Cocoa Beach, FL is the beach where the surfing legend Kelly Slater grew up. Slater is widely regarded as the greatest professional surfer of all time and has won 11 world surfing championships. He’s the man here at Cocoa Beach Florida, and it’s obvious when you enter the downtown area and are greeted with a statue of him in a very cool pose on a surfboard. Something I think is worth mentioning, is that the front of the surfboard is actually pointing to the right.

Welcome to Downtown Cocoa Beach Florida – surfing legend Kelly Slater

At my feet there was a memorial that wrote:
“MIA POW MAY WE NEVER FORGET THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM”.

Where is Cocoa Beach, FL?

Cocoa Beach, Florida is located almost exactly half way down the east coast of Florida. It can be found just below Cape Canaveral, which is where they launch the rockets and have also launched the space shuttle from. Cocoa Beach is also in close viewing distances from a launch if you are here during that time. You should be able to hear the boom sound and see the rockets right on the beach. Cocoa Beach is also a 1 hour drive from Orlando, FL. Here are directions from Orlando International Airport to the Sea Aire Motel in Cocoa Beach.

The Sea Aire Motel in Cocoa Beach Florida

The Sea Aire Motel has a 9.7 rating for being located just 800 feet from the center of Cocoa Beach on Booking.com. Check Rates & Availability! The Sea Aire Motel has been here since 1950. The famous Mercury 7 Astronauts (the first 7 test pilots to become the first Astronauts in the USA) once stayed in this motel. Even Kelly Slater stayed at the Sea Aire Motel in Cocoa Beach in the late 90’s. During my stay, I noticed that the motel staff were all very friendly, it had a peaceful laid back atmosphere, beautiful soft green grass, plenty of places to sit and relax outside, barbeque’s available, and it’s right on the beach. I’ll be adding directions from here to all of the different locations below in case you decide to stay here to make things easier for you.

The Sea Aire Motel. Check Rates & Availability!

Sea Aire Motel Front – Cocoa Beach Florida

Sea Aire Motel barbecue facilities, shaded benches, swing, and tables.

Sea Turtles on Cocoa Beach, Florida

Do not disturb the sea turtle nests on Cocoa Beach.

According to CocoaBeach.com, the coast of Brevard County is the largest nesting area in the world for loggerhead and green sea turtles. If you are visiting Cocoa Beach, I would strongly recommend doing a little research on the sea turtles on Cocoa Beach or ask the hotel staff if there is anything you need to know about before entering the beach. They say not to use flashlights on the beach at night, turn off all outside house lights after 9PM, and inside lights are ok on, but only if you close your blinds. I’m guessing what happens is the sea turtles come on shore to lay eggs, then turn back around and leave because they are bothered by the lights. If you have additional information feel free to leave a comment below. Also, I learned that they are more likely to lay eggs at night time and during high tide.

Sea turtle tracks on Cocoa Beach Florida in early morning

You can see the tracks in the sand happened during a different time when the water level was higher.

Sea turtle tracks on Cocoa Beach Florida

Taking an early morning walk on Cocoa Beach, Florida

Cocoa Beach, FL

A great blue heron was on vacation at the beach.

Brown Rock Dove

Dunes and Sea Oats on Cocoa Beach, FL

Sea Shells on Cocoa Beach, FL

If you are wanting to look for sea shells, there may be better or worse times of the day or year. I’m not sure, if you know, leave a comment.

Shells on Cocoa Beach, FL

If you look at the sand up close near the water, it looks like millions of crushed shells. So finely crushed, that it is soft and smooth for the most part. It has a different look to it than other beaches here in Florida, like how Clearwater Beach has white sugar sand. The beaches down the coast of Florida actually change quite a bit even on the same side of the coast. I was only an hour south of Cocoa Beach in Sebastian, and the water was almost crystal clear which it isn’t in Cocoa Beach. And the beach north of here in St. Augustine has a different look too. But because there are so many differences, that is probably what makes Cocoa Beach a great beach to go surfing.

Surfing on Cocoa Beach, FL

This guy looked like a local and he was doing what looked like yoga before he went out. It looked like this was his life, and what a good life. Cocoa Beach does have a very peaceful feel to it for sure. I hope the city doesn’t change much, it is perfect the way that it is in my opinion.

There are also multiple surf schools here at Cocoa Beach.

Pura Vida Surf School has good reviews on Yelp and is walking distance from Sea Aire Motel.

If you have a surf school and would like others to know about it, leave a comment.

Weather links:

Live Webcam of the Cocoa Beach Pier along with a surf report
Weather.com – 10 Day Weather for Cocoa Beach, FL

Westgate Resorts Cocoa Beach Pier

Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier was built in 1962. There are places to eat, entertainment, fishing, shopping, surfing, and plenty of beach to enjoy.

Surfer heads out for waves at Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier.

Early morning at Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier.

Directions to Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier.

