HISTORY
Cocoa Beach is a small city in Brevard County, Florida blessed with pristine beaches and lush ecosystem. Cocoa Beach’s first real settlement was founded by a family of freed slaves after the Civil War. In 1888, the entire area was bought by a group of men from Cocoa, but remained undeveloped until Gus Edwards, Cocoa’s city attorney bought the whole area. Edwards committed all his efforts and began to develop the entire community.
On June 5, 1925, the City of Cocoa Beach was founded and incorporated as a city on June 29, 1957. After the city’s incorporation, main streets were improved and more roads were constructed. The newly incorporated city enjoyed major growth when NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space center opened, 15 miles north. From 1950 to 1960, the city’s population increased to 1000% due to the space program’s job opportunity. Today, the small community of Cocoa Beach offers wide variety of attractions and recreational activities ideal for family vacation or weekend getaway.
GETTING THERE
By Air
Getting to Cocoa Beach is via Melbourne International Airport or Orlando International Airport. These airstrips cater local and international flights from major airlines, providing visitors more flight options.
By Car
Via I-95.
- Take I-95 south to SR 528
- SR 528 East to Cape Canaveral/Cocoa Beach
- Once you cross the Intracoastal waterways, head south of SR 528 to A1A.
- Follow A1A southwards to reach Cocoa Beach
WEATHER
The City of Cocoa Beach enjoys a subtropical climate– warm, humid summer and dry temperate winter. Summer temperature tends to be very hot and humid especially during the month of July. During summer, rainfall and thunderstorms are expected, but short in duration. September is the wettest month of the year with 7.20 inches of rainfall on average. During winter, locals in Cocoa Beach still enjoy a comfortable daytime temperature and occasional chilly nights. January is the coolest month of the year with average lows around 50s°F.
WHAT TO WEAR
What to wear when in Cocoa Beach vary depending on the places you visit and your activities while on vacation.
For swimming, sun bathing and other beach activities:
- swim wear
- tank top
- sarong
- flip flops
- shorts
- t-shirt
- hat
- sunglasses
- suncreen
For dining in fancy restaurants and bars:
- sundress
- sandals
- long pants
- collared shirt
For other outdoor activities:
- comfortable shoes
- shorts
- t-shirt
- hat
- sunglasses
- sunscreen
ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS
Cocoa Beach has so much to offer for every visitor’s distinct taste and interest with an array of area attractions providing spectacular views and numerous outdoor activities. Whether you fancy partying, enjoy water sports or simply want to explore the area’s unspoiled wilderness, you will surely find it in Cocoa Beach.
On a lazy day, visit the city’s beautiful beaches for strolling and people watching. Take advantage of the sunny and warm weather and work on your tan, play beach volleyball, swim or ride a bicycle. Take on airboat rides or cruises – uncover the beauty of this tropical paradise; experience up close encounters with manatees and birds. Enjoy the water under the sun by kayaking, paddling or wave skiing. Show off your surfing skills in one of the best surfing spots in East coast.
Even if you are away from the beach, you will never run out of fun things to do and see! A trip to Cocoa Beach’s parks, wildlife refuge, zoos and botanical garden allow visitors to appreciate nature. Not only that, Eco-tourism sites provide interactive activities helping people develop deeper care and love for nature.
Cocoa Beach area is dotted with museums, galleries, theaters and historical spots for educational and interactive fun. Take a glimpse of the area’s vibrant past through cultural performances, museums and preserved architectural sites.
Area Attractions:
- Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum
- Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse
- Henegar Center for the Arts
- Air Force Space and Missile Museum
- East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Museum
- Cocoa Beach Pier
- Grant Historical House
- Brevard Zoo
- Space Coast
- Ron Jon Surf Shop
- Cocoa Beach Skate Park
FISHING
Fishing in Cocoa Beach’s coastal waters is every angler’s dream. Cocoa Beach prides itself for having the best saltwater and freshwater fishing spots in the East Coast Florida where prized fish species abound. Fishing areas in Cocoa Beach including mangrove lined shorelines, canals, boat docks, grass flats are protected making it ideal breeding grounds for dozens of fish species. Anglers who want to try inshore and offshore fishing in Cocoa Beach can catch these fish species:
- Amberjack
- Barracuda
- Blue Marlin
- Bluefish
- Crevalle Jack
- Flounder
- Grouper
- King Mackerel
- Pompano
- Red Snapper
- Redfish
- Sailfish
- Sea Bass
- Sheepshead
- Snook
- Spanish Mackerel
- Speckled Trout
- Spotted Seatrout
- Tarpon
- Wahoo
- White Marlin
- Yellowfin Tuna
Cocoa Beach Fishing Types:
- Flats fishing
- Inshore fishing
- Bottom Fishing
- Light tackle fishing
- Fly fishing
- Wade fishing
- Surf fishing
- Pier fishing
- Sight fishing
Local Fishing Piers:
- Lee Wenner Park
- Cocoa Beach Pier
- Veterans Memorial Fishing Pier
BEST MONTHS TO FISH
- January – Trout, Jacks, Ladyfish & Redfish
- February – Trout, Jacks, Ladyfish & Redfish
- March – Jacks, Ladyfish, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Tarpon, Snook & Largemouth Bass
- April – Jacks, Ladyfish, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Tarpon, Snook & Largemouth Bass
- May – Tarpon, Snook, Sharks, Jacks
- June – Tarpon, Snook, Sharks, Jacks
- July – Trout, Redfish, Jacks, Tarpon, Sharks, Kingfish
- August – Trout, Redfish, Jacks, Tarpon, Sharks, Kingfish
- September – Ladyfish, Jacks, Trout, Largemouth bass, Tarpon, Redfish
- October – Ladyfish, Jacks, Trout, Largemouth bass, Tarpon, Redfish
- November – Spanish mackerel, Pompano, Ladyfish, Trout, Snook, Bluefish, Redfish, Jacks
- December – Spanish mackerel, Pompano, Ladyfish, Trout, Snook, Bluefish, Redfish, Jacks
WHAT TO BRING AND WEAR WHEN FISHING
- Appropriate clothing
- Extra clothes
- Boat shoes
- Hat
- Polarized sunglasses
- Suncreen
- Food & snacks
- Beverages
- Camera
- Motion sickness medicine