Cocoa Beach stands on a barrier island on the east coast of Florida, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Banana River Lagoon. Cocoa beach is just 6 miles long and 1 mile wide, however the number of activities you can do there are endless. The beach and the pier are one of the biggest attractions, tons of unique shops and restaurants line the pier, along with a couple of fun beach rentals. Cocoa has been a very popular surfing destination for both residents and tourists. So those of you traveling from the north who are looking for a chance to hit the waves, should definitely ride the waves at cocoa. Just make sure to check the weather beforehand. You can rent surfboards, boogie boards as well as plenty of other things to enjoy the water. I’ve seen dolphins playing up and down along the coastline; however, seeing dolphins at play is no rare occurrence at Cocoa beach, and those who are lucky enough may even see migrating whales. You are almost guaranteed to encounter some dolphins when you take your kayak rentals through the vast wildlife the area has to offer.

Kayaking is a very popular activity here

Another plus is its close location to the Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island. Some friends and I have witnessed the space shuttles launching into space from the beach, and even from our hotel rooms at times. Merritt Island is also a 140,000 acre wildlife preserve surrounding the Kennedy Space Center. Home to over 1,500 different kinds of plant and animal life, it is clear why so many stop there on their way to Cocoa or on their way back. These two hotspots, being only 5 to 10 minutes away, supply a great mixture of experiences that make Cocoa beach stand out from all other beaches in the country.

Only at cocoa beach

The Shuttle Launch Experience before getting on the ride

In the Shuttle Launch Experience for instance, guests are treated to a launch simulation facility. Here they experience the sights, sounds and sensations of real Space Shuttle launch. There is also a ‘Rocket Garden’ where Rockets from earlier missions dating back to the 1960’s are displayed. Some of these things towered just over 10 stories and each one displays a short description of when and how they were used.

The Rocket Garden at dawn

Also at hand is a very entertaining IMAX film titled “Mad Mission to Mars 2025”. Here a 5 story screen and stunning special effects take you on a journey featuring dramatic space shots captured by astronauts during actual missions. There are also tours that start operating at 10 a.m, these are very insightful and take you places that are closed to the public and can only be seen with a purchased entry (the tours are part of your day’s ticket). Your exploration of NASA’s launch headquarters traverses an amazing area that includes towering launch pads, huge rockets, history-making technology, and vast stretches of our Florida wildlife preserve. The NASA Up-Close and Cape Canaveral: Then & Now tours are guided by space program experts and take you deeper into the operations of Kennedy Space Center.

Perhaps the highlight for most people is the A/B camera stop, where you get to the closest possible Space Shuttle Launch Pad (where people go to see actual space launches). Here you get to take pictures of the famous Pad, and if you’re lucky to go at the right time of the year, there will be Shuttle already getting prepped there for an upcoming launch.  These are just some of the rides to be found at the Visitor Complex. There are also exhibitions and various other attractions that suit all ages and interest (there’s a ‘playdome’ for the younger kids that looks like a much bigger and fancier McDonalds playground) but rest assured this is an all day event that will keep you entertained and amused.

The Space Center Visitor complex is open year round, except on December 25^th and on certain launch days.  So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets HERE along with a hotel package.

Operating hours are from 9 a.m to 5:30 p.m
Tours begin at 10 a.m and depart continuously every 15 minutes, with the last one departing at 2:15 p.m (Each tour runs approximately 2 hours)