Top 15 Activities in Cocoa Beach, Florida

With a modern history dating back to the 19th century, Cocoa is an enchanting coastal city located in Brevard County. 

The downtown area, recognized as Historic Cocoa Village, is meticulously maintained and is vibrant with events throughout the year.

The city boasts a noteworthy location alongside the Indian River Lagoon, the most biologically diverse estuary in North America, hosting thousands of plant and animal species. 

You can explore these waters through kayaking, boat cruises, or by visiting numerous parks along the shores. The natural beauty is complemented by the opportunity to observe manatees and alligators, with stunning views available at both dawn and dusk.

Situated on the Space Coast, Cocoa offers easy access to swamps and marshlands inland and the Atlantic beaches just minutes to the east.

1. Historic Cocoa Village

Source: LunchboxLarry / Flickr

This area provides a glimpse into the past, featuring an array of shops and dining establishments where visitors can appreciate the historical context of the streets.

For context, the Travis Hardware store at 300 Delannoy Ave has been operational since 1885. 

An array of dining options are available, ranging from upscale restaurants to charming bakeries and tea shops. 

Moreover, the village hosts numerous events throughout the year, showcasing everything from fine arts to literary festivals.

2. Cocoa Riverfront Park

Source: LunchboxLarry / Flickr

The charm of Historic Cocoa Village is significantly enhanced by its stunning location along the Indian River, making Cocoa Riverfront Park a natural destination during any exploration of the area.

This park is part of nearly ten acres of accessible waterfront, comprising three distinct parks. It features a boardwalk, a splash pad, extensive green spaces, a playground, and covered picnic pavilions.

The central facility here is a spacious amphitheater, which hosts major concerts and serves as a venue for community events such as the Holiday Boat Parade and the Holiday Bike Parade during the Christmas season. 

3. Brevard Museum of History and Natural Sciences

Source: Ebyabe / Wikimedia

This complimentary museum offers a refreshing alternative after a few days spent at the beach. The exhibits at the Brevard Museum of History and Natural Sciences provide a plethora of intriguing insights.  

Visitors can explore displays detailing prehistoric megafauna, the county’s involvement in space exploration, as well as aspects of the local citrus industry, railroads, educational history, and the archaeology of prehistoric Native Americans. 

An intriguing exhibit is centered around the Windover Woman, whose remains were part of a collection of 168 individuals found in a peat bog near Titusville, dating back approximately 8,000 years. 

After engaging with local history, visitors can take a leisurely stroll in the adjacent 22-acre nature preserve, which features a blend of sand dunes and wetlands, providing opportunities for glimpsing gopher tortoises.

4. Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse

This Italian Renaissance-style venue was originally named The Aladdin. If you’re contemplating evening activities in Historic Cocoa Village, consider checking the performance schedule at this venue.

Recent productions have included The Sound of Music, Sister Act, Oklahoma!, and The Drowsy Chaperone. The quality of the performances, direction, and production values greatly exceed the modest admission price. 

In addition, unique events such as themed Halloween shows and classic cinema screenings are frequently offered.

5. Jetty Park, Port Canaveral

Traveling along SR A1A, you will soon arrive at the beautiful Atlantic shore. The first public beach you encounter is Jetty Park at Port Canaveral.

This location is particularly memorable in the early morning, where the sun’s first light can be admired from the 1,200-foot pier extending from the jetty — an exceptional way to start your day.

Adjacent to Port Canaveral, watch for the routine arrival and departure of impressive cruise ships. You may also glimpse manatees, sea turtles, and even SpaceX launches from Kennedy Space Center to the north. 

In addition, Jetty Park boasts inviting, sandy beaches along with amenities like a campground, kayak rentals, a playground, and pavilions equipped with picnic tables and grills.

6. Kayaking on the Indian River Lagoon

A paddling expedition is an exceptional method to fully appreciate the natural beauty of the Indian River Lagoon. Cocoa Kayaking, a highly regarded rental and tour service located in Cocoa Beach, facilitates this experience.

Single and tandem kayaks are available for rent, and there is a convenient launch point just minutes from Cocoa next to SR A1A.

From this launch, visitors may explore this remarkable estuarine habitat. Options include paddling to a nearby sandbar for relaxation or heading to Manatee Cove Park, which will be discussed shortly. 

If you find yourself in need of refreshments, consider Dolphins Waterfront Bar & Grill at Cape Crossing, a lively tiki bar and restaurant situated on the Canaveral Barge Canal. 

Manatee season runs from mid-November to mid-March, while playful bottlenose dolphins are a year-round delight in these waters.

7. Manatee Cove Park

Source: Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos / Flickr

Situated on the opposite side of the Indian River Lagoon from Cocoa Village lies a beautiful waterfront park. Manatee Cove Park derives its name from a small man-made lagoon replete with lush seagrasses that attract manatees during winter months. 

A trail encircles the lagoon, making it a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts as well. Additionally, Manatee Cove Park serves as an excellent starting point for kayaking adventures on the Indian River. 

Kayak rentals are available, providing an opportunity to spend hours observing dolphins and alligators. The park also features captivating bioluminescence in the water at night. 

Local operators such as Calypso Kayaks and A Day Away Kayak Tours offer nocturnal glass-bottom paddling trips in this area.

