History

Cocoa Beach is a small city in Brevard County, Florida blessed with pristine beaches and lush ecosystem.

Cocoa Beach’s first real settlement was founded by a family of freed slaves after the Civil War. In 1888, the entire area was bought by a group of men from Cocoa, but remained undeveloped until Gus Edwards, Cocoa’s city attorney bought the whole area. Edwards committed all his efforts and began to develop the entire community.

On June 5, 1925, the City of Cocoa Beach was founded and incorporated as a city on June 29, 1957. After the city’s incorporation, main streets were improved and more roads were constructed. The newly incorporated city enjoyed major growth when NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space center opened, 15 miles north. From 1950 to 1960, the city’s population increased to 1000% due to the space program’s job opportunity.

Today, the small community of Cocoa Beach offers wide variety of attractions and recreational activities ideal for family vacation or weekend getaway.

Getting There

By Air

Getting to Cocoa Beach is via Melbourne International Airport or Orlando International Airport. These airstrips cater local and international flights from major airlines, providing visitors more flight options.

By Car

Via I-95.

• Take I-95 south to SR 528
• SR 528 East to Cape Canaveral/Cocoa Beach
• Once you cross the Intracoastal waterways, head south of SR 528 to A1A.
• Follow A1A southwards to reach Cocoa Beach

Weather

The City of Cocoa Beach enjoys a subtropical climate– warm, humid summer and dry temperate winter.

Summer temperature tends to be very hot and humid especially during the month of July. During summer, rainfall and thunderstorms are expected, but short in duration. September is the wettest month of the year with 7.20 inches of rainfall on average.

During winter, locals in Cocoa Beach still enjoy a comfortable daytime temperature and occasional chilly nights. January is the coolest month of the year with average lows around 50s°F.

What to Wear

What to wear when in Cocoa Beach vary depending on the places you visit and your activities while on vacation.

For swimming, sun bathing and other beach activities:

• swim wear
• tank top
• sarong
• flip flops
• shorts
• t-shirt
• hat
• sunglasses
• suncreen

Dining in fancy restaurants and bars:

• sundress
• sandals
• long pants
• collared shirt

For other outdoor activities:

• comfortable shoes
• shorts
• t-shirt
• hat
• sunglasses
• sunscreen

Fishing

Fishing in Cocoa Beach’s coastal waters is every angler’s dream. Cocoa Beach prides itself for having the best saltwater and freshwater fishing spots in the East Coast Florida where prized fish species abound.

Fishing areas in Cocoa Beach including mangrove lined shorelines, canals, boat docks, grass flats are protected making it ideal breeding grounds for dozens of fish species. Anglers who want to try inshore and offshore fishing in Cocoa Beach can catch these fish species:

• Amberjack
• Barracuda
• Blue Marlin
• Bluefish
• Crevalle Jack
• Flounder
• Grouper
• King Mackerel
• Pompano
• Red Snapper
• Redfish
• Sailfish
• Sea Bass
• Sheepshead
• Snook
• Spanish Mackerel
• Speckled Trout
• Spotted Seatrout
• Tarpon
• Wahoo
• White Marlin
• Yellowfin Tuna

Cocoa Beach Fishing Types:

• Flats fishing
• Inshore fishing
• Bottom Fishing
• Light tackle fishing
• Fly fishing
• Wade fishing
• Surf fishing
• Pier fishing
• Sight fishing

Local Fishing Piers:

• Lee Wenner Park
• Cocoa Beach Pier
• Veterans Memorial Fishing Pier

BEST MONTHS TO FISH

January – Trout, Jacks, Ladyfish & Redfish

February – Trout, Jacks, Ladyfish & Redfish

March – Jacks, Ladyfish, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Tarpon, Snook & Largemouth Bass

April – Jacks, Ladyfish, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Tarpon, Snook & Largemouth Bass

May – Tarpon, Snook, Sharks, Jacks

June – Tarpon, Snook, Sharks, Jacks

July – Trout, Redfish, Jacks, Tarpon, Sharks, Kingfish

August – Trout, Redfish, Jacks, Tarpon, Sharks, Kingfish

September – Ladyfish, Jacks, Trout, Largemouth bass, Tarpon, Redfish

October – Ladyfish, Jacks, Trout, Largemouth bass, Tarpon, Redfish

November – Spanish mackerel, Pompano, Ladyfish, Trout, Snook, Bluefish, Redfish, Jacks

