Cocoa Beach
Student groups plotting a most excellent South Coast sun-and-sand getaway will find Cocoa Beach the perfect spot to spend a fun-filled day-or while away a fabulous week! Where else can you witness a space launch from the beach or watch rare animal species in their natural habitat, splash in a warm, tropical ocean, hop in a kayak and explore islands just offshore, enjoy a 27-hole golf course, surf cast from the shore for a fresh fish dinner, or just dig your piggies into the soft, hot sand while playful dolphins frolic in the local waters and migrating whales pass by on their epic journey?
Celebrated as the surfing capital of the East Coast and the primary tourist destination on Florida’s renowned Space Coast, Cocoa Beach’s base population hovers at around 12,631, though the number swells as high as 30,000 during the peak tourist season when local hotels, motels, timeshares, and rentals are filled with eager vacationers; an additional 2.4 million day visitors make the trek annually to soak up the Florida sun- along with a healthy dose of super-cool Space Coast culture! This historic, 15-square- mile Brevard County city also hosts an active retiree population, many of whom devoted their careers to our nation's fine space program; the casual beach lifestyle is relished by visitors and residents of all ages! Perfect weather and scores of area attractions like the Astronaut Hall of Fame, Andretti Thrill Park, iconic Ron Jon’s Surf Shop flagship store, scenic Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Cocoa Beach Surf Museum, Kennedy Space Center’s Visitor Complex, and Jungle Adventures-coined the largest gator farm in America- continue to draw visitors from all walks to this beloved South Coast destination.
Treat yourselves to a decadent spa day or work on those “Cocoa” brown Florida tans in this idyllic and eternally popular “I Dream of Jeannie” paradise; wet and wild watersports like flyboarding, parasailing, kiteboarding, and surfing promise to keep adventurous types moving til the tropic sun goes down!