8. Florida Surf Museum

Source: Leonard J. DeFrancisci / Wikimedia

The largest surf shop in the world, covering 52,000 square feet, is just a brief drive away in Cocoa Beach. This flagship store represents the Ron Jon Surf Shop brand, which was founded in 1959 in Ship Bottom, NJ.

The Florida Surf Museum, established in 1999, is housed within the Ron Jon Watersports Building. Its permanent exhibits focus on East Coast surfing pioneers, significant female surfers, surf music, and the achievements of Cocoa Beach’s own Kelly Slater.

Additionally, the museum features rotating displays of notable and rare surfboards, as well as updated temporary exhibitions. During my visit, I encountered The Right Stuff exhibition, which chronicled the history of surfing along the Space Coast, dating back to 1909.

9. Sams House at Pine Island Conservation Area

Source: Brevard County Sams House at Pine Island / Facebook

A short drive across the Indian River leads you to Brevard County’s oldest standing residence. Originally constructed in Eau Gallie in 1875, this cabin was disassembled and floated up the Indian River to its present location on Merritt Island in 1878. 

The additional house was completed in 1888 and is designed in the Florida vernacular style. Additionally, it’s worth noting that indoor plumbing was not installed until the 1930s. 

Sams House is positioned within the Pine Island Conservation Area, which encompasses approximately 900 acres adjacent to the Indian River. Visitors can explore more than six miles of trails through diverse habitats. 

Along the waterfront, keep an eye out for a variety of wildlife, including wading birds, seasonal manatees, alligators, river otters, and turtles.

10. Brevard Discovery Garden (BDG)

Source: Brevard Discovery Garden / Facebook

If you happen to be in the area on the first or third Wednesday of the month, you may wish to explore the distinctive horticultural facility. Open to the public from October through May, the Brevard Discovery Garden is developed by volunteers who plant native, Keystone, and Florida-friendly species. 

The Demonstration Garden illustrates the various ways that native Florida plants can be integrated into local gardens. Nine distinct garden areas provide diverse experiences, including a Pollinator Garden, Coastal Garden, Raised Vegetable Garden, and Orchard.

The site also features the BDG Nursery, which hosts plant sales several times annually. During my visit, renovations were ongoing in this section. 

11. Indian River Queen

A more elegant method of exploring the Indian River Lagoon is aboard the historic paddlewheeler docked in Historic Cocoa Village.

The Indian River Queen offers a diverse array of public cruises throughout the week. I participated in the daily ‘It Takes a Village’ cruise.

This journey begins at 10:00 am and lasts for an hour, during which audio narration provides insights into Cocoa’s mid-19th-century origins while you admire the elegant waterfront estates.

Wildlife sightings, particularly manatees, are common, and you will learn about how Merritt Island evolved into NASA’s primary launchpad for human spaceflight. Check the schedule for lunch and dinner cruises, along with special seasonal events.

12. Twister Airboat Rides

Source: twisterairboatrides.com

Another unforgettable experience in the vicinity of Cocoa is an airboat excursion on the St. Johns River and Lake Poinsett.

In the city’s outlying areas, these grassy marshlands and cypress swamps are habitats for alligators, black bears, white-tailed deer, and a stunning variety of bird species. 

The airboats can travel at speeds of up to 45 mph, allowing you to quickly immerse yourself in the wilderness. 

A typical tour lasts 30 minutes, and reservations are unnecessary for these shorter excursions. However, I recommend considering an extended trip of either 60 or 90 minutes, which must be reserved in advance.

13. Porcher House

The most elegant residence in Historic Cocoa Village is the Neoclassical Porcher House, located at the southwest corner of Riverfront Park.

This mansion was constructed for inventor and citrus grower Edward Postell Porcher. Built using local coquina rock, it features an impressive circular porch and interiors adorned with cedar, teak, and oak.

Byrnina Peck Porcher, the house’s matriarch, had a fondness for card games, which is subtly referenced in the stonework. 

If you find yourself passing by, I encourage you to stroll along the path to observe the facade, which contains stones shaped like hearts, clubs, diamonds, and spades. You may need some time to spot them, but I’m confident you will eventually succeed. 

The Porcher House is currently owned by the city and is often rented for weddings and luncheons.

14. Fall Art & Craft Fair

It seems that Cocoa Village hosts various significant events each weekend. While I could highlight numerous annual events for this list, the notable one during my visit was the Fall Art & Craft Fair, which occurs on the third weekend of October.

This fair attracts over 200 skilled artisans and crafters to the village. The event proceeds regardless of the weather, making it a fantastic opportunity to acquire unique works of art.

In addition to the artistic offerings, there is street food, live entertainment, and activities designed to engage younger visitors.

15. Lee Wenner Park

Source: Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos / Flickr

From Cocoa Riverfront Park, you can stroll over to another scenic park situated adjacent to the Hubert Humphrey Bridge.

Lee Wenner Park primarily serves as a launching area for boating on the Indian River. Along with numerous boat ramps, the park offers day slips and fishing areas for those interested in casting a line.

In my opinion, this park provides a tranquil setting to pause and reflect on the stunning Indian River. Numerous wading birds frequent the waters, and you may even be fortunate enough to spot a dolphin or two.

The park features a paved walkway that leads to a playground, restrooms, picnic tables, and a pavilion.