The great Cocoa Beach town, Florida, has been called the quintessential beach town, and it is for a good reason. An hour’s drive east of Orlando on Florida’s beautiful Space Coast, the town features Cocoa Beach, a destination that offers you endless ways to enjoy recreation and leisure. It does not matter what form of enjoyment is on your list. Whether you are planning an affordable leisure time, a family beach vacation, a business trip, or just a weekend getaway, Cocoa Beach has got you covered in every sense.
Although it boasts of impeccability, there is something else that does not really sound welcoming. There have been reports of shark bites at Cocoa Beach. Species of sharks have been spotted swimming near cocoa beach. Most of Florida’s fatal shark attacks are caused by bull sharks, common along Florida’s east coast. It may be because the Indian River Lagoon that extends along Florida’s east coast is a critical nursery habitat for baby bull sharks. Another species you are likely to encounter is the Spinner shark. The 2 to 4-feet-long sharks are present off of Cocoa Beach, primarily around and just beyond the wave break.
These sharks can grow up to 9 feet long and exhibit a unique feeding technique of leaping into the air while spinning. The Black-tip shark is 2 to 4-feet-long and may be present in the surf zone or shallow waters. This is the number one species responsible for biting people along the U.S. East Coast. It’s important to know that blacktip sharks can swim in just inches of water, where toddlers often play.
According to history, most Florida shark attacks occur in July, August, September, and October, coinciding with the increased human activities when the water temperature is warmest. Brevard County (Cocoa Beach area) records the second-highest number of attacks after Volusia County (Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach area) in Florida. Records show that these two counties account for nearly half of all shark attacks in Florida annually. Next time you are in Cocoa Beach, beware of these wild creatures and try not to swim from dusk to dawn because that is the time sharks are more actively feeding.
Is Cape Canaveral or Cocoa Beach better?
Deciding between a trip to Cape Canaveral or Cocoa Beach will highly depend on your preferences. One of the major determinants when planning a trip, however, is the cost of expenditure. For that reason, we will review these two great destinations based on cost and help you choose where to go next.
Cape Canaveral is part of the Space Coast region, best known as the home of America’s launch pad, the Kennedy Space Center. The location of Space Center is just to the West of the city on Merritt Island. The cape also features the Cape Canaveral lighthouse and one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, Port Canaveral. On the other hand, Cocoa Beach has long been Florida’s favorite spot for travelers searching for sand, waves, and sun. If you’ve seen the 1960’s television show, “I Dream of Jeannie,” you may be familiar with this famous and great location. Located in Brevard County along the Atlantic coast with just over 11000, the area is renowned for its excellent surfing. The place holds many surfing festivals and competitions yearly, with the famous Ron Jon’s surf shop receiving millions of visitors per year.
In terms of travel costs, the average daily cost per person in Cape Canaveral is about $130. Cocoa Beach is about $116, inclusive of an accommodation fee per person sharing, transportation, entertainment, and food. However, everyone is different, and the cost may vary, but these are the average costs of past travelers in each city. But let’s first consider a breakdown for each of the places, shall we? Expectedly, the prices for places to stay in Cape Canaveral may vary by date, location, and type. In general, you expect to spend about $78 for accommodation with a typical double occupancy hotel room for two people going for $156. The average cost for double occupancy in Cocoa Beach is about $136, with a typical place for a stay for one person, such as in a hostel, going for $68.
Food is another crucial thing to consider if you are comparing these two places. You are likely to spend about $34 a day on food while in Cape Canaveral. Although, you can opt for casual restaurants or food stalls if you want to cut on costs. But if you’re going to go all out on food, go for the more excellent restaurants at every meal. The prices for food in Cocoa Beach daily fall in the same range. Travelers spend about $35 per day on food on average. An average meal on Cocoa Beach should cost you around $14 per person based on previous visits. Lunch or dinner prices are usually a little higher than breakfast. Another thing you should also note is that the prices of food in sit-down restaurants in Cocoa Beach are often higher than fast food or street food prices, which is quite the usual.
Both destinations guarantee you fun and plenty of entertainment activities. Conclusively, when comparing the travel costs for Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach, you realize that though Cape Canaveral is somewhat more expensive, the difference is minimal, which means that you can travel with the same travel style and luxury level in each place. Even better is that both areas are located in North America, so the choice is yours!
Best Cocoa Beach Resorts
Famously known as an excellent destination for visitors from all over the world, Cocoa Beach, Florida, boasts of a beautiful beach, famous surf breaks, and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. If you are looking for an ideal vacay destination for your family, this place has everything to offer you and your entire group. Stretching 800 feet over the Atlantic, the historic Cocoa Beach Pier features an array of gift shops, restaurants, bars, and live music to keep you entertained all the way. It doesn’t stop there; you can enjoy all kinds of water adventures, from going deep sea fishing with Fin and Fly Charters to kayaking Banana River’s Thousand Islands to taking some surf lessons from Ron Jon’s. The destination also harbors unique treasures like The Dinosaur Store and Exploration Tower that will be a source of delight during your visit. But if you are considering staying for a while, it would be wise to consider your accommodation options. Consequently, we review some of the best Cocoa Beach Resorts that you should consider trying during your visit.