December – Spanish mackerel, Pompano, Ladyfish, Trout, Snook, Bluefish, Redfish, Jacks

WHAT TO BRING AND WEAR WHEN FISHING

• Appropriate clothing
• Extra clothes
• Boat shoes
• Hat
• Polarized sunglasses
• Suncreen
• Food & snacks
• Beverages
• Camera
• Motion sickness medicine

Attractions and Activities

Cocoa Beach has so much to offer for every visitor’s distinct taste and interest with an array of area attractions providing spectacular views and numerous outdoor activities. Whether you fancy partying, enjoy water sports or simply want to explore the area’s unspoiled wilderness, you will surely find it in Cocoa Beach.

On a lazy day, visit the city’s beautiful beaches for strolling and people watching. Take advantage of the sunny and warm weather and work on your tan, play beach volleyball, swim or ride a bicycle. Take on airboat rides or cruises – uncover the beauty of this tropical paradise; experience up close encounters with manatees and birds. Enjoy the water under the sun by kayaking, paddling or wave skiing. Show off your surfing skills in one of the best surfing spots in East coast.

Even if you are away from the beach, you will never run out of fun things to do and see! A trip to Cocoa Beach’s parks, wildlife refuge, zoos and botanical garden allow visitors to appreciate nature. Not only that, Eco-tourism sites provide interactive activities helping people develop deeper care and love for nature.

Cocoa Beach area is dotted with museums, galleries, theaters and historical spots for educational and interactive fun. Take a glimpse of the area’s vibrant past through cultural performances, museums and preserved architectural sites.

Area Attractions:

• Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum
• Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse
• Henegar Center for the Arts
• Air Force Space and Missile Museum
• East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Museum
• Cocoa Beach Pier
• Grant Historical House
• Brevard Zoo
• Space Coast
• Ron Jon Surf Shop
• Cocoa Beach Skate Park

Where to Stay

Beach Place Guesthouses
Address: 1445 South Atlantic Avenue Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://www.beachplaceguesthouses.com/

Cocoa Beach Club
Address: 5200 Ocean Beach Blvd., Apt. 214 Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://www.cocoabeachclub.com/

Comfort Inn & Suites Resort
Address: 3901 N Atlantic Avenue Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://www.cocoabeachportcanaveralhotel.com/

Fawlty Towers Motel
Address: 100 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://www.fawltytowersresort.com/

Marlin Vacation Condominiums
Address: 22 Tulip Ave., Apt. 311 Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:

Home

The Resort on Cocoa Beach
Address: 1600 N. Atlantic Avenue Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://www.theresortoncocoabeach.com/

Luna Sea Motel
Address: 3185 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://www.lunaseacocoabeach.com/

The Inn at Cocoa Beach
Address: 4300 Ocean Beach Blvd., Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://www.theinnatcocoabeach.com/Default2.html

Surf Studio Beach Resort
Address: 1801 S. Atlantic Avenue Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://www.surf-studio.com/

Wakulla Suites
Address: 3550 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://wakullasuites.com/

Where to Eat

Coconuts on the Beach
Address: 2 Minutemen Cswy, Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://coconutsonthebeach.com/

Lobster Shanty
Address: 2200 South Orlando Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://www.cocoabeachlobstershanty.com/

The Fat Snook
Address: 2464 South Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://thefatsnook.com/

Roberto’s Little Havana
Address: 26 N Orlando Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://www.robertoslittlehavana.com/

Gregory’s Steak & Seafood Grille
Address: 900 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:

Home

The Heidelberg Restaurant
Address: 7 N Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://www.heidisjazzclub.com/

Green Room Cafe
Address: 222 First St. North, Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://greenroomcafecocoabeach.com/

Denny’s Restaurant
Address: 1245 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://www.dennys.com/

Slow & Low BBQ
Address: 306 N. Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://slowandlowbarbeque.com/

Beef O’Brady
Address: 5675 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL
For more information, visit their website:
http://www.beefobradys.com/default.aspx