Anyone for Cocoa Beach?

[BandMan]

We're heading to WDW in June. DD18 really wants to see the ocean. I'm considering taking a morning and heading over to Cocoa Beach. Is it worth the trip? Is there another location that's better? What can we do there? Anyone have ideas?

[Daisy'sMom]

Head over to the space center and the national seashore.

[betteratmk]

Fort deSoto on the gulf side!!

[birdsell]

Go 30 minutes north of Cocoa to New Smyrna Beach. Nice, clean, wide beach, not crowded, good surf break (waves)

[gerald72]

You can't see the ocean from the gulf side

[Daisy'sMom]

Fort deSoto on the gulf side!!

Fort DeSoto is the best! It's our favorite place.

[Daisy'sMom]

You can't see the ocean from the gulf side

You do realize the Gulf is huge?

[deedeenmickey]

I love Coco Beach. I found it very clean and almost secluded when we were there in March. It is a nice beach. I have not be to Fort Desoto however and I checked out pictues after reading this post and it looks super nice. You have to decide if you want waves go to Coco though. If we go to a Florida beach it is a day trip from WDW. I can't seem to go to FL without doing Disney! Have fun whatever you choose.

[gerald72]

You can't see the ocean from the gulf side
You do realize the Gulf is huge?

The original question was asked by someone from Wisconsin. The Great Lakes are also large, not as large as the Gulf of Mexico, but I'm sure they've seen large bodies of water. If someone is from the middle of the country and wants to see an ocean for the first time and specifically asks to see an ocean, I'd direct them to the ocean.

[Briansmom]

And on the Gulf Side, there are no breakers....

Cocoa Beach is nice and so is New Smyrna Beach....I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

[VWL Mom]

For an 18yr old I would have to pick Cocoa Beach and of course a stop at Ron Jons.

[NH Disneyfan]

The first beach when driving to Cocoa Beach is Jetty Park, which is also known as "Port Canaveral" where the cruise ships go in/out. Driving south from there you get into Cocoa Beach with the pier being the most famous ocean spot. Otherwise, there are small parking lots and small walk-ways to the beaches all along the coast. There is metered parking last I knew.

If you want to see the ocean, you can't go wrong with Cocoa Beach. My family has owned a condo there my entire life and we absolutely love it.

The beaches are clean, sandy have generally have terrific waves. Ron Jon Surf Shop is also a good, local attraction.

[Magic Smiles]

We always park at Cocoa Beach not far from Ron Jon's so that we can stop there afterwards. Is there a better part of Cocoa Beach to go to, as I don't find that area all that wonderful? Any place where you can get a snack and drink on the beach?

[NH Disneyfan]

There's a couple places on the beach that you can go to. Sandbar sports bar is an interesting place. If you like shrimp or crab legs (among other food) this place can be a terrific deal. Don't go looking for class though - it is quite unique! A bit further south is Coconuts on the beach and this is a pretty good place. There's always people there, packed during spring break, and beach walk-off. They have an outdoor deck and good menu. The Cocoa Beach pier is okay and there's a few dining places there, where you can walk on/off the beach and there's things going on.

Cocoa Beach is definitely older and while the beach is amazing, clean, surfable - the area is a bit run-down.

Another thing to do is Saturday, Sunday, Thursday the Disney Cruise Line boats go out. I think it is about 5pm. Those are fun to watch from the tiki bar in Port Canaveral. There's other cruise lines on other days, but considering this is the Disney board, I figure those are the important ones.

[NH Disneyfan]

Also, Jetty Park has admission to get in there but also has a snack bar, restrooms, campground, grills, etc. That's a terrific place to visit for a day.

[BandMan]

The original question was asked by someone from Wisconsin. The Great Lakes are also large, not as large as the Gulf of Mexico, but I'm sure they've seen large bodies of water. If someone is from the middle of the country and wants to see an ocean for the first time and specifically asks to see an ocean, I'd direct them to the ocean.

That is correct. We have been to Lake Superior numerous times (we're in Northern WI), as well as Lake Michigan. But DD wants to see waves and the Atlantic. While the gulf is technically the Atlantic, she'd really like to see the Atlantic coast side.

Thanks to everyone for all of the great responses. Can't wait 'till June!

[BigG007]

If you go to Cocoa Beach make sure you visit "Ron Jons Surf Shop" we managed to pick up some Cheap GOOD quality stuff. well worth a look