Lori Wilson Park – Free Parking, Umbrellas, & Dog Park

Lori Wilson Park is a very large park with two entrances both on the same side of the road. It almost looks like two separate parks. Each side has about 100 parking spots and both have beach access. There is a dog park, restrooms, trash cans, a boardwalk, sun, sand, and salt water. If you’re lucky you can even get a spot under one of the permanent umbrellas they have on the beach for anyone to use. These are not for rain, they are to keep you protected from too much sun. I don’t think they allow alcohol on the beach, but you can bring a cooler with other drinks, which an umbrella would help keep your drinks and snacks cool. Which reminds me, bring plenty of sunscreen especially during the summer! Lori Wilson Park made me feel very welcomed.

Umbrellas on the beach at Lori Wilson Park

Directions to Lori Wilson Park

The Dinosaur Store & Museum in Cocoa Beach, FL

Giganotosaurus

This is a pretty rare sight to see in front of you. This is a duplicate from the original fossils that were found in Argentina, which is where the originals must remain. But, this dinosaur was actually bigger than the T-Rex and there are currently only two of these in all of the United States.

The Dinosaur Store & Museum in Cocoa Beach Florida certainly has enough dinosaurs, bones, fossils, crystals, and ancient artifacts for anyone to appreciate and learn from. This is a three floor location and features 20,000 sq ft of exhibits and dioramas. The 1st being the main entrance that contains items to purchase such as sharks teeth, bones, jewelry, toys and more. The 2nd floor is filled with dinosaurs, and they did a great job with the landscape, lighting, and sound effects. The 3rd floor contains ancient cultures that include Egyptian, Chinese and Precolumbian dioramas and authentic artifacts. They have trilobite fossils, a giant chunk of fools gold, beautiful purple crystals, a stunning fox bat skeleton, and even megalagon sharks teeth all for sale. I was very impressed when I first walked in at what they were selling.

Terror Bird – Phorusrhacos

This bird actually lived during the early time of humans.

Great lighting and displays at Dinosaur Museum in Cocoa Beach, FL

Guanlong – Crown Dragon

Dinosaurs had feathers!
  Feathers can be found in the fossils, and the color can also be determined by DNA.

There is much more here that I didn’t mention, such as all of the rocks and crystals they had setup and even some that glow with purple lights. They really put some time and energy into this place and it’s obvious. And also don’t forget there is a 3rd floor that is filled with ancient artifacts.

Directions to The Dinosaur Store & Museum 

Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures

Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures is a well maintained, well built, zipline and obstacles park in Brevard County only a few minutes north of the Dinosaur Museum. The park features 49 unique challenges set in a canopy of beautiful live oak trees. There are different levels and challenges here that start off easy and advance as you get higher up on the platforms. There should be something here for everyone and of all ages. The owner is doing a great job maintaining this location in my opinion, I really like what they are doing with the plants at ground level and the live oaks are beautiful. They also have drinks available so even if you want to sit back and relax and watch, you can still enjoy yourself.

If you look toward the top of this photo, you can see there are blocks that you can feed your wild side and walk across on the next level up! It’s like you are walking on the tops of the trees! Who doesn’t like this sort of thing? Do something fun!

Kids having fun on obstacle course

Balancing on a suspension bridge

Directions to Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures

*** You’ve got to be hungry by now! ***

Sunset Waterfront Cafe Grill & Bar in Cocoa Beach, FL

So it was very late and I was hungry… I stopped by a couple of restaurants but had no luck until I reached the Sunset Waterfront Cafe Grill & Bar. They were closed, but the waitress asked me to wait a second.. She walked over to the manager and asked him something. I saw him look over to me and he waved me in which I thought was very nice of both of them. Who knows where I would have gone to eat after that. And something else, was that every single person I saw at this restaurant was just as nice. It was obvious to me that this place had great service. So I ordered the Florida grouper sandwich and I loved it! And I was just as happy about the price! For such a beautiful location, great food, and service, the cost was very reasonable. If you’re in town, it’s a good place to eat, and it is right on the water. I hope you have a great experience too. Be sure to get there before sunset!

FYI, there are two seafood restaurants right beside each other in the same parking lot. This is the one directly on the water on the West side.

Sunset Waterfront Cafe Grill & Bar – Cocoa Beach, FL

Florida Grouper Sandwich
See what’s on the Menu.

– After Hours –
Sunset Waterfront Cafe Grill & Bar – Cocoa Beach, FL

Sunset Waterfront Cafe Grill & Bar – Cocoa Beach, FL
Directions to Sunset Waterfront Cafe Grill & Bar in Cocoa Beach, FL

Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach, FL

And also while in Cocoa Beach, be sure to stop by Ron Jon Surf Shop. It has over 52,000 square feet of retail space, and specializes in surfing and bodyboarding equipment. This is also where you can find the Florida Surf Museum. The museum includes exhibits that feature the history and lore that defines Cocoa Beach, FL as one of the premier surf towns in the world!

Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach, FL

And of course, in the very center out front there is a sculpture of Kelly Slater surfing a wave. There is no doubt, Cocoa Beach, Florida is proud of Kelly Slater.

Directions to Ron Jon Surf Shop
Directions to the Florida Surf Museum

Got any surfing tips? Other fun things to do in Cocoa Beach? Information on Sea Turtles or anything else you would like to share? Leave a comment below.