14 Best Beaches in Cocoa Beach (in 2023)
I’m a digital nomad who’s extensively traveled through Florida, and in this guide, I’ll point you to the best beaches in Cocoa Beach!
Spending a day at the beach is one of the most fun things to do in Cocoa Beach. The beaches here are fantastic for surfing and attractions, but you can also enjoy the beautiful coastline without the crowds. This article covers what makes some beaches popular and highlights where to go for a more peaceful, local vibe.
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14 Best Beaches In/Near Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach Pier
The most popular beach in Cocoa Beach, is known for its beach activities and surf school.
📍 Google Maps | Cocoa Beach Pier Website | 🅿️ Parking: $15 on weekdays, $20 on weekends | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Chateau by the Sea
Cocoa Beach Pier is one of the most popular beaches in Cocoa Beach — and one of the best beaches in Florida as a whole! It’s mostly frequented by tourists, but worth visiting if you don’t mind crowds. Cocoa Beach Pier has a variety of restaurants, shops, and activities to enjoy.
Cocoa Beach Surf School is also located here and offers surfing lessons for all ages and abilities. In addition, there are sandy courts for playing beach volleyball. Lastly, Cocoa Beach Pier is a great fishing pier. It extends 800 feet out into the North Atlantic Ocean.
Cherie Down Park
A calm and relaxing beach in a residential area in Cape Canaveral.
📍 Google Maps | Cherie Down Park Website | 🅿️ Parking: On-site parking lot, free | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Canaveral Towers
Cherie Down Park is located in a residential part of Cape Canaveral, just north of Cocoa Beach. Cherie Down Park is a fantastic option for families who want to stay in a nearby vacation rental and be able to walk to the beach every day.
The sandy beach is wide and open with plenty of room to enjoy a relaxing day at a classic Florida beach. There are bathrooms and a few picnic tables available here.
Cherie Down Park is also a great beach for seeing rocket launches! Cherie Down Park is the closest free beach to the launch complex out of all the beaches in Cocoa Beach.
📚 Related Reading: The Cape Canaveral area is a great place to stay for a shorter drive to the Kennedy Space Center. Book your tickets!
James H. Nance Park
A family-friendly beach along Indialantic with a playground and volleyball court.
📍 Google Maps | James H. Nance Park Website | 🅿️ Parking: On-site parking lot, metered parking is $1.25 an hour | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront
James H. Nance Park Beach is ideal for families who want a little bit of everything. James H. Nance is a decently sized oceanfront park located just south of Cocoa Beach along Indialantic. The waters here are good for surfing as well as swimming.
James H. Nance Park Beach has a playground, covered picnic tables, bathroom facilities, and beach volleyball courts. It’s also within walking distance of a few restaurants and shops.
Playalinda Beach
A clean, beautiful, and serene beach located within Canaveral National Seashore.
📍 Google Maps | Playalinda Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: On-site parking lots, $20 single-vehicle pass (valid for 7 days) | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Hyatt Place Titusville Kennedy Space Center
Expect a picturesque coastline with untouched shores at Playalinda Beach. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches along Florida’s east coast, located within Canaveral National Seashore. It’s known for its soft sand dunes, serene atmosphere, and abundance of nature and wildlife.
Playalinda Beach in Canaveral National Seashore makes a great day trip destination. It’s only an hour north of Cocoa Beach and an hour east of Orlando.
A few things to note: there are multiple parking lots here. Each one has a bathroom but they aren’t always in the best shape. Lastly, areas 10-13 of Playalinda Beach are nude areas.
Canova Beach Park
Cocoa Beach’s go-to dog beach along Indialantic.
📍 Google Maps | Canova Beach Park Website | 🅿️ On-site parking lot, free | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront
Canova Beach Park is the park to visit if you’re planning on bringing your furry friend. This is the main designated dog beach. It’s located south of Cocoa Beach between Satellite Beach and Indialantic. Canova Beach Park has a friendly, relaxed vibe and there are bathrooms and hoses for getting you and your dog clean after a day in the sun.
👉 Pro Tip: Use the entrance on the right (south entrance) to access the beach. This is “technically” the correct dog beach entrance.
Jetty Park
A fantastic beach for family camping in Cape Canaveral.
📍 Google Maps | Jetty Park Website | 🅿️ Parking: On-site parking lots, $16 single-vehicle day pass | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Cape Canaveral Beach Resort
Jetty Park Beach is the northernmost beach along Florida’s Space Coast. There is a fee to enter the park, but park and beach access is available for the day, as well as for tent and RV camping.
The beaches at Jetty Park are clean and family-friendly. There are bathrooms, a playground, picnic areas, a lifeguard station, and plenty of greenery around. Jetty Park also has a fishing pier.
Jetty Park Beach is the best beach for watching rocket launches and seeing cruise ships go by from Port Canaveral.
Sidney Fischer Park Beach
This Cocoa Beach park has a wide open sandy beach, playground, and picnic pavilions.
📍 Google Maps | Sidney Fischer Park Website | 🅿️ On-site parking lot, metered parking is $5-$25 | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach
Sidney Fischer Park Beach is one of the best beaches in Cocoa Beach for groups. The large paid parking lot makes it easier for multiple people to find spots. There’s a decently sized greenspace with sheltered picnic areas and a playground. These amenities make Sidney Fischer Park ideal for small get-togethers.
The beach area at Sidney Fischer Park is also great for groups. The sand dunes are wide open and the waters are perfect for all your beach activities.
Lori Wilson Park Beach
A peaceful, nature-filled beach with extensive boardwalks in Cocoa Beach.