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Beachside Hotel & Suites
This newly renovated boutique hotel in Cocoa Beach, Florida offers presents you with a relaxed, retro vibe that will instantly switch you to vacation mode. The reason for your visit does not really matter; whether you come to surf or chill, Beachside Hotel and Suites guarantee you a comfortable place to lay your head and the rest of your body to rest after a long day in the sun. This place aims to spice your visit to Cocoa Beach and create a beautiful memory that will go down in your history. This beachfront property, constructed in 1965, has gone through remodeling and updates that have restored its former beauty and glory.
And it has a wide array of amenities to facilitate your experience. Get to stay in one of their locally inspired room or suite that will instill in you the feeling of belongingness. Here, you can stay like a local amidst all the comfort made available just for you. Still, no one wants to stay in their rooms the whole time during a vacation trip, right? Well, no problem. The lazy river pool provides you with the perfect spot to kick back and relax under the warm Cocoa Beach sunshine. Once in a while, you can visit their Duck Dive poolside bar for some locally-inspired cocktails to cool you down. If you are feeling more adventurous, try biking or surfing. Beachside Hotel and Suites offers you free bike and beach rentals, surfboards, beach wagons, and boogie boards that you can easily access from the front desk. And if you love carrying your pet around, welcome to this pet-friendly destination that recognizes your pet as part of the family! In the long run, you get to experience the thrill of a perfect blend of relaxation and fun.
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Holiday Inn Club Vacations Cape Canaveral Beach Resort
Beautiful beaches, winding waterslides, rocket launches, fruity cocktails, you name it. Everything that you’ve probably dreamed of, you will find it here. This resort features a wide range of quality amenities that are meant to make your stay as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Besides, you are welcome to travel with your group, whether you are coming for a sports event, wedding, or hosting a family event. The resort accommodates groups of all sizes with even discount options available. Get to enjoy your stay in a condo-style studio, a one-bedroom or a two-bedroom villa with a spacious living room, free wi-fi, a fully equipped kitchen, together with guest laundry facilities, and ample parking space.
True to the resort’s name, you get direct access to the beach, where you can enjoy a free walk along the short private path and land yourself at the beach at Jetty Park. Here, you will experience all that Cape Canaveral’s beaches have to offer, from sandy days in the moonlight to quiet moonlight strolls. The four-story waterslide is a total absolute for the kids! Let your kids plunge into the curvy, winding, wet, and wild waterslide and make a massive splash in the pool below. But you’ve got to be ready for this because once they start, they won’t want to stop. Or if you’d instead enjoy soaking some sun quietly, do it by lounging on the lazy river, which allows you to float past fun-filled water features and the towering waterslide-where your kids could be having the time of their life. And finally, you get to enjoy your dinner at the end of the day in a casual, family-friendly restaurant designed to offer you a diverse menu with seating both inside and out.
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Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort
Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort is a re-branded facility, previously known as Wakulla Suites. The resort features 120 spacious two-bedroom villas, a courtyard, a hotel lobby, and a heated outdoor pool, having undergone a total transformation through the most recent renovation. Each villa features king beds in the master bedroom, two twin beds in the other bedroom, a fully equipped kitchen, space for the entire family, and a living room. The resort stands out as Cocoa Beach, Florida’s most luxurious resort hotel, larger than typical Cocoa Beach hotels. Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort offers you an atmosphere of relaxation at the beachside with a complimentary beach concierge at your service. If you’d rather splash in the resort’s new water park, there is fun for you too. Whatever your special occasion, the resort has got you. Get to have your family, friends, or whatever group catered for at the nearby Cocoa Beach Pier and get the most of a truly unique beachside venue!
Perhaps the most striking feature in the resort could be the Wakulla Falls Water Park. The state-of-the-art park does not discriminate between kids or adults. You can pick your fun in the Lazy River, the pool, or the Kid’s Splash Pad, all contained in the Water Park. The resort is also home to the Aloha Tiki Bar that will serve a tempting menu of delicious sandwiches, mouthwatering wraps, big juicy burgers, and salad to quell whatever craving you may be having. And what may be better than taking a refreshing dip in the pool on a hot summer day? Well, nothing beats the feeling of having that cool drink run down your throat and calming the hots of both your insides and outside. Aloha Tiki Bar and Café offer just that- your favorite tropical cocktail alongside the pool that will leave you as refreshed as you can be on a hot sunny day.
