We all have different takes on how to best spend a summer vacation. Others might see it as a time to relax far away from the stress of everyday life; while others may see it as a time to go on an adventure. For however you would want to spend your summer vacation, Cocoa Beach is definitely your best bet.
This beautiful city is located right smack in the middle of the world-renowned Florida Space Coast where the sun, sand, sea, and space meet. On its western border lies the Banana River, a 31-mile lagoon that features the most amazing views—from salt marshes and tidal flats to swamps and small islands. It’s where you can get up close and personal to the local marine wildlife like manatees, dolphins, and all sorts of fish in their natural habitat. It’s also where a huge array of migratory birds can be seen that a birding enthusiast would surely love.
The city’s eastern border, on the other hand, features miles and miles of white-sand beaches that face the great Atlantic. This is where one can enjoy the sun, sand, and sea in so many different ways—from just lazing under the sun while enjoying the picturesque view of the ocean to having a thrilling time riding the waves.
Now, if you’re looking for an out-of-this-world experience, a trip to the Kennedy Space Center is the best way to go. This is where you and your family can get a hands-on feel on what it’s really like to be part of NASA’s space exploration programs. And, no, a “trip to space” doesn’t require a space shuttle nor years of training in a zero-gravity environment as this complex is just a few minutes' drive north of the city.
Because the city of Cocoa Beach is practically surrounded by some of the most bountiful waters on the planet, it’s not surprising it’s also a dream destination for anglers. Banana River, for instance, is a body of water that’s known to carry a wide variety of gamefish, including favorite sportfishing targets such as tarpon, snook, crevalle jack, black drum, redfish, speckled trout, and ladyfish. One can either join a fishing party where you can enjoy fishing along the tidal flats, salt marshes, and swamps with other tourists, or, if you’re up for it, get really close to Mother Nature while casting your line aboard a kayak.
For serious fishing enthusiasts who are looking for some real challenge, we highly recommend a fishing charter that can take you deep sea fishing. Huge fish species such as blue and white marlin, blackfin tuna, sailfish, mahi-mahi, mako, and bull sharks are some of the favorite quarries in these waters so make sure that you’re properly equipped to handle these tough fighters. If you don’t have your heavy gear with you, you don’t have to worry as local fishing charters usually offer rentals of all the appropriate fishing gears you would need to catch these real sea monsters.
If, however, you would rather stay on land and just fish inshore or nearshore, there are fishing piers along the eastern coast of the city. Although these piers are usually where you would first-time anglers try their hand on fishing, you can still find some challenges here as hard quarries such as jack crevalle, pompano, snook, redfish, tarpon, wahoo, and even some species of sharks can be caught here.
If you’re planning a fishing trip in Cocoa Beach, you can do so any time you want as most of the fish we’ve mentioned here are available throughout the year. It’s also pretty much warm and sunny here all year long or Florida wouldn’t be called the Sunshine State. You will need, however, to check the weather bulletin first before your planned Cocoa Beach fishing trip as thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tropical cyclones can occur any time of the year
Cocoa Beach is surrounded by some of the most bountiful bodies of water in the world—from the Banana River to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. This is why the city often welcomes anglers from all over the globe every year. And how can you experience the best fishing in Cocoa Beach, through a fishing charter, of course!
How else can you truly experience the beautiful white sand beaches of Cocoa Beach, right? And because the beach stretches for miles along the Atlantic side of the city, finding the perfect spot to fully appreciate the sun and the sand wouldn’t be a problem!
Aside from being an angler’s paradise, Cocoa Beach is also a haven for surfers. In fact, it boasts the world’s largest surf shop, the Ron Jon Surf Shop, which offers sales and rentals for all your surfing needs. Aside from conventional surfing, you can also try kitesurfing—an equally exhilarating way to ride those waves!