📍 Google Maps | Lori Wilson Park Website | 🅿️ Parking: On-site parking lot, free | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront
Lori Wilson Park Beach is an oceanfront park that offers a more secluded atmosphere than other beaches in Cocoa Beach. Lori Wilson Park has free parking, unlike Cocoa Beach Pier, Sidney Fischer Park Beach, and Alan Shepard Park Beach.
The boardwalks at Lori Wilson Park Beach are extensive. They stretch along the coastline and meander through mangroves and forested areas. There are picnic areas dotted throughout. The beach section has lots of space to spread out as well. Overall, Lori Wilson Park is perfect for a more relaxed beach experience in the heart of Cocoa Beach.
🚣♀️ Don’t Miss: Take this nearby Thousand Island kayak tour! It provides another perspective of the region’s mangroves, along with the opportunity to spot manatees and dolphins.
Howard E. Futch Memorial Park Beach
An Indialantic beach with picnic tables, a playground, and a permanent food truck.
📍 Google Maps | Howard E. Futch Memorial Park Website | 🅿️ Parking: On-site parking lot, free | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront
Howard E. Futch Memorial Park is another fantastic family beach spot in Indialantic. I would recommend it to those who want to spend a whole day at the beach without worrying about anything.
The beach area at Howard E. Futch Memorial Park has shallow waters, which is great for younger children. The park also has a number of beach amenities. This includes covered picnic pavilions, a playground, bathrooms, a lifeguard station, and a permanent food truck. There are also restaurants and shops within walking distance.
Alan Shepard Park Beach
A classic Florida beach with on-site facilities right by Ron Jon Surf Shop.
📍 Google Maps | Alan Shepard Park Beach Website | 🅿️ Parking: On-site parking lot, metered parking is $5-$25 | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Four Points by Sheraton Cocoa Beach
Alan Shepard Park Beach is a great go-to beach if you plan on staying in the main hub of Cocoa Beach. This is because Shepard Park Beach is located right behind Ron Jon Surf Shop. Hotels like Four Points by Sheraton Cocoa Beach and Beachside Hotel and Suites are within walking distance.
Shepard Park has picnic pavilions, outdoor showers, and a lifeguard station. You can also rent chairs, umbrellas, surfboards, and other beach essentials nearby. The central location of Shepard Park also makes it easy to reach restaurants and shops.
👉 Pro Tip: Craving a sweet treat? The Florida Key Lime Pie Company is within walking distance!
Hightower Beach Park
A simple, quiet beach with an educational boardwalk and a small conservation area.
📍 Google Maps | Hightower Beach Park Website | 🅿️ Parking: On-site parking lot, free | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Paradise Beach Club – Oceanfront and Penthouse
Hightower Beach is a small, but pretty oceanfront park in nearby Satellite Beach. This is a great spot and one of the better areas to stay in Cocoa Beach for escaping crowds.
The beach at Hightower Beach Park is clean and serene, and it’s surrounded by a beautiful conservation area. I recommend taking a stroll on the educational boardwalk just above the dunes. Here, you can enjoy ocean views and learn about local wildlife and nature.
Hightower Beach Park has a more limited parking area, but it tends to be less crowded. There’s also a bathroom with showers.
Coconut Point Park
A quiet, uncrowded beach just south of Melbourne Beach.
📍 Google Maps | Coconut Point Park Website | 🅿️ Parking: On-site parking lot, free | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront
Coconut Point Park is the perfect beach to visit if you want to venture out of the Cocoa Beach area for a more local vibe. Coconut Point Park Beach is about 30-45 minutes south of Cocoa Beach in the Melbourne Beach area. Visiting is one of the best things to do in central Florida.
Coconut Point Park Beach has ample free parking and the lot is often open. There isn’t much to do within walking distance and the amenities here are limited. But that’s what you get in exchange for beautiful and uncrowded Florida beaches.
Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park
A beautiful, spacious, and uncrowded South Cocoa Beach park.
📍 Google Maps | Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park Website | 🅿️ Parking: On-site parking lot, free | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Beach Place Guesthouses
Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park Beach is a beautiful, soft sand beach with tons of space to spread out. It’s a bit tucked away in South Cocoa Beach. This makes it a great option for avoiding crowds in the Cocoa Beach area.
The parking lot here is limited, but this beach is close to many small inns and vacation rentals. Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park Beach may be within walking distance if you plan on staying in the South Cocoa Beach area.
Seagull Park Beach
A simple and local Cocoa Beach park with good waves for surfing.
📍 Google Maps | Seagull Park Website | 🅿️ Parking: On-site parking lot, free | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Sandpiper Tower 606
Seagull Park Beach is a small beach in the Satellite Beach area. Seagull Park Beach is uncrowded and good for surfing. The park itself is simple with no on-site bathrooms and just a couple of shaded picnic tables among the mangrove.
It’s a bit hidden from the road which also makes it easy to miss. But it’s quite spacious and mostly frequented by locals because of its simplicity and semi-hidden spot.
FAQs About Beaches in Cocoa Beach
Is Cocoa Beach, FL good for swimming?
Cocoa Beach, FL is good for swimming. This area is known for its surfing waters, but many beaches near Cocoa Beach have calmer, shallower waters, such as James H. Nance Park.
Cape Canaveral does have nice beaches. This includes Jetty Park and Cherie Down Park. However, there are many other beaches in nearby areas.
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I hope you enjoyed this roundup of the best beaches in Cocoa Beach, FL! Be sure to read our guide on the best places to visit in Florida for more fun in the sun. There truly is so much to do in the Sunshine State.
