Cocoa Beach is just an hour from Orlando so it is very popular with tourists and residents alike. The beaches are not "serene" but offer a wide variety of fun with wide sands, gently sloping beaches and moderate but fun surfing and swimming waves. There are quite a few parks on the beach which offer direct access to the ocean. Most are from 2 acres to 40 acres in size and some offer picnic pavilions, surf fishing, nature trails, playgrounds and surfing or swimming. Many resorts, hotels, and restaurants adjoin the parks.

One major highlight of Cocoa Beach is the pier which stretches 840 feet over the Atlantic Ocean and is open year-round. Food and beverages are readily available, with four restaurants, souvenir shops and frequent live entertainment. From an outdoor cafe table, guests can dine and see for miles down the beach making this a great spot to view a space shuttle launch and enjoy the ocean and sunshine.