Centre of Florida’s ‘Space Coast’ around Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach has become one of the Sunshine State’s prime resorts, boasting the top attraction of the Kennedy Space Center and close proximity to Orlando’s major theme park attractions 46 miles (74km) away. Sited on a six-mile (10km) long barrier island, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Banana River Lagoon, Cocoa Beach offers the chance to watch a space launch from the beach or ride the waves on which several surfing champions have cut their teeth. The town has a large permanent population made up largely of retirees, but this more than doubles during peak season when the local hotels, motels, timeshares and condominium rentals are filled with holidaymakers and sightseers.
The quintessential beach town, CocoaBeach has an oceanfront running the entire length of its city limits, fronted by numerous dining spots, shops and cafes. There is also an historic pier, stretching 840ft (256m) into the ocean, lined with restaurants, boutiques and souvenir shops and providing for good fishing. A few minutes away is man-made Port Canaveral, port of call for numerous cruise liners, where there are also operators offering day sails, casino cruises and deep-sea fishing charters. CocoaBeach is connected to Port Canaveral and various stops in-between by the Beach Trolley service.
