school beach town? Cocoa Beach is laid back, you’ll not find any trendy bars or restaurants here, just lots of tourists and surfers dressed casually, here to enjoy the beach and the several unique mom and pop-​style restaurants, bars and hotels that this town offers.
If you’d ever been to, say, Daytona Beach in the mid to late 1980s, that gives you a general idea of the scene you’ll find in Cocoa Beach: Decent beaches, a pier, good surfing, maybe a dozen low rise chain hotels, and lots of one off hotels, motor inns, large tacky looking surf shops and souvenir shops (the ones that are a few storeys high with full height glass windows, and signs that are painted in bright neon colors with bubble letters, advertising huge discounts and proclaiming that everything in the store is on sale!). You’ll also find a few «gentlemen’s clubs» here and there as well — all of them a bit seedy and tacky looking and prominently advertising free admission to military personnel. As far as I can tell, the biggest claim to fame here is the Ron Jon Surf Shop that you’ll see advertised on creative billboard signage along the I-​95 and Florida Turnpike for miles around.
One thing that can’t be overstated is the friendliness of nearly everyone in this little beach town. Seriously — the service staff, hotel staff, bartenders and even patrons. All friendly, outgoing and accommodating.
If you’re staying in this area and are looking for larger chain restaurants or malls, you’ll find those a short drive away in nearby Merritt Island. Personally, I’d stick with the more creative and unique offerings in Cocoa Beach itself.

What a dump! Ever wonder what happened to your high school classmate that would go smoke behind the cafeteria dumpster between classes? Well go to Cocoa Beach and you can stop wondering. They are all living in Cocoa Beach. If you’re staying in Orlando and want to take a break from the parks with a one day trip to the beach go west to Clearwater beach!

Ew. This place may have been the bomb diggity in the 1960s during the heat of the space race, but I don’t think they’ve done a damn thing to this town since then. Several old and grumpy leaders and residents wouldn’t allow any change or growth in this area because they didn’t want the additional traffic. Their selfish attitudes have led to its demise and I predict the entire area will be a ghost town within five years. The beach is big and there’s ocean here, but don’t think you’re going to get crystal clear blue Caribbean water. Its the same green muck you’ll get in New Jersey. The pretty teal water starts a hundred or so miles further south near Fort Lauderdale. It’s a shame too because the weather is beautiful all year long here, so if you’re here and you’re an outside person, you probably won’t spend much time in Cocoa Beach. There are a lot more quiet abd pretty beaches along the Atlantic all the way down to Melbourne Beach in Brevard County which are much nicer and cleaner, and don’t have the scary and lost generation of tattoo freaks, drunks, and potheads you’ll find further north. If you’re into surfing time, you’ll find some of the biggest surf shops on East Coast here in Cocoa Beach. Luckily, they’re right next to each other. Otherwise, most of the hotels and restaurants are old and run down, and surfers tell me the surfing isn’t super here either. I have offered on several occasions to consult for free but I have been ignored. With extensive experience in marketing, hospitality, and the entertainment industries, I know exactly what it would take to put Cocoa Beach on the map again, but sadly time and my offer have expired. Plan about an hour to run thru and see it for yourself, but only if you’re heading to Kennedy Space Center or the cruise docks as your destination.

Police everywhere. Complete quota BS because I seen them stopping everyone and even using flashlights outside random restaurants searching parked cars and motorcycles. PLEEZE! Stop, just stop!
I checked their traffic fines. OMG. Speeding of 6 mph is $ 134. Seat-​belt $ 119. Fail to Stop at traffic signal $ 267. Etc. So they are out in forces making as much money as they can. That, in itself, is a turn off for what could be a fun little town. I didn’t get a ticket, but I had a friend who did. Excessive amount of cops everywhere. Stay away on this fact alone.

This beach is what happens when a trailer park and the ocean don’t use protection. Avoid at all costs.

How lucky.
Arriving on an early Friday afternoon, we were surprised to find that this beach was not the least bit overwhelming.
We found free parking across the street from the parking lot and the metered parking littered everywhere here, and walked a short distance across the tiny boardwalk to find a fella renting beach umbrellas and chairs.
Score!
He also had boards for rent.
And another bonus: Because it was so windy that day (like, 10 mph winds), he set up everything for us. How sweet is that?!
I found that folks were pretty mellow at this beach. No loud talking. No pounding bass coming from speakers. No unruly, testosterone and estrogen-​driven individuals racing around, kicking up sand. No crying babies.
What a treat.
And there were people in the water! Frolicking and playing in the water. Yes, shark attacks are a real threat here, but nothing so serious that you should avoid dipping into the water. At least that’s what we were told.
Sure, there is plenty to eat and drink nearby, but just be sure to pack a lunch for cost savings.
And not too bad a drive from Orlando. But, goodness, lots and lots of toll booths on the way!!! So prepare your wallet to spent $ 1 and $ 1.25 often.

