If you’re looking for a colorful seaside vacation with plenty of things to do for visitors of all ages, Florida’s Cocoa Beach fits the bill. Designate your Cocoa Beach vacation rental as a convenient home base to easily access 6 miles of sandy beach, a beautiful riverside golf course, and casual coastal nightlife. If you have kids, they will love the abundant playgrounds and nearby family-friendly attractions, including museums and amusement parks. After you’ve taken the time to savor the beach and enjoy fresh seafood, check out this list for even more things to do in Cocoa Beach.

1. Take an Eco-Nature Tour

With the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Banana River on the other, Cocoa Beach offers plenty of water for you to explore. Wildside Tours has two-hour eco-nature boat tours through the Banana River Lagoon that get you up close to the native marine life, including the gentle manatee, during certain times of the year. A master naturalist is on board to answer your questions, and a shady area and restrooms help keep you comfortable during your voyage.

2. Walk the Cocoa Beach Pier

This colorful pier is a piece of Cocoa Beach history. Housing restaurants, gift shops, and bars, it is a great place to spend a day or watch the day slip into night. Take advantage of the on-site fishing equipment rentals, and try to get that big catch. Then, stop by Keith’s Oyster Bar, and enjoy a lunch of fresh seafood or Keith’s iconic chicken wings outside in the open air. With five different gift shops, there’s sure to be something to catch your fancy. Check out the unique nautical souvenirs at The Pier Shop and the framed seascapes at Island Art Gallery.

3. Head to Cocoa Beach Skate Park

Be sure to pack your skateboard. The Cocoa Beach Skate Park offers a bowl, a halfpipe, stairs, and tons of cool inclines for you to enjoy. The park occasionally hosts tournaments and has professional skaters visit to encourage the youth, so consider calling ahead to find out the park’s activity schedule.

4. Play a Round of Golf at Cocoa Beach Country Club

This public club is located on a peninsula extending into the Banana River Lagoon, offering gorgeous water views in every direction. The club’s three nine-hole courses give you some variety, and the club also has tennis courts and a public swimming pool for cooling off when you are done playing. Check out the 19th Hole Clubhouse for food and beverages.

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5. Sample the Beachside Eateries

From pineapple and bacon hot dogs and gourmet sandwiches to Hawaiian specialties, Cocoa Beach offers eating options for every taste. Stop at Beach Dogs for a bacon, jalapeno, and cheddar dog accompanied by your favorite ice-cold brew, or head to the Beachside Grill and Deli for gourmet sandwiches. Fat Kahuna’s Beach Side Grille serves up a variety of authentic Hawaiian fare, including delicious seafood specialties such as black sesame seared ahi tuna.

6. Explore by Kayak

Kayaks are a great way to explore the Banana River Lagoon, and a vacation rental with a garage provides plenty of space to store your kayak when it’s not in use. If you would rather rent, local outfitters, including Wildlife Watersports and Sobe Surf, offer daily rentals, allowing you to explore on your own. For a more comprehensive experience, opt for a kayaking tour. Fin Expeditions offers guided tours, and you might get a glimpse dolphins, stingrays, and the magnificent bioluminescence while you’re on the water.

7. Go On a Fossil Hunt

The Dinosaur Adventure Zone offers your whole family an opportunity to enjoy hands-on activities while learning about creatures from the past. Pan for authentic fossils, experience the Wild-Nile raft ride, and view live alligators, one of the dinosaur’s closest living relatives.

8. Learn to Catch a Wave at the Ron Jon Surf School

Let Ron Jon help you make your surfer dreams a reality. Sign up for a private or semi-private lesson, and learn proper techniques and important safety information before getting out onto the water. Your lesson includes equipment rental if you need it.

9. Learn Florida’s Surfing History at the Florida Surf Museum

With great exhibits, multimedia presentations, and inside information about the best surfing spots, the Florida Surf Museum is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in the sport. Be sure to take a look at the wide array of surfboard art and the timeline of the development of modern surfing.

10. Charter a Fishing Boat

If fishing tops your list of things to do on your vacation, charter a fishing boat for some offshore excitement. Cocoa Beach Sportfishing Charters offers offshore fishing excursions for king fish, sailfish, sharks, and more. Most charters include all the necessary gear you’ll need, and knowledgeable fishing guides to help you land your dream catch.

11. Watch History Come Alive at the Brevard Museum of History and Natural Sciences

If you want to know more about the natural history of the Florida landscape, the Brevard Museum is the place to go. Take a look at the huge shell collection, study historic artifacts, and gaze at a variety of educational dioramas. From mammoth bones to the imagination station for its youngest guests, this museum offers plenty for your family to see and do on a rainy afternoon.

12. Play Mini Golf at Lighthouse Cove

This oversized mini-golf course includes several waterfalls, a cave, and a large rock structure to challenge your putting skills while also fueling your imagination. After you play through the 18-hole course, let your kids sample the ice cream menu while you order an ice-cold beer or glass of wine.

13. Gaze at the Night Sky Inside a Planetarium

The planetarium and observatory at the Cocoa Campus of Eastern Florida State College is regularly open to the public, offering shows and tours to teach you more about space. Check out their schedule to find topics of interest to you or your family. The site also has an IMAX theater that regularly offers nature documentaries and science films.

14. Challenge Yourself on a Ropes Course

Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures has an aerial course with 50 different challenges to move you through the canopy. Three different levels of difficulty let each member of your party participate at their own ability level. While you’re in the air, you get some spectacular views and practice problem-solving skills as the challenges increase in difficulty.

15. Learn About Rocket Launches at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Just a short drive north of Cocoa Beach, the Kennedy Space Center houses a variety of exhibits about journeying into space. Hands-on activities and multimedia presentations help you better understand the history of space travel. Take the bus tour for access to historic launch sites and working facilities. Check out their schedule of rocket launches. If you are lucky, you might be able to view one from your Cocoa Beach vacation home.


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