This may not be the Caribbean but Cocoa Beach is really nice beach.
The beach is so long and great to just walk around the shorelines and just enjoying the ocean view. The sand is soft and grainy. Kids can really have fun making sand castles and other creations.
Since the beach is free with no private area, everyone can really enjoy the beach. There is no one trying to sell you anything or harass you.
Close to civilization as there are numerous restaurants and business in the area.
Loungers and Umbrellas are available for rent in case you want to stay here for a long afternoon.

I have been to Cocoa Beach several times to know that due to high levels of tourist visits and business expansions all over this location, that it has become less clean and desirable. I have stop coming to Cocoa Beach for that reason. There is many other beautiful Florida beaches waiting to be discovered, just do better research and planning.

Beautiful and not too crowded there is alot to love about Cocoa beach. We spent most of the relaxing on the beach and listening to the waves. I was really happy that the beach was trash free and everyone was repecting other people’s space. I would recommend this beach to everyone.

On the news there was a video of shark attacks at cocoa Beach don’t go there it is dangerous!

You can’t go wrong with Cocoa Beach– they have free entry, shops and food close by, and you will get a killer tan.
Only wish is that the sand was a little nicer, I kept stepping on shells and there was more seaweed hanging around than I would have liked.
I love the beach no matter what, so would recommend.

I was visiting Florida for a week. My friends and I decided to go to a different beach every day, and the only one we regret going to was Cocoa Beach (We also went to New Smyrna, Daytona, Siesta, and Clearwater). The beach was horrible, and there was way too much seaweed. If it wasn’t for Ron Jon, the trip there would’ve been a complete waste of time. If you are looking for a nice beach, DO NOT GO TO COCOA BEACH.

If you live in Orlando this is probably the closest beach to you. There are different parts of the area from touristy hot spots near Ron John’s or Coconuts on the beach, but also more local spots further down the road.
If you have children, look for a spot with a lifeguard. They are here and there. Public bathrooms can also be spotty so keep an eye out when looking for a parking spot.
Bring snacks, sunscreen, etc and the beach will be there.

I live my life one beach at a time. I’m lucky that I’ve seen countless sunsets, sunrises, warm rains, full moons and hot days on black, green, red, and white, perfect sandy beaches. Life is good when all you have is the sky, the ocean and a warm breeze.
And Cocoa Beach is no different. Yes, one can argue for one of the many hot, party and more popular beaches in FL but I suppose that’s why I like it. It’s uncrowded, clean, has easy waves and there aren’t supermodels at every turn you have to compete with.
It’s nice that you can park less than a five minute walk from the sand and there are no street meters, endless driving for a good parking spot, or expensive parking lots to deal with. However, I cannot stress my hate for tolls. Ugh. From Orlando alone, it felt like a dozen tolls. But I won’t take out my anger for endless tolls on the beach; it’s not their fault Florida hates everybody. But I digress.
Cocoa, don’t you change. You really are perfect just the way you are.

Nice beach. However public bathrooms are sparse. Local shop owner let me change clothes… I’d come back; but I’d already have my suit on. Very enjoyable day.

AS A CANADIAN VISITING IN WINTER:
the water on our shores is never this warm so you bet we went for a dip. the waves are perfect for running into. tonnes of surfers around (wearing what looked like 3−5mm wetsuits). beach wasn’t too busy as i believe 75 °F is too cold for floridians. sand is really nice and grainy — perfect for sandcastles and tic-​tac-​toe. some seaweed but not too bad. convenient parking right next to the beach (bring change for meters).
only detractor: there are houses right on the beach. really takes away from the natural beauty of the ocean. but this is a capitalist country, after all.

I don’t know what I expected when I hit Cocoa Beach, but it was like I had stepped back in time, but not in a completely good way. It had the small beach town feel I was looking for, but it was surprisingly more built up (felt like a little Daytona) than we expected it to be.
When you’re away from the hub-​bub at the 520 interchange, it does take on that small beach town feel which was kind of nice. And further inland definitely gave you more of the local vibe. I will admit, I was a little surprised when I found they had a Macy’s; Jacksonville can’t even get a Macy’s.
It’s rare I have a reason to find myself in Cocoa & I don’t know if/​when I will again, but at least I know what I’m getting into next time.

Great little community beach with a good bit of public parking for only $ 5. Lots of restaurant options nearby and chair/​umbrella rentals right on the sand. It was full of families on the September afternoon that we visited. Great little spot.

Beach is clean and safe for the whole family. I choose to say close to the pier because there are life guards present and that makes me feel safer.
I loved florida so much that in one year im moving there and close to COCOA BEACH.
Parking is free in places around the area. Make sure to google the cooca beach and find out where. Also, they have showers for you in differnt spots along cocoa beach.
I prefer to park close to one of these areas because sand is messy.
Cant wait to come back!!!

Une très belle plage, d’une longueur et d’une calme, beaucoup